USCCB official praises G-8 promises to help Africa, Palestinians

Published: 2005-07-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The commitment made by the world's wealthiest countries to help improve living conditions in Africa offered "hope and promise" to the world's poorest countries, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' international policy committee. Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., said he welcomed the promise made by world leaders at the recent Group of Eight summit to extend debt relief and to double aid to Africa. "At a time of sadness, fear and determination following the terror attacks on the people of London, the G-8 leaders have offered commitments of hope and promise. They launched a new partnership in pursuit of a more just, secure and peaceful world," Bishop Ricard said in a statement released July 12 in Washington. At the G-8 summit July 6-8 in Scotland, leaders of the world's industrialized nations promised a $50 billion package to help lift Africa from poverty and proposed up to $9 billion to help the Palestinians achieve peace with Israel. Bishop Ricard said the G-8 leaders should take steps to ensure that these goals are reached by 2010.

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