Facing climate change challenges can strengthen Vatican-Guyana relations

GUYANA

As he presented his Letter of Credence to His Excellency President David Granger November 6, the Vatican’s new envoy to Guyana, His Excellency Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu reiterated his desire to do his best to promote the greater good of the people of Guyana and to strengthen the already existing good relations between the Holy See and Guyana.

In his remarks, the Archbishop noted that the Vatican and Guyana enjoy very cordial diplomatic relations and it was their wish and prayers that these relations will keep growing to the benefit of peoples and institutions and of humanity.

“I personally, will endeavour to seize every opportunity open to me to work towards strengthening these ties,” he said, according to a Catholic Standard report.

Guyana established formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See 22 years ago on June 9, 1997.

The Nuncio also pointed out that Pope Francis has been persistent in his call to reach out to the more vulnerable members of society and world and has insistently invited all to do more to protect the world from avoidable disasters.

He added that one main concern of the Vatican is to serve the people regardless of their religious affiliation promoting solidarity and supporting especially the poor, the voiceless and those who are in need.

“To do this in Guyana …the Holy See prioritises education since we firmly believe that the future of this nation will benefit a lot if the young generations are formed in the spirit of mutual respect and the promotion of human rights as well as other values upon which Guyana is founded,” the Archbishop said.

Archbishop Nwachukwu affirmed that the Catholic institutions intend always to work in partnership with the government for the benefit of all.

President Granger in his remarks also hailed the longstanding relations between the Vatican and Guyana noting that relations between Guyana and the Holy See are founded on the principles of mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of world peace and security.

Climate Connection

The Head of State observed that the Holy See “has placed great attention to the urgency of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation and encouraging efforts by global leaders in delivering Nationally Determined Contributions of the Paris Agreement.”

He further stated that Guyana, in recognition of the global challenges to earth’s environment, is moving towards establishing a ‘Green State’ with emphasis on the protection of the environment, preservation of its biodiversity, the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaption.

The President ended his remarks saying he expected the shared commitment between Guyana and the Holy See to confronting the challenges of climate change will contribute to the strengthening of their bilateral relations during the tenure of the newly accredited Papal envoy who was also assured of the full support of the Guyana government in the discharge of his duties.