Pope John Paul welcomes TT Ambassador

POPE John Paul on Thursday welcomed Trinidad and Tobago's new Ambassador to the Vatican, Mr Learie Rousseau and advised that the concept of development should not be limited to merely satisfying material necessities, but must highlight the dignity of the human person.

At the ceremony of Rousseau's presentation of Letters of Credence at the Vatican, the Pope extended his gratitude for the welcome he received when he visited Trinidad and Tobago some years ago and sent best wishes to President Max Richards and the Prime Minister and Government. He said "In a multi-cultural and multi-religious society such as that found in your own country the imperative of recognising and protecting the intrinsic dignity of every human being is keenly felt. "Furthermore, the quest to achieve national unity through diversity and social harmony through tolerance when firmly anchored in a willingness to defend the values rooted in the very nature of the human person, becomes not just a matter of passive acceptance but a means of active cultural enrichment for all."

The Pope said cultural and religious difference are treasured as gifts. The Pope spoke of the right to meaningful work and an acceptable standard of living, the assurance of a fair distribution of goods and wealth and the responsible use of natural resources all depend upon a concept of development that highlights the dignity of the human person. The Pope touched on the acute social problems affecting Trinidad and Tobago and the world and said that the assault on family life which seems "tragically a sign of our times takes on many forms, including the pernicious trade and use of drugs which fuels crime and violence and contribute to the desolation of family life." He said he was confident that the TT mission in the Vatican would help to strengthen the bonds of understanding and cooperation between TT and the Holy See. Rousseau was the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.