VISITING DIPLOMAT. Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of Holy See, meets with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila on Tuesday (July 2, 2024) to discuss bilateral and regional issues concerning the two countries. The Vatican top diplomat, who arrived in Manila on July 1 for an official visit, said the Holy See is urging all parties in the South China Sea to abide by the international law and pursue dialogue as a solution to disputes. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – The Holy See is urging all parties in the South China Sea to abide by international law and pursue dialogue as a solution to disputes.
“The position of the Holy See is quite clear, in such circumstances, such situations of conflict whatever they are, first of all, that every effort must be made – that any differences or conflicts are resolved peacefully,” Vatican’s Secretary for Relations Paul Gallagher said when asked about Vatican's position on tensions in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday.
“We would encourage parties in conflict to abide by international law and to pursue that as a way of resolving difficulties and problems with the best interest of all involved."
The issue of the West Philippine Sea and the Taiwan Strait were among the subjects discussed by Gallagher and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo during a bilateral meeting at the Manila Diamond Hotel.
Concerned by the “far too many conflicts in the world,” Gallagher said the Holy See is focused on promoting peace through dialogue and negotiation.
“We believe that in many of these things, the Holy See and Republic of the Philippines share the same values, the same vision of things so we can probably work together in the future,” he said.
During the meeting, Manalo said they “noted their shared perspective that amidst the various international challenges and conflicts, the international community must be united in preserving a world where differences are resolved peacefully and on the basis of international law."
Gallagher and Manalo first exchanged views on the West Philippine Sea during a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February 2023.
Closer cooperation
On top of security issues, the two top diplomats also discussed ways to strengthen the Philippines and the Vatican’s relations, specifically on migrant rights promotion, culture and education, climate resilience and interfaith dialogue, among others.
Manalo said the two states are now working on an agreement on education that would allow for mutual recognition of university degrees.
This proposed memorandum of understanding is expected to benefit Filipino priests and nuns pursuing further studies in various ecclesiastical and Catholic educational institutions of the Holy See.
Meanwhile, Manalo reaffirmed Manila’s longstanding commitment to promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue “as a means of fostering peace, understanding and cooperation among different cultures and religions”.
“We look forward to continued cooperation with the Holy See, both in advancing bilateral collaborations, as well as in advocating together for issues of common concern on the international stage,” he said.
Pope Francis sends greetings
Gallagher also paid a courtesy visit on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday afternoon.
During their meeting, the Vatican official extended Pope Francis’ greetings to Marcos Jr. and the Filipinos.
”The Holy Father is sending you his greetings, Your Excellency. As most attached to the Filipino people [and] to the church in the Philippines,” Gallagher told the President, as quoted by a Presidential Communications Office news release.
Gallagher said Pope Francis appreciates the Filipinos for their amazing work and contribution to the Catholic Church not only in the Philippines, but around the world “bringing that faith with them, whenever they’re working.”
The Vatican official was accompanied by Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Monsignor Giuseppe Trentadue, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila and Monsignor Giuseppe Siviero, Secretariat of the State of the Holy See. (with reports from Darryl John Esguerra/PNA)
