The significance of human dignity in a world undergoing globalisation is the theme of “Globalisation and Human Dignity”, a book in English presented in The Hague in recent days. The book was commissioned by the Catholic organizations “Radboud Foundation” (which will be celebrating the centenary of its foundation on 12 November 2005) and “Katholiek Netwerk”. The questions tackled include that of defining the concept of “dignified life”: the book identifies some minimum levels of subsistence (in the social, economic and biological fields) that would need to be guaranteed to everyone, without distinctions of any kind. Another question taken into examination: the need to work, as Catholics, for a reduction of poverty in the world, by appealing to the principles of the social doctrine of the Church. The first two copies of the book were presented to Agnes van Ardenne, Dutch Minister for Overseas Aid, and to Bishop Adrian van Luyn of Rotterdam, delegate for missions, cooperation in development and interreligious dialogue for the Dutch Bishops’ Conference. Van Luyn cited the “Millennium Development Goals”, also recalled by the Pope in his message of 1st January 2005 and by the Dutch bishops in their letter for Lent, and said “how splendid it would be if these goals were to be achieved in ten years time, just at the time when the Church will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dignitatis Humanae: the document of Vatican Council II on human dignity that can play an important role in the way Catholics relate to globalisation”. The Dutch bishops, meeting in plenary assembly on 15 February, elected their new permanent Council, which will remain in office for the next five years. It will be chaired by Cardinal Adrianus Simonis (president of the Bishops’ Conference); the vice-chairman is Msgr. Van Luyn, bishop of Rotterdam; and member, Bishop F. Wiertz of Roermond. The fifth international eucharistic celebration in the Marthakerk in The Hague on Sunday 6 March attracted huge participation. Many communities of migrants were present; since 1st January, their pastoral care has been assigned to the national office “Cura Migratorum”, which works in close liaison with the bishops of the country’s eight dioceses.
