File #: Res 0801-2015    Version: Name: Praising Pope Francis for his lifelong pursuit of peace among all peoples and commends him on his upcoming historic visit to NYC.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 7/23/2015
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution praising Pope Francis for his lifelong pursuit of peace among all peoples and commends him on his upcoming historic visit to New York City.
Sponsors: Paul A. Vallone, Fernando Cabrera , Andrew Cohen, Donovan J. Richards, Rory I. Lancman, Karen Koslowitz, Annabel Palma, Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., Mathieu Eugene, Daniel R. Garodnick, Margaret S. Chin, Inez E. Dickens, Deborah L. Rose, Helen K. Rosenthal, Jumaane D. Williams, Ydanis A. Rodriguez, Stephen T. Levin, Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Elizabeth S. Crowley, Peter A. Koo, Costa G. Constantinides, Ben Kallos, Brad S. Lander, Ruben Wills, Eric A. Ulrich
Council Member Sponsors: 25
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 801-A (FINAL), 2. Res. No. 801 - 7/23/15, 3. Committee Report 9/16/15, 4. Hearing Testimony 9/16/15, 5. Hearing Transcript 9/16/15, 6. September 17, 2015 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 7. Hearing Transcript of the Stated Meeting - September 17, 2015, 8. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - September 17, 2015

Res. No. 801-A

 

Resolution praising Pope Francis for his lifelong pursuit of peace among all peoples and commends him on his upcoming historic visit to New York City.

 

By Council Members Vallone, Cabrera, Cohen, Richards, Lancman, Koslowitz, Palma, Espinal, Eugene, Garodnick, Chin, Dickens, Rose, Rosenthal, Williams, Rodriguez, Levin, Ferreras-Copeland, Crowley, Koo, Constantinides, Kallos, Lander, Wills and Ulrich

 

                     Whereas, Since assuming the office of the successor of Saint Peter in March of 2013, Pope Francis inherited a role that commands a great deal of influence, not only over the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics but over many peoples of the world; and

                     Whereas, Having begun his duties in the papal office as the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European leader of the church in more than 1,200 years, Pope Francis commenced his service as part of a renewed era in the Roman Catholic Church and the great achievements of his papacy are testament to his leadership; and

                     Whereas, Pope Francis chose the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, who devoted himself to the poor, to peace and protecting animals and the environment; and

                     Whereas, Having long been a champion of the poor, a vocal promoter of social justice, and known for leading an austere life in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis has denounced unnecessary luxuries proclaiming “… I would like a church that is poor and that is for the poor”; and

                     Whereas, As a promoter of peace, Pope Francis hosted Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at an interfaith event comprised of Christian, Jewish and Muslim prayers and the planting of an olive tree, a symbol of peace, in an effort to advance diplomacy and peace; and

                     Whereas, Pope Francis has repeatedly denounced the violence in Iraq and Syria and prayed for peace for those “who for too long now suffer the effects of ongoing conflict and who, together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups, are suffering a brutal persecution” in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa; and

                     Whereas, With regard to opening relations between the United States and Cuba, Pope Francis wrote personal letters to both President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro, inviting them to “resolve humanitarian questions of common interest, including the situation of certain prisoners”; and

                     Whereas, Pope Francis has lead the church in fights against rampant consumerism, air pollution and environmental exploitation, claiming “If we destroy creation, creation will destroy us”; and

                     Whereas, Pope Francis has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to reconciliation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among all regions and religions, amplified by his upcoming landmark visit to New York City where he will address the United Nations General Assembly and appear at Madison Square Garden; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York praises Pope Francis for his lifelong pursuit of peace among all peoples and commends him on his upcoming historic visit to New York City.

 

LS #5412

8/12/2015

CGR