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Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis delivers first speech as Holy See's Permanent Observer to UN

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis told the United Nations on Sept. 17 that hate speech is not protected by freedom of expression. Speaking at the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech in New York, the archbishop, who is the new permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN, said speech that deliberately incites hatred or violence cannot claim the protection of liberty.

The archbishop, who is also an apostolic nuncio, stated that hate speech contradicts the commandment to love one's neighbor. He noted that such rhetoric poisons public discourse, increases division, and often prepares the ground for violence and persecution. He added that these harms occur regardless of whether the speech targets individuals or communities based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, or other characteristics.

While El-Kassis described freedom of expression as a fundamental right that must be protected, he emphasized that this freedom carries corresponding responsibilities. He argued that inciting speech erodes the conditions necessary for genuine freedom to flourish. The conference was sponsored by the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

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Earlier version, Friday 18 September

Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis delivers speech at UN

Earlier version, Friday 18 September

Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis delivers first speech as Holy See Permanent Observer to UN

Earlier version, Friday 18 September

Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis delivers first speech as Holy See Permanent Observer to UN

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 17, 10:12 AM Vatican News New Holy See Permanent Observer to UN: Hate speech is not freedom of expression
  2. Sep 17, 9:12 AM Diocese of Hallam New Holy See Permanent Observer to UN: Hate speech is not freedom of expression
  3. Sep 17, 8:22 PM LiCAS News New Holy See Permanent Observer to UN: Hate speech is not freedom of expression
  4. Sep 17, 9:59 PM Katolici Македонски Новиот постојан набљудувач на Светиот Престол во ОН: Говорот на омраза не е слобода на изразување
  5. Sep 18, 12:54 AM Vatican News Svenska Heliga stolens nye permanente observatör vid FN: Hatpropaganda är inte yttrandefrihet
  6. Sep 18, 12:09 AM Catholic World News Vatican diplomat decries hate speech, says it 'cannot claim the protection of liberty' (Holy See Mission)
  7. Sep 18, 3:12 AM Vatican News Deutsch Vatikan verurteilt Hassrede
  8. Sep 18, 3:00 AM Angelus News Vatican envoy tells UN: Hate speech contradicts love of neighbor
  9. Sep 18, 9:04 AM National Catholic Register Vatican Tells UN: Hate Speech Is Poison That Leads to Violence and Persecution
  10. Sep 18, 3:38 AM Vatican News Français «Les discours de haine ne relèvent pas de la liberté d’expression»
  11. Sep 18, 4:55 AM The Catholic Sun Hate speech violates command to love one’s neighbor, says Vatican’s UN diplomat
  12. Sep 18, 5:04 AM OSV News Hate speech violates command to love one’s neighbor, says Vatican’s UN diplomat
  13. Sep 18, 5:22 AM Vatican News አማርኛ የቅድስት መንበር ቋሚ ታዛቢ፣ የጥላቻ ንግግር የመናገር ነፃነት አይደለም ማለታቸው ተገለጸ
  14. Sep 18, 4:10 AM Vatican News Čeština Stálý pozorovatel Svatého stolce při OSN: Odzbrojení slov je prvním krokem ke kultuře dialogu a tolerance
  15. Sep 18, 5:46 AM Canção Nova Português Novo Observador Permanente da Santa Sé: não ao discurso de ódio
  16. Sep 18, 7:15 AM The Tablet Hate Speech Violates Command To Love One’s Neighbor, Says Vatican’s UN Diplomat
  17. Sep 18, 7:16 AM Církev.cz Čeština Stálý pozorovatel Svatého stolce při OSN: Odzbrojení slov je prvním krokem ke kultuře dialogu a tolerance
  18. Sep 18, 9:27 AM The Monitor Hate speech violates command to love one’s neighbor, says Vatican’s UN diplomat

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