The Holy See’s Top Diplomat Highlights Moral Values at FSI’s Mabini Dialogue

The Most Reverend Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher delivers his address at FSI’s Mabini Dialogue.

MANILA 12 July 2024 – The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) held the Mabini Dialogue on “Moral Governance and Ethical Leadership” on 05 July 2024, Friday, at its Carlos P. Romulo Library. The event featured His Excellency, the Most Reverend Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See.

Archbishop Gallagher elaborated on the Holy See’s unique position as a transnational player, emphasizing its mission that transcends temporal, political, or material interests. This grants the Holy See a significant influence in global affairs, driven by moral authority rather than hard power. The Holy See, he explained, leverages its global network through the Roman Catholic Church to promote justice, peace, and solidarity. Its influence, he highlighted, stems from moral persuasion and soft power, often yielding outcomes that surpass conventional statecraft.

Referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’,” Archbishop Gallagher emphasized the need for global cooperation to address environmental, public health, and social challenges. He stressed the importance of integrating moral and ethical values with pragmatic diplomatic strategies and encouraged the Philippines to draw from its cultural and religious values to foster human development and promote dialogue among religious communities.

Participants of the Mabini Dialogue included attendees from the FSI, Department of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local media, and the academe.

FSI is the training and research office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, created under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and expanded by Republic Act No. 7157. The FSI Board is chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, with the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the FSI Director General, the President of the University of the Philippines, and the President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as members. END

Archbishop Gallagher receives a token of appreciation from DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega (second from the right) and FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III (right). Apostolic Nuncio Christopher Brown (left) joins them. 

Archbishop Gallagher with officials from FSI, DFA, and members of the Holy See delegation.