Bishop Diarmuid Martin, a Vatican official who has helped lead the church's campaign to reduce the debt-burden of poor countries, was named today as the Vatican's representative to UN agencies and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.
The Irish-born bishop entered Vatican service in 1977, currently serving as secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
He has played a major role in lobbying bankers and government representatives to rally support for the Pope's campaign for Third World debt reduction.
The Vatican holds observer status at the United Nations and considers the world body a particularly important forum to air the church's views. The Geneva-based UN offices include arms control, world health and human rights.
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AP