2007-06-02 19:13:50 -

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Bishops from G-8 countries are pressing for 'bold' action on poverty, climate change and health care, at next week's summit at Germany, Vatican Radio said Saturday.

The heads of bishops conferences from the eight nations sent a letter with their hopes to G-8 leaders of the United States, Canada, Britain, France,

Italy, Germany, Japan and Russia who will meet in Rostock, Germany, June 6-8, the radio said.

«Bold action on global poverty, preventive health care, climate change, peace and security» is being sought by the bishops, the radio report said.

In their letter, the bishops said they were sad that in 2006 aid from industrialized countries to developing nations did not increase, it said.

«We call on you to act, keeping in mind the moral obligations that we share for the well-being of every human person, but also because replacing desperation with hope will make the world safer for all,» the letter said.

Among problems of great importance for the bishops are preventing HIV infection and AIDS, dealing with climate change, respecting natural resources and tackling the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

«The G-8 summit will tackle many topics of crucial importance for life and human dignity,» the bishops wrote. «We pray that your meeting is blessed by a spirit of collaboration which will allow the G-8 leaders to work for the common good, adopting concrete measures,» Vatican Radio quoted the bishops as saying.

Although the bishops cited AIDS, the Vatican has drawn criticism for years for its refusal to allow condoms in the fight against HIV transmission. Vatican teaching forbids birth control.