Ron Paul Ad Attacking International Adoptions Reprehensible, Unacceptable, Un-American

Yesterday, supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul released a reprehensible ad attacking fellow presidential candidate Jon Huntsman for adopting children from India and China.

Parents who choose to adopt provide their children with opportunities they would not otherwise have had. I know: both my wife and I are adopted. Our birthmothers made the selfless decision to give us up for adoption in order to provide us with better lives.

My wife and I each benefited from the adoption system – and we were exceedingly lucky to be born in this country. Without the American adoption system, it is very possible our birthmothers would have been forced to make a different choice – and we would not have been born.

Thankfully in America, adoption is a healthy, viable option for women who are unable to keep their children. In our nation, women who have unplanned pregnancies know that there are agencies that will help them every step of the way. Gracie and Asha Huntsman’s birthmothers did not have this luxury; Gracie was abandoned at a market at two months of age, while Asha was left to die on a roadside in India the day she was born. It was the Huntsmans who gave these beautiful girls a second chance at life.

By condemning adoption, the values that Paul supporters have called into question are not just Jon Huntman’s values, they are America’s values: helping the poor and needy, standing for social justice, and providing children with a home filled with security, opportunities and love.

In attacking Governor Huntsman and his wife for adopting children from China and India, Ron Paul’s supporters have ridiculed the international adoption system, called into question the patriotism of any family that has adopted children from abroad, and politicized one of the most intimate and selfless decisions a family can make.

It is our sincere hope that at this evening’s debate in New Hampshire Congressman Paul will disavow the ad and apologize to Governor Huntsman, his wife, and adoptees and their families everywhere for such an insensitive, myopic message promoted by his supporters.

ARCHBISHOP MAMBERTI PROPOSES WORLD DAY AGAINST PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

 
VATICAN CITY, 7 DEC 2011 (VIS) – Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Holy See’s secretary for Relations with States, addressed the Eighteenth Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held this 6-7 December in Vilnius, Lithuania.
 
  In his address, the archbishop discussed, among other themes, the topic of migration, which for the Holy See constitutes an argument of constant interest, above all in the actual circumstances of economic and financial crisis. Msgr. Mamberti noted that there is a growing consensus in the international community on the necessity of paying greater attention to migrants. In this context he emphasized that it is necessary to support migrants reunification with their families since “the family plays a fundamental role in the integration process, in giving stability to the presence of the immigrants in the new social environment … Migrants, aware of their rights, can be more secure in offering their services and talents and the receiving community, well-informed and respectful of these rights, will feel freer in extending its solidarity in order to build together a common future”.
 
  The Secretary for Relations with States also addressed the Organization’s commitments in defence of fundamental freedoms and human rights, one of which is the right to freedom of religion. “The right to religious freedom, despite being repeatedly proclaimed by the international community, as well as in the constitutions of most States, continues to be widely violated today”. Pope Benedict XVI himself recalled, in his message from this year’s World Day of Peace, that Christians “are the religious group which suffers most from persecution on account of its faith”. According to Archbishop Mamberti, “there may be more than two hundred million Christians, of different confessions, who are in difficulty because of legal and cultural structures that lead to their discrimination”. For this reason, he proposed the institution of an International Day against persecution and discrimination of Christians as “an important sign that governments are willing to deal with this serious issue”.
 
Against Trafficking in Human Beings
 
  The archbishop also addressed the problem of trafficking in human beings, especially of women and minors, for sexual exploitation as well as for labor exploitation and domestic servitude, which has become a “powerful global business involving many countries of origin, transit, and destination. To counteract the scourge of trafficking in human beings with greater determination and more concrete results, a convergence of efforts is necessary: a mentality that is centered on the unique dignity of every person, a sure punishment of traffickers, the fight against corruption, … and the fairness of mass media in reporting the damages created by trafficking”.

EVANGELISATION AND INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN AMERICA

VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2011 (VIS) – The Special Council for America of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops celebrated its sixteenth meeting from 27 to 28 October. According to a note published today, the meeting reflected upon such themes as the new evangelisation, inter-religious dialogue and the situation of the Church and society in various parts of the continent, in the light of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in America”.

“‘Ecclesia in America’ reformulates for the continent of America the criteria used to evaluate non-Christian religions, as expressed by Vatican Council II Declaration ‘Nostra Aetate'”, the note reads. According to those criteria “the Catholic Church, while affirming the specific originality of Christianity, does not reject anything that is true and holy in non-Christian religions”.

“In the field of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, there is sometimes a certain level of interference by States which, while proclaiming themselves as secular, to all intents and purposes tend to consider the Catholic Church as just one among many other religious denominations. In this way they ignore her true nature and the incontestable historical role she played in the first evangelisation of the continent, and in the formation of the identity of individual nations. This strategy followed by the civil authorities means that ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue comes to be replaced by the generic concept of ‘inter-religious relations’. Thus, not only are all religions considered as spiritual phenomena of equal status, but there is a tendency to see religion as a tool at the service of political life. Nonetheless, the Church in America is determined to continue her ecumenical and inter-religious activities, following the pastoral guidelines laid down by Vatican Council II and subsequent Magisterium”.

The note also highlights the good relations that exist with other Christian confessions, and with non-Christians, especially Jews and Muslims. On the subject of the indigenous religions which existed before the arrival of Christianity, the note explains how “the Catholic Church seeks to discover elements which are compatible with the Gospel, to purify them and integrate them appropriately into the life of local ecclesial communities”. The sects, however, represent “the true challenge for the Church in the process of new evangelisation”, because, “through energetic proselytisation they spread rapidly in the big cities and wherever the Church’s presence is weak”.

Poverty, violence and the spread of values that fail to respect human life remain a concern. They are seen as being “the negative outcome of the process of secularisation which is extending from north to south”. The effects of the earthquake in Haiti still persist, made worse by illness and difficult social conditions. It is to be hoped that concrete solidarity will be forthcoming from governments, international institutions and Church organisations.

Another phenomenon of vast proportions which affects the entire continent is migration. “In this field”, the note explains, “the Church is involved in promoting social programmes and religious assistance to migrants, with the aim of favouring cultural integration and social peace. Although it is true that illegal migrants face serious difficulties, there are positive aspects to the phenomenon of migration, which can favour greater integration among different peoples and the unity of the continent”.

The note expresses satisfaction at the increased number of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life among men, but highlights that in some areas female religious life is diminishing. However, “there is great readiness to welcome the faith on the part of the new generations”.

The note concludes by referring to the positive results of the Fifth General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean, which took place in the Brazilian city of Aparecida in 2007, “raising awareness that the entire Church on the continent must be in a state of mission”. It also mentions the positive reception accorded to the “Lineamenta” of the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which is due to be held in the Vatican in October 2012 on the theme: “The new evangelisation for the transmission of the Christian faith”.

Statement from the President of Catholic University on Discrimination Lawsuit

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
 
You may have heard or read news accounts this week about a complaint filed with D.C.’s Office of Human Rights regarding our Muslim students.  The complaint has been filed by John Banzhaf, a professor at a neighboring university who has no affiliation with us.  In a press release he issued October 19, Mr. Banzhaf claimed that Catholic University has “illegally discriminated” against Muslim students.  That charge is completely without foundation.  Worse, Banzhaf has created the perception that it is our Muslim students themselves who are offended by the symbols of Catholicism on our campus, and that they object to the absence of worship space set aside specifically for them.
 
The fact is that no Muslim student at Catholic University has registered a complaint with the University about the exercise of their religion on campus.  And today we learned from an article in the Washington Post that Mr. Banzhaf himself has not received any complaints from our Muslim students.  Instead, according to today’s Washington Post, he based his complaint on an article that appeared in that newspaper in December 2010.  Contrary to the impression Mr. Banzhaf would like to create, the December 2010 Post article spoke in overwhelmingly positive terms about the experience of Muslim students at Catholic University, and explained why they are attracted to us.  A considerable part of the attraction stems from the fact that our community, because of its own outward expressions of Catholic faith, makes them feel comfortable living their faith among us.  The evidence bears this out.  Since 2007 our Muslim enrollment has more than doubled, from 56 to 122.
 
I want to reassure all of you that our Muslim students are welcome at our University.  Our Catholic teaching instructs us to embrace our fellow human beings of all faith traditions.  They enrich us with their presence and help to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural understanding.  I regret very much that our Muslim students have been used as pawns in a manufactured controversy.  I urge all of you continue to show one another the respect and goodwill that are the hallmarks of The Catholic University of America.
 
John Garvey
President

Occupy Halloween…

From the genius of John Cole…

Christian and Hindus: Promoting Religious Freedom

VATICAN CITY, 20 OCT 2011 (VIS) – Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, has written a message to Hindus for the feast of Deepavali. The message, which also bears the signature of Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, secretary of the pontifical council, is entitled: “Christians and Hindus: together in Promoting Religious Freedom”. Deepvali celebrates the victory of truth over falsehood, of light over darkness, of life over death, of good over evil. The celebrations, which being this year on 26 October, last three days and mark the beginning of a new year, a time for family reconciliation, especially among brothers and sisters, and adoration of the divine.

Religious freedom, the text reads, currently takes “centre stage in many places, calling our attention to those members of our human family exposed to bias, prejudice, hate propaganda, discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious affiliation. Religious freedom is the answer to religiously motivated conflicts in many parts of the world. Amid the violence triggered by these conflicts, many desperately yearn for peaceful coexistence and integral human development”.

The Message continues: “Religious freedom is numbered among the fundamental human rights rooted in the dignity of the human person. When it is jeopardised or denied, all other human rights are endangered. Religious freedom necessarily includes immunity from coercion by any individual, group, community or institution. Though the exercise of this right entails the freedom of every person to profess, practise and propagate his or her religion or belief, in public or in private, alone or in a community, it also involves a serious obligation on the part of civil authorities, individuals and groups to respect the freedom of others. Moreover, it includes the freedom to change one’s own religion”.

CON-DIR/

Pope Calls for Respect for Minorities in Egypt

VATICAN CITY, 12 OCT 2011 (VIS) – “I am profoundly saddened by the episodes of violence that took place in Cairo last Sunday”, said the Pope today following his customary language greetings at the end of his Wednesday general audience.

“I share the suffering of the families of the victims and of all the Egyptian people, lacerated by attempts to undermine peaceful coexistence among their communities, a coexistence which it is vital to safeguard, especially in this moment of transition”, the Holy Father went on. “I exhort the faithful to pray that that society might enjoy true peace, based on justice and respect for the freedom and dignity of all citizens.

“I support the efforts made by the civil and religious authorities in Egypt to foster a society in which everyone’s human rights are respected, in particular those of minorities, for the benefit of national unity”.

House of Lords Discussion on Conflict in South Kordofan

Below is a discussion in the House of Lords regarding the conflict in South Kordofan…

Asked by Baroness Cox

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the conflict in Southern Kordofan and of the continuing problems in the other marginalised areas of the Abyei and Blue Nile regions of the Republic of Sudan.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): My Lords, the conflict in Southern Kordofan continues. Despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in Southern Kordofan by President al-Bashir, we have continued to receive reports of fighting and human rights abuses, and humanitarian access remains extremely limited. The outbreak of violence in Blue Nile state on 2 September marks a further deterioration in the ongoing pattern of conflict. We continue to work closely with our international partners to push for an immediate cessation of hostilities. In Abyei, deployment of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei continues, under UN Resolution 1990. We are concerned that the Sudanese armed forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement troops are not withdrawing as agreed, and call for both sides to start the withdrawal process immediately.

Baroness Cox: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply, but I fear it seems to imply symmetry in the culpability for aggression between President al-Bashir’s government of Sudan forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Is he aware that in the recent conflict in Blue Nile, civilians have suffered aerial bombardment from government of Sudan forces? At least 50,000 civilians have had to flee, 20,000 into Ethiopia. Al-Bashir has denied access to UN and other aid organisations to civilians in need and dismissed the democratically elected governor, Malik Agar. What specific actions are Her Majesty’s Government taking in response to the sustained aggression that has been initiated and maintained by al-Bashir against the civilians, not only in Blue Nile but in Southern Kordofan and Abyei?

Lord Howell of Guildford: I am grateful to the noble Baroness. I think that symmetry is the wrong word, because we are under no illusions about the ferocity of the attacks by the Sudan armed forces, ordered apparently by President al-Bashir, and by the Sudan armed air force as well. Nevertheless, the truth is that these are disputed areas outside South Sudan. Many of them wanted to be in that but they have been left out. There is bitterness and both sides blame each other. That is a fact.

What are we doing? We are pushing for a strong line at the United Nations, where the matter is being discussed this very day at the Security Council. Our defence attaché is working hard in Addis Ababa, supporting the African Union implementation panel. We are, of course, putting strong DfID funds into South Sudan. The resources are already in the disputed areas, although it is very hard to get access to them, and we are backing the EU special representative, Rosalind Marsden, who is also very active in pressing Khartoum to halt the violence. Pressure is going on but it is not easy. The access is difficult and not all the parties concerned seem to recognise the awfulness of what is happening, but we are doing our very best.

Lord Chidgey: My Lords, I welcome the Minister’s earlier Statement condemning the bombardments of civilians in the area. However, is he aware that the reports of Amnesty International and human rights groups on the ground confirm the UN’s concerns over the possibilities of war crimes through the bombing of civilians and villagers in that area? We are the lead member of the troika in the north of Sudan. Will we also take the lead in pursuing the investigations into these alleged war crimes of the bombing of civilians?

Lord Howell of Guildford: The short answer is: yes, we are aware of this. We support the recommendation of the report by Navi Pillay that there should be an independent inquiry into these atrocity allegations. This will be pushed ahead as fast as possible.

The Lord Bishop of Guildford: My Lords, I was grateful to read the Ministerial Statement earlier in the week. I have just read a Ministerial Statement issued today by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this very serious area. Does the Minister have a prognosis of the African Union discussions under Thabo Mbeki, and what hopes does he have for that agency to influence for good a very difficult situation?

Lord Howell of Guildford: My Lords, the right reverend Prelate is right. We have issued a Written Statement today trying to bring colleagues up to date with the very ugly, and, I am afraid, deteriorating, situation. The official leading the African Union implementation panel has, of course, been Mr Mbeki. However, there is increasing activity as well from President Meles of Ethiopia, who is taking a lead in trying to get the aims of the panel and all the untied-up ends of the comprehensive peace agreement carried forward. There is more involvement locally. The whole process is very much alive.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: My Lords, does the Minister recall the letter that I sent him on 22 June about the events in Kadugli, where 7,000 refugees were escorted away by members of the northern Sudan military? They included women and children and they disappeared. There have been reports in the area since then of mass graves. Is this not like an unfolding Jacobean tragedy, as we hear day by day of aerial bombardment, arson attacks on villages, rape and looting and the events that were described by my noble friend? In the discussions at the Security Council today will we be pressing for these crimes against humanity to be referred to the International Criminal Court?

Lord Howell of Guildford: We shall certainly be discussing them. I hope the noble Lord will believe me when I say that I do recall the letter that he sent me. As he knows, he sends me quite a few letters, which are very informative. However, as I say, I recall that particular letter. The atrocities that have apparently happened, which he described, are appalling, as is the general refugee problem of homeless people milling around in all three areas that we are discussing. That is causing enormous suffering, hatred and bitterness, which, I am afraid, will take a long time to eradicate. However, as to the role of the International Criminal Court, it is, of course, independent and will decide, probably on the recommendation or the nature of the debate in the UN, what charges to press further. As the noble Lord knows, it has already pressed some charges. These matters are very much on the table.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: My Lords, will the Minister clarify exactly what the United Kingdom is doing to help secure unimpeded access for humanitarian workers? Is not the silence of the UN co-ordinator in Khartoum somewhat baffling? What pressure is the UK putting on the UN to be more vocal and more effective on this issue of humanitarian access? Secondly, what are the Government doing to help facilitate credible mediation efforts between the NCP and the SPLM in the north?

Lord Howell of Guildford: The answer in a very confused and difficult situation is that we are doing our best. As I said earlier, access for humanitarian activity is extremely difficult, particularly in Blue Nile state. The Government, through DfID, have put in resources and supplies almost in grim anticipation of things getting more difficult so that resources and supplies are accessible within Blue Nile state and in Southern Kordofan, but access to find out what is happening is difficult. The Government in Khartoum have been extremely unconstructive, as the noble Baroness knows, and she knows this area very well. They have constantly resisted the renewal of the UNMIS mandate in the north, although just recently I understand that a high Khartoum official did not rule out the idea of an international presence in Blue Nile state. If it is proved to be true, that could be a change from the previous totally unconstructive attitude. However, access is really difficult, so it is very hard to give the precise answers that the noble Baroness rightly seeks.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: My Lords, my long-standing and firm friendship with the noble Baroness, Lady Hooper, began when she served with great distinction as a Member of the European Parliament for the city of Liverpool, where at the time I was a local constituency Member of Parliament. I cannot think of anyone better to have opened today’s debate. She set the scene with great clarity and we are all grateful to her.

My association with the Commonwealth began when I was a Member of another place. I served as chairman of the Council for Education in the Commonwealth. There is an old proverb that states: if you plant a seed, you plant for a season; if you plant a tree, you plant for 10 years; but if you plant education, you plant for a lifetime. I echo some of the things that my noble friend Lady Boothroyd said earlier, and others have said in the debate about education; it is clear that the role of the Commonwealth in future in promoting education must continue to be one of its central tasks.

There is a debate between ecclesiastical and secular Latin scholars about when to use a hard C and when to use a soft C. Many of us would say that in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for far too long we have used a soft C. However, in the Minister who will reply to today’s debate-the noble Lord, Lord Howell of Guildford-we have someone who has a long and distinguished record in promoting the Commonwealth, and who I am sure will insist that it is the hard C which is used rather than the soft.

I will make one substantive point in my remarks. To some extent I echo what was said by my noble friend Lord Luce and by the noble and learned Lord, Lord

Howe of Aberavon, about membership of the Commonwealth and new members. I support in particular what they said about British Somaliland but my remarks will return to a subject that I raised with my noble friend Lady Cox earlier today at Question Time: the position of South Sudan.

10 years ago I had the opportunity to visit Rwanda. I visited the genocide sites. In that country, the genocide that took place against the Tutsi minority by the Hutu majority led to the deaths of 1 million people. Visiting those sites was one of the most emotional and disturbing experiences of my life – seeing some of the mass graves and the places where people’s bodies had been left. Ialso had the opportunity to speak to President Paul Kagame. I was particularly struck that, in 2009, Rwanda applied and was given permission to join the Commonwealth. After all, this was a Francophone nation without the historic connections that many existing Commonwealth nations had. Their admission was the right decision, not least because, in the Harare Declaration of 1991, the Comonwealth set out the principles of democracy and human rights that are not always observed even now in Rwanda. However, a country that seeks admission must surely have some belief in those principles: otherwise, why would it apply to join? At least when a country becomes a member of the Commonwealth and accepts the principles in the Harare Declaration, we are then able to hold it to account and also to enter into proper dialogue in order to strengthen those principles.

This morning, with the noble Lord, Lord Chidgey, and the noble Baroness, Lady Cox, I met two senior officials of the new Government of Southern Sudan. It has become the world’s newest nation, having achieved outright independence on 9 July. I visited Southern Sudan during the civil war, in which 2 million people died. I went to Darfur, where more than 300,000 people died. As the House heard earlier today, in Southern Kordofan and Abyei a campaign of aerial bombardment continues. I was last in Southern Sudan with my second son last year. We visited some areas there and in southern Ethiopia and Turkana where major challenges continue to face those nations. Again and again, I heard of the great warmth that people had for the United Kingdom and for the Commonwealth. Therefore, I was not surprised when the Juba Government, led by President Salva Kiir, lodged an application to bring the world’s newest fledgling nation into the Commonwealth.

This is a dangerous time. I heard from the officials we met this morning that they are fearful that Khartoum will embark on a new outright war against the South. I heard from them about some of the many challenges that the South faces. Half of the South’s population is below 18 years of age; 72 per cent are below the age of 30; 83 per cent are rural; only 27 per cent of the adult population are literate; 51 per cent live below the poverty line; 78 per cent of households depend on crop farming or animal husbandry as their primary source of livelihood; 80 per cent of the population have no access to toilet facilities; infant mortality is 102 per 1,000 births; under-five mortality rates are 135 per 1,000 births; the maternal mortality rate is 2054 per 100,000 live births; just 17 per cent of children are fully immunised; 38 per cent of the population have to walk for more than 30 minutes one way to collect drinking water; 50 per cent use firewood or grass as the primary source of lighting; 27 per cent have no lighting; 96 per cent use firewood or charcoal as their primary fuel for cooking; and a mere 1 per cent of households in Southern Sudan have a bank account. These are pretty daunting odds for any Government, but at least the Africans of the South now have the liberty and freedom that they have craved, and for which they fought and spilt blood, for so long.

Despite the phenomenal challenges, the taste of freedom is sweet. What better candidate could there be for admission to the Commonwealth? I hope that Her Majesty’s Government will do all that they can in these urgent circumstances to accelerate that application for admission.

Lord Howell of Guildford (Government Minister): South Sudan, yes, we support its membership. It is of course up to the whole Commonwealth, all 54 members, but we think it is a good idea and my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has said so in terms.

Turkish Prime Minister Takes Significant Step to Advance Religious Liberty

On August 28, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an historic decision to return property confiscated in 1936 to religious minorities.

The Prime Minister made the announcement surrounded by 150 Jews, Christians, and Muslims celebrating a Ramadan dinner. The properties will be returned to the Jewish, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian communities in Turkey.

Erdogan’s decree states that minorities who had hospitals, schools, temples, cemeteries, apartments, houses, and other property seized by Turkish officials have a twelve-month period to submit their requests for the return of their properties. The Prime Minister has also declared the rightful owners of property sold to a third party will be reimbursed by the Turkish Finance Ministry for the market value of the property.

Approximately 1000 properties will be returned to the Greek Orthodox Church and 100 to the Armenians.

“Holocaust survivors welcome Turkey’s announcement on the properties of religious minorities and now call on the Turkish authorities to return hundreds of millions of dollars of stolen property — particularly gold — hidden by the Nazis there during World War II,” Elan Steinberg, vice president of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants, said in a statement. “It is time for Turkey to come clean. If it wishes to enter the family of European nations, it should take the moral position adopted by the other European states and return to the victims — Jew and non-Jew — the properties stolen by the criminal Nazi regime,” Steinberg said.

In February 2008, the Turkish government attempted a similar decree. However the decree failed before it could be passed.

While this is a significant step, we still hold out hope that the returned property will include the Halki seminary and that further legislative changes will be made to advance and secure religious liberty in Turkey.

Kazakhstan Again Goes Down Bad Road on Liberty Restrictions

From RT:

“LiveJournal and Liveinternet blogging platforms, along with more than two dozen other web sources, have been closed in Kazakhstan, Interfax news agency quoted a Kazakh court as saying on Friday. The authorities believe the websites to be vectors for “terrorism and religious extremism propaganda”. Earlier, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Communications and Information, Askar Zhumagaliev, announced on his Twitter page that LiveJournal had been closed by decision of the court and gave no further details. The court said the decision had already come into legal force, but could still be appealed. It is not the first time access to LiveJournal has been blocked in the country. Earlier, access to YouTube video hosting was also closed.”