UN Committee Pressures Slovakia over its Concordat with the Catholic Church

UN Committee Pressures Slovakia over its Concordat with the Catholic Church




by Samantha Singson

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) At the most recent session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) meetings in New York, committee members pressed countries on abortion in the guise of talking about maternal mortality, family planning and contraceptive prevalence. Lithuania, Nigeria, Finland, the United Kingdom and Slovakia were all questioned on their abortion laws during their reviews by the committee.

While abortion is not mentioned in the treaty, in recent years the CEDAW Committee has questioned more than 60 nations on their abortion legislation. The committee has even gone so far as to create their own "general recommendation" that reads abortion into the text even though the nations negotiated the treaty made sure that controversial issue was never mentioned. Delegations often go along with the committees’ line of questioning on abortion by providing data and answering queries on the subject during their reviews.

During Lithuania’s review, committee members pressed the government delegation on access to contraception and on proposed legislation that seeks to defend prenatal life and would pose restrictions on access to abortion. Japanese committee member Yoko Hayashi stated that governmental restrictions on abortion “contradict the full enjoyment of women’s reproductive health rights that are protected by CEDAW.” The CEDAW document is silent on "reproductive health rights."

The United Kingdom was similarly taken to task by the CEDAW committee because of concerns over access to abortion in Northern Ireland. In response to committee queries over whether there was a possibility of changing the abortion legislation, the Irish representative responded that abortion was a matter of criminal law and that no change in legislation could occur in Northern Ireland without consent from all parties.

One committee member fired back that the government was not adequately addressing the abortion issue and that not taking action on the matter is “incompatible with obligations under the CEDAW convention.”

Sylvia Pimentel of Brazil took exception to Slovakia’s concordat with the Holy See, particularly on the right of health care workers to conscientiously object to performing or aiding in abortion. Pimentel claimed that it is “discriminatory to refuse to legally provide reproductive health services to women” and that CEDAW state parties “must refrain from obstructing women from pursuing their health goals.”

While the rulings of the Committee are supposedly non-binding, abortion activists have brought litigation throughout the world citing CEDAW Committee rulings in support of overturning laws against abortion. Such arguments helped convince the Colombian constitutional court to liberalize that country’s restrictions on the practice.

Under the topic of non-discrimination, CEDAW committee members questioned states on gay rights issues. During Finland’s review, committee members questioned legislation that prevented lesbian adoption. Slovakia was questioned on medically assisted reproduction and “discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation” against lesbian women who wanted to undergo the procedure.

At the end of the month, official representatives of States parties to CEDAW are scheduled to elect 11 members of the Committee that will serve from January 2009 to December 2012. The CEDAW Committee will next meet again in Geneva in October to review the reports from Bahrain, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Myanmar, Portugal, Slovenia and Uruguay.

At first, abortion began as a program of racism and eugenics. Now, it is applied to all races, and in my opinion, the fuel for its fire is directly provided from the depths of hell.

More from World Youth Day Australia

source for all articles below: http://www.zenit.org

3-Minute Showers and
World Youth Day Goes Green

By Anthony Barich and Catherine Smibert

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 15, 2008 (Zenit.org).- World Youth Day 2008 will be the most environmentally friendly event Sydney has ever hosted, says the event's coordinator.

Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney told ZENIT that the organizers have been acutely aware that hosting such a big event "has its own ecological challenges."

He said that experts have been advising event organizers "from the start" on minimizing risks to the environment and, "if anything, leave the environment better off at the end."

It will be more environmentally friendly than any other event Sydney has hosted because pilgrims are mainly walking from venue to venue, and taking public transport.
Pilgrims around Australia also have been involved in a huge tree-planting program that will be a carbon-offset for those traveling to Australia by plane.

World Youth Day '08 airline partner Qantas also provided a carbon-offset program for the pilgrims using the national airline.

"We have dedicated cleaning and waste management strategies to maximize the recycling and we have used, throughout, the minimum packaging that can either be kept or re-used," Bishop Fisher said.

For example, he explained that the pilgrims have also been given a three-minute timer so they keep their showers brief to minimize water use, and that the flashlights in the pilgrim packs have reusable batteries so they "don't end up being thrown out."

"Pilgrims spent much of the time walking or on public transport, which means they're not in cars polluting the environment," he said. "On a per capita basis this group will be far and away the lowest-polluting crowd for an event in Sydney.

"They're using the very minimum of energy and are maximizing the use of recyclable and biodegradable products."

*****

Generation Y Forgot to RSVP: Thousands Register Late for Youth Day

By Anthony Barich and Catherine Smibert

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 15, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Generation Y is demonstrating to World Youth Day organizers in Sydney why they weren't called Generation RSVP, says the coordinator of the event.

Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney told ZENIT today that thousands of unregistered pilgrims arrived to the host city on the opening day of World Youth Day, providing an extra challenge for the organizers to accommodate the unexpected overflow.

Thousands stood in line Tuesday at registration stands in Hyde Park, Circular Quay and Broadway. World Youth Day began today in Sydney, and will culminate on Sunday with an open-air Mass presided over by Benedict XVI at Randwick Racecourse. Some 500,000 are expected to attend the closing liturgy.

"This is not Generation RSVP," said the bishop, "this is Generation Y, and they just arrive and decide to register on the spot, and we're getting them in the thousands."

He said that over 100,000 international pilgrims have already arrived, and that organizers are confident of achieving their goal of having 100,000 Australian pilgrims, including 40,000 Sydney residents.

"Some of them we didn't know about; they've been arriving unregistered and we're past maximum capacity, but we're doing everything we can to make sure they get into all the events, get transport passes and accommodation and food," said Bishop Fisher, the youngest bishop in Australia.

24-year-old Sabrina Dias from Mexico was one among those registering late. She said she is in Australia visiting her family, and she "happened to be here at the same time."

"It's an opportunity not to be missed," she added.

Street party
"Look at the streets of Sydney," Bishop Fisher said. "We've never had this before. […] We've never had this many young people full of the faith, of idealism, of enthusiasm for Jesus Christ, his Church and the future of our world."

He added that Sydney is the first World Youth Day where that has been a large participation from the Pacific.

In Cologne 2005 there were 100 pilgrims from New Zealand, 10 from Papua New Guinea and less than 100 from the rest of the Pacific.

This year there are 4,500 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Papua New Guinea and up to 1,000 from each of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and other small island nations, the bishop reported.

The youth day organizer explained that this was due to the contribution of local parishes and schools to the fairs of the poor Pacific Islands. A contingent from East Timor was also made possible through local fundraising efforts.

Dressed in traditional tapa wraps in colors designed specifically for his parish group, Tonga Rui of Tonga told ZENIT he is excited "at how World Youth Day has been able to unite so many of the Oceanic region."

Bishop Fisher added that the indigenous participation attending the youth event will also be "way out of proportion to their population numbers" due to the support from local communities.

Aboriginal performers are headlining key events throughout the week, as are those from the oceanic islands.

******

Prime Minister Notes Faith-Reason Partnership

Welcomes Youth to Australia

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 15, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The prime minister of Australia welcomed participants in World Youth Day to his country, affirming that faith and reason are "great partners" in history and will be in the future.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke to the youth gathered in Sydney for the 23rd World Youth Day before today's opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal George Pell.

"Australia welcomes the youth of the world to Sydney. Australia welcomes the youth of the world to this celebration of faith and this celebration of life. And as prime minister of Australia I welcome you from every land, every path, every continent on this, our planet," he said.

The leader told the young people that they are the "light of the world at a time when the world has so much darkness."

"Too often in the history of the world when young people traveled in great numbers to other parts of the world, they do so in the cause of war. But you here today are here as pilgrims of peace," he said.

The prime minister spoke about the role of faith in today's world and in history.

He said: "Some say there is no place for faith in the 21st century. I say they are wrong. Some say that faith is the enemy of reason, I say, also they are wrong. Because faith and reason are great partners in our human history and in our human future. Rich in humanity, rich in scientific progress.

"Some say only that which they see wrong in Christianity and in the Church, I say let us speak also about what is right in Christianity and the Church."

Rudd noted that the Church began the first schools and hospitals for the poor: "And I say this, that Christianity has been an overwhelming force for good in the world."

"Australia is a land of great freedom, a land of many cultures, a land of many faiths," Rudd continued. "But also a land deeply shaped by and proud of this nation’s Christian heritage and future. And within that great Christian heritage, we honor deeply the great Catholic heritage of Australia as well."

Catholicism is now the religious tradition with the largest number of adherents in Australia, some 26% of its 20 million people.

"You come here as young pilgrims of the world," Rudd added. "I say to you as I conclude, as Prime Minister of Australia, you are welcome guests in our land. May each of you be enriched by your time here among us in Australia just as you enrich Australia by your time here with us. Welcome to Australia."

Maybe when the USA goes down the tubes, I'll move to Australia. :-)

"If You Wish to Remain Young, Seek Christ"

Pope's Message to Australia and Youth Pilgrims

"If You Wish to Remain Young, Seek Christ"

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the message Benedict XVI wrote ahead of his trip to Australia to the people of the nation and the young pilgrims who will take part in World Youth Day, to be held in Sydney from July 15 to 20. The note was released today in Australia.

* * *

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses" (Act 1:8)

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you! In a few days from now, I shall begin my Apostolic Visit to your country, in order to celebrate the Twenty-Third World Youth Day in Sydney. I very much look forward to the days that I shall spend with you, and especially to the opportunities for prayer and reflection with young people from all over the world.

First of all, I want to express my appreciation to all those who have offered so much of their time, their resources and their prayers in support of this celebration. The Australian Government and the Provincial Government of New South Wales, the organizers of all the events, and members of the business community who have provided sponsorship – all of you have willingly supported this event, and on behalf of the young people taking part in the World Youth Day, I thank you most sincerely. Many of the young people have made great sacrifices in order to undertake the journey to Australia, and I pray that they will be rewarded abundantly. The parishes, schools and host families have been most generous in welcoming these young visitors, and they too deserve our thanks and our appreciation.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses" (Act 1:8). This is the theme of the Twenty-Third World Youth Day. How much our world needs a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit! There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognized in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts. The Psalmist prays: "when you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth" (Ps 104:30). It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ, and sharing with others the love that the Spirit pours into their hearts, so that they too will be filled with hope and with thanksgiving for all the good things they have received from our heavenly Father.

Many young people today lack hope. They are perplexed by the questions that present themselves ever more urgently in a confusing world, and they are often uncertain which way to turn for answers. They see poverty and injustice and they long to find solutions. They are challenged by the arguments of those who deny the existence of God and they wonder how to respond. They see great damage done to the natural environment through human greed and they struggle to find ways to live in greater harmony with nature and with one another.

Where can we look for answers? The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. There is a saying attributed to Saint Augustine: "If you wish to remain young, seek Christ". In him we find the answers that we are seeking, we find the goals that are truly worth living for, we find the strength to pursue the path that will bring about a better world. Our hearts find no rest until they rest in the Lord, as Saint Augustine says at the beginning of the Confessions, the famous account of his own youth. My prayer is that the hearts of the young people who gather in Sydney for the celebration of World Youth Day will truly find rest in the Lord, and that they will be filled with joy and fervour for spreading the Good News among their friends, their families, and all whom they meet.

Dear Australian friends, although I will only be able to spend a few days in your country, and I will not be able to travel outside Sydney, my heart reaches out to all of you, including those who are sick or in difficulties of any kind. On behalf of all the young people, I thank you again for your support of my mission and I ask you to continue praying for them especially. It remains only for me to renew my invitation to the young people from all over the world to join me in Australia, the great "southern land of the Holy Spirit". I look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you all.

From the Vatican, 14 July 2008 ~ BENEDICTUS PP. XVI ~ © Copyright 2008 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Sin Dios, el hombre no tiene futuro

Por monseñor Demetrio Fernández, obispo de Tarazona

TARAZONA, sábado, 12 julio 2008 (ZENIT.org).- Publicamos la carta pastoral escrita por el obispo de Tarazona (España), monseñor Demetrio Fernández, con el título "Sin Dios, el hombre no tiene futuro".

* * *

Se quiere construir una sociedad sin Dios, y sin Dios el hombre no tiene futuro. Dios es el futuro de nuestra vida, a nivel personal y a nivel social. Si quitamos a Dios de la existencia humana, el hombre se queda sin horizonte. El hombre sin Dios queda amputado en una de sus principales dimensiones, la dimensión religiosa. Esta dimensión religiosa del hombre no se reduce a la esfera privada de la conciencia, sino que por la propia naturaleza humana tiende a expresarse y a vivirse en sociedad.

Dios no es enemigo del hombre. Dios no estorba para el progreso y para la felicidad del hombre. Dios ha sido y seguirá siendo el principal factor de transformación de la sociedad, de respeto al ser humano, de promoción de sus derechos, de fomento de la convivencia. La religión no ha sido, como tantas veces se nos quiere hacer ver, la causa de los enfrentamientos a lo largo de la historia. Cuando el hombre deja de ser religioso, no por eso cesan las guerras y las ambiciones, sino que por el contrario se multiplican. La historia demuestra que cuando el hombre se acerca a Dios, se hace más capaz de crear una convivencia pacífica entre todos.

Oímos continuamente proclamas en contra de Dios y de la religión, y al hacer estas proclamas, se sueña con un progreso que traerá la paz y la felicidad para todos. Pero junto a estas proclamas y como una consecuencia de las mismas, se anuncia el aborto sin medida, la eutanasia legalizada y otros "progresos" que no respetan los derechos fundamentales del hombre.

La vida es el bien fundamental de la persona. Todos tienen derecho a los que han sido engendrados y todavía no han nacido. Desde el momento mismo de la fecundación, tenemos una nueva persona, dotada de alma y cuerpo, con un proyecto genético y vital propio. Truncar esa vida es matar a un inocente. El sentido común y la fe en Dios nos dicen que nadie tiene derecho a suprimir esa vida que ha brotado en el seno materno. Hoy nos presentan como un progreso la libertad para matar al inocente en el seno materno, poniendo al alcance de quienes lo deseen todo tipo de medios. La vida no es respetada, el hombre no tiene futuro por este camino. Cuando el hombre se aleja de Dios, pierde hasta la luz natural para entender esta verdad elemental.

La vida en todas sus fases debe ser respetada, amada, acogida, alentada. No es ningún progreso poder eliminar a los minusválidos, a los que tienen síndrome de Down, a los que por cualquier accidente viven una vida limitada, a veces vegetativa. No hace bien al hombre y a la sociedad esta falta de protección del más débil, incluidos los que llegan a una edad avanzada y, gracias a la medicina, prolongan sus años. Cuando el hombre se aleja de Dios, se vuelve contra el hombre con toda crueldad. Y eso no constituye ningún progreso.

Por eso, nos llena de esperanza la próxima Jornada Mundial en Sydney del 15 al 20 de julio, en la que el Papa Benedicto XVI convoca a jóvenes de todo el mundo. Desde el encuentro fuerte con Jesucristo, estos miles y miles de jóvenes se animan a construir la civilización del amor, que respeta y ama al hombre, especialmente al más débil, en todos los momentos de su existencia. Es urgente construir un mundo nuevo. Y esto no podrá hacerse nunca al margen de Dios. Los miles de jóvenes que acudirán a Sydney y los millones de jóvenes que se unirán desde cualquier rincón del planeta a este acontecimiento constituyen una esperanza y una promesa. En ellos tenemos la esperanza de un mundo nuevo donde el hombre será respetado y amado en todas las circunstancias de la vida.

Expected protests at WYD 2008

When I went to Germany for WYD 2005, the worst protester I saw was some wacked out Protestant with a huge sign that said "The pope is the beast." (the beast from Revelation). I know that argument in and out, I think he needs a history lesson, but when all is said and done he was another Christian trying to spread (his version of) the gospel. This year, it looks worse...

from ZENIT

Sydneysiders have been asked politely, or maybe not so politely, to avoid annoying or inconveniencing World Youth Day pilgrims. Pesky merchants or protestors, or mere nuisances, could be penalized with fines of more than $5,000.

Australian civil rights campaigners are set to challenge the regulation in federal courts. The Combined Community Legal Centers Group has warned that police powers could be used inappropriately during World Youth Day.

Going out on a limb, but I bet these groups lean to the left.

So to just push the issue, the NoToPope Coalition, which includes members of Sydney's atheist, gay and environmental communities, held an "annoying" fashion show this week outside the New South Wales Parliament, in which they paraded in T-shirts sporting messages contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Although only 20 people gathered for the protest, it received international coverage.

Don't tell me the media has no bias... A 20 person protest receiving international coverage? That only happens if the Catholic Church is being protested. Not even anti-Bush protesters get that much attention.

The coalition says it also plans to stage similar protests and hand out condoms as the pilgrims head to Randwick Racecourse on for the youth day vigil July 19.

Of course, because Catholic youth from around the world spent 2 years raising and saving $3500 each for airfare just to have sex with each other in Australia, but they forgot to bring condoms! Honestly, this really pisses me off. Of course this group will say they are trying to promote "safe-sex," but they are just doing this to be an annoyance. If they really care about "safe-sex," go to some third world country ravaged by venereal disease and hand out your condoms there. Don't bother with a bunch of kids, 95% who have committed to saving themselves until they are married, accompanied by priests and nuns who have vowed celibacy. That is like handing out air conditioning units to Eskimos. (oops, I'm sorry, Inuits)

The state government said the regulation is necessary to ensure the smoothness of the event, which will culminate with an open-air Mass on July 20. Some 500,000 people are expected at the event.

Coalition spokeswoman Rachel Evans said the "peaceful protest" would condemn the Pope's stance against condoms, homosexuality and abortion.

One young Catholic leader in the archdiocese and co-coordinator of the "Love and Life Site," Jovina Graham, laughed at the thought of such a scenario, saying, "such protestors obviously are unaware of the peaceful fortitude of these young people while en masse marching to meet the head of the Church!"

Amen.

McDonald's: those opposing same-sex marriage motivated by hate

source: American Family Association

Throwing out any pretense of being neutral in the culture war, McDonald's has taken up the rhetoric of gay activists, suggesting those who oppose same-sex marriage (SSM) are motivated by hate.

AFA has asked for a boycott of McDonald's restaurants because of the company’s promotion of the gay agenda. AFA asked McDonald’s to remain neutral in the culture war. McDonald’s refused.

In response to the boycott, McDonald's spokesman Bill Whitman suggested to the Washington Post that those who oppose SSM are motivated by hate, saying "...hatred has no place in our culture." McDonald's has decided to adopt the "hate" theme used by gay activist groups for years.

Whitman went on to say, "We stand by and support our people to live and work in a society free of discrimination and harassment." Mr. Whitman has intentionally avoided addressing the reason for the boycott. This boycott is not about hiring gays or how gay employees are treated. It is about McDonald's choosing to put the full weight of their corporation behind promoting their agenda.

McDonald's donated $20,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in exchange for membership and a seat on the group’s board of directors. The NGLCC lobbies Congress in support of same-sex marriage.

McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner said the company will promote issues they approve. "Being a socially responsible organization is a fundamental part of who we are. We have an obligation to use our size and resources to make a difference in the world...and we do."

Yeah McDonald's, just another reason to add to the list of why I have boycotted you for 4 years. Besides reducing cattle ranchers to serf-like status, and spreading your disgustingly inferior product all throughout the world, now you jump on this "if you don't support me you hate me" bandwagon. To my liberal friends I ask, how is this attitude any different from the much criticized G.W. Bush statement "if you're not with us, you're against us"?

New Book Exposes Eugenics Mandate in Reproductive Rights Agenda

Part I: Power, Money, and Science Unite to Exterminate the World's Poor

by Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D.

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) A book recently published by Harvard University Press explains how eugenics united some of the richest and most powerful elites of the twentieth century into a movement "to remake humanity by controlling the population of the world," answering to no one and bringing untold misery upon the world's poor. The book, "Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control World Population," was written by Columbia University historian Matthew Connelly and shows why today's reproductive rights advocates are "faithfully reciting a eugenic catechism without the faintest idea where it comes from or where it can lead."

In 1952, at a secret, invitation-only gathering in Colonial Williamsburg, John D. Rockefeller III brought together what would become the modern population control establishment. Setting the agenda for the following decades were the heads of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, National Academy of Sciences, and top scientists "from embryology to economics," including past and present Nobel Prize winners.

From verbatim transcripts of the "Conference on Population Problems," just one of the countless number of such meetings the book exposes, Connelly found that what drove them were the questions of how many people the world could hold along with "whether 'industrial development should be withheld' from poor, agrarian countries like India." By decreasing mortality and encouraging "breeding," development would increase inferior populations and further degrade "the genetic quality of the human race." They decided radical measures to reduce birthrates were justified in order to save "Western Civilization" from being dragged down by the growing humanitarian demands of Third World countries.

Thus was born the Population Council, which would in turn become the nexus of the entire population control movement, going on to coordinate the work of the United Nations, the Ford and Rockefeller foundations, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) – founded three weeks later – as well as major pharmaceutical firms.

The founder of IPPF, Margaret Sanger, selected for its first director general the psychologist C. P. Blacker, who called for a strategy of "crypto-eugenics," saying "you seek to fulfill the aims of eugenics without disclosing what you are really aiming at and without mentioning the word."

When Nehru presented India's first population-limitation policy in December 1952, the population establishment found a willing government that would allow them to start experimenting on its people to find a cheap contraceptive "to be used in poverty stricken slums, jungles and among the most ignorant people," as Margaret Sanger put it. Years later, Planned Parenthood would import the experiments back into poor neighborhoods in the United States. Sanger said, "I believe that now, immediately there should be national sterilization for certain dysgenic types of our population who are being encouraged to breed and would die out were the government not feeding them."

According to Connelly, it wasn't until President Lyndon Johnson, prodded by a few highly influential advisors, that American funding soared, turning Sanger's vision of forcing birth control on the world's poor into reality in India and beyond. As the initiatives gained unstoppable momentum, the brutal consequences shocked even the most enthusiastic population controllers.

Part II: Creating "Crises" and "Shock Attacks" in the "War" on Population

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) In the new book "Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control World Population," Columbia University historian Matthew Connelly shows how the population control movement created "future projections as evidence" of overpopulation then justified "casualties" in the war on population caused by coercive methods. These included such "shock attacks" as quotas for millions of shoddy vasectomies and IUD insertions without follow-up care, public humiliation of poor families with three or more children, bulldozing entire neighborhoods that displaced countless thousands of the poor, and knowingly unloading defective IUDs that crippled poor women.

According to Connelly, when Malthusian theories used to justify eugenics fell out of favor, population controllers invented new theories. Founding members of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) returning from the Vietnam War, transferred the counterinsurgency tactic of "population control" to USAID's strategy. Chinese missile scientist Jian Song used computer generated modeling to create the appearance of "precise forecast" of disaster for China if the government did not limit women to bearing one child.

Africa, along with India, was the target of many such contrived scenarios, even though according to Connelly "the continent was a net food exporter and featured some of the lowest rates of growth in the world." What's more, he says family planning advocates ignored the fact that fertility was already falling in China and in other target countries, and ignored the "accumulating body of evidence showing that high fertility was not, after all, correlated with poverty." He demonstrates that fertility rates fell in developing countries between 1950 and 2000 whether or not they were subjected to population assistance programs.

Despite the facts, the movement's tactics became increasingly coercive in the late 1960s due to the zeal and connections of people like U.S. Army general William Draper. Working with John D. Rockefeller, Draper helped convince President Johnson to include population control in the 1965 "war on poverty." Johnson tied humanitarian aid to developing nations' achieving fertility benchmarks set by the UN and USAID, even vetoing food aid shipments to India in the midst of its dire famines. Draper founded the Population Crisis Committee, today's Population Action International, with the goal of creating an American public sense of urgency by tapping into the fears of the day, such as drawing a causative link between the lack of family planning in the slums with the chaos caused by youth in the late 1960s and calling for a "crash program for population stabilization."

Along with former Secretary of Defense and World Bank President Robert McNamara, Draper convinced Congress to earmark unprecedented levels of funding for USAID population programs between 1967 and 1971. So much money flooded into the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) that officials did not know how to spend it. This along with growing skepticism in the third world of U.S. backing, then 90 percent of the total, led Draper to call for the creation of a fund centered at the UN which would "sanitize" U.S. funding, give the appearance of international consensus, and circumvent national governments. The initiative became the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Part III: Feminist “Reform” Makes Population Control More Coercive


A new book by Columbia University professor Matthew Connelly documents the way the “reproductive rights” leaders at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) rose to power by exposing the abuses of the population control movement but then supported even larger and more coercive programs.

In 1973, twenty years after formally establishing global population control, the movement’s leaders believed it was spinning beyond their control. In response to bad press about out-of-control sterilization campaigns in India and elsewhere followed by a groundswell of popular backlash, John D. Rockefeller was persuaded to re-brand the movement from a “war” on population to a campaign for women’s rights. Likewise, General William Draper’s Population Crisis Committee sponsored the “feminist unity” platform at the 1974 World Population Conference in Bucharest.

In Connelly’s view, “reproductive rights” advocates exploited protests against population control beginning with the Bucharest conference and managed to gradually take over the movement by the time of the UN’s 1994 population conference in Cairo. Connelly believes the feminist focus on abortion rights essentially returned the movement to Margaret Sanger’s original vision of eugenics which maintained that poor women needed government-funded birth control and abortion because they could not be left alone to make their own choices about fertility.

According to Connelly, it is for this reason that UNFPA and IPPF supported China’s one child policy “with eyes wide open” from its inception in 1980. “As the IPPF and UNFPA stepped up support, China’s program became ever more coercive,” he says, citing eyewitness reports of women “handcuffed, tied with ropes or placed in pig baskets,” while “every day hundreds of fetuses arrive[d] in the morgue.” IPPF officials, “untroubled” by the reports, reassured donors that Chinese government policies were not compulsory, even during a campaign that resulted–in 1983 alone–in 16 million women and 4 million men undergoing mandatory sterilization, 18 million IUD insertions (required for all mothers) and 14 million abortions of “unauthorized pregnancies.” Connelly says IPPF and UNFPA did not even issue “a pro forma injunction to avoid coercion–something that was standard in previous campaigns,” and senior UNFPA staff argued against “too narrow an interpretation of voluntarism.”

That same year, UNFPA awarded the architect of the one child program, Soviet-trained army general Xinzhong Qian, its first Population Award. Indira Gandhi, whose reelection as India’s prime minister was thwarted by populace outraged over her government’s abusive population policies, was the co-winner. UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar offered them his “deep appreciation” for “marshal[ing] the resources necessary to implement population policies on a massive scale.”

Connelly concludes that the entire population control movement was not just brutal but unnecessary since fertility rates have fallen equally in countries with or without population programs. He wrote the book in hopes that his account of the world’s first transnational movement will make readers skeptical of other global governance movements. Unaccountable to people, he says, they too can bring great human suffering in the name of making the world a better place.

Pope's Next Encyclical in the Works

Expected to Give Fresh Look at 21st Century

By Jesús Colina

ROME, JULY 10, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is reportedly working on his third encyclical this summer, which could be ready as early as this fall.

The Pope's secretary of state confirmed the existence of the document in an interview with the APCOM news agency last May. He even proposed a possible title: "Caritas in Veritate" (Charity in the Truth) and said this, the Holy Father's third encyclical, could be ready in the fall.

"For now, it is a hypothesis," Cardinal Bertone said. "I don't want to say that the title will definitely be this -- for now, yes, and for the moment, it's this idea, but later, a successive inspiration could arrive."

According to the secretary of state, the encyclical "comes and goes from the Pope's desk, because he doesn't want to repeat common concepts of the Church's social doctrine, but wants to offer something original, according to the challenges of today."

"We could think of the great problem of globalization and the other problems that afflict the international community, such as the food crisis and climate change," the cardinal said. "These are themes that could motivate an evaluation and commentary from the Church from the moral point of view."

Sneak preview?

The Holy Father may have given an insight into the themes of his encyclical when he addressed the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences last May. Their meeting was focused on "Pursuing the Common Good: How Solidarity and Subsidiarity Can Work Together."

He cited the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church in noting that the academy's session was devoted to examining the interrelationship between "four fundamental principles of Catholic social teaching: the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity."

"These key realities," the Pontiff said, "which emerge from the living contact between the Gospel and concrete social circumstances, offer a framework for viewing and addressing the imperatives facing mankind at the dawn of the 21st century, such as reducing inequalities in the distribution of goods, expanding opportunities for education, fostering sustainable growth and development, and protecting the environment."

Benedict XVI suggested that "we can initially sketch the interconnections between these four principles by placing the dignity of the person at the intersection of two axes: one horizontal, representing 'solidarity' and 'subsidiarity,' and one vertical, representing the 'common good.' This creates a field upon which we can plot the various points of Catholic social teaching that give shape to the common good."

Nevertheless, though the graphic gives an idea of the principles' interweaving, the Pope stated, "the reality is much more complex."

And he said that solidarity and subsidiarity must be placed within the context of the Trinity. He further proposed that these two principles "have the potential to place men and women on the path to discovering their definitive, supernatural destiny."

He added: "The eyes of faith permit us to see that the heavenly and earthly cities interpenetrate and are intrinsically ordered to one another, inasmuch as they both belong to God the Father, who is 'above all and through all and in all.'"

"At the same time, faith places into sharper focus the due autonomy of earthly affairs, insofar as they are 'endowed with their own stability, truth, goodness, proper laws and order.'"

El aborto fue un instrumento de opresión del nazismo y el comunismo

Habla el vice presidente del movimiento provida polaco

VARSOVIA, miércoles 9 de julio de 2008 (ZENIT.org).- Muchos hablan del aborto como expresión de la emancipación femenina y fruto del progreso, pero en Polonia no se ve así: el aborto legal fue impuesto, primero por los nazis y después por la dictadura comunista. Y esto tiene repercusiones.

En una entrevista a Zenit, el ingeniero Antoni Zieba, secretario del World Prayer for Life y vicepresidente del Polish Federation of Pro Life Movements, se pregunta por qué la ONU y la Unión Europea presionan a Polonia para que liberalice el aborto, cuando se trata del país con el menor número de interrupciones voluntarias del embarazo.

A pesar de tener una legislación sobre el aborto muy similar a la de España, Polonia tiene un número bajísimo de interrupciones voluntarias del embarazo. En España en el año 2006 hubo 98.500 abortos, es decir, 270 al día, mientras que en Polonia el mismo año hubo 360 abortos, menos de uno al día.

--¿Cuál es el secreto de estos resultados? ¿Se aplica la ley más rigurosamente, o es que la cultura de la vida es más fuerte?

--Antoni Zieba: No conozco con exactitud la situación en España. Lo que puedo decir es que la sociedad polaca está a favor de la vida. Hemos llegado a este objetivo gracias a décadas de oraciones y de obras de apostolado, realizadas también durante la dominación comunista. Dentro de las estructuras de la Iglesia católica hemos llevado a cabo una intensa actividad en defensa de la vida de los no nacidos.

Esta acción apostólica se intensificó gracias a la actividad de varios movimientos y organizaciones de laicos que se formaron tras el declive del Comunismo en Polonia, a partir de 1989.

Con el final de la censura pudimos distribuir material educativo sobre el valor de la vida de los niños y niñas desde la concepción. Hemos explicado cómo reducir los daños del síndrome post aborto, y hemos dado a conocer la verdadera historia de la legalización del aborto en Europa y en Polonia.

Los primeros que legalizaron el aborto en nuestro país fueron los nazis en marzo de 1943. Querían eliminar a los polacos con el aborto. Después llegaron los comunistas, y con la promulgación de la ley del aborto el 27 de abril de 1956 comenzó su dictadura.

Para muchos polacos, particularmente para los jóvenes, estos hechos deberían suscitar una reflexión y un reconocimiento de que el aborto ha sido legalizado, impuesto y practicado en Polonia por sus enemigos: los nazis y los comunistas.

En este contexto los libros, los folletos, los opúsculos sobre el aborto, distribuidos en las iglesias, en las escuelas, en las calles han tenido un profundo impacto en la sociedad polaca.

A propósito de esto, las enseñanzas de Juan Pablo II sobre la protección de la vida humana desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural han sido inestimables y decisivas para la situación en Polonia.

--¿Cómo ha respondido la sociedad civil a esta campaña de sensibilización?

--Antoni Zieba: En la Constitución Polaca el artículo 38 dice: "La república de Polonia asegura la protección legal de la vida de todo ser humano". Algunos parlamentarios polacos presentaron una petición en la que solicitaban que se añadiera: "desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural".

Por desgracia la Cámara Baja del Parlamento rechazó la petición, pero según los sondeos hechos por el PGB Polka Grupa Badawcza (el mejor centro de investigación sobre opinión pública), el 52% de los polacos está a favor de reforzar la defensa de la vida en la Constitución, mientras que el 35% se muestra contrario.

Más de 506.000 personas firmaron en apoyo de esta petición, mientras que menos de 2.000 manifestaron su desaprobación.

--Usted es e secretario del World Prayer for Life. ¿Qué tarea desempeña esta asociación provida?

--Antoni Zieba: Hablando de la protección de la vida, hay que mencionar el gran y decisivo papel jugado por la oración.

En Polonia se ha desarrollado un movimiento masivo de oración y de adopción espiritual de los niños no nacidos. Una verdadera cruzada para la protección de los concebidos. Estas oraciones han cambiado el corazón y la mente de nuestros conciudadanos y han reforzado el respeto a la vida.

El World Prayer for Life promueve la adopción espiritual de los niños concebidos. El movimiento nació en 1980, cuando aún estábamos bajo la dominación comunista.

La idea de la oración por los no nacidos fue inspirada directamente por el Siervo de Dios Papa Juan Pablo II, durante su viaje a Polonia el 7 de junio de 1979.

En el Santuario mariano de Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, el Santo Padre hizo un importante discurso en el que pidió oraciones por los niños no nacidos, explicando que el hombre no vive sóo de pan, y que debe existir siempre un grupo de personas que rece al Señor.

-¿Cuántas asociaciones provida polacas existen? ¿Cómo se coordinan? ¿Cuál es su relación con la Iglesia católica? ¿Qué tareas asistenciales desempeñan?

--Antoni Zieba: En Polonia hay cerca de 160 entre organizaciones, fundaciones y grupos informales, a favor de la vida por nacer y activos en la protección de las madres y los niños.

La Federación Polaca de Movimientos Pro Vida está presidida por el doctor Paweł Wosicki y agrupa alrededor de 130 organizaciones y grupos. (www.prolife.com.pl/federacja)

La cooperación entre la Federación y la Iglesia Católica es espléndida. Los encuentros entre dirigentes laicos, obispos y sacerdotes es frecuente. En la actualidad, la Federación no tiene relaciones con las Iglesias no católicas.

--En la reciente reunión de los Movimientos a favor de la Vida europeos, que tuvo lugar en Roma, usted propuso instaurar una Jornada por la Vida de carácter mundial, exactamente el 25 de marzo, dedicándola a la oración por la vida. ¿Puede explicar mejor el sentido y la finalidad de su propuesta?

--Antoni Zieba: La oración es la piedra angular de las buenas acciones. En la encíclica Evangelium Vitae, el Siervo de Dios Juan Pablo II escribió que „es urgente una gran oración por la vida que atraviese el mundo entero". Esta oración debe hacerse todo el año, pero estoy convencido de que el 25 de marzo, fiesta de la Encarnación, de la concepción de Jesús en el cuerpo de María, debería convertirse en la Jornada mundial de oración para la defensa de la vida.

La Jornada por la Vida se celebra ya en diversos países, en fechas diferentes. Propongo hacer el 25 de marzo la Jornada mundial de protección de la vida, pero sin renunciar a la Jornada por la vida nacional.

Este día al año en que todo el mundo reza, reflexiona y hace apostolado por la protección incondicional de la vida de toda persona, desde la concepción a la muerte natural, puede representar un día de unidad para todos los militantes pro vida y para los hombres y mujeres de buena voluntad.

--Entre varios movimientos por la vida ya se ha presentado la idea de pedir a todos los países y a las instituciones internacionales de haya al menos un día sin abortos, precisamente el 25 de marzo.

--Antoni Zieba: Esta es una gran idea. Nosotros apoyaremos esta propuesta y recogeremos firmas en una petición dirigida a las autoridades polacas, pidiéndoles que apoyen esta propuesta cuando venga presentada a las Naciones Unidas.

La recogida de firmas es una buena ocasión para recordar a todos que los niños que aún no han nacido son seres humanos protegidos por la Declaración Universal de los Derechos del Hombre, que en el artículo 3 afirma que "Todo individuo tiene derecho a la vida, a la libertad y a la seguridad de su propia persona".

--Mientras en Europa hay un aborto cada 27 segundos y un divorcio cada 30, en Polonia el aborto y el divorcio son mínimos. Sin embargo, una cierta cultura relativista, muy influyente en las instituciones europeas, está presionando a Polonia para que promueva legislaciones radicales socialistas. ¿Qué puede decir al respecto?

--Antoni Zieba: Polonia ha sido el primer país del mundo que ha rechazado democráticamente una ley que autorizaba el aborto, y que ha introducido una que protege la vida humana desde la concepción. Y sin embargo, varias organizaciones como las Naciones Unidas o la Unión Europea están presionando a Polonia para que cambie su ley del aborto.

Estas presiones están provocando objeciones y desacuerdos por parte de la población que, sobre todo los más ancianos, recuerda que la primera ley del aborto fue impuesta por los nazis en 1943, y la segunda fue promulgada por la dictadura comunista el 27 de abril de 1956.

¿Cómo se puede pedir a Polonia que restaure una ley favorable al aborto, impuesta por las dos peores dictaduras del siglo XX?

Esta exigencia es aún más inaceptable si se piensa que en 15 años de aplicación de la ley a favor de la vida ha habido resultados óptimos. El número de abortos se mantiene a un nivel muy bajo, 360 en el 2006, mientras en los años 90 el número de abortos registrados era de 100.000 al año, y durante los años de la dictadura comunista se estima que el total de abortos fuese de más de 600.000 al año.

La salud de las mujeres embarazadas está mejorando continuamente, con la constante disminución de las muertes debidas al parto. La mortalidad infantil y el número de abortos espontáneos está en constante disminución.

¿Por qué deberíamos cambiar una ley que funciona tan bien?

[Por Antonio Gaspari. Traducción del italiano por Inmaculada Álvarez]

To Radical Feminism and Back

Interview With Author and Ex-feminist Lorraine Murray
By Teresa Tomeo

DECATUR, Georgia, JULY 9, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Lorraine Murray went to college with a basic Catholic education, an education it only took a few philosophy classes to undo.

Murray, who has a doctorate in philosophy, is the author of “Confessions of an Ex-Feminist," in which she traces her journey from Catholicism to radical feminism, and back.

In this interview with ZENIT, Murray, who is a religion columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Georgia Bulletin, comments on the insights she has gained in her journey back to the Catholic faith.

Q: You were born and raised in the Catholic faith but lost that faith in college. Can you outline the weaknesses in your faith or Catholic education that may have caused your faith to crumble?

Murray: When I headed off to college, I was quickly overwhelmed by the atmosphere of nihilism that pervaded the campus. As a child, I had dutifully memorized the questions and answers in “The Baltimore Catechism,” which was the gold standard for Catholic instruction at that time.

Unfortunately, my Catholic upbringing ignored the nefarious ways that Satan attacks the Catholic faith, so I was unprepared for college courses in which arguments against God’s existence were pervasive. In short, I lacked the tools to defend my faith.

Q: You had earned your doctorate in philosophy and had studied many of the secular thinkers. Did you ever stop and think about actually studying or examining the Bible or Catholic teachings to make sure your had come to the right conclusions?

Murray: Arrogance was my big sin. I thought that my background in philosophy qualified me to critique -- and reject -- Church teachings. Also, I was surrounded by professors who scoffed at claims of the supernatural and thought religion was outdated.

As I pursued my doctorate in philosophy, I studiously avoided examining the great teachers of the Catholic faith, such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. And sadly, it never occurred to me to go back and re-examine the faith I had once held so dear, nor did it dawn on me to test some of my conclusions by reading the Bible.

Like many people in their 20s, I thought that I knew it all.

Q: I have spoken with many reverts who share similar experiences such as leaving the Church while never really being familiar with Church teachings. Why do you think this pattern occurs so often and what can lay Catholics as well as priests and other religious do to prevent more people from walking away from their Catholicism?
Murray: I believe it is crucial for priests, who! have received extensive education in theology, to take active roles in parish RCIA programs. Converts to the faith should become well-schooled in the teachings of orthodox Catholicism, so they will really understand the beliefs they are embracing.

I also would love to see more priests leading occasional “refresher” courses open to all parishioners, because many people in the pews are eager to defend their faith but lack the tools to do so. Lay Catholics need to have a copy of “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” handy and to consult it often.

It would also be helpful for folks to subscribe to orthodox Catholic publications so they can learn about Catholic news through the eyes of writers who are well versed in the faith.

Q: What first attracted you to feminism?

Murray: I was quite enchanted by books such as “The Feminine Mystique” and “The Second Sex,” in which woman’s condition w! as painted with dark and dreary brushstrokes. Thinkers such as Betty Friedan and Simone de Beauvoir saw evidence of women’s oppression and misery everywhere they looked.

My own experience showed few signs of oppression: My mother had graduated from college, and I was pursuing a doctorate in philosophy and had received many honors and fellowships. Still, I saw signs of injustice in the world and thought that feminism had the answer.

In many ways, I clung to this “ism” as a way to achieve a utopian society on earth, in which everyone would be happy and equal. It took me a while to see that the cost of this feminist utopia was terrible indeed, since the “ideal world” envisioned by feminists was built on abortion and daycare centers.

Generally, the feminist agenda depicted children as a problem, not a blessing, and marriage as the source of women’s unhappiness, rather than as a wellspring of happiness, security and joy.

Q: In your book you discuss your own abortion, and that even after struggling with the physical and emotional consequences of it, you still clung tightly to feminist dogma regarding abortion and sexual freedom. Why is it so difficult to see the empty promises of the feminist movement?

Murray: For many years after the abortion, I suffered terrible flashbacks, stinging regret and bouts of serious depression. However, when I finally returned to Catholicism, I still held onto many of my feminist beliefs.

For example, I thought artificial contraception was fine, and abortion should remain legalized. I was very upset about having ended my own child’s life, but I still had this ingrained notion that although abortion had been wrong for me, it might be right for other women in different circumstances.

In short, I was a typical moral relativist, failing to realize that some acts, like abortion, murder, and rape, are wrong for everyone. It seems that feminists have so artfully deified the notion of “choice” that it takes many women a long time to recognize the underlying moral truth: Some choices are absolutely wrong.

Q: How did you finally start to make your way back to Christ and the Catholic Church?

Murray: A mysterious series of events happened, and they left me rather stunned and shaken up.

First, my husband, who had little knowledge of Catholicism, went on a business trip to New York. While in the city he stopped in at St. Patrick's Cathedral and, for some mysterious reason, decided to light votive candles in memory of his father and my parents.

When he told me that, I realized I had never prayed for the repose of my parents' souls, although they had been dead for many years.

I also read Thomas Merton's "Seven Storey Mountain," and was very moved by his journey. Little by little, I began to experience a mysterious sense of "someone" reaching into my life and tugging at me.

Q: When you first came back to the Church, you were a self-described “cafeteria Catholic.” What happened in your life that brought you to full acceptance of Church teachings?

Murray: I was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, and my life went through some serious changes. I truly thought I was facing imminent death, and I longed for spiritual guidance.

Through the grace of God, I found Father Richard Lopez, a religion teacher at a local Catholic high school, and he became my spiritual director. At first he helped me accept the cancer diagnosis, but over time, I began asking him questions about Church teachings, for example about contraception, abortion and euthanasia.

He explained difficult concepts, gave me books to read, and patiently answered my many questions. As I grasped the real truth of the Catholic perspective, I gave up the cafeteria line and started enjoying the full feast.

Q: If you could boil your testimony down to one message for your readers, what would it be?

Murray: God’s abundant mercy is there for every sinner, no matter how far afield he or she has strayed. I was someone who promoted atheism in the classroom, lived according to the precepts of “free love,” and turned my back on traditional notions of motherhood and family. Still, God gently called me home, and through the sacrament of penance, restored grace to my soul.

Case Dropped Against Canadian Priest

Case Dropped Against Canadian Priest

Accused of Exposing Homosexuals to Hatred

By Pete Vere

TORONTO, JULY 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Canadian Human Rights Commission has closed its case against Father Alphonse de Valk, the editor and publisher of Catholic Insight magazine.

The monthly magazine drew the ire of homosexual activists after publishing several articles defending marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The articles quoted extensively from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and various papal documents. A complaint was filed with the government commission claiming the articles exposed homosexuals to discrimination, bigotry and hatred.

In dropping the complaint against the 76-year-old Basilian priest, the commission stated: “After examining this information, the commission decided [...] to dismiss the complaint because the material is not likely to expose a person or persons to hatred or contempt based on sexual orientation.”

Despite the July 4 decision, Father de Valk is still responsible for $20,000 in legal expenses, and concerned for recent decisions affecting Protestants.

Overturn

“The [homosexual activists] have given up on us because the Catholic Church is powerful,” Father de Valk told ZENIT, but added that there are still a number decisions against Protestants who agree with the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage.

“Now we have to turn back the cases that were already decided,” he said.

The priest cited the "most notorious" of these decisions as the one of the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal against Stephen Boissoin.

Boissoin is a Protestant youth minister who wrote a letter to the editor of his local newspaper critiquing same-sex marriage and the introduction of homosexual activism in public schools among students as young as six.

The Alberta Human Rights Tribunal ordered Boissoin to pay $7,000 in fines and court costs, and write and publish an apology for his statements.

Another case of liberalism at it's finest - silencing opposing view points under the guise of "tolerance."

Caritas Laments G-8's Lack of Fresh Leadership

Says Failure to Meet Millennium Goals a Scandal

ROME, JULY 9, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Caritas representative at the Group of Eight meeting in Japan lamented that the results of the summit were a stalemate and a repetition of the same failing promises.

Joseph Donnelly, who is the head of the Caritas delegation at the United Nations in New York, gave a bleak evaluation of the G-8 meeting that ended today.

"The outcomes of the 2008 G-8 are stalemate on climate change and a broken record on aid for Africa," he said. "The world was looking for fresh leadership, but instead got Groundhog Day."

The leaders promised to uphold previous pledges made at the 2005 G-8 summit on increased levels of aid, but did not define the conc! rete steps to fulfill the promises, Caritas reported. Three years into the G-8's five-year plan on increasing overseas aid to $50 billion a year, only a fifth of the money has been delivered.

"Reheated commitments on aid that we're still waiting to see fulfilled three years later will not deliver food, education, clean water, and health to the poorest people," Donnelly said. "The tragedy is that we can show the massive improvements that have been made in developing countries with the little amounts of aid that have been delivered. The G-8 countries can afford to deliver on their aid pledges so it will be a scandal if the Millennium Development Goals fail to be reached because of lack of financing."

Climate change

Caritas also lamented the results of the summit discussion on climate change.

"G-8 leaders needed to end the inertia on carbon emissions, instead they repeated in 2008 what was said 16 years ago at the 1992 ! Earth Summit in Rio," Donnelly said. "It's a plan for inertia in which the poor are paying the cost now on behalf of the rich countries who are responsible, but in which the whole world will eventually foot the bill of an increasingly hostile climate."

The G-8 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.

A good move!

Da Vinci Code movie banned from filming in church
By ARIEL DAVID, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jun 16, 11:50 AM ET
SOURCE

ROME - Rome's diocese said Monday it has barred the producers of "Angels & Demons" from filming in two churches for the prequel to the "The Da Vinci Code," the popular book and film that angered many Catholic leaders.

Producers of the film, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, were turned down because the movie "does not conform to our views," said Monsignor Marco Fibbi, a spokesman for the diocese.

The crew had asked to film in the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria, two architectural jewels in the heart of Rome that include paintings by Caravaggio, sculptures by Bernini and a chapel designed by Raphael.

Permission was denied in 2007, but the issue surfaced only now that filming is ongoing in Rome, Fibbi said. The Sony-produced film was put on hold during the Writers Guild of America strike that ended in February and is now scheduled for release in May 2009.

Fibbi's comments first were reported this week by the Italian entertainment magazine "TV Sorrisi e Canzoni." "It's a film that treats religious issues in a way that contrasts with common religious sentiment," Fibbi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We would be helping them create a work that might well be beautiful but that does not conform to our views."

Fibbi acknowledged that the controversy over writer Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" and its blockbuster movie version had weighed on the decision.

The story drew anger and prompted calls for boycotts by church leaders worldwide with the idea that Jesus married and fathered children and by depicting the conservative Catholic movement, Opus Dei, as a murderous cult.

"This is a prequel to 'The Da Vinci Code' and it's clear that the theme is similar," Fibbi said. He added that the ban would not stop the crew from filming the exterior of the churches.

Brown's "Angels and Demons" is a religious thriller combining an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati, code-cracking, a papal conclave and a high-tech weapon threatening to destroy the Vatican.

It features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon of "The Da Vinci Code" fame, played by Hanks in the movie.

Calls to Sony Pictures in London and Rome were not immediately returned Monday.

Who does Ron Howard think he is... he expects the Church to aid in his film which slanders Catholicism, and basically tells all Christians they are believing a well-crafted pack of lies? I hope Angels and Idiots bombs in the box office just like the Da Vinci Crap did.

Prelate: Diplomacy Isn't Feeding Zimbabwe

Church Leaders Urge South Africa and Others to Step Up Pressure

ROME, JUNE 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Quiet diplomacy has been offered as the solution to the Zimbabwe crisis by its neighbors' leaders, but quiet diplomacy is not feeding the people, lamented Church officials.

In a joint statement today, the presidents of Caritas Internationalis and the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference warned that Zimbabwe's suspension last week of international aid activities, coupled with its spiraling political violence, means millions of people are suffering.

Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez and Archbishop Buti Tlhagale called on the international community, especially South Africa, to press the government of Zimbabwe to reverse the suspension of international aid efforts and stop the violent repression of the people.

Caritas is one of the groups suspended by a government ban instated last week on foreign aid workers, supposedly because the aid organizations have lent support to the opposition party competing for the presidency in the June 27 runoff election.

Caritas members were directly feeding over 1 million people in Zimbabwe, and their projects helped some 3 million more.

The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported today that some half million Zimbabwean children are no longer getting the treatment and food they need since the government ban.

As an example of the new policy, according to the Associated Press, a 20-ton shipment of U.S.-donated grain, beans and oil headed to a school in eastern Zimbabwe was taken over and then distributed to supporters of President Robert Mugabe at a rally last week.

Let them eat

The statement from Cardinal Rodríguez and Archbishop Tlhagale called the situation "shocking and disastrous."

The cardinal said: "That food is being denied to people facing starvation is a grave evil. The government of Zimbabwe must also ensure that aid workers are able to work in a secure environment without threats of violence. The scale of the current political violence and threats is unacceptable.

"Restrictions on humanitarian workers and increasing violence severely hamper the Church in carrying out its mission to provide care and assistance to those most in need."

Archbishop Tlhagale stated that the situation in Zimbabwe no longer allowed for mere diplomacy: "Quiet diplomacy is not feeding people, but allowing the current structures to threaten the very survival of the extremely vulnerable.

"This situation is fast losing the Zimbabwe government and those who support it any sympathy that there might have been for their concerns. This post colonial throwback rhetoric by Zimbabwean authorities must cease. Let them prove that they have the interests of ordinary Zimbabwean at heart by giving them food."

Source: http://www.zenit.org/article-22896?l=english

Padding the Pockets of Planned Parenthood

source: http://www.sba-list.org/

There are several ways that Congress forces taxpayers like you to fund abortion advocates. A prime example is the Title X Program, which funds family planning services. This program is a hefty source of funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion advocates. Nearly one quarter of all Title X funds go to Planned Parenthood clinics. Planned Parenthood received millions of dollars through this program last year and you can be sure they'll ask this Congress for an even greater funding increase this year.

According to federal regulations, all Title X clinics must offer referrals for abortions and dispense all forms of contraception. These clinics are not required to notify parents of minors who seek abortions or contraception. This loophole allows sexual predators to access contraception and obtain abortions to cover up the abuse of their victims. Last year, a Title X-funded Planned Parenthood clinic in Cincinnati, Ohio came under fire for refusing to report a disturbing case of incest. A young girl was brought by her abusive father to the clinic to receive an abortion. When the girl confessed her situation to clinic workers, no report was made to law enforcement. Planned Parenthood workers simply sent her back home with birth control, and her abuse continued for the next one and a half years. A sophomore studying at UCLA recently released shocking recordings uncovering blatant racism at Planned Parenthood clinics around the country.

A hired actor called the development offices of various Planned Parenthood sites and ask that the potential donation be only used to abort black babies. Not a single person with whom the actor spoke said no. In fact, one woman said the request was “understandable” and that she was “excited” to process it. Clinics who put their bottom line before the well-being of children and who turn a blind eye to a racist agenda are not deserving of taxpayer funds! Contact Congress today and urge them to oppose any efforts to increase the Title X program.

El Papa anima a la Iglesia en Estados Unidos a pasar la página de la crisis

La clave para superar las divisiones: ver la realidad con los ojos de Dios

http://www.zenit.org/

NUEVA YORK, sábado, 19 abril 2008 (ZENIT.org).- Benedicto XVI alentó a la Iglesia en Estados Unidos a pasar la página de la crisis que ha vivido en los últimos años, no sólo a causa de los escándalos de algunos sacerdotes, sino también por motivo de las divisiones que surgieron tras el Concilio Vaticano II (1966-1965).

Fue la consigna que dejó a unos tres mil sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosas y religiosos, que se congregaron en la mañana de este viernes en la catedral de San Patricio para participar en la celebración eucarística presidida por el Papa.

La misa «por la Iglesia universal» sirvió para celebrar el tercer aniversario del inicio de este pontificado. Miles de files, que no pudieron participar por falta de espacio, se congregaron en la Quinta Avenida.

«Quizás hemos perdido de vista que en una sociedad en la que la Iglesia parece a muchos que es legalista e "institucional", nuestro desafío más urgente es comunicar la alegría que nace de la fe y de la experiencia del amor de Dios», aclaró.

«Vosotros, que habéis consagrado vuestra vida para dar testimonio del amor de Cristo y para la edificación de su Cuerpo, sabéis por vuestro contacto diario con el mundo que nos rodea, cuantas veces se siente la tentación de ceder a la frustración, a la desilusión e incluso al pesimismo sobre el futuro», reconoció.

En esta situación, el Papa invitó a los sacerdotes y religiosos, entre ellos había también seminaristas, «a una fe cada vez más profunda en la potencia infinita de Dios, que transforma toda situación humana, crea vida desde la muerte e ilumina también la noche más oscura».

El secreto, dijo, está en ver la realidad con los ojos de Dios, que él llamó «conversión intelectual». Y se preguntó: «¿acaso no es tan necesaria como la conversión "moral" para nuestro crecimiento en la fe, para nuestro discernimiento de los signos de los tiempos y para nuestra aportación personal a la vida y misión de la Iglesia?».

Para Joseph Ratzinger, que fue perito como teólogo en el Concilio Vaticano II, «una de las grandes desilusiones que siguieron» a aquella cumbre de obispos del mundo ha sido «la experiencia de división entre diferentes grupos, distintas generaciones y diversos miembros de la misma familia religiosa».

«¡Podemos avanzar sólo si fijamos juntos nuestra mirada en Cristo! Con la luz de la fe descubriremos entonces la sabiduría y la fuerza necesarias para abrirnos hacia puntos de vista que no siempre coinciden del todo con nuestras ideas o nuestras suposiciones», aseguró.

«Así podemos valorar los puntos de vista de otros, ya sean más jóvenes o más ancianos que nosotros, y escuchar por fin "lo que el Espíritu nos dice" a nosotros y a la Iglesia».

De este modo, aseguró, «caminaremos juntos hacia la verdadera renovación espiritual que quería el Concilio, la única renovación que puede reforzar la Iglesia en la santidad y en la unidad indispensable para la proclamación eficaz del Evangelio en el mundo de hoy».

Refiriéndose a los abusos sexuales, el Papa manifestó a los sacerdotes y religiosos su «cercanía espiritual».

«Me siento unido a vosotros rezando para que éste sea un tiempo de purificación para cada uno y para cada Iglesia y comunidad religiosa, y también un tiempo de sanación. Además, os animo a colaborar con vuestros obispos que siguen trabajando eficazmente para resolver este problema»¸ les dijo.

«Que muestro Señor Jesucristo conceda a la Iglesia en América un renovado sentido de unidad y decisión, mientras todos --obispos, clero, religiosos, religiosas y laicos-- caminan en la esperanza y en el amor recíproco y para la verdad», concluyó.

«De este modo la Iglesia en América conocerá una nueva primavera», aseguró.

Kosovo Constitution Rushed Through in 60 Days

Leaders say Foreign Experts to Blame for Controversial Language

By Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D.

(NEW YORK — C-FAM) A team of American and European pro-life non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met with top Kosovo officials last week to discuss problems with the draft constitution for the newly forming state. The team, which was led by C-FAM Vice President Susan Yoshihara, met with the President of Kosovo, the Speaker of the Parliament along with other members of Parliament.

These officials said that the influence of international experts explains the controversial nature of their new constitution, including special rights based on “sexual orientation” which they admit Kosovars overwhelmingly reject. The leaders said this just two days after the adoption of the Constitution during a series of meetings with the team which presented a petition on behalf of 44 U.S. and European pro-life and pro-family organizations.

President Fatmir Sedjiu told the group that he had “trusted the experts” that Kosovo was compelled to include sexual orientation so that Kosovo would have a “contemporary” understanding of international human rights. Jakup Krasniqi, president of Kosovo’s assembly, said that he had opposed the article but that UN, European Union, and Council of Europe representatives told him that the reference put Kosovo’s law in line with other European constitutions.

Kosovars criticized the fact that they were not allowed to see the draft Constitution though they were encouraged over the past year to offer “public comment.” They also objected to the fact that all of their comments to the constitutional commission, the small body of experts responsible for the drafting process, apparently needed review by the representative from an American NGO called the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) during the proceedings.

Kosovo’s religious leaders said the constitutional commission never sent them a copy of the draft document. After consenting to meet Catholic and Muslim leaders, the commission agreed to omit language that would have explicitly removed legal protection from the unborn, but never provided promised feedback on other complaints and instead claimed “consensus” had been reached.

Immediately after its adoption, the Kosovar press criticized the way officials rushed though the approval process after the February 17th declaration of independence. Rather than allowing the 120 days given by the UN, the EU special representative to Kosovo signed the law and passed it to the president on April 8th, who approved immediately and gave it to the assembly for a vote. The assembly never discussed or voted on the document, but gathered two days later and simply rose to applaud a final version. Kosovar Serb lawmakers remained seated and silent in protest.

In sharp contrast to other sources, the head of the new US embassy in Pristina, Tina Kaidanow, insisted there was “no international involvement” with the new constitution. She explained that the reason the constitution was withheld from Kosovars was because its release would have been problematic for the UN Security Council which could not agree on Kosovo’s independence, which Russia still opposes. The hurried pace of adoption was done in part to show the international community “progress” to gain recognition of sovereignty, she said.

The head of the constitutional commission, Hajredin Kuci, told the press that the pro-life/pro-family delegation’s intervention came “too late.” One Kosovar observer said, “It’s not that they were too late but that the approval was too early.”

Most of the lawmakers who met with the delegation said that they expected to handle the problems with the new constitution through legislation and possibly by amendment, all of which will have to be first approved by the new EU mission in Kosovo, EU-Lex, whose legal basis some European countries are now challenging.

The pro-life delegation included Stephen Bartulica from the Educational Initiative for Central and Eastern Europe in Austria, Christine Dupuis from Chrétiens Démocrates Fédéraux in Belgium, Glen Lavy, senior vice president at the Alliance Defense Fund, Antun Lisec, director of Human Life International in Croatia, Carol Soelberg, president of United Families International, Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, and Susan Yoshihara, vice president for research at Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute.

http://www.c-fam.org/

Important Supreme Court Decision Rejects UN High Court over US Treaty Obligations

originally posted: April 10, 2008
By Piero A. Tozzi
from C-FAM.org

(NEW YORK — C-FAM) A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision reaffirmed the right of the United States to govern its affairs in accordance with the US Constitution rather than specific provisions of international treaties. In the process, the Court rejected a directive of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Medellín v. Texas not only reaffirmed principles of sovereignty and self-government, but also undercut arguments of international pro-abortion activists that accession to international treaties requires nations to disregard domestic constitutional protections for the unborn.

In a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court rejected the argument that Texas law enforcement officials were required to notify a Mexican murder suspect of his right under international law to contact his country’s consulate following his arrest. An order by the ICJ – the United Nations’ “principal judicial organ” headquartered at The Hague, also known as the “World Court” – had directed that the Mexican national was entitled to have his case reviewed by the state court based a provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, a treaty which the U.S. has ratified.

The Bush Administration had urged compliance with the ICJ decision, arguing that the executive branch had authority to direct a state court to give it effect. Analyzing the separation of powers set forth in the Constitution and case law dating back to the early decades of the Republic, the Supreme Court ruled that the President lacked such authority.

As the treaty provision at issue was not “self-executing” – in other words, it did not become automatically binding upon ratification by Congress – it could not bind states without further Congressional action. The U.S. Constitution requires action by the legislative, not the executive, branch to transform a non-self-executing treaty obligation into domestic law.

The principles underlying the U.S. Supreme Court decision have application beyond the immediate case. In recent years, radical pro-abortion NGOs like the Center for Reproductive Rights have argued that sovereign nations must liberalize abortion laws based on non-binding recommendations of certain UN committees, even though such reinterpretations of treaty obligations are inconsistent with the original language in the treaties. Abortion advocates were successful in convincing the Supreme Court of Colombia in 2006 to overturn Colombia’s pro-life laws based on such arguments. A similar challenge is currently pending in Mexico, where the Mexican Supreme Court is weighing the constitutionality of a municipal law passed by Mexico City that allows first trimester abortion.

The Medellín decision, however, while premised upon the importance of the United States fulfilling its treaty obligations, would not allow outside parties – in this case the ICJ – to dictate how such obligations would be fulfilled. Rather, the outcome was dictated by reference to domestic constitutional principles.

Medellín thus marks an additional chapter in the on-going debate over the interrelationship between democratic self-determination and the scope of obligations imposed upon sovereign nations participating in international legal regimes.

My First NFL Mock Draft

1. Miami Dolphins
Jake Long T Michigan 6-7 305
I think Parcells know that if his QB is to have a chance, he needs a premier LT. Jake is the man.

2. St. Louis Rams
Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State 6-4 260
The Rams would have loved Jake long, but he's gone. Now they go after the one DE who could beat Long in college - Vernon Gholston. He immediately impacts this awful defensive unit.

3. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan QB Boston College 6-5 225
The Vick era is over. The Ryan era begins.

4. Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden RB Arkansas 6-1 217
While Chris Long makes the most sense, Al Davis is senile. He likes the flash of McFadden. He might also trade with Dallas here.

5. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh 6-6 340
I'll copy Mayock here, Otah fits the scheme and for Croyle to succeed, the O-Line needs HELP! Also, Herm Edwards wants to keep his job.

6. New York Jets
Chris Long DE Virginia 6-4 285
Mangini is salivating over this one, Long falls to them and the Jets fans actually cheer the pick.

7. New England Patriots
Dominque Rodgers CB Tennessee State 6-1 185
Belichick might want a better player. but he has no cornerbacks. Rodgers Cromartie, who may be the most naturally talented, is his choice to replace Asante Samuel.

8. Baltimore Ravens Sedric Ellis DT Southern California 6-1 295
The Ravens have other needs, but Ellis' value is just too good to pass up here.

9. Cincinnati Bengals
Glenn Dorsey DT LSU 6-2 300
The Bengals, who lost out on Shaun Rodgers, take Dorsey, injury concerns or not, this guy will help out an awful defensive unit.

10. New Orleans Saints
Aqib Talib CB Kansas 6-1 180
The Saints' secondary is a liability, and they pick Talib at #10.

11. Buffalo Bills
Ryan Clady T Boise State 6-5 320
Many people have Buffalo taking a WR here, but there will be talent available in the 2nd round. They look to strengthen their O-Line with Ryan Clady.

12. Denver Broncos
Derrick Harvey DE Florida 6-4 252
Harvey really helps this awful defensive unit.

13. Carolina Panthers
Keith Rivers OLB Southern California 6-3 230
The Panthers can't pass up on Rivers' talent, they'll address RB in the 2nd round.

14. Chicago Bears
Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois 5-11 225
Surprise move in the Bears making a smart pick, but maybe they realize that Cedric Benson sucks, so they take Illinois hero Mendenhall to eventually take the reins at starting RB.

15. Detroit Lions
Mike Jenkins CB South Florida 5-11 200
The Lions are lucky that they can choose between Jenkins and McKelvin at CB. Then end up going with Jenkins.

16. Arizona Cardinals
Leodis McKelvin CB Troy 5-11 190
The Cardinals are another team who need help in the secondary, and they address that need with McKelvin.

17 . Minnesota Vikings
Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma 6-4 220
The Vikings want a tall wideout who can get a hand on Tarvaris Jackson's errant passes.

18. Houston Texans
Kenny Phillips FS Miami 6-1 202
Will Demps was a Pro-Bowl alternate by accident. The Texans take the only safety worthy of first round consideration.

19. Philadelphia Eagles
Limas Sweed WR Texas 6-4 220
The Eagles finally give McNabb his first round WR. Jackson is a consideration but his small frame might be snapped in half in minicamp.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson WR California 5-11 165
The Bucs take Jackson, a speedster at WR and a guy who can help in the return game.

21. Washington Redskins
Calais Campbell DE Miami 6-7 282
Washington takes the first bust of the Jim Zorn era, Calais Campbell. Now they have a Campbell on each side of the ball.

22. Dallas Cowboys
Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon 5-10 235
Although they need more help in the secondary, Jerry Jones can't resist a Barber-Stewart backfield combo.


23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Baker T Southern California 6-5 308
After losing Alan Faneca, and their line allowing Roethlisberger to be sacked more times than is healthy, the Steelers take the top lineman on the board, who can play G or T, to protect their $100M QB.

24. Tennessee Titans
Mario Manningham WR Michigan 5-11 180
Vince petitions Fisher for a wideout. Despite a poor combine, they take Mario.

25. Seattle Seahawks
Branden Albert G Virginia 6-7 315
They signed Julius Jones to take over at RB, now they look to fill the void open since Hutchinson left.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Phillip Merling DE Clemson 6-5 270
Jack del Rio likes the big DE Merling. I have a good feeling about this one.

27. San Diego Chargers
Reggie Smith CB/FS Oklahoma 6-0 200
Reggie Smith can play both corner and safety, he can pair with Eric Weddle or replace Drayton Florence. They'll need the help against Brady and Peyton in the playoffs.

28. Dallas Cowboys
Chris Williams T Vanderbilt 6-6 315
Flozell Adams is 38. Osi Umenyiora is 25. Need I say more?

29. San Francisco 49ers
James Hardy WR Indiana 6-6 220
A reach, but this round has stolen the top WRs. They need a tall guy to catch Alex Smith's non-spiraling overthrows.

30. Green Bay Packers
Pat Sims DT Auburn 6-4 315
Eventual replacement in the middle for Corey Williams.

31. New York Giants
Antoine Cason CB Arizona 6-0 182
Jerry Reese likes Cason. Madison and McQuarters are old. Giants go CB for the second straight year.

The New Marriage-Wrecker

Internet Pornography Burrows Deeper Into Culture

By Father John Flynn, LC

ROME, FEB. 24, 2008 (Zenit.org).- In Lent we should think of fasting not only in relation to food and drink, but also from images, recommended Benedict XVI. The Pope’s advice came during a question-and-answer session with Rome’s clergy, held Feb. 7.

The question dealt with how best to evangelize people as to what is true beauty in the context of contemporary culture. Part of the Pontiff’s reply dealt with the use of images and also the problems created by mistaken ideals of beauty. During Lent:, “we need a space that is free from the permanent bombardment of images,” Benedict XVI commented.

One application of the Pope’s counsel would be to fast, not only during Lent, but permanently, from the ever-increasing presence of pornography. A Feb. 12 article posted on the ABC News Web site cited data from a trade publication that put at $14 billion the sales generated in the United States related to pornography in one form or another. The article also reported that one estimate puts at 4.2 million the number of pornographic sites online, with 40 million visitors daily.

Federal government attempts to control the flourishing industry have not had much success. Obscenity investigations into adult pornography by the FBI have diminished due to other issues such as terrorism, reported Reuters on Sept. 19. The FBI has, however, taken action in fighting child pornography.

As well, attempts to regulate the Internet pornography industry have run into repeated legal defeats. Last year a federal judge upheld previous rulings invalidating the Child Online Protection Act, on the grounds it denied free-speech rights, reported the Washington Post on March 23.

The law made it a crime for those running Internet sites to let anyone under 17 have access to sexual material. The law, approved in 1998, never entered into force as it was blocked by a series of legal actions.

Dangerous consequences

The increasing use of pornography is creating not a few problems. Late last year a judge in Melbourne, Australia, sentenced a man to 11 years in jail on a rape charge, reported the Age newspaper on Jan. 3.

Judge Damian Murphy, said that the Andrew Bowen had acted out a fantasy seen in material downloaded from the Internet.

The article’s authors, Maree Crabbe and David Corlett, commented that one consequence of Internet-based pornography is a shift to more extreme and violent sexual imagery. Scenes that are so degrading and humiliating that they would be banned from film and television are now freely available to anyone with a Web connection.

Crabbe and Corlett said that research shows a link between consumption of pornography and male sexual aggression. Even when the pornography is not violent, exposure to it tends to increase in the viewer tolerance of sexual violence.

Earlier last year a report published in Australia revealed record numbers of visitors to porn Web sites. According to a May 26 article in the Sydney Morning Herald, a survey found that 35% of Internet users had visited an “adult” site at least once in the preceding three months.

According to the article, psychologists and counselors say Internet pornography is a growing cause of marital problems due to increasing numbers of men who become compulsive users.

A lengthy feature article on this issue was published in the Age newspaper May 26. “The impact of internet pornography on sexual attitudes, practice and relationships may prove to be as profound as the introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1961," the article affirmed.

Terming it as the “new marriage-wrecker,” the article commented that not only do large numbers of men become habitual users, but also that it causes unhappiness and self-doubt for many women.

Mobile images

After the Internet, it is now mobile phones that are becoming an avenue for pornography. Already widespread in Europe, the use of cell phones for this purpose is set to take off in the United States, according to a Jan. 30 Reuters article.

According to Reuters, pornography sales via cell phones in Europe reaped $775 million in 2007, compared to just $26 million in the United States. One study cited in the article estimated that worldwide, the porn industry could generate $3.5 billion in revenue by 2010.

Phone companies in the United States are planning to loosen controls on their networks, allowing more gadgets and services. As well, newer phone models have higher quality images and an improved ability to browse the Web. Video-sharing sites are also expanding to offer services to those with more advanced cell phones.

The spreading use of pornography via cell phones sparked off a confrontation last year in the Church of England, when an ecclesiastical tribunal ruled against the use of phone antennas in church spires and towers, reported the Times on March 17.

Churches can make more than 10,000 pounds ($19,621) a year in rent from mobile phone companies, the article noted. This was put in danger when a church judge in Chelmsford, Essex, ruled against an application to install a mast in the tower of St. Peter and St. Paul in Chingford. Judge George Pulman concluded that some of the material transmitted “is not consistent with the Christian use of a church.”

His ruling, however, was overturned shortly afterward by the Court of Arches, the highest ecclesiastical body in the Church of England, reported the Telegraph newspaper on July 25. The court said that it must be remembered that human beings are "imperfect" and to refuse the mast on that ground would be an "unbalanced approach.”

Fortunately a saner view is prevailing in other circles. The Feb. 10-16 edition of the National Catholic Register reported on action being taken by some Catholic colleges in the United States to block pornography and gambling Web sites.

Starting in 2006, St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, put filters in place to block access to such sites from all public and residence hall computers. “As a parent of five children, I assumed that at a Catholic college you couldn’t stream porn into your dorm room,” commented college president, Jim Towey, who introduced the policy shortly after taking office.

Other Catholic institutions that filter access include Franciscan University of Steubenville and Wyoming Catholic. Nevertheless, the Register article noted that many other Catholic colleges do not put any filters in place.

Chaste living

Concern over pornography was expressed in a publication approved by the November 2007 meeting of the U.S. episcopal conference: “Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living: Guidelines for Curriculum Design and Publication."

Chastity, the document explained, “is not a matter of repression of sexual feelings and temptations but the successful integration of the gift of sexuality within the whole person.”

One of the pitfalls identified by the text is the misuse of the Internet that enables easy access to virtual pornography. Sexually explicit content in blogs, instant messages, and posting photos on social networking Web sites are also other avenues that violate chastity.

“Pornography defames the intimacy of the marital act and injures the dignity of viewers and participants,” the guidelines observed. “Christians are to shun all participation in pornography as producers, actors, consumers or vendors."

More catechetical instruction and education is needed in order to help us appreciate the value of chastity, the document commented. It might also help to remember what Benedict XVI mentioned in his Feb. 7 remarks on images and beauty.

God can liberate us from “the inflation of images,” the Pope said. In fact, he continued, through Christ’s incarnation God has shown us his image. Convincing the world of the beauty of the truth revealed in Christ may well be the key to overcoming the allurement of impoverished images that only degrade our humanity.

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