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Dr. Elisa von Joeden-Forgey is an Assistant Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University in New Jersey, United States.  Also the First Vice President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, she has done specific studies in the use of sexual violence as a weapon of genocide.   Dr. Joeden-Forgey was invited to address a special event at the United Nations headquarters in New York on April 28, organized by Archbishop Bernadito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.  The event, co-sponsored by +Libres, CitizenGo and In Defence of Christians, had as its theme, “Defending religious freedom and other human rights: stopping mass atrocities against Christians and other believers.”   

Dr. Joeden-Forgey specifically addressed the discussion on Christian and Yazidi women and girls as sexual victims of crimes against humanity.    According to her, sexual violence against women and girls is an integral part of the ISIS’ genocide methodology, as it is in most genocides. She recently visited refugee camps in Iraq to assess first-hand the violence by the ISIS, and said the Islamic State commits many forms of genocide, targeting Yazidis, Christians, Shabak Shia, and Turkmen.  In our edition of THE BACKGROUNDER today, we bring you the testimony of Dr. Joeden-Forgey.

Listen: 

That was Dr. Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Assistant Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at  Stockton University in New Jersey, United States, speaking about the ISIS atrocities on minority communities in Iraq.   She spoke at a Holy See-sponsored event at the UN in New York on April 28.  

Just before Dr, Joeden-Forgey, Samia Sleman a 15-year old Yazidi teenage girl gave a heart-wrenching testimony of her ordeal under the ISIS in Iraq.  Captured by the ISIS along with her family in northern Iraq in 2014, when she was 13, Samia spent six months and 12 days in captivity among thousands of Yazidi women and girls until she escaped and took shelter in Germany.  She said that ISIS soldiers killed men and older women, including her mother, but kept girls as young ‎as seven as sex slaves who may be sold or given as gifts to ISIS fighters.‎  Often breaking down in sobs and tears narrating her story, she earnestly pleaded with the international community to stop the genocide before minorities are totally wiped out.  

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Caritas Pakistan renders financial help to victims including four who are Muslims of Easter Sunday terrorist attack.

A Caritas program was established after the suicide attack in a public park that killed more than 70 people. Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw of Lahore joined Caritas Pakistan in distributing checks to victims of the attack, which targeted a children's play area in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore on March 27.

"It was a very painful incident, families celebrating a joyful occasion were targeted," said Archbishop Shaw at Lahore's Sacred Heart Cathedral, May 18 while addressing 19 families, including four who are Muslim, affected by the attack. "Our help won't heal wounds but at least you can buy some medicine with it," said the bishop.

The checks — worth 40,000 rupees each — were part of the Lahore blast victims support program, which was launched by Caritas Pakistan Lahore in April.

The attack death toll climbed to 78 on May 15 after another victim, a Christian woman, died in Jinnah Hospital. The bomb blast injured more than 350 people.

The Caritas program is also providing trauma counseling to those affected by the bombing and will  pay at least a year’s school fees for a child who lost his or her family's breadwinner to the bombing. The Catholic charity has plans to finance treatment for those who remain critically injured from the attack.

The Caritas project team is  performing puppet shows too for women and children affected by the attack. Caritas plans to distribute more financial support to bombing victims next month. (UCAN)

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(Vatican Radio) After reaching an agreement with all the Christian denominations, the British charity, the Halo Trust, has embarked on a project to clear mines and unexploded ordinance from one of the most sacred Christian sites in the world, where Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. The one square kilometer site that contains 7 churches and monasteries has been a no-go area for almost 50 years after thousands of mines and booby traps were laid during the 1967 war. The Chief Executive of the Halo Trust, Major General James Cowan, spoke to Susy Hodges about this landmark project.

Listen to the interview with James Cowan of the Halo Trust: 

HUGE SYMBOLISM

Cowan says the Halo Trust is “very excited” about this important and hugely symbolic project to clear thousands of mines and unexploded ordinance from Jesus’ baptism site along the western bank of the River Jordan. He explained how access to this sacred site, known as Qasr Al-Yahud, with its 7 churches and monasteries, “has been denied to Christians” ever since the 6-day war Arab-Israeli war when the area was heavily mined and booby traps were planted around the churches. 

Cowan explained that the Trust has been working “very hard” with both the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities and all the Christian denominations that have churches on the sacred site to acquire permission for the de-mining operation to go-ahead.  Among the 7 churches and monasteries on the mined site is a Franciscan Catholic church. He  pointed out that in 2000 ahead of Pope Saint John Paul’s visit to the River Jordan, a very small area of the mined site was cleared to allow a narrow access to the river enabling pilgrims to come and visit but said “the vast majority (of the site) remains mined.”

SENSITIVE POLITICS

Describing the project as an example of a “great ecumenical cooperative spirit”, Cowan said it’s “very uplifting” that this sacred site (where churches were first constructed in 400 AD)  is being “returned to its proper use.” He acknowledged that the negotiations with the various parties were a delicate operation as they are “all aware of how sensitive politics are on the West Bank.” One problem that still remains, said Cowan, is raising the 3 million dollars needed to complete the de-mining operations and he is appealing to all Christians to help fund this project. 

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Vatican City, May 19, 2016 / 07:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As six new ambassadors to the Holy See presented Pope Francis with their credentials, the pontiff stressed that as representatives of their people, they must be the voice of those suffering tragedies such as violence and forced migration.

“For those suffering the tragedy of violence and forced migration, we must be resolute in making their plight known to the world community,” the Pope told a group of six new ambassadors to the Holy See, who presented him with their credentials May 19.

He said that as diplomats, their efforts to advocate on behalf of those forced to leave their homes involuntarily is essential, so that “as they lack the strength or ability to cry out, their voice may be heard in our own.”

The path of diplomacy helps to both “amplify and convey this cry” by pursuing effective solutions to the complex, underlying causes of the modern conflicts, he said.

In particular, this applies to “our efforts to remove weapons from those perpetrating violence, and to end the scourge of human trafficking and the drug trade which often support this evil.”

Pope Francis met with the new ambassadors inside the Sala Clementina of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. Present alongside their families, they represent the countries of the Seychelles, Thailand, Estonia, Malawi, Zambia and Namibia.

Just under two weeks ago the Pope outlined his “dream” for a renewed Europe based on fresh ideas and a revamped economy that promotes integration and respect for basic human rights and dignity, particularly for incoming migrants.

The majority of the new ambassadors who presented their credentials today come African nations – where a large number of Europe’s migrant influx comes from – and so represent the other side of issue.

In his speech to them, Francis told the diplomats that their presence serves as a reminder that while their nationalities, cultures and religions might differ, “we are united by our common humanity and a shared mission to care for society and creation.”

With so many throughout the world suffering due to problems such as war, conflict, displacement, forced migration and the uncertainties brought on by economic hardship, a united service to humanity is increasingly necessary, he said.

The Pope stressed that problems won’t be solved by discussion alone, but by “concrete signs of solidarity” with those most in need.

However, for this solidarity to be effective, he said global efforts must be directed to pursuing a peace in which “each individual’s natural rights and integral human development are nurtured and guaranteed.”

Francis said the task of obtaining such a peace requires a coordinated effort encouraging members of local communities to become “artisans of peace” at home, and to promote social justice and respect for creation.

But in an increasingly “fragmented and indifferent” world in which people choose to “isolate themselves from harsh realities” they’d rather not face, this task is becoming more and more difficult, he said.

Many people are “afraid of terrorism and of a growing influx of migrants fundamentally changing their culture, economic stability and way of life,” the Pope said, explaining that these are understandable concerns which one can’t “dismiss lightly.”

However, although the fears have a rational foundation, “they must be addressed in an intelligent and creative way, so that the rights and needs of all are respected and upheld.”

Efforts toward peace ought to first help people to stay in their homelands, he said, but noted that the present migration crisis requires incoming peoples to be helped and cared for.

“We must not allow misunderstanding and fear to weaken our resolve. Rather, we are called to build a culture of dialogue,” the Pope said, explaining that by doing so, a full integration can be reached that both preserves the culture of the host country, and respects the traditions of incoming migrants.

“This is essential,” Francis said, adding that if a mentality of misunderstanding and fear prevails, “something of ourselves dies, our cultures, history and traditions are weakened, and our own peace is compromised.”

But if we are able to foster dialogue and solidarity at both the individual and collective level, “it is then that we experience the best of humanity and secure an enduring peace for all, as intended by our Creator.”

Pope Francis closed his speech by sending a personal greeting to the pastors and faithful of each country represented, encouraging them to be heralds of both hope and peace in their communities.

He referred specifically to Christian and other minority communities who suffer persecution for their beliefs, assuring them of his “prayerful support and solidarity.”

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Vatican City, May 19, 2016 / 09:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- An official meeting between Pope Francis and Imam Ahmed al Tayyeb will take place Monday at the Vatican, signaling a new step in Catholic-Muslim relations.

“An audience between the Pope and the Great Imam of al Azhar is being prepared for Monday,” Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi told journalists May 19.

He said the schedule for the visit “still has to be defined,” but confirmed that the meeting will take place Monday, April 23.

The Imam of al Azhar, currently Ahmed al Tayyeb, is considered by some Muslims to be the highest authority in Sunni Islam and oversees Egypt’s al-Azhar Mosque and the prestigious al-Azhar University attached to it.

Founded in the Fatimid dynasty in the late 10th century together with the adjoining mosque, the University is one of the most renowned study centers for the legal principals of Sunni Islam.

According to Fr. Lombardi, the Egyptian university is also considered to be “the most authoritative theological-academic institution of Sunni Islam.”

In 1961 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser “secularized” the University by including a curriculum which isn’t exclusively religious. However, the underlying principles have remained the same.

The meeting between Pope Francis and the Great Imam of al Azhar has been in the works since February, when Bishop Miguel Àngel Ayuso Guixot, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the apostolic nuncio in Egypt, Archbishop Bruno Musarò, visited the al-Azhar Mosque and University.

During their visit, Bishop Ayuso gave Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, a letter expressing his willingness to meet with the Grand Imam and to accompany him for an official audience with the Pope.

The meeting between the two is seen as a thawing of relations between the al-Azhar institution and the Holy See, which were strained in 2011 with claims that Pope Benedict XVI had “interfered” in Egypt’s internal affairs by condemning a bomb attack on a church in Alexandria during the time of Coptic Christmas.

Relations under Francis have improved with his constant appeals for interfaith dialogue. Shortly after his 2013 election, Pope Francis sent a personal message to Muslims marking the end of the first month of Ramadan.

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By Junno Arocho Esteves

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence and persecution as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said.

In a speech May 19 to six new ambassadors to the Holy See, the pope said that while fears of terrorism and changing a nation's culture cannot be dismissed lightly, the concerns must "be addressed in an intelligent and creative way so that the rights and needs of all are respected and upheld."

"We must not allow misunderstanding and fear to weaken our resolve. Rather, we are called to build a culture of dialogue, one which enables us to view others as valid dialogue partners, to respect the foreigner, the immigrant and people from different cultures as worthy to be listened to," the pope said.

The presence of the ambassadors, representing Estonia, Malawi, Seychelles, Thailand, Namibia and Zambia, is a reminder of the importance of remaining united "by our common humanity and shared mission" in caring for society and creation, the pope said.

This unity, he stressed, is more crucial than ever when the problems of war, forced migration and economic hardship require "concrete signs of solidarity" with those in need.

The pursuit of peace requires men and women to work together and become "artisans of peace, promoters of social justice and advocates of true respect for our common home," the pope said.

However, growing fears that the influx of migrants leads to terrorism, economic instability and cultural changes makes the world "appear ever more fragmented and indifferent."

The plight and sufferings of those fleeing violence must be made known to the world community "so that as they lack the strength or ability to cry out, their voice may be heard in our own," he stressed.

Pope Francis told the ambassadors that building a culture of dialogue is essential and enriches both migrants -- whose traditions must be respected -- and the community that receives them -- whose culture must be preserved.

"If misunderstanding and fear prevail, something of ourselves dies; our cultures, history and traditions are weakened; and our own peace is compromised. When on the other hand, we foster dialogue and solidarity, both individually and collectively, it is then that we experience the best of humanity and secure an enduring peace for all as intended by our Creator," the pope said.

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Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju.

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