Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ask Americans about bad manners in the 2016 presidential campaign and the conversation shifts immediately to Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner who has branded his critics, "little," ''lyin," ''low-energy" and worse....
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- If Bernie Sanders can pull off an upset in California, it will be a story that got its start on Hollywood Boulevard....
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Bernie Sanders issued a global call to action at the Vatican on Friday to address "immoral and unsustainable" wealth inequality and poverty, using the high-profile gathering to echo one of the central platforms of his presidential campaign....
MASHIKI, Japan (AP) -- A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck southern Japan early Saturday, barely 24 hours after a smaller quake hit the same region and killed nine people....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Finance officials of the world's largest economies say the global recovery has regained most of the ground lost from the market turbulence at the beginning of the year. But they are worried that growth remains uneven in the face of a variety of threats ranging from terrorist bombings to Britain's upcoming vote on whether to leave the European Union....
(Vatican Radio) On 14th April, The Embassy of the Czech Republic to the Holy See together with the Sovereign Order of Malta presented a photographic exhibition which focuses on more than 30 years of humanitarian crises.The exhibition entitled, “The Devil within Us”, shows 53 photographs by Czech photographer, Jan Sibik. During the opening, a discussion about ‘humanitarian crises at the international level’ took place ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit in May.Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni attended the event and spoke to Albrecht Boeselager, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta who said “the result of the evil atrocities in the world”, must be talked about. The Order of Malta is currently present in 120 countries worldwide aiding those who are victims of armed conflict and natural disaster.Speaking ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to the Greek island of Lesbos, the Grand Chancellor expressed his hope that the visit would &...
(Vatican Radio) On 14th April, The Embassy of the Czech Republic to the Holy See together with the Sovereign Order of Malta presented a photographic exhibition which focuses on more than 30 years of humanitarian crises.
The exhibition entitled, “The Devil within Us”, shows 53 photographs by Czech photographer, Jan Sibik. During the opening, a discussion about ‘humanitarian crises at the international level’ took place ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit in May.
Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni attended the event and spoke to Albrecht Boeselager, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta who said “the result of the evil atrocities in the world”, must be talked about. The Order of Malta is currently present in 120 countries worldwide aiding those who are victims of armed conflict and natural disaster.
Speaking ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to the Greek island of Lesbos, the Grand Chancellor expressed his hope that the visit would “give a push to the European politicians” to come up with a better policy on the migrant situation, saying that “walls and fences are no long term solution”.
Listen:
Later, Linda Bordoni also spoke to Pavel Vosalik, the Czech Ambassador to the Holy See, about the importance of remembering past conflicts, saying that although those affected are not currently in the media, “it doesn’t mean that the victims disappear”.
He emphasised the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, explaining that “people who are in need are just around the corner” and “Europe is not immune” from these issues.
When asked about the role of Pope Francis in humanitarian crises, the ambassador says that there is a difference between expectation and reality, citing that the role of the Pope is to draw the attention of the public and the politicians to the issue rather than resolve it.
(Vatican Radio) The Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Archbishop Arthur Roche, said Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris laetitia (the Joy of Love), is one of the “best documents I have read.”In the document, Pope Francis offers support to married couples, and urges pastors to be understanding when dealing with people in difficult marital situations.Listen: “It’s very easily read – and it’s a very joyful read – because it’s a very encouraging message that the Holy Father is giving to the world on marriage and the family,” Archbishop Roche told Vatican Radio.“It’s a light in a very obscure world which really doesn’t believe in the family and in marriage as much as the Church does, so it will be of enormous encouragement to people throughout the world as they make their steps towards marriage – particularly young couples who live in a...
(Vatican Radio) The Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Archbishop Arthur Roche, said Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris laetitia (the Joy of Love), is one of the “best documents I have read.”
In the document, Pope Francis offers support to married couples, and urges pastors to be understanding when dealing with people in difficult marital situations.
Listen:
“It’s very easily read – and it’s a very joyful read – because it’s a very encouraging message that the Holy Father is giving to the world on marriage and the family,” Archbishop Roche told Vatican Radio.
“It’s a light in a very obscure world which really doesn’t believe in the family and in marriage as much as the Church does, so it will be of enormous encouragement to people throughout the world as they make their steps towards marriage – particularly young couples who live in a world that is full of challenges and full of change – because here we have a document which is joyful, and brings to them, really, the tenderness of God,” he said.
(Vatican Radio) The Holy See on Thursday said it has become “outdated” to speal about minority and majority communities when it comes to discrimination, “since victims of intolerance and discrimination may belong to either.”Monsignor Janusz S. Urbanczyk, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), was speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council.“In particular, in the case of Christians, it is recognized that they are suffering violations of their rights also where they are a majority, often in ways that go unnoticed,” Msgr. Urbanczyk said. “Therefore, all forms of religious intolerance and discrimination need to be carefully identified and equally addressed, avoiding any improper selectivity or hierarchical approach.”The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Eur...
(Vatican Radio) The Holy See on Thursday said it has become “outdated” to speal about minority and majority communities when it comes to discrimination, “since victims of intolerance and discrimination may belong to either.”
Monsignor Janusz S. Urbanczyk, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), was speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council.
“In particular, in the case of Christians, it is recognized that they are suffering violations of their rights also where they are a majority, often in ways that go unnoticed,” Msgr. Urbanczyk said. “Therefore, all forms of religious intolerance and discrimination need to be carefully identified and equally addressed, avoiding any improper selectivity or hierarchical approach.”
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), based in Vienna, is a 57 nation group committed to promoting peace on the continent.Hol
The full text of Msgr. Urbanczyk’s intervention is below
STATEMENT BY MONSIGNOR JANUSZ S. URBANCZYK, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOLY SEE, AT THE 1096th MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL
14 APRIL 2016
RE: REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Mr. Chairman,
The Holy See willingly joins other Delegations in welcoming back to the Permanent Council the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Mr. Michael Georg Link, and is grateful for the opportunity to thank him for his comprehensive and informative report, that my Delegation unfortunately did not have the opportunity to examine before this meeting and on which we were prevented from receiving relevant instructions from the Capital.
The Holy See wishes also to renew its appreciation to Director Link and to the ODIHR for the assistance and support provided to the participating States in the implementation of their human dimension commitments. Many thanks, Director Link, for your work. The Report presented today – a veritable tour de horizon – indicates how you and your Office are involved in a wide range of programs and activities.
My Delegation would like to acknowledge your presence here today, Director Link, in order to clarify its position on the matters at stake as well as to express some concerns and recommendations about certain aspects of the ODIHR’s work, while highlighting its many successes, which constitute the majority of the cases.
At the outset, my Delegation wishes to recall that participating States did agree on principle that the full respect and the implementation in good faith of all commitments are of fundamental importance for the stability and security of the OSCE area.
In this perspective, the OSCE essentially represents a political forum where activities are related to security, with decisions adopted by the participating States that need to be fully implemented in good faith. Thus, the interpretation of the OSCE commitments cannot amend, overrule or transform the extent of the commitments, since such an interpretation would be in contrast with the bona fide principle and the Rules of Procedure of the Organization.
With regard to discrimination and intolerance, we all agree with the fact that these issues are among factors that can provoke conflicts which could undermine security and stability. Therefore, the Holy See remains confident that, in accordance with the OSCE’s nature as a security organization, the ODIHR will develop a specific response to those phenomena that threaten to undermine the peace and stability of the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian Regions, remaining always within the realm of the commitments consensually agreed upon by the participating States.
One of the lessons learned in recent years (thanks also to the work of the ODIHR) is that it has become outdated to talk about minority and majority communities, since victims of intolerance and discrimination may belong to either. In particular, in the case of Christians, it is recognized that they are suffering violations of their rights also where they are a majority, often in ways that go unnoticed. Therefore, all forms of religious intolerance and discrimination need to be carefully identified and equally addressed, avoiding any improper selectivity or hierarchical approach.
In this respect, my Delegation reiterates its wish that the ODIHR prepare guidelines for educators on countering intolerance and discrimination in general, as well as against Christians.
My Delegation particularly appreciates the ODIHR’s programs and activities pertaining to freedom of religion or belief, and feels that they are of the utmost importance. In fact, the Holy See considers it a distinctive duty to insist on the central importance of this freedom, not because it seeks a purely individual interest or is uninterested in other freedoms, but because freedom of religion or belief is the litmus test for the respect of all other human rights and fundamental freedoms, since it is their synthesis and keystone.
Furthermore, my Delegation urges the ODIHR to continue its analysis and reflection about interreligious dialogue and dialogue between religious communities and governmental bodies, taking into consideration the differences between these two forms of dialogue. We are confident that the work in this field will lead the participating States to a Ministerial Council declaration on this topic, which, regrettably, proved impossible to adopt in Belgrade.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, my Delegation renews to Director Link its gratitude for his leadership and efforts, assuring him that the Holy See wishes to continue a constructive dialogue and cooperation with his Office in order to seek the full implementation, in good faith, of the human dimension commitments agreed upon by the participating States.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
(Vatican Radio) Monsignor Janusz S. Urbanczyk, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), on Thursday said “a weakening of the freedom of religion” has led to the “discrimination and intolerance against Christians within the OSCE region.”He was speaking during a meeting on “Policies and Strategies to Further Promote Tolerance and Non-Discrimination” taking place in the 57-nation security organization’s Vienna headquarters.“Particularly worrisome is the fact that across the OSCE region a sharp dividing line seems to be drawn between religious belief and religious practice: Christians are frequently reminded in public discourse or even in the courts, that they can believe whatever they like in private, and worship as they wish in their own churches, but they simply cannot act on those beliefs in public,” – Msgr. Urbanczyk said. – “This is a deliber...
(Vatican Radio) Monsignor Janusz S. Urbanczyk, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), on Thursday said “a weakening of the freedom of religion” has led to the “discrimination and intolerance against Christians within the OSCE region.”
He was speaking during a meeting on “Policies and Strategies to Further Promote Tolerance and Non-Discrimination” taking place in the 57-nation security organization’s Vienna headquarters.
“Particularly worrisome is the fact that across the OSCE region a sharp dividing line seems to be drawn between religious belief and religious practice: Christians are frequently reminded in public discourse or even in the courts, that they can believe whatever they like in private, and worship as they wish in their own churches, but they simply cannot act on those beliefs in public,” – Msgr. Urbanczyk said. – “This is a deliberate twisting and limiting of what religious freedom, which holds also for Christians, actually means.”
The Vatican diplomat said this is “not the freedom that was enshrined in the OSCE commitments,” beginning with the Helsinki Final Act.
“The media and public discourse are not always free from attitudes of intolerance and, sometimes, of actual denigration of Christians and members of other religions, with Christians being the easiest target,” Msgr. Urbanczyk said.
He added “advocacy of ‘politically correct’ issues all too often provides sufficient justification to label and denigrate Christians as bigoted or intolerant.”
The full statement by Msgr. Urbanczyk is below
STATEMENT
BY MSGR. JANUSZ URBANCZYK, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOLY SEE, AT THE SUPPLEMENTARY HUMAN DIMENSION MEETING ON “POLICIES AND STRATEGIES TO FURTHER PROMOTE TOLERANCE AND NON-DISCRIMINATION”
Vienna, 14 April 2016
Working Session 1:
Challenges to Realizing Tolerance and Non-Discrimination: Root Causes and Consequences
Mr. Moderator,
As it is the first time the Delegation of the Holy See takes the floor, allow me to express our gratitude to the German OSCE Chairmanship for convoking this most timely Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting. I also thank Mr. Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos and Ms. Yana Salakhova for their thought-provoking presentations.
My Delegation also takes this opportunity in order to renew its satisfaction with the reappointment of Rabbi Baker and the appointment of Prof. Grib and Prof. Senay as Personal Representatives of the Chairmanship-in-Office and welcomes them to this meeting. The Holy See is convinced of the importance that the institution of the three Personal Representatives brings to the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination.
We are most pleased that a session has been set aside to study and discuss the root causes and consequences of intolerance and discrimination, as without an adequate understanding of the origins and causes of the problem any attempted solution could very easily become only a partial – or indeed an unhelpful – solution. As the emphasis of the Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings are practical and concrete, and the causes of one form of intolerance and discrimination may clarify the picture also regarding others, I would like – albeit briefly – to touch on a root cause of discrimination and intolerance against Christians within the OSCE region. In short it may be summarized as a weakening of the freedom of religion or belief, or, to be more precise: a troubling limitation of what this fundamental freedom actually entails.
Pope Francis spoke of this worrying trend which, while giving lip-service to freedom of religion or belief, seeks to remove religion, especially Christianity, from the public sphere, allocating it to the private, unseen and hidden one, as he said last summer in Philadelphia: “In a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to suppress religious freedom, or try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality, it is imperative that the followers of the various religions join their voices in calling for peace, tolerance, and respect for the dignity and rights of others.”
Particularly worrisome is the fact that across the OSCE region a sharp dividing line seems to be drawn between religious belief and religious practice: Christians are frequently reminded in public discourse or even in the courts, that they can believe whatever they like in private, and worship as they wish in their own churches, but they simply cannot act on those beliefs in public. This is a deliberate twisting and limiting of what religious freedom, which holds also for Christians, actually means. This is not the freedom that was enshrined in the OSCE commitments, beginning with the Helsinki Final Act.
Another aspect of this re-interpreted and limited freedom of religion is the rejection of the possible influence of religious faith and belief in shaping public discourse or policy. A Christian will, by his or her very faith, feel obliged to contribute to the common good, to build and seek out a society that will protect the poor and the weak, educate the young and heal the sick, as well as prevent conflict and discord. However, this too in many places is not tolerated. The media and public discourse are not always free from attitudes of intolerance and, sometimes, of actual denigration of Christians and members of other religions, with Christians being the easiest target. Advocacy of “politically correct” issues all too often provides sufficient justification to label and denigrate Christians as bigoted or intolerant.
The Holy See is confident that this important SHDM will prove to be an important step forward in defending the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Christians in the OSCE region. Discrimination against Christians, even where they are a majority, must be faced as a serious threat to the whole of society – and therefore should be fought without any improper or selective approach.
These causes and consequences are nowhere near the terrible atrocities committed with impunity against Christians outside the OSCE region. However, they are a grave concern as they reflect a change in how societies perceive the freedom of religion or belief. To counteract this departure from decades of agreed commitments, it is the firm hope of my Delegation that this year could finally see a Ministerial Council declaration on discrimination against Christians.
Thank you, Mr. Moderator.
(Vatican Radio) A major international conference sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences is hosting a conference this weekend looking at the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s landmark social encyclical letter Centesimus annus.Centesimus annus was itself an anniversary marker: celebrating the 100th anniversary of the seminal Papal piece of writing on social matters in the modern world, Rerum novarum, by Pope Leo XIII in 1891.Centesimus annus was written at a moment of massive change and upheaval in politics and economics in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, and in the midst of an unprecedented increase in wealth and standards of living across the globe that were threatened by corrupt and exploitative interests. Its purpose was to welcome a vision of morally ordered liberty in the service of the human person. Now, scholars, policymakers and political leaders from around the world are gathered in the Vatican to take stock of political,...
(Vatican Radio) A major international conference sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences is hosting a conference this weekend looking at the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s landmark social encyclical letter Centesimus annus.
Centesimus annus was itself an anniversary marker: celebrating the 100th anniversary of the seminal Papal piece of writing on social matters in the modern world, Rerum novarum, by Pope Leo XIII in 1891.
Centesimus annus was written at a moment of massive change and upheaval in politics and economics in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, and in the midst of an unprecedented increase in wealth and standards of living across the globe that were threatened by corrupt and exploitative interests. Its purpose was to welcome a vision of morally ordered liberty in the service of the human person. Now, scholars, policymakers and political leaders from around the world are gathered in the Vatican to take stock of political, economic and cultural changes since the release of Centesimus annus??, and offer a critical appraisal of Catholic social doctrine’s engagement with the world over the same period and into the future.
Presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia and Rafael Correa? of Ecuador are among the participants, as is US Senator Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialist independent from Vermont who is seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party as its candidate in the November presidential election in the United States.
An external advisor to Pope St. John Paul II on Centesimus annus who has worked closely with the the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences for many years, and a participant in the Centesimus annus, Jeffrey Sachs of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, told Vatican Radio the time is ripe for a new and vigorous dialogue. “The Church has always emphasized – especially since Rerum novarum in 1891 – that the market economy – the kind of economic system in which we live – must be operated within a moral framework,” Sachs said. “In 1991, when Centesimus annus was issued by Pope [St.] John Paul II, that was the moment of the revolutionary chenges in Eastern Europe – going from Communisim to market economies – and Pope John Paul II said very clearly, ‘Yes!’ [to the] market economy, but it must have a moral framework,” he continued. “Unfortunately,” Sachs continued, “his message was not heeded adequately.”
Click below to hear Prof. Jeffrey Sachs’ extended conversation with Vatican Radio’s Alessandro Gisotti
