Catholic News 2

 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."

"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.

"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU

He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.

The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
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 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."

"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.

"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU

He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.

The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT
Don Clemmer
O: 202-541-3206

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Washington D.C., Jan 18, 2016 / 04:48 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Catholic University of America may have closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but around 700 students, faculty, and staff observed the holiday by serving their Washington, D.C. community.

“Seeing Christ’s face in other people and serving them has an effect on you,” said Catholic University senior Joey Dichoso, who led a team of students in serving meals to the homeless at the So Others Might Eat dining room, located up the street from the U.S. Capitol.

Dichoso drew inspiration from having previously served with the Missionaries of Charity.

They “see Christ in the poor,” he told CNA in a Jan. 18 interview. “If you can see [Christ] especially in those that are rejected by society or those that are deemed unbeautiful by society, if you can see Christ in them, then it helps you see Christ in other people.”

The Catholic University of America has observed the MLK Day of Service since 2006. The number of volunteers has grown from 26 in its first year to around 700 in 2016. Volunteers, including John Garvey, the university's president, served at more than 20 locations in the city, from cleaning up parks and memorials to serving at homeless shelters and charities.

“The MLK Day of Service shows the power of community,” stated Emmjolee Mendoza Waters, the associate director of community service in CUA’s office of campus ministry. “The change we can make in that one day is significant. We get a chance to see what good we can do with our God-given talents.”

Some students volunteered to clean and organize clothes and food at the Jordan House in Northeast Washington, which provides psychiatric care and support for homeless men and women.

Jennifer Stanton, a senior, was participating in the service day for the first time. She hadn’t visited the Jordan House before, but learned of its mission before she arrived Monday morning. “I know what I’m doing and I know who I’m doing it for,” she told CNA. Martin Luther King, Jr. “set a very great example for service,” she added.

“MLK Day was created to be a service day,” said Isaiah Burroughs, a freshman politics major from nearby Fort Washington, Md. who was also serving at the Jordan House.

Gene Thornton, a senior crisis counselor at the house, was pleased that the students volunteered their time on their day off.

“Yeah, it definitely means a lot for them to come out, just to kind of spend some of their personal time, things of that nature, just to give back,” he told CNA.

A few blocks away, 11 students helped serve meals to the homeless at the So Others Might Eat kitchen. They had set up the dining room, served coffee and food, and talked with the homeless. Some played the piano for them.

“A lot of times when you’re walking around the city, especially in D.C., and you see homeless people, some people may be quick just to keep walking or to throw a couple of dollars their way,” Dichoso, who led the volunteer group, said.

He referenced his time as a mission worker in Jamaica, and previous MLK Days of Service, to emphasize that it is important “to really encounter that person as a human being and ask them how they’re doing.”

“Really the encounter part is making a friend,” he said.

How is the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. reflected in the service day? Dichoso referred to a talk given the students just before they departed campus by Thomasine Johnson of the university staff, who had lived through the civil rights movement.

“All people of all colors deserve to be treated equally and they have a dignity,” he said of King’s legacy, “that all peoples have dignity really ties into service. Seeing the dignity in every human person.”

“That dignity in Christ is in all of us,” he concluded.

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 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."

"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.

"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU

He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.

The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
---
Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT
Don Clemmer
O: 202-541-3206

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The debate over new rules aimed at regulating religious bodies in Kenya continues. The Religious Societies Rules which will affect all faiths require clerics and religious leaders to submit certificates of good conduct and their training in theology, among others. In a statement read to the press on Tuesday, the catholic bishops of Kenya expressed concern over the new rules saying they will violate freedom of worship guaranteed under Kenya’s constitution.

The bishops also lament that the church was not consulted during the formulation of the regulations which they say contain unrealistic and unsustainable requirements.

At the press briefing, the chairman of the Bishops’ Rt. Rev Philip Anyolo stressed that the work of winning souls for Christ is an ongoing task.

The bishop therefore called on the government to consult widely before implementing the regulations so that they can serve the intended purpose of stopping rogue preachers and those radicalizing their followers.

President Uhuru Kenyatta last week intervened after the concerns were raised by religious groups and directed the Attorney General to subject the proposals to further consultations.

Below is the full statment:

Statement by the Catholic Church on the proposed religious societies rules 2015

Fellow Kenyans, the Catholic Church has over the years lived true to her mission of evangelisation. We have, over the years, kept our doors open to millions of Kenyans across the country who truly seek Christ in their life.

Through our Churches spread in every corner of the country, our schools and medical facilities, we have constantly striven to reach out to the body, mind and souls of Kenyans from all walks of life.

It is therefore with shock and surprise that we have received the news that the government has formulated new rules that, if implemented, will have direct and negative impact on our evangelization mission. Similar attempts to regulate the procedures for Christian marriage have led to a major drop in young people coming to Church to celebrate the sacrament.

We, shepherds of the Catholic Church are deeply concerned about the proposed the new, Societies (religious societies) rules, 2015 on the following grounds:

The constitution of Kenya draws a very clear line between the state and religion.  The same constitution is also explicitly clear on the freedom of worship, which is enshrined in the document. How then, we, ask, does the government purport to regulate how Kenyans worship? Is this not a clear violation of the constitution?
Broad sections of the law are unrealistic and utopian. For example, parts of the law require different faiths to keep an updated register of all members. We wish to remind the state that the work of winning souls for Christ is an ongoing task, one that happens every second, every minute, every day and night. Every second, millions of souls are won for Christ. To demand that all faiths keep records of people won for Christ every minute and those who have become inactive is therefore logistically unrealistic and untenable.
Further to that, the new rules give the registrar sweeping powers, including the power to invade Churches to conduct impromptu audit. This is, to say the least, a license for the government to violate constitutionally guaranteed freedom of worship. The Catholic Church is not a business, neither is it a Non-Government Organisations or a civil society. The Catholic Church is a people of God.  As such, the state cannot purport to audit the faith of the people of God.
Further, to demand that all faiths register followers will only serve to convert churches into mere registration centres, instead of citadels of hope and faith for millions of Kenyans. Matters of faith are not about numbers. They are about conversion of the soul. To demand that Churches keep records of their followers will effectively reduce Christianity into a game of numbers, and water down the mission of the Church which is evangelization and assisting people to become better persons.

Dear Kenyans, this is not the first time that we are raising our concerns with the government regarding attempts to regulate churches and worship  Unfortunately, the government has chosen to ignore our concerns or sideline us altogether in the formulation of these rules.

The constitution is clear on citizen involvement in formulation of rules and laws affecting the people. If indeed the government is genuine in formulating these rules, then it should have, as respected the constitution by ensuring wide consultation with all religious leaders in the country in the formulation and wording of these new rules. Sadly, these rules seem to have been formulated inside boardrooms without due regard for the spiritual welfare of our beloved country.

The government already has at its disposal mechanisms to bring to book rogue religious leaders in the country.  To begin with, the government already wields the power to register or deregister Churches, as well as preferring criminal charges on wayward churches and church leaders.

While we acknowledge the governments’ concerns about reported cases where persons purporting to be shepherds of the flock have grossly abused duties and responsibilities placed on them, it is our opinion that these new rules will not adequately address such cases.

The Catholic Church has a Code of Canon Law to guide and regulate her operations. It sets the bar on all facets of the Church –from leadership to membership.

This Code of Canon law has clearly laid down procedures on qualifications for leaders at all levels and how to punish errant leaders and members. It is only fair that the state gives the Catholic Church space to implement this constitution in the spirit of self-regulation.

Only this way can the separation of Church and State as stipulated in the constitution, and indeed, the freedom of worship be guaranteed.

The new laws are therefore an attempt to micromanage worship and should be dropped. We invite the government to establish means to discuss the way forward. The Catholic Church remains a credible partner in the spiritual an social development of all partners.

   Signed:

Signed: ________________________Date:  January 12th 2016

Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo Chairman, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops /Homa Bay

Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Vice Chairman (KCCB)/  Ngong
His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, Nairobi
Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth, Kisumu
Most Rev. Peter Kairo, Nyeri

Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, Mombasa
Rt. Rev. Cornelius Arap Korir, Eldoret
Rt. Rev. Joseph Mairura Okemwa, Kisii
Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich, Military Ordinariate
Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley, Kitale
Rt. Rev. Norman Wambua King’oo, Bungoma
Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara, IMC, Marsabit
Rt. Rev. David Kamau Ng’ang’a, Aux. Bishop Nairobi
Rt. Rev. Anthony Ireri Mukobo, IMC, Isiolo Vicariate
Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante, Maralal
Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi, Meru
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Okombo, Kericho
Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria, Kitui
Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, Muranga
Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru, Embu
Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Nakuru
Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich, Lodwar
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Barbara Malindi

Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia, Nyahururu
Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, Kakamega

Rt. Rev. Joseph Alessandro, Garissa

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