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WEDNESDAY February 2, 2000 vol. 11, no. 23 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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WORLD NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant: | ||
Because so many want to be heard over the controversial stem-cell research, the National Institute of Health in the U.S. has extended its deadline which had been Monday. Though they have not set a definitive deadline, time is of the essence in making your voice heard by e-mailing stemcell@mail.nih.gov and telling them NO to relaxing guidelines that would permit further destruction of human embryos. continued inside
WASHINGTON, D.C., FEB 1 (ZENIT).- The U.S. National Institutes of Health
(NIH) has decided to extend the deadline for public comment on a revised
set of guidelines for stem cell research. The "novelty" of the new
guidelines is that not only will researchers be able to harvest cells
from dead embryos (normally from abortions), but also will be able to
kill "unwanted" embryos from fertility clinics in order to extract the
stem cells and still receive Federal funding for their research.
Embryonic stem cells are the undifferentiated cells in the human
blastocyst, from which any type of human cell may later develop.
Supporters of the process claim that the blastocyst is not really an
embryo, but a "pre-embryo." However, this is just a word game, according
to Dr. Dianne Irving, a former career-appointed NIH bench research
biochemist/biologist. "The immediate product of fertilization is a human
being with 46 chromosomes, a human embryo, an individual member of the
human species, and ... this is the beginning of the embryonic period."
Currently, a Congressional ban prevents Federally funded human embryo
research. Research on entire live fetuses is still altogether illegal.
The new guidelines would open a loophole, claiming that human embryo
stem cell research does not fall under the ban. Essentially, the
"surplus" embryos would be killed in private fertility clinics so that
the research can be done in Federally funded centers without ever
technically breaking the ban on live fetus research. The actual
guidelines are available for reading at
http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/draftguidelines.htm .
Dr. Irving, who represented the U.S. Catholic Medical Association in the
October "Guadalupe Appeal" conference on bioethics in Mexico City,
indicated that it is unusual that the NIH would extend the period for
public comment, and that this probably indicates a large groundswell of
opposition to the measure. Nonetheless, this extra time period could
allow supporters of the technique to skew the comments in favor of the
proposed guidelines. The NIH invites written comments from all, either
by mail (Stem Cell Guidelines, NIH Office of Science Policy, 1 Center
Drive, Building 1, Room 218, Bethesda, MD 20892), fax (++1 (301)
402-0280), or email stemcell@mail.nih.gov.
Dr. Irving also indicated that the use of embryonic cells is unnecessary
for stem cell research. She cited, for example, a study in which a team
of Italian and Canadian scientists, led by Angelo L. Vescovi in Milan,
was able to metamorphose adult neural stem cells into the blood-making
stem cells of the bone marrow.
ZE00020120
Even a short comment can
make a difference in the adoption or rejection of these guidelines.
If you don't think you can make a difference by e-mailing NIH to stop relaxed guidelines on stem-cell research, consider that the FCC was pressured into totally reversing an earlier decision that had redefined guidelines that ruled a large block of religious programming could be termed "non-educational" and therefore not advantageous for stations to carry. But an outcry poured in from the public that the ruling violated free speech and the FCC was forced to relent and revert back to the original guidelines which are favorable to religious programming including televising the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. continued inside.
VATICAN CITY, FEB 1 (ZENIT).- For reasons of the "liberty of the
Church," but also for reasons of "good manners," it is time to stop
talking about the Pope's resignation. This appeal is made in the
February 2 issue of "L'Osservatore Romano," following weeks of rumors
and conjectures on the Holy Father's state of health in the Italian
media.
Ever since the influential Italian ANSA agency mistranslated statements
of Bishop Karl Lehmann, President of the German Bishops' Conference (Cf.
ZENIT, January 10, 2000), making it appear that he was leading a call to
pressure the Pope into retirement, local papers have been filled with
veiled and not-so-veiled statements that the Pope really should resign
for health reasons.
Such a decision belongs strictly to the Pope himself, according to the
Vatican newspaper. The fact that the Pope is frail does not mean he is
unable to do his work. Therefore, it is both pointless and inopportune
to spread suppositions as to who should give evidence on the Pope's
"incapacity" to govern the Church.
This is the first time "L'Osservatore Romano" has taken such a clear
position on the debate. "Physical weakness does not mean incapacity or
an 'irreversible' and impossible condition. These are distinctions that
must be made for clarity of thought and ... to defend papal liberty;
moreover, it is better not to formulate suppositions (fortune telling)
on who should certify the condition of permanent reduction (another
concept that must be clarified) in the ability to communicate," the
article states.
"In theory, one can imagine the Pope's resignation, since this has
already occurred in the Church's 2000 years, but it is important to
stress the absolute freedom of the Pope to say something like this."
No one can intervene in a decision of this kind, and less so reporters.
"It is a question of 'libertas ecclesiae' [liberty of the Church]",
Marchetto writes.
"We add that there are also considerations that we could define as good
manners, in addition to those stemming from the fact one is Catholic,
that demand that all this 'buzzing' around the topic now be silenced,"
continued the article.
"Can one not give Pope Wojtyla, who has struggled for liberty all his
life, the liberty to make decisions without this type of pressure?
Moreover, he is the Pope!" the newspaper concluded.
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Enough is enough! The Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano finally took off the gloves and in no uncertain terms has told the rumormongers and journalists intent on spreading false lies about Pope John Paul II to lay off and give him the freedom to be Pope. continued inside.
WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The Federal Communications
Commission last Friday reversed a controversial ruling that
had limited the amount of religious programming on
noncommercial television stations.
The commission said "it has become clear that our actions
have created less certainty rather than more, contrary to
our intent." Instead, the commission said it would defer
the definition of education, instructional, or cultural
programming to each broadcaster, unless "such judgement is
arbitrary or unreasonable."
New guidelines published in early January require
broadcasters operating with noncommercial educational
licenses -- favored by non-profit religious broadcasters --
to devote at least one-half of their programming hours to
"educational, instructional, or cultural" shows. However,
the commission had said programming that is "primarily
devoted to religious exhortation, proselytizing, or
statements of personally-held religious views and beliefs"
does not qualify as educational, cultural, or instructional.
After a widespread outcry and the threat of congressional
legislation to reverse the decision, FCC Chairman William
Kennard issued a statement that claimed the ruling did not
establish new rules, but only clarified existing policy.
When critics who said the ruling curtailed free speech were
not mollified, the commission met last Friday and rescinded
the order by a four to one vote.
While the Governor of Illinois was calling for a moratorium on capital punishment, the ancient Colosseum in Rome was bathed in a glowing gold light for two days in fulfillment of their promise to lite up the circular edifice everytime someone receives a stay of execution in alerting the world to the wrongs of capital punishment. The Colosseum was the scene of thousands upon thousands of death penalties as the Christians were thrown to the lions and gladiators. continued inside.
ROME (CWNews.com) - The Roman Colosseum was bathed in
golden light on Tuesday as an anti-death penalty coalition
recognized the decision by the US state of Illinois to
declare a moratorium on all executions.
The coalition -- which includes the United Nations, the
Italian government, the city of Rome, the Vatican, the
Catholic Sant' Egidio group, and Amnesty International --
began the campaign in December to illuminate the Colosseum
in gold light for two days every time someone in the world
is spared execution.
On Monday, Illinois Gov. George Ryan issued an executive
order for a moratorium on executions while a special panel
studies the state's capital punishment system. Ryan said
the system was "fraught with error," noting thirteen death
row inmates in Illinois have been freed or taken off death
row since 1987 after errors in their convictions were found.
The Colosseum was chosen for the campaign because of its
worldwide visibility -- millions of visitors see it every
year -- and it was the site of thousands of executions by
the Roman Empire. Tuesday's lighting was the eighth time
since the campaign began.
Father Mario Orantes Najera, the priest who was first arrested for the murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera nearly two years ago, has been ordered by Guatemalan authorities to return immediately or be extradited. He is in hiding after being released when no evidence could be found and the Church and human rights groups protested his prolonged incarceration. Four people have already been arrested for the brutal murder in April 1998. continued inside.
GUATEMALA CITY (CWNews.com) - Guatemala's government over
the weekend ordered a priest to voluntarily return from the
United States or face extradition in the case of a bishop
murdered there in April 1998.
Attorney General Leopoldo Zeissig said Father Mario Orantes
Najera, 40, had until Tuesday to appear before
investigators. After that, authorities planned to request
his extradition. Father Orantes' family said the priest had
fled to the US and was in hiding following death threats
made against him and for medical treatment.
Father Orantes had been jailed from July 1998 to February
1999 as a suspect in the murder of Auxiliary Bishop Juan
Gerardi Conedera, who was murdered two days after releasing
a report that blamed the military and death squads for most
of the deaths during the country's 36-year civil war. Human
rights groups and Catholic leaders dismissed the idea that
Father Orantes, who lived with Bishop Gerardi, was involved
and said the investigation should focus on the military and
death squads.
After President Alfonso Portillo called for a new
investigation into the crime during his inauguration on
January 14, police arrested a former presidential guard, an
Army officer, the man's father, who is a retired officer,
and the bishop's cook, who was also jailed briefly in 1998.
The arrests were based on testimony from Ruben Chamax
Sontay, a man who was near the bishop's home on the night
of the killing, authorities said.
The Holy Father today will celebrate Mass for Consecrated Life at St. Peter's with
over 18,000 religious from all over the world in attendance. It ties in also with the Holy Father's February intention of Praying for Vocations to Religious Life and that Pilgrims coming to Rome and other holy shrines will be living examples of the Gospel.. continued inside.
VATICAN CITY, FEB 1 (ZENIT).- 18,000 men and women religious have come
to Rome over the past few days to participate in the Jubilee of the
Consecrated Life. The climax of the celebrations takes place
on the morning of the Presentation of the Lord in St. Peter's Square, when the participants will meet
with John Paul II.
The celebrations of the religious during this Holy Year have been
thought out in great detail, including very original initiatives that
made the last two days particularly intense. Today was dedicated to the
mission and testimony of the consecrated. The participants celebrated by
going to the Basilica of St. Mary Major and spending time in adoration
of Christ present in the Eucharist, the sole reality that gives meaning
to their consecration.
Yesterday afternoon the participants enjoyed music, songs, testimonies,
and images. The event, which took place in the Paul VI Auditorium in the
Vatican, was televised for the general public.
For two hours, the program celebrated the meaning of a life dedicated to
God, from the first call to the consecration, a road that at times costs
blood. Among those present were 9,000 men and women religious and
consecrated laity, an extraordinary expression of charisms showered on
the Church over the past 2000 years.
The ceremonies began with a Swahili dance, which provided the background
for the enthronement of the Gospel, symbol of the radical adhesion of
the consecrated to Christ's message. This was followed by large screen
pictures evoking the awakening of a vocation. A young girl, who will
spend her life for God, spoke for all: "I had an inner certainty that
life is a gift and that it must be given. This certainty fills me with
peace and joy. The missionary life seemed to be the answer. I wanted to
do something for others. This was the way and I couldn't dismiss it, in
spite of all the sacrifices."
Passages from Sacred Scripture, poems by saints and theologians,
intertwined with the solemnity of singular notes like those of the
Gregorian Choir of the Monks of the Spanish Monastery of St. Dominic of
Silos, made of this moment of the consecrated's celebration an extremely
strong message for the general public. The ceremony included a "Via
Lucis," or fourteen stations recalling Christ's post-resurrection
appearances.
These men and women, who breathe the dust of dry African lands, spend
sleepless nights caring for AIDS patients, or are consecrated to a
contemplative life in a monastery, present a challenge to the world of
the third millennium. In the words of Capuchin Sisto Zarbellon, one of
the presenters of the event, "we respond to the challenges of the world
with the challenges of the Gospel. This is our call."
The Jubilee of the Consecrated Life, which will be held on Wednesday, will
begin at the Vatican with the ceremony of crossing the Holy Door and
blessing of the candles, symbol of the light of Christ for every
faithful and, in particular, for the consecrated, who must keep it
burning. During the ceremony, as a sign of love for the poorest of our
times, the donations of religious communities throughout the world will
be given to the works of charity and help carried out on behalf of the
Holy Father. The Jubilee day of the consecrated will end in St. Peter's
Basilica in the afternoon with prayer in common.
During the month of February, John Paul II
appeals to all Catholics around the world to pray that "Christian
communities will be adapted and welcoming terrain for all vocations of
special consecration," that is, vocations to the religious life or to
lay movements, according to the three evangelical counsels: chastity,
poverty and obedience.
Moreover, John Paul II has also revealed his missionary intention for
the month: "That the pilgrims who visit Rome, Jerusalem and other places
of Christian spirituality, will become messengers of the Gospel of hope
for the men of our times."
A series of intentions are proposed by the Apostleship of Prayer and the
Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for each month,
and the Holy Father chooses one general intention and one missionary
intention from the lists.
The Apostleship of Prayer is an ecclesial association that came into
existence in the middle of the last century at the initiative of the
Jesuits, inspired by the revelations of the Sacred Heart to St. Mary
Margaret Alacoque, which took place in France in the 17th century. This
initiative, which has spread throughout the Church, has persons who are
responsible in the different dioceses. The central direction is in Rome,
in the Jesuit mother house.
The Apostleship of Prayer consists in promoting the union of faithful in
the sacrifice of the Mass through the offering of prayers, works, joys
and sacrifices of every day in reparation for offenses against the Heart
of Jesus -- God's redeeming love for humanity.
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The Archbishop of Boston Cardinal Bernard Law exhorted teachers, parents and students to be the leaders for the new millennium and take the reins through Catholic Education and not depend on the media or other sources that have badly let the people down in a culture that is sorely lacking. He cited the uniqueness of the interweaving of faith and reason inherent in Catholic Education during Catholic Schools Week. continued inside.
BOSTON, 1 (NE) "Catholic schools are needed now more than ever
before," stated Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, at
the beginning of the celebration of the Week of Catholic Schools
in the United States. Acknowledging that there is something
wrong in our present culture -something that the mass media news
makes evident- the Cardinal stated that "Catholic schools have a
unique role in this nation in preparing us for the new
millennium."
Cardinal Law emphasized the level that Catholic schools have
reached, but explained that the fundamental difference of this
education is "the dimension of faith that is interwoven in the
educational process." Recalling a document of the US Episcopate,
he stated that "Catholic schools were dedicated to communicating
the truth in all its fullness," task that they accomplish in the
"context of a community of faith," motivating students and
teachers to live the experience of service and dedication to our
brethren.
The new century and new millennium need young men and women
"firmly rooted in the enduring truths about God, about the human
person, about the family, about human solidarity. This is what
Catholic education is about. We really have something to
celebrate!" concluded the Archbishop of Boston.
