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Pope tweaks UN's collective conscience on Sanctity of Life on 50th Anniversary of Declaration of Human Rights

      The Holy Father used the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Human Rights Declaration by members of the UN in 1948 to tweak their consciences to examine if they have truly lived up to their pledge or observed it only when it was expedient for them. He called for all members of the UN to have a deeper concern for the poor and down-trodden of third-world countries and to respond to the needy no matter what their culture, creed or nationality. His letter reiterated that morality calls for respect for all human life from conception to the grave, reminding those who are promoting the culture of death that they are in violation of the Human Rights declaration. For more, click on Pope's UN letter.

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- In a message to the United Nations, on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pope John Paul II today called the date "an appeal for an examination of conscience by each of the states which voluntarily signed the text if 1948."

      The Pope's message was delivered to the President of the UN's Assembly General, Didier Opertti Badan. In it the Pontiff called attention to the fact that human rights are still "the object of grave and continual violations." Too many governments, he said, honor human rights only when it fits their convenience.

      The Holy Father argued that the Universal Declaration reflects a basic agreement, framed in explicit moral terms and founded on a common understanding of man. The text, he said, finds its roots in "diverse national, cultural, and religious traditions."

      In closing, the Pope called for greater solidarity among the world's nations, and a greater understanding that the full recognition of human rights requires an attitude of compassion toward the poor, the weak, and those who are suffering.

Filipino Bishops decry government's violations of human rights in the Philippines

     While the Pope was issuing his statement to the UN in New York, the Bishops Conference of the Philippines, headed by Cardinal Jamie Sin, were equally adamant about violations to Human Rights, by issuing their own stern statement lambasting the Philippine government for the injustices perpetrated against the people from manipulation of the voting process to kidnapping religious leaders; from exploitation of children to continuing the poor living conditions of the masses without providing programs to help them out of their poverty and doldrums. For more, click on Philippines

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The bishops of the Philippines have issued a strong statement charging that the country's government has both committed and allowed multiple violations of human rights.

      The bishops' statement, issued on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recited "a litany of injustices," and concluded that the country had seen violations of "civil rights, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to development."

      The violations-- which have continued even after the lifting of the martial-law regime under which the Philippines were ruled for years-- include offenses by government and by other parties. In the latter category, the bishops cite the many kidnappings which have taken place in the Mindanao regime, as Islamic terrorists fight for autonomy there.

      Other offenses mentioned by the bishops include electoral fraud and political corruption, the refusal to allow collective bargaining in industrial disputes, the offenses committed by paramilitary groups with apparent connivance of local authorities, the exploitation of children, and the general poverty of the people.

France succumbs to satan as National Assembly approves cohabitation by non-marrieds straight or gay!

     All of Heaven must be weeping today with the news that the National Assemby in France has approved a radical referendum that allows equal rights for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike cohabitating outside of marriage, thus tearing down the fabric of society with the minimization of marriage. France has had many problems since Pepin converted to Catholicism over a century ago, but this latest blow to decency and morality has the Church very frustrated for it can only lead to decay and decadence. For more, click on the fall of France.

      PARIS (CWNews.com) - The French National Assembly on Wednesday approved a bill that grants new rights to unmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples despite heavy opposition from conservative parties and the Catholic Church.

      The PACS bill would allow a Civil Solidarity Pact between two cohabitating people over the age of 18 to allow them inheritance rights, joint tax filing status, and other rights traditionally allotted only to families. The bill, heavily supported by the ruling coalition of Socialists, Communists, and Greens, will be taken up by the Senate next March.

      Supporters of the bill said the measure is needed to bring the law in line with the evolution of French society. Critics, including the country's bishops, said the bill would set up a Byzantine maze of social relationships, undermining the family as the foundation of society, and is the first step on a path to legalizing same-sex marriage.

Poland extends invitation to their favorite son Pope John Paul II to return to his homeland for the 8th time next summer

      The first non-Italian Pope since the 1500's and the first Polish Pope ever will end the century much as he began it, by returning to his homeland once more in the last year of the millennium. The Polish bishops and government, in a joint announcement, said the Holy Father will return to Poland next June for the eighth time during his pontificate for a twelve-day visit that will cover 18 locations including his birthplace in Wadowice. Also on his itinerary will be numerous sessions with Polish government authorities and a stop at the railway terminal in Warsaw where Jews were earmarked for Auschwitz. More details are expected the first of the year when John Paul II formally accepts the invitation. For more, click on Polish visit

      WARSAW (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II will make his eighth visit home to Poland next year, according to a joint announcement by Polish bishops and the government this week.

      Archbishop Tadeusz Goclowski, speaking at a Church-government committee meeting on Monday said the Holy Father will visit the country for 12 days next June and journey to 18 locations including Gdansk, Warsaw, and his hometown of Wadowice. "A detailed plan of the visit will be announced at the start of next year after John Paul II personally accepts it," said Wieslaw Walendziak, Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek's chief of staff and deputy chairman of the committee.

      Walendziak said the Pope insisted on including a visit to Warsaw's Umschlagplatz -- a railway ramp from which Nazi Germans deported Jews to the Auschwitz death camp during World War II -- and meetings with Polish legislative, judiciary and executive authorities in parliament.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site. CWN is not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

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December 11-13, 1998 volume 9, no. 240   DAILY CATHOLIC