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FRI-SAT-SUN February 25-27, 2000 vol. 11, no. 40 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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WORLDWIDE NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant:
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VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II arrived in Egypt in the early
afternoon of February 24, to begin the 90th foreign voyage of his pontificate.
"Peace be with you!" the Holy Father said-- using the Arabic phrase that is a
traditional greeting among Muslims-- as he stepped off the plane in Cairo. He
was greeted by a welcoming delegation that included Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak, Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Patriarch
Stephanos II Ghattas of the Coptic Catholic Church, and Skeikh Mohammed
Sayed Tantawi of the famous Al-Azhar University.
After crossing the red carpet that was stretched from his plane to the
presidential pavilion at the airport, the Holy Father took part in a quiet,
solemn welcoming ceremony. The Pope's traveling party included Cardinals
Francis Arinze, Achille Silvestrini, and Roger Etchegaray.
In his brief remarks, delivered in English, the Pope emphasized that his trip
was a "Jubilee pilgrimage," and should be seen as a spiritual rather than
political occasion. "I have been waiting many years to be able to celebrate
the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, and to make a pilgrimage
to pray at the holy sites that are connected in a special way with God's
interventions in history," he said.
The Pope's opening statement included a few discreet allusions to political
affairs. He mentioned his concern for the progress of peace negotiations in
the Middle East, and for an end to violence against Christians in Egypt.
Speaking directly to President Mubarak, the Pontiff praised the Egyptian
leader for his forthright commitment to peace in the Middle East. He added
that all political leaders have a responsibility to promote "justice and rights
for everyone." The Pope said that when he traveled to Mount Sinai-- the
main focus of his trip to Egypt-- he would pray especially for peace in the
Middle East and for harmony across religious lines.
The Pope also addressed warm words of greeting to Pope Shenouda of the
Coptic Orthodox Church. He recalled how Egyptian Christianity, founded by
the evangelist St. Mark, has given the Church such great teachers and
scholars as Sts. Clement and Catherine of Alexandria, and the Desert Fathers
who introduced the monastic tradition.
After the welcoming ceremony at the airport, the Pope traveled by car to the
residence of the papal nuncio in downtown Cairo. The motorcade was
carefully guarded, with scores of Egyptian police officers stationed along the
route, demonstrating the regime's careful effort to provide security for the
papal trip.
The Pope's arrival in Egypt was televised across the country by the
government-controlled networks. Press officers in the Egyptian government
indicate that all of the Pope's public appearances will receive such coverage.
For the full text of the Pope's address on his arrival in Egypt and other related stories, see the special section POPE JOHN PAUL II IN EGYPT or go to SECTION FOUR
In the aftermath of the Michigan Primary, Catholics in the area are relieved to hear from Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit that though the Church remains active in the political arena without being partisan, he noted that a small group of dissidents called Catholic Voters Alert were responsible for numerous phone calls to Catholics a few days before the Primary which had a negative effect against Governor George W. Bush and for which the Cardinal has apologized and stated that interference by this group, which he harshly criticized, is working totally independently and in no way in concert with Holy Mother Church. continued inside.
DETROIT (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit on
Tuesday said he was dismayed to find the Catholic faith
being used in the Republican presidential primary to attack
some candidates and endorse others.
"The bishops of the United States are clear on this,"
Cardinal Maida said. "The challenge for our Church is to
be principled without being ideological, to be political
without being partisan, to be civil without being soft, to
be involved without being used," he said. "It's regrettable
when people go over the line."
At issue were telephone calls made on behalf of candidates
George W. Bush and John McCain that said one or the other
was anti-Catholic or supported Catholic aims. A group
calling itself the Catholic Voters Alert made anonymous
phone calls in the closing days of the Michigan Primary,
accusing Bush of religious bigotry because of his
appearance in South Carolina at Bob Jones University whose
leaders have expressed anti-Catholic bias. Bush's brother,
Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, is himself a Catholic convert.
Archdiocesan communications director Ned McGrath said that
none of these efforts, including the Catholic Voters Alert,
are affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Archdiocese of
Detroit. "The reality is the word 'Catholic' isn't
copyrighted. It can be used and misused," he said.
"In the Detroit Archdiocese, we go to great lengths to
encourage political involvement and responsibility,"
Cardinal Maida said. "It's not our approach to label
candidates as 'pro' this or 'anti' that. I urge my fellow
citizens to see beyond party politics and to analyze
campaign rhetoric critically -- especially when it's
delivered at the 11th hour. Political leaders should be
chosen according to their performance and their principles,
not simply party affiliation or mere self-interest."
Another political issue has citizens of Vermont in a quandary and only the Catholic Bishop of Burlington, Bishop Kenneth A. Angell has taken a firm stance against a bill that would give full approval to same sex-marriages. In turn, other religious leaders, particularly Episcopal and Methodist ones have come out in favor of the measure. With emotions running high and words flying about, it is easy for some to get lost in the rhetoric, but Bishop Angell has stayed above the name calling in rallying many on behalf of the sacredness of marriage as God intended and gaining momentum for a peaceful protest on the steps of the Capital in Montpelier. continued inside.
WASHINGTON, D.C., FEB 24 (ZENIT).- The Catholic Bishop of Burlington,
Vermont, issued a pastoral letter earlier this week condemning attempts
to legitimize homosexual "marriage" or "domestic partnership." Now a
coalition of 17 religious leaders, led by Episcopal and Methodist
bishops, has come out in favor of the legislation.
The liberal religious leaders claimed that the institution of marriage
"can only be strengthened by extending our understanding of marriage to
include the faithful committed relationships of same gender couples,"
according to "CultureNotes."
In his pastoral letter, Catholic Bishop Kenneth A. Angell wrote: "Today
in Vermont, the sacredness of marriage and the family as ordered by God
is in jeopardy, and we are called to defend it with courage and
conviction." Bishop Angell also voiced his opposition to domestic
partner legislation, stating that "one can love and respect others
without accepting all their actions and without wanting the government
to provide special incentives for their lifestyle."
The Bishop called upon Catholics as well as "all our friends of every
faith" to join him on the steps of the Capitol in Montpelier, to
demonstrate "our opposition to same-sex marriage, our opposition to
domestic partnerships, and our unyielding support of traditional
marriage between a man and a woman."
ZE00022421
Meanwhile down under the Australian bishops, including Cardinal Edward Bede Clancy have come out in protest of a planned March 4th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney. Cardinal Clancy, Archbishop of Sydney, is calling on all Catholics to boycott the Mardi Gras. There is sure to be a fireworks display over this issue just as the pro-gay agenda tried to crucify Cardinal Thomas Winning in Scotland last month over the same issues. continued inside.
SYDNEY (CWNews.com) - The leaders of Sydney's Catholic and
Anglican churches this week condemned the city's annual Gay
and Lesbian Mardi Gras, calling it "gross exhibitionism."
Cardinal Edward Clancy wrote in article in the weekly
archdiocesan newspaper on Sunday that the March 4 festival
should be boycotted by Catholics. "The Church ... teaches
that homosexual practices are contrary to the moral law,"
he wrote. "Homosexual people are required to exercise
self-discipline and to avoid such conduct." He added, "The
annual Gay Mardi Gras is an exercise in gross exhibitionism
that promotes a homosexual lifestyle and does not merit our
presence or our support."
The event, which started as a protest march in 1977, has
grown to become a major tourism boost as it attracts nearly
500,000 people annually and injects US$61 million into the
region's economy.
Anglican Archbishop Harry Goodhew expressed his agreement
with Cardinal Clancy on Thursday. Cardinal Clancy is quite
correct when he calls the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras an
exercise in gross exhibitionism," he said. "In highly
erotic display it promotes a homosexual lifestyle and is
certainly not deserving of the presence or support of
citizens of this city."
He called on Christians, politicians, and community leaders
who support the Mardi Gras to reflect on the values and
lifestyle they were endorsing to Australian children.
The president of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, David
McLachlan, condemned the church leaders for being out of
touch with community values on sexuality. "I was raised as
a Catholic and it's sad to see how out of touch these
church leaders are in helping people deal with the
development of one's sexuality," McLachlan said.
While we're on the subject of Mardi Gras, in Brazil where the Carnival celebrations are legendary as to their sinful ways, Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, Archbishop of Rio de Janiero since 1971, is trying to provide an alternative for his flock by providing a four-day retreat for Catholics, and other faiths as well, to be held in the Sports Palace. All are being called upon to pray and keep Eucharistic Adoration to repair offenses committed during the Mardi Gras. His idea is so good it should be implemented in every city a Mardi Gras is staged. continued inside.
RIO DE JANEIRO, 24 (NE) As an answer to excesses and
dissoluteness encouraged by Rio de Janeiro's infamous carnival,
the Archdiocese of Rio has organized several activities for
Brazilian Catholics to attend during that event. Among them, the
archdiocese has organized a spiritual retreat to last four days.
As it was informed, any faithful may attend the activities and
celebrations of the retreat, to be held in a local stadium with
capacity for 25.000 people.
From 8 in the morning to six in the
afternoon, several priests will be offering confessions. A full
program of conferences, celebrations and moments of prayer will
also take place. Meditation will reflect about the theme
"Celebrate Christ". The Archdiocese is encouraging as well other
spiritual retreats among local parishes and ecclesial
associations.
Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, Archbishop of
Rio, called faithful in the Brazilian archdiocese to hold
celebrations to repair for offenses committed against God during
the carnival. The Cardinal specially asked Catholics to organize
rosaries, meditations and moments of Eucharist adoration.
When pro-abortion Democratic senators came out in protest of a bill already passed by the House that would extend legal protection to unborn children, the pro-aborts felt they had won the day, if not the campaign for president. But Senator Orrin Hatch, Republican from Utah and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has acknowledged that this bill is a hot button in a campaign year. We all need to pay close attention to what our senators and congressmen will do with this bill that is so important and gives full legal rights to the child from the first moment of conception, but does not mention the word abortion. continued inside.
WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - Pro-abortion Democratic
Senators on Wednesday criticized a proposed bill that would
extend legal protection to unborn children who are the
victims of violent crimes.
In Senate hearings, critics said the bill is an
election-year attempt to infringe on the rights granted by
the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that
legalized abortion on demand and stripped the unborn child
of rights. But supporters said the measure would bring the
federal government in line with states and unify
conflicting laws. Twenty-four states already have laws
protecting unborn children from violent crimes and would
allow prosecutors to bring murder charges in cases of
violence where a baby dies, even if his mother survives.
The bill, which passed the House in September, would not
apply to abortions performed with the mother's consent.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary
Committee, denied any intent to make the legislation about
abortion, but acknowledged that it was a hot-button issue.
"The only opposition that I can suppose is that some in the
pro-choice movement believe that our bill draws attention to
the effort to dehumanize, desensitize, and depersonalize the
unborn child," he said.
Eleanor D. Acheson, an assistant attorney general, said the
Justice Department would recommend President Clinton veto
the legislation if it reaches his desk. She said its
"identification of a fetus as a separate and distinct
victim of crime is unprecedented as a matter of federal
statute."
Adding fuel to the above article on rights of the unborn are the alarm bells sounding by the US Commerce Department, squarely influenced by the Clinton administration, that the nation's population could balloon from 275 million to a half billion by the end of the century, not that many will still be alive then - especially if the pro-aborts win out! The Population Research Institute and various pro-life organizations have objected to the report as being politically driven to support the pro-abort argument. continued inside
WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The US Commerce Department
warned in January that the country's population is expected
to balloon from 275 million to half a billion by the end of
the century, but the Population Research Institute (PRI),
in a new report, disputes the reasoning and finds politics
at the root of the claim.
PRI points out that immediately after President Bill
Clinton pledged millions for population control in the US
on January 8, the Commerce Department issued its warnings
of overpopulation, claiming the US would have 571 million
people by 2100. Among the warnings was that a majority
would come from immigrants and their children.
The warnings also came as candidates in the US presidential
race warned of the consequences of increasing population,
including more "suburban sprawl," transportation problems,
pollution, and urban crowding.
PRI counters in its new report that any population outlook
of more than a few years is questionable. "How can one
predict the fertility behavior of people who haven't even
been born yet? Who knows what the birth rate will be in
2060, or how many immigrants will arrive in the US in
2080?" the group said.
The pro-family group counters with US Census Bureau
projections and UN Population Division figures that predict
a declining US population over the next century. Other
critics of the overpopulation scare say economic
predictions show there are too few workers for open jobs
now, a situation that will worsen in the coming decade,
possibly causing a rise in inflation as wage pressures push
up costs.
"Family planning promoters have always played fast and
loose with the numbers," says PRI. "In 1974 they projected
that the world would have a population of 6.5 billion by
this year, a round 500 million too high. They projected
that the world's population would reach 12 billion by 2075,
almost 5 billion higher than what the UNPD now expects."
PRI concludes, asking: "Did the Commerce Department attempt
to use the specter of overpopulation ... to frighten
Americans into supporting the President's proposed increase
in domestic family planning spending?"
For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the
CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and the Dossiers, features and Daily Dispatches from ZENIT International News Agency CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC, but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.
