The "See Change" Broadside 4: Bad Faith at UN (fwd)

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The "See Change" Campaign <info at seechange.org> 2001.04.16. 15:25:11 -4h-kor írta:

Welcome to The "See Change" Broadside, a regular email to supporters of
The "See Change" Campaign reporting on the involvement of the Catholic
church hierarchy in public policy issues. To subscribe and receive this
email regularly or to unsubscribe, see below.  If you have not already
signed up to support the campaign, please visit our website
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Bad Faith at UN

One of the most frequently asked questions about The "See Change" Campaign
is who exactly are the allies of the Holy See at the United Nations? There
was little doubt at the last two UN meetings to review progress on the
agreements reached at the International Conference on Population and
Development and the Beijing Conference on Women that the number of
countries willing to identify with the views of the Holy See grows ever
smaller. There is also no doubt that the Holy See is embarrassed by the
overwhelming abandonment of the "Catholic" countries of Latin America and
Europe.

A few months ago a little-known conservative Catholic lobbying group
bragged that it had met with "representatives of the Papal Household" at a
special meeting in Rome to discuss the campaign it initiated in response
to The "See Change" Campaign.  That organization, the Catholic Family and
Human Rights Institute (CAFHRI), later issued a statement that it would
"fight on … to defend the position of the Holy See at the UN."

So who is this new ally of the Holy See at the United Nations and how does
it conduct itself?

New research just released by Catholics for a Free Choice has uncovered
extensive connections between this group and the Holy See Mission at the
United Nations, and between it and an extremist conservative group that
has been denied UN accreditation.

ˇ One of CAFHRI's hidden purposes is to serve as a resource for the Holy
See at the UN. Minutes from CAFHRI meetings obtained by CFFC show that
requests from the Holy See take priority in the work of CAFHRI, although
staff have been told to "be discrete about the Holy See connection."

ˇ CAFHRI claims to be an independent entity, but documentation uncovered
by CFFC reveals that CAFHRI was established by Human Life International
(HLI)-an anti-abortion organization that has been charged with
anti-Semitism for claiming that Jews run the abortion industry-and Human
Life International-Canada (HLI-C), after HLI was denied UN accreditation.
The report also reveals the hidden leadership structure of CAFHRI-staff
from HLIC. HLI itself has been denied UN status because of its "attacks on
Islam," "aggressive language," and the "issue of tolerance." HLIC was
stripped of charity status in Canada as a result of its political
activity.

ˇ Positions taken by CAFHRI have been hostile to the UN. On the lecture
circuit outside the UN, it has worked to mobilize anti-UN sentiment in the
United States. Indeed CAFHRI's language has taken the tone of a "holy
war." CAFRI has applied for special nongovernmental organization (NGO)
status so it can lobby UN delegates, but it ignores the basic requirement
that such an NGO support the work of the UN.

ˇ CAFHRI spokespeople and literature routinely disparage and denigrate the
UN and its work. Its leader admits to only a "veneer of support" for the
UN and boasts of actions that "defy every rule of UN lobbying." CAFHRI
regularly misrepresents government positions and United Nations decisions
in order to discredit the reproductive rights agenda.

ˇ CAFRHI President Austin Ruse boasted in a recorded speech that a priest
member of the Holy See's UN delegation suggested to him that he should
"take out" Hillary Rodham Clinton.  CAFHRI's behavior is one thing, but it
is shocking that such a mindset should exist within the Holy See
delegation to the UN and that Ruse would joke about it.

Perhaps the Holy See needs to have a closer look at whom its allies are at
the United Nations. CFFC has called for the Holy See "to repudiate the
statements and tactics of CAFHRI.  …It would be unfortunate if CAFHRI,
wearing the mantle of religion, were allowed to continue its efforts to
create a Holy War in the international institution most identified with
peace."

The investigative report "Bad Faith at the UN" includes original
organizational chart and minutes. Order your copy of the full report
today. Copies of the report cost $10.00 and can be obtained by calling +1
(202) 986-6093, or by sending your order with full credit card and address
details by fax to +1 (202) 332-7995, or by email to
cffc at catholicsforchoice.org

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The "See Change" Broadside is a regular publication, emailed to supporters
of the campaign, progressive Catholics and collegial organizations. We aim
to show how the hierarchy of the Catholic church involves itself in public
policy debates and, relying on sectarian religious positions, can, and
does, obstruct progressive legislation. There is no copyright on this
information. All we ask is that you tell people where it came from.

If you have not already signed up for the campaign, please visit our
website www.seechange.org and click on "Sign a Postcard." You can also
request campaign materials and sign your organization up as an endorser.
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The "See Change" Campaign is an international effort to open a review of
the "state" status of the Catholic church at the United Nations. Hundreds
of organizations from more than 80 countries and tens of thousands of
individuals worldwide have signed on to support the campaign. We believe
that the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic church, should
participate in the UN in the same way as the world's other religions do-as
a nongovernmental organization.
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please email us at info at seechange.org.

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Join the "See Change" Campaign - www.seechange.org
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David Nolan, Senior Associate, Communications and Education
Catholics for a Free Choice, 1436 U Street, NW #301
Washington, DC 20009-3997, USA
T: (202) 986 6093; F: (202) 332 7995; 
E: djnolan at catholicsforchoice.org U: http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/
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