Re: Interview: Development & Peace South African Partner Freely Admits Abortion Advocacy
I have become aware that an article by Patrick B. Craine with the above title was published on your website. The article takes me back to the long years of apartheid where this was precisely the kind of poisonous mix of innuendo and vituperation used to justify locking up people who had the temerity to ask for basic human rights. Why the innuendo about ILRIG’s “ostensible” mission? Is there another one we’re not aware of? Why the reference to ILRIG’s position first being “uncovered” There is nothing to uncover …everything we do is proudly displayed in our work and in our media.
Over the last three to four years, as a result of the spread of our development work, our publications and our website I have requests from a range of media from many parts of the world wanting to know about ILRIG and its educational and developmental work. This has become increasingly so with the arrival of the World Cup in South Africa. So it was not unusual to be told by our receptionist on Monday, 15 March, that a journalist from Canada had phoned wanting to know about ILRIG. I was in meeting but he then followed this call up with an email asking if he could call … and the he made the call on Tuesday 16 March. I had no idea which publication this was but Craine started by asking whether ILRIG takes up women’s rights issues. I then clarified that we are a support organisation for trade unions and social movements and thus not an advocacy organization, as such, but we do believe in women’s rights and their right to make their own decision about their bodies. These rights – including the right to abortion – are now enshrined in law in South Africa in our constitutional democracy. That is something we are truly proud of. But, apart from the fact that we are a support organisation and not an advocacy organisation we, cannot be campaigning for something in South Africa that already legally exists! Craine, clearly, knows nothing about South African law.
Nevertheless and despite the right in law thousands of women and young girls do not know their rights or find that the health resources in their communities are inadequate for them to access pap smears, gynaecology and a whole range of women’s health requirements. So there are community-based organisations in South Africa who seek to ensure that women know their rights and have access to their rights. These are the organizations of the Reproductive Rights Alliance. ILRIG provides our usual support work – in the form of research and educational resources – for these organisations as well, and will continue to do so. In the nature of our work we are not an organizer or campaigner on national or regional structures. The funds used for this particular support work, however, come from other ILRIG partners and not from Development and Peace because D&P support is for our projects on Trade and Investment, Local Democracy, New Forms of Trade Unions and Building Women’s Activism.
We South Africans undertook a long and bitter march to win our right to human dignity against apartheid. In this struggle we enjoyed the support of people of conscience internationally – such as the Catholic Organisation for Development and Peace. Along the way we had to deal not only with a violently repressive state but cheer-leading journalists in sections of the media who used precisely such tactics to finger and smear human rights activists. People in Canada have my sympathies in being confronted with this kind throwback to our horrible apartheid past. In South Africa the Catholic Bishops Conference and the church, under the indefatigable leadership of the late Archbishop Denis Hurley, in the 1980s and 1990s, was a beacon of leadership in the struggle for democratic rights. As a result we have less experience with having to deal with this kind of gutter journalism in South Africa today.
Regards
Leonard Gentle
ILRIG Director
South Africa
Editor's Note:Not withstanding the abundance of self-serving rhetoric, the writer has confirmed again that the organization has a definite pro-abortion policy. The comments he made to Patrick Craine in the LSN article amplify that reality. Gentle told Craine, “We believe in reproductive rights, we believe in the right of women to control their own bodies and make their own decisions about abortions, as an organization.” He also admitted to LSN that his organization sits on the steering committee of the Reproductive Rights Alliance, which pushes for expanded access to legal abortion in the country.
Gentle wants to have it both ways. That is deceitful. Lastly, although ILRIG's position on abortion has indeed been open in South Africa, it needed to be “uncovered” for the benefit of Canadian Catholics who overwhelmingly are not aware of this organizations's contradiction with Catholic moral principles. Development and Peace has certainly not been providing full disclosure. It is difficult to imagine that D&P did not encounter the strong and very open pro-abortion views of this organization. We can only assume that D&P staff deliberately follow the policy of “hear no evil, see no evil”, in order to approve these organizations for their their social justice projects.
____________________________________________________________________
Re: LifeSiteNews is Under Attack
Dear LifeSiteNews Team,
It is with sorrow that I read about your struggles with Zenit and Development and Peace. We (my family and I) are supporting you through our prayer and have just sent our donation. Keep the love and charity of Jesus in your heart as you walk this journey. Keep fighting the good fight and searching for the Truth. God bless you all.
Mrs. Margaret Wardell
Ontario, Canada
______________________________________________
I am very upset about the current situation with D&P, especially that Zenit has pulled the paid add. However, I refocused my attention on what really matters – the countless unborn babies who are relying on LifeSiteNews and all their supporters to continue to speak the truth and act on that truth.
Instead of feeling helpless, I thought of what I could do; write the bishops. I urge all readers to give up a little of their own time, pick up pen, and write to our Canadian Bishops. I suggest starting with the bishops who attended last year's March for Life. Next move on to those on the executive and permanent councils. Of course include your own bishop if you are Canadian. Can we imagine life without LifeSiteNews? Let us shout our support for them.
Anne Waggoner
Orillia, Canada
______________________________________________
Dear Mr Westen:
I feel that I should call you “David”, since you are now battling Goliath. Just remember who won in the end.
I think your Newsite is a gift from God. Your last message regarding the persecution Lifesitenews is now under means that God has endorsed your efforts. Although I have a limited income, I intend to send a small donation to your Canadian address on a monthly basis. Yours is the first email I click on, and is the only news worth having. As far as D & P is concerned, I quit giving money a good 25 years ago, just watching and listening to those involved locally.
There is a slow but very discernable crack happening in both the US and Canadian Catholic Church, which will gradually become clearer over a period of time.
God bless you and all you staff for dedicating your lives (and that, I know, is how much time it must take you) to enable us to know the truth. I don't know where else we would learn it.
Margaret Beveridge
British Columbia, Canada
______________________________________________
More than anything else it makes me sad – sad to see the division in the Catholic community. I am left with a lot of questions about the relationship of Lifesite News to Development and Peace (D & P).
I have always felt part of a big family in the pro-life community and still do feel that way. Surely all of us as Catholics should be pro-life. Additionally, all of us should be assisting the poor and those stricken by disasters. However, I find myself getting more and more upset with both sides in this debate.
In its latest report, Questioning Development and Peace, D & P attempts to answer questions about its concerns with Lifesite. It is very disheartening to think that this document comes from an organization which is the right arm of the Bishops’ Conference. When D & P calls Lifesite News a “militant anti-abortion advocacy organization”, one can only wonder if this is indeed the opinion of the Canadian Bishops’ Conference. If not, how was this report released to the public? If so, there are some bridges that need to be mended. In using the term “anti-abortion”, D & P has sadly slipped into the rhetoric of those who would promote abortion rights, painting the pro-life position as a negative, rather than promoting the sanctity of all human life.
Also, linking Campaign Life Coalition and Lifesite to those who would use violent means to achieve their goals is grossly unfair. First of all, even if D & P can find a violent individual who has participated in pro-life activities, they are doing exactly what they accuse Lifesite of doing – accusing D & P of having connections with groups or individuals that are morally bankrupt.. These accusations should be able to be sorted out with a reasonable degree of civility and charity, so that not one penny goes in the wrong direction and so that the modus operandi of Lifesite is not only truth-seeking but charity-seeking. I have been in the pro-life movement long enough to see that pro-lifers are basically family people who are generous in accepting new life. In all my years of involvement at the annual March for Life I have never seen a hint of violence, even with thousands in attendance.
On the side of Lifesite News however, notwithstanding some valid observations they make about the dubious wisdom of linking with social justice groups who also advocate abortion rights, I am sometimes very surprised by provocative language it uses. Does Lifesite not realize that perhaps they are not entirely blameless in this whole sordid business? Are they really entirely the innocent victims or is there some just cause for the fact that 1) D & P will not communicate with them, 2) there is “intense and still continuing backlash from some well-connected persons within the Church” regarding the Ted Kennedy funeral (Lifesite March 21, 2010) and 3) Zenit News Agency refuses to accept their ads, one of which says that Lifesite is in “mortal combat with the culture of death”. Yes, they are the words of Fr. Thomas Euteneuer of Human Life International, but is there wisdom in using these words for a wider audience which might be inclined to think of Lifesite as “militant” anyway? Probably not.
Another example of lack of judgment occurred at the time of the Kennedy funeral when Fr. Tom Rosica of Salt & Light said “I think we have to be very clear and say that part of the work of Satan is to divide, to pit people against each other.” Note that Fr. Rosica said that this is “part” of the work of Satan. How is that not true? We see it in our everyday lives. Yet Lifesite made the leap of bad judgment in making its headline: “Fr. Rosica Says LifeSiteNews is Doing “the Work of Satan”. These lapses in judgment are not apt to bring about a quick rapprochement. Salt & Light and Lifesite should be able to sort things out on the grounds that they both value the sanctity of human life and both call themselves pro-life.
Perhaps Development and Peace and Lifesite should do a little bit of soul-searching about what it is like to walk in the shoes of the other. D & P undoubtedly finds itself often in emergency situations, having to deal with fundraising for the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, and whatever other disasters arise. They are an action group and undoubtedly they feel harrassed by those whose job it is to report. It would be wonderful to see Development and Peace represented at the upcoming March for Life so that we all know their heart is in the right place.
As for Lifesite, D & P should know that these people are very devoted family people, many of whom have given their entire adult lives to the quest for protection for our unborn brothers and sisters. We should all be very grateful to them. However, Lifesite should know that, in their passion for the issue, they sometimes come across as righteous and provocative. If that weren’t the case the lines of communication would still be open.
Hopefully, in a spirit of prayer, everyone can come to the truth, but truth will not be found without charity. Indeed, it will be entirely obscured.
Catherine Slovak
Newmarket, ON
Editor's Note:We at LifeSiteNews have made it clear that we too are saddened by the division caused by the unexpectedly hostile and unjust responses to our factual reports on the story issues noted above. It would certainly be good if all Christians got along, but that is no excuse or justification for not reporting matters of serious violation or ignoring of grave moral principles. We are now seeing once again in all the media the catastrophe caused by some Church leaders attempting to bury corruption, negligently refusing to take necessary action to end scandal and protect the innocent and assuming good intentions when good intentions were obviously not always there. As for LSN unjustly concluding that Fr Rosica was referring to us as doing the work of Satan we encourage readers to once again review the direct quotes and context of the quotes to re-assess for themselves whether we erred. And yes, there are many good people who cooperate with D&P at the local parish and schools level. Our reports were by no means critical of them, but rather concerned decisions, policies and responses by the organization's leadership. Lastly, the greatest charity we can often provide is to properly report the truth about difficult subjects instead of desiring to avoid conflict.
______________________________________________
I have been following the D&P story for some time, with great interest. Since I'm Ukrainian Catholic, I rarely get to a Roman Catholic mass, but happened to do so last week-end. To my surprise there was a major presentation during mass on a wonderful and successful program carried out recently in Haiti, and sponsored by D&P. It played like a promotional add for D&P, during mass. The priest said he had played it at the other masses that day. I don't remember if he mentioned other parishes in Saskatoon. He did mention that D&P has a cloud about it, and didn't want people to focus on D&P so much as on Haiti. But my take on the add was that it focused more on the success of this pre-earthquake program, (and by inference D&P) than on the immediate needs in Haiti.
I found the politics interesting, as it left me wondering who was pushing it, parish, diocese, national? I may be over reacting here, but D&P is a hot button for me. Your reporting has been so clear, factual, and in your face, but with facts and reference that anyone with a computer can access independently. I'm convinced. But it leads me to think that there is a bigger question here of why the Weisgerber led CCCB isn't, and in fact seems to be working so hard in the other direction. I believe there is a much bigger story developing here, but time will tell.
DJL
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
____________________________________________________________________
Re: Letters to the Editor
Dear Friends at LSN,
Wow, what a great comment from Dennis Howard, Mt. Freedom, New Jersey. His story is fascinating and his advice sage. God bless you for all you do to keep us Catholics and others of good heart and will who are “afflicted…perplexed….persecuted…and struck down” informed, armed with the truth, and very proud to be associated with folks like you who remind us that we are not “crushed….driven to despair….forsaken…nor destroyed” because Jesus did rise form the dead on Easter Sunday.
Chris Cridge
Yardley, PA
____________________________________________________________________
Re: The House of Pro-Life Democrats Divided on Health Care Bill
Dear Editor:
Spinning a widespread “Web of Deceit,” President Obama and minions, succeeded in passing their Health Care Reform Bill, despite its' blatant affront to Constitutionality, in content and in passage.
Playing on some obvious, existing deficiencies in Health Care, they've “Thrown the baby out with the bath-water,” ignoring the facts that most people are satisfied with their Health Plans, and oppose this intrusive, Socialistic, encroachment on Constitutional rights, with its ensueing financial burden on present and future taxpayers.
Those believing in promised, immediate insurance coverage for children with pre-existing conditions, were mislead (by commission or omission). Denial of Health Care Rationing and “Middle Class tax increases” are falsehoods.
The Executive Order, banning Government funding for Abortion can be legally challenged and overturned. Rep. Stupak was hoodwinked into supporting the Bill, and should have known better, considering Obama's historical support of Abortion Rights, and public commitment to “NARAL” and “Planned Parenthood.”
If the GOP, other supporters of the Constitution, respecters of the “Conception to Natural Death-Right to Life,” and those concerned about imminent National Financial Disaster, don't succeed in getting this “travesty of justice” repealed, or meaningfully changed, the U.S. will “Reap the Whirlwind” “Be Afraid-Be very Afraid.
Edwina and Gene Cosgriff
6218 Amboy Road
Staten Island, NY
____________________________________________________________________
Re: Planned Parenthood Cheers 'Brave' Nuns for Supporting Pro-Abortion Health Bill
I am mystified by some, especially catholics and other christians, calling the abortion funding in the US health care bill a necessary evil, or tritely, an imperfection to be lived with so the poor can have health care.
If some one asked me if I would accept health care for my sake if it meant the greater proliferation of abortion I would have to say no to it. If I make it to heaven I'm going to meet millions of people there who were aborted. I will have to look them full in the face as my brothers and sisters and they will look at me.
I would like them to see a brother who loved them rather than a man who sacrificed their lives as a necessary evil so I could have heath care for my own sake or any other.
Theo Menning
British Columbia, Canada
____________________________________________________________________
Re: Obama Appoints Lesbian Activist to EEOC Board
A “Roe vs Wade” decision(i.e. raw judicial force) of the homosexual variety may soon crash down upon the United States. After losing multiple state battles, the attempt to grotesquely redefine marriage appears to be headed to the United States Supreme Court.
A question many people have probably already asked themselves is: How did we get to the point where the federal government may soon be dictating to us an utter absurdity; namely, that marriage can be experienced by two people of the same sex? (The logic that would allow for “gay marriage” is the same logic that would allow “marriage” between a father and his son; or, “marriage” between a man and two dozen other people; or, for that matter, “marriage” between a man and his dog).
Looking at the present situation, some may want to give full credit to that well-financed, politically connected, and seemingly tireless movement that wants to have it their way with regards to vulgarizing the definition of marriage. However, those who fit into this category must take a backseat to a far more influential force.
That force became very public in the year 1930 when the Anglican Lambeth Conference did what had never been done by such an entity since the beginning of Christendom; namely, the Conference said it was permissible to sometimes use artificial contraception within a marriage.
Wow! How things have changed! Artificial contraception is not only widely accepted, available, and used today but there is, for the most part, no opposition to it. In fact, when a person does oppose it, he so often risks being labeled mentally unstable, treated as an outcast, etc.
Artificial contraception says “no” to procreation and “no” to unity, but it annunciates a shrieking “yes” to the pronouncement that the marital act exists only for sensual pleasure. This, however, must be rejected because it is absolutely opposed to God's natural law just as murder is absolutely opposed to God's natural law. This false assumption that the purpose of the marital act is only for pleasure opens the door to a multitude of selfish and seriously sinful behaviors, including fornication, adultery, and the homosexual act.
With the case of the homosexual act it, like any other behavior that is wrong, can never be considered a “right.” This alone is an excellent argument that may be used to oppose “gay marriage.” In other words, there is no such thing as a “right” to engage in homosexual behavior so, obviously, there is no such thing as a “right” for such people to receive a state-issued “marriage” certificate.
There is the story of a hospitalized man who had a high fever that left him delirious. He refused medical attention and, lacking the use of reason, even shouted at the hospital staff: “You all are the ones who are sick. I am well.” In the United States today, persons who have become spiritually blind by immorality so often say basically the same to people who encourage them to turn away from sin and turn to God.
Patrick Benedict
Memphis, Tennessee (U.S.A.)
____________________________________________________________________
Re: Clinton Blasted for Pushing Abortion in Canada’s G8 Maternal Health Plan
Canadians are angry with the expressions made by the secretary of State Hilary Clinton . she was simply saying to our politicians this is the way you should run this medical aid program . And that should include abortion . And I know that if youask Canadians what do you think about abortion . They simply will rejectevery form of abortion who is your secretary of state to tell Canadians what they should do . There is a bill in the house whenwhich also included abortion when it was to be voted on also , one dozen of liberal MPs did not show up in the house , so the bill was rejected . Greetings
John Flipsen
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
___________________________________________________________________
Re: Editorial: Pope Deserves Strong Defense, but Catholic Church Problems Still Far From Resolved
Hello from Ireland.
This editorial is masterful and needs to be said. It would be better if we had a smaller, but more devout,sincere, focused, committed Church than our watery, ambiguous, believe-what-you-like Church at present.
James Maher
Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland
______________________________________________
Excellent editorial!! Incisive, accurate and compelling.
Let us continue to pray for Pope Benedict XVI and for the effectiveness of the Church in combatting these terrible moral evils of our day.
Larry Burdoin
Sparks, Nevada
______________________________________________
The article on Church scandels is excellent. You may know this all ready but Bella Dodd, when high ranking in CPUSA, had 1,100 young communist men become priests. Don't we wonder how high they went and the damage they did. We may even recognize their names. Read “School of Darkness” by Dodd if you can find it. Also the siminaries accepted homosexuals and discouraged moral young men.
L. Pederson
Kansas, USA
____________________________________________________________________
Re: Another Stern Talking-To from Pope Benedict to Scottish Bishops
I don't know how I missed it at the time, but I've just discovered and read your report on the Scottish bishops ad limina in February.
Thank you for your insightful report. Most commentators seem to have fallen at the first hurdle of apparent diplomatic rapport between the Pope and the Bishops which, as you rightly point out, was markedly absent on this occasion. In other words, the majority of reports I've read to date, have been superficial.
So thank you for your concise and honest report. I plan to quote from it in my next editorial.
Patricia McKeever
Editor
Catholic Truth
Scotland
____________________________________________________________________
Re: Commentary on March 12 News
What's with the “Sixties Generation” 'Hooey'? I was a part of that era, and as a good Catholic, always Pro Life. As a proud member of that post-war (WWII)generation Baby Boomer, I'll ask you to mind your manners when posting your editorials. Pelosi might be from that generation, but she doesn't represent folks of that, or any other group. Thank goodness we got rid of her, and Baltimore is a better place for it.
JohnnyZee
Reisterstown, Maryland
___________________________________________________________________
To write a letter to the Editor: E-mail your letter to [email protected]. Write “letter to the editor” in the subject line. You must include your name and complete address, as well as your phone # (the phone # and street address are for verification of identity only, and will not be published). Please note that all letters are subject to editing. LifeSiteNews.com will publish letters to the editor at its discretion, giving priority to the most concise, well reasoned, factual and timely submissions. Harsh language or personal attacks will not be published.