UN YOUTH CONFERENCES IN PORTUGAL

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST II   To all who prayed for the efforts of pro-family lobbyists at the International Criminal Court (ICC)  proceedings in Rome (June-July ‘98), please accept our deep appreciation.  Although the wording of the final document was not ideal from a pro-life, pro-family perspective,  pro-abortionists were furious that their plans to make ‘enforced pregnancy’ an international war crime punishable by the soon-to-be-established ICC were thwarted.  We firmly believe that Divine Intervention in response to your prayers, which we requested for the Rome meetings, resulted in defeat for the anti-life forces.  Once again, we are urgently requesting your prayers for another United Nations Conference. The government of Portugal, together with the UN, is currently hosting a World Youth Forum and a World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth to adopt and implement a Declaration on Youth or Youth Rights Charter, August 2-12.  The declaration, as it stands, could threaten the fundamental rights and dignity of human beings,  leading to the corruption of our youth. Obstacles that could impede the intellectual, cultural and spiritual formation of our youth can be found in various clauses of the Charter. For example, the clause “we have to force the unhindered access to information for every young person” has already been seen in other documents, and could be used to undermine and erode parental rights.  In addition, certain provisions of the document to be discussed at the Ministers Conference in Lisbon appear to target young people for easier access to services related to “family planning”. This is interpreted as including at least contraceptives and perhaps abortion and sterilization as well.  Please do not underestimate the very serious danger to life and family of these UN conferences that attempt to by-pass elected legislatures and local customs and impose a radical social change agenda on all the nations of the world.  In all our efforts we entrust ourselves to your prayers. As Paul says in Phil 4:6: “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Please immediately pray for the efforts of the pro-life, pro-family participants in Portugal and humbly request that Almighty God would intervene to prevent the anti-lifers from achieving their agenda.  Jim Hughes Campaign Life Coalition