Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
Vatican official tells U.N. of growing religious discrimination GENEVA – A growing, subtle form of religious discrimination can be seen in attempts to exclude anyone from speaking out on social issues from the perspective of their faith, a Vatican diplomat told a U.N. agency. “While respecting a healthy sense of the state’s secular nature, the positive role of believers in public life should be recognized,” Archbishop Silvano Tomasi told the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. The archbishop, who is the Vatican’s representative to U.N. offices based in Geneva, spoke to the commission April 1 about religious freedom. “The place of religions in society and their desire to participate in public life at the service of the people have been part of recent debates that have been provoked by political events and increased pluralism in many countries of the world,” the archbishop said. Religion is an important part of people’s lives and it is natural that they bring their values to bear on public discussions, he said. “An emerging subtle form of reli-
gious intolerance is opposing the right of religion to speak publicly on issues concerning forms of behavior that are measured against principles of a moral and religious nature,” the archbishop said. Archbishop Tomasi said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights acknowledges not only the right of an individual to believe what he or she wants, but also the right for believers to form communities and for those communities to express the faith they hold in common. “Religion cannot be relegated to a corner of the private sphere of life and in this way risk losing its social dimension and its charitable action toward vulnerable people it serves without any discrimination,” he said. Instead of banning faith from public discussions, he said, promoting religious freedom means getting to know each other’s faith, to respect differences and to work together for peace and justice. Although he did not mention the new French law banning students from wearing symbols of religious identity, Archbishop Tomasi said religious freedom includes a right to one’s faith “symbols and tradition.”
(CNS PHOTO COURTESY CREATOR MUNDI)
By Catholic News Service
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is depicted in a contemporary enamel work by German artist Egino Weinert. Easter, the feast of the Resurrection, is marked April 11 this year. It is the oldest and most important Christian celebration.
Prayer rally for marriage and family held in San Francisco
(PHOTO BY JACK SMITH)
By Jack Smith
Archbishop Levada and Ambassador Ray Flynn lead a rosary procession around Washington Square April 3.
San Francisco’s first major public demonstration in support of traditional marriage drew nearly 1,500 people from throughout the Bay Area for prayer and a peaceful rally April 3 on a sun-drenched day in North Beach. The event drew many young adult Catholics and young families with children, grandparents, seminarians, religious, novices and priests, two bishops and a former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. The event was sponsored by Your Catholic Voice, the nation’s largest lay Catholic political organization, and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The majority of those attending the 10:00 a.m. rally also participated in an earlier
benediction and Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul church celebrated by San Francisco Archbishop William J. Levada, Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron, Sts. Peter and Paul Pastor John Malloy and numerous diocesan and religious priests. Archbishop Levada set the tone at the opening of Mass saying the gathering of people “in support of marriage and family in our society,” was a gathering “in prayer.” Bishop Vigneron, in his homily, said that even in this time when those opposed to marriage and family life “seem to be making progress,” those who “stand on behalf of God’s truth,” must remain hopeful. There is “no need for anxiety,” he said, “do not be PRAYER RALLY, page 10
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Archbishop’s column . . . . . 3 This Catholic Life . . . . . . . 6 Catholic Lobby Day . . . . . . 8 Columnists . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 11
April 9, 2004
Scripture page . . . . . . . . . 14
Holy Land Pilgrimage
Pope speaks of Cross on Palm Sunday
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Next Issue April 23
FIFTY CENTS
Sisters tame the West. . . . 16
VOLUME 6
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No. 14