 |
Volume 44, Issue 1 Summer 2002 |
| INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation Chapter Happenings Provinces' Happenings Dominican Liturgical Calendar Books For The Philippines Project Prayer for Renewal of the Church Official Statement: Religious Intolerance |
SPECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST:
Visit us on the web at http://www.op.org/oplaity Send supply orders, mail, or newsletter subscription requests ($10 per year) to Dominican Laity Office P. O. Box 085451 Racine, WI 53408-5451 Our Mission: Called to a deeper relationship of love and service to God, we are members of the Dominican Order, who commit to live the Dominican charism as lay people. In collaboration with the Dominican Family, we work to promote social justice and peace in society. Supported by prayer, study, community and ministry, we fulfill our vocation to proclaim the Gospel wherever we, as individuals, live and work |
FAMILY REALITY-- BLENDING
by Provincial President Ruth M. Kummer, OP
My family knows how much I appreciate a cameo. The oldest medical researcher stepson of our blended family frequented antique shops and flea markets looking for treasures. After evaluating several cameos that did not qualify in details, he found one stripped of the setting and less than pristine in appearance. After delicate cleaning, I received the beautiful cameo. To make the cameo functional again, my husband had a new setting made. Though it is not a retrofit of the old setting, but simple in design and an old jewel, it remains a cameo in a new era.
After many centuries, the Dominican Laity of the Order has been in an old box in an antiques shop. Only recently has Laity been taken from the treasure troves of the Order and is being delicately cleansed. Who found the cameo of St. Dominic and the visionary Dominicans who understand the concept of a blended family.
As one who has experienced the blending of a family, the mixing is challenging at times. Not only has the experience been personal, but work with other families in a growth situation, the filing down of the rough edges of anger, selfishness, competitiveness, favoritism, arrogance and plain dishonesty with each other provide the pumice of polishing relationships. The polish from that grinding in blending families brings about a pristine and the new life of our future.
As Dominicans, we have a document called the Dominican Family of Bologna that was written and accepted by delegates in 1983. Are we still looking in antiques shops or frightened to use the pumice of coming together and being a blended family rather than a broken family?
Other activities since the Provincial Council meeting are in summary as follows:
- After searching and conversation with Fr Ed ward Ruane, our Provincial, Fr. James Motl
was appointed our Promoter. He brings with him years of teaching and is willing to share
with Laity a Dominican Spirit. After Fr Jim finishes his summer assignment, he will be
moving to St. Louis. Also, [on June 1] he will celebrate his anniversary of 40 years. A
greeting will add to his celebration. Send to:
Fr. James Motl, OP
St. Albert the Great Priory
2833 - 32nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406-1689 - A January phone conference [with Provincial Council and Promoter] began the Laity and Friars' future work together. Though only a five-way meeting (technology really does have limitation), a new beginning was established.
- In April, the Executive Board, Prior Provincial, and Promoter met in Chicago's Provincial
Offices to accept the generous bequest of Mr. Richard Levine.
After clarification [of the wording of Mr. Levine's will is accomplished], the intention is to use this resource to build chapters and provide assistance as needed. Other details such as visitation of chapters, initiating new chapters, and formal preparations for Spiritual Assistants, Moderators and Formation Directors were agenda items. Membership issues, the upcoming Dominican Laity InterProvincial Council (DLIPC) meeting, and the Rule's consistency of translation were briefly discussed. - A fringe benefit of being President is celebrating Fr. Motl's anniversary in person, traveling to Minnesota. Thank you.
- The Laity Office's books/supplies will be moved to the Chicago Provincial Office in June Our mailing address remains in Racine, WI.
- While in Chicago, I met with Sister Ann Willits regarding a future Dominican Family gathering in the United States.
- At the end of June and in the first days of July, North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation are having a working conference that I am attending.
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TO OUR PROVINCIAL PROMOTER FR. JIM MOTL MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOUR FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION WITH JOY AS YOU CELEBRATE ANOTHER YEAR OF PRAYER AND MINISTRY. "Whoever has a heart full of love always has something to give." Blessed Pope John XXIII |
DOMINICANS: SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE U.N. STATUS
"Congratulations to all of us. The Dominican Leadership Conference has been granted ECOSOC [Economic and Social Council special consultative] status at the United Nations," writes Sr. Eileen Gannon, OP, Dominican Leadership Conference/Non-Governmental Organization representative to the United Nations in New York. "The work of Dominicans was recognized as being always on the side of the poor and the powerless and, therefore, very appropriate members of the U.N. ECOSOC community. We move from simply a presence to a presence with voice, with the right to distribute our beliefs and convictions and the right to support the justice agenda....We will continue to join our efforts with Dominicans for Justice and Peace; this is a good day."
Sr. Eileen's May 14 news comes on the heels of Dominican Co-Promoter of Justice Fr. Philippe LeBlanc's announcement four months earlier of special consultative status for Dominicans for Justice and Peace. Fr. Philippe explained then, "By obtaining special consultative status at the United Nations it means that we, as a distinct NGO [Non-Governmental Organization], enter into a different working relationship with the United Nations. Concretely, Dominicans for Justice and Peace will participate in its own capacity in ECOSOC and its various subsidiary bodies, such as the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Therefore, as an NGO with special consultative status with ECOSOC, Dominicans for Justice and Peace can designate representatives, be invited to U.N. conferences, attend U.N. meetings, circulate written statements and can make oral statements at ECOSOC meetings and at ECOSOC subsidiary bodies' meetings."
Sr. Eileen Gannon's May 14, 2002 e-mail was forwarded byJoyce Calagos, OPL, representative to the North American Dominican Promoters for Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation.
by Joyce L.Calagos, OPL, St. Albert the Great Chapter, Oakland, CA, lay Dominican representative to
North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation
Editor's note: This is based on six justice and peace priorities mandated by the "2001 Call to Action."
New appointments top our Justice and Peace news. Sr. Judith Hilbing, OP, has been selected as our new North American Dominican Co-Promoter of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation, joining fellow Co-Promoter of Justice Canadian Fr. Philippe LeBlanc, OP, on the Dominican International Commission of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation, which meets every eighteen months. Sister is a Springfield Dominican, fluent in Spanish, and was a missionary in Peru for many years. Please note the new United Nations' Dominican web site at http://un.op.org
We welcome as well Fr. João Xerri, OP, as the newly-appointed Promoter General for Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation of the Order of Preachers, while continuing his work as Assistant for Latin America and the Caribbean. Fr. João is from Brazil, but born in Malta. His predecessor, Fr. Pablo, describes him as "an excellent man, a very brotherly friar and a tireless activist for human rights. He has lived in very difficult conditions in Brazil always defending the brothers and sisters in difficulty. Some weeks ago he received a very important award in the city where he lives, in recognition of his work, "Honorary Citizen of the City of Sao Paulo." Fr. Pablo Romo Cedano, OP, returns to Mexico to continue to help grow and animate processes of justice, peace and care for creation. Please pray in gratitude for the hard work on behalf of justice that Fr. Pablo has done and ask our Lord's graces for Fr. João.
1. The Death Penalty-- The Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic publicized their congregation's corporate stance against the Death Penalty. Encourage your Dominican Laity chapter to support the abolishment of capital punishment. Ask your senators to support S 191, The Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2001. To view state bills related to capital punishment, log onto www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/Changes.html.
2. Iraq -- With the volatile situation in the Middle East and the United States' plan against Iraq, the U.S. Dominican Iraq Steering Committee decided to postpone the Voices for Veritas IV
delegation's visit to Iraq. Their current action plan includes a letter writing campaign to U.S. civic leaders, urging them to pay attention to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and to participate in June Lobby Days in Washington, D.C., focussing on the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. In addition, they plan a U.S. tour by an Iraqi Dominican sister, friar, or brother, providing our U.S. Dominican Family with information on the needs of the Iraqi people. Please pray for young Iraqi Sisters Rihah Mousa and Uma Khudher, staying at the Springfield (IL) Dominican Motherhouse.
3. Africa --The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges us to contact our national legislative leaders to adopt the Debt Relief Enhancement Act of 2002. Ask your U.S. Senators
to pass bill S 2210 and your U.S. Representatives to pass H.R. 4524. Call your legislators in Washington, D.C. at (202) 224-3121 or log onto www.congress.org The bill's passage frees public money for education and health services, including the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
4. Columbia-- A contingent of Dominican justice promoters traveled to Geneva, presenting their report on the devastating situation in Colombia. U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights Mary Robinson placed her office at the disposal of the government and people of Colombia to assist them in their search for an end to the violence and for the promotion of human rights. We ask for your prayers for the same.
5. Racism-- To follow the Plan of Action of the United Nations World Conference on Racism, log onto http://www.un.org/WCAR. Paragraph 46 "urges states to ensure within their jurisdiction that persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities, can exercise fully and effectively all human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in all equality before the law, and also urges states and the international community to promote and protect the rights of such persons."
The Palestinian issue dominates the 2002 U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. Fr. Philippe reports, "Respect for the sacredness of Holy Places, honored usually even by war, has been totally disregarded." Franciscans International called for a few hours of cessation of hostilities, so the Church of the Nativity could be evacuated. U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights Mary Robinson was to head a mission to the Palestinian territories. On April 19, 2002, under "the right of peoples to seek determination," the Committee on Human Rights made a resolution regarding occupied Palestinian territories, welcoming and condoning the Arab peace initiative of Price Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and reaffirming the inalienable, permanent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to establish their sovereign independent Palestine. Please continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, India and all areas of conflict and violence.
6. Militarization of Space -- Please write to President George W. Bush at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20500-0003 and ask him to lift the economic sanctions against Iraq and not to expand any military incursions into Iraq. Please check updates on these justice and peace issues at www.op.org/dlc/ngo@un/default.htm
Please pray for the Catholic Church in the United States, especially for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting on June 13-15, 2002 in Dallas, formulating national policy for handling clergy sexual abuse; and for the June 28th to July 3rd gathering in Denver of the North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation.
"Justice is the pearl to be discovered in the oyster of mercy and compassion."
-- St. Catherine of Siena
| Challenge, the quarterly newsletter of the Central Province, is now available by subscription to interested non-members of the Dominican Laity at a cost of $10 per year. Please send your name and address with a check payable to Dominican Laity to the Dominican Laity Office; P. O. Box 85451; Racine, WI 53408-5451. The Executive Board of your Provincial Council voted unanimously on April 27 to increase the availability of our newsletter as an informational source for our activities and mission. |
HAPPENINGS AROUND THE CHAPTERS
ALBUQUERQUE, NM --- NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS MONTAÑAS PROCHAPTER
Received: Phyllis Nielsen and Lora Stone on April 6
First Profession: Jackie Nee, Loretta Serna, and Roseann Sikora on April 6
Sick: Helen Fisher's daughter, Margaret; Phyllis Nielsen; and Sr. Pauline Richter, OP
Srs. Geneal Kramer and Mary Catherine Nolan spoke about their attraction to Dominican
Spirituality. The summer study is a 4-part EWTN videotape series on the life and writings of St.
Teresa of Avila.
ANN ARBOR, MI --- ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA INFORMAL GROUP
Received: Mark Ferris on April 24
First Profession: Joan Engel
DENVER, CO --- ST. DOMINIC CHAPTER
Received: Maria-Elena Gutierrez and Valerie Harper on May 4
Deceased: Loretta Johansen on March 2
DUBUQUE, IA --- ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHAPTER
A May 5 Day of Remembrance honoring their chapter's former Spiritual Director Sr. Adria
Neumann, OP, was held at Sinsinawa Mound (WI) with a Mass, breakfast and cemetery visit.
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI --- BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPTER
Received: Milagros Flores, Catherine Kaufmann, and Rosemarie Velarde
Congratulations: Secretary Cynthia Dulay and Provincial Council Delegate Terry McSweeney
Deceased: Marie Gannon
Ruth Kummer represents N. American Dominican Laity (U.S. provinces and Canada) at the June
28-July 3 Denver meeting of N. American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace, and Care of
Creation.
MILWAUKEE, WI --- QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
Sick: Marcie Boyer, Winnie and Belvin Dahle, Margaret Mary Luke, Karen Sabourin, and Pat
Walters
Deceased: George Lorenz (professed 1954) on June 5
An April 20 retreat on "Dominican Laity: Called to Preach" was led by Fr. Jim Barnett, OP, and
Moderator Sharon Huizenga, OP, at Friends of God Dominican ashram in Kenosha, WI.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN --- HOLY ROSARY CHAPTER
Congratulations: Chapter Spiritual Director and Provincial Promoter for the Dominican Laity Fr.
James Motl, OP, on the occasion of his fortieth anniversary of ordination on June 2
Deceased: Sophie Dentz (professed 1977) on April 10
Chapter members helped Fr. Jim Motl celebrate his anniversary of ordination.
RIVER FOREST, IL --- ST. VINCENT FERRER CHAPTER
First Profession: Kay Watson on June 22
Final Profession: Jennifer Howell and Bess Torralba on June 22
Congratulations: Spiritual Directors Fr. Robert Kilbridge, OP, and Sr. Marie Christine
McAndrew,OP
Sr. Marie Christine McAndrew, OP, presented a short biography of St. Catherine of Siena. A
September 21 Day of Reflection is being planned on the topic of contemplative prayer.
ST. LOUIS, MO --- QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
Deceased: Wes Lohr's mother on March 1
A January 6 Mass for deceased chapter members and friends included music from Sr. Rita
McManua, OP's "Mass of the Kingdom" performed by John and Cynthia Ricard and Tim Hirzel.
Spiritual Director Fr. Jim Karepin, OP, explained the religious significance of sand, candles,
water, incense, bread and wine used in the Mass, encouraging members' participation in future
Masses. The chapter's study is Ways of Imperfection by Simon Tugwell, OP.
OUR PRIVATE MEMBERS
Sick: Robert Cormack, Marshalltown, IA; and Ruth Jubb, Grand Rapids, MI
PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR:
- a return to health for former Provincial Promoter Bro. Regis Hovald and for all members of the Order who are ill
- an increase in vocations to all branches of the Dominican Order
- in thanksgiving for year-long justice and peace issues notification by Joyce Calagos, OP
- guidance for the Iraq Steering Committee deliberating the 2002 action plan of Voices for Veritas IV
- success for provinces' happenings listed below and for safety for participants
- full-time employment with benefits for those searching for a living wage.
In Loving Memory of George J. Lorenz
The Milwaukee, WI Queen of the Rosary Chapter mourns the June 5 passing of long-time member George Lorenz, who this year celebrated his 48th anniversary of profession as a Lay Dominican. At age 96, George remained an active member of the chapter until slowed by a stroke two years ago. Both he and his wife were Lay Dominicans, who held a variety of positions in the chapter. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Allyson, and their six children. His wife, Millie, passed away in 1985 and his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, in 1986.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailed, "George graduated from Marquette High School and [in 1930] from Marquette University, being the last student to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Greek. He continued his jobs as a reporter for the Wauwatosa News and as secretary of the Wauwatosa Common Council, both positions he had held during college. In 1932, he became clerk for the Milwaukee County Board. Besides serving in the U.S. Navy from 1943-'45, he remained in the county position until he retired in 1968."
"He believed in the Greek way of life," his son Chris said. "You have an obligation to the 'state.' Then once you fulfill your obligation (there), you live your life devoted to your God and family."
"After George Lorenz won a prize in a local contest with his photo of the New York harbor, he began developing a lifelong hobby in nature photography," the Journal Sentinel continued. "He bought a new camera, which he used for the rest of his life. He took and developed all of his pictures and kept each one for his collection. He joined the Photo Pictorialists of Milwaukee."
George's funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Vincent Pallotti Church, where he attended daily Mass.
HAPPENINGS AROUND THE PROVINCES
May 24-28 First International Council of Lay Dominican Fraternities held in Rome, with Eastern Province Laity President Laurie Biszko, OP, as our North American Dominican Laity representative
June 28-July 3 Denver, CO meeting of the North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation, with Central Province President Ruth Kummer as guest representing North American Dominican Laity (four U.S. provinces and Canada)
July 25-28 Dominican Laity InterProvincial Council meeting in Racine, WI
September 2-7 Master of the Order Fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa visits the Western Province, arriving in Denver, CO (Central Province) on the evening of September 7
October 24-27 Dominican Laity (Central) Provincial Council meeting in Racine, WI
DOMINICAN LITURGICAL CALENDAR
| July 2002
4- Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, lay Dominican August 2002 |
19- Bl. Jordan of Pisa, priest 23- St. Rose of Lima, lay Dominican (M) 25- 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week I 26- Bl. James of Bevagna, priest 28- St. Augustine, bishop/doctor (F) September 2002 October 2002 |
BOOKS FOR FILIPINO DOMINICANS -- AN INVITATION
"Last November and December, I spent five weeks with Dominicans in the Philippines, lecturing on Dominican spirituality and learning from them," writes Sister Suzanne Noffke, OP. "As I moved from house to house, I became acutely aware of the poverty of their libraries. Even standard Dominican and more general theological works are very often not on their shelves, even in motherhouses, monasteries, and formation centers. When I inquired why, I learned that it is extremely expensive for Filipinos to acquire any book published in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, since this means purchasing at dollar/Euro prices out of a drastically devalued Filipino economy….
"To begin to remedy this situation, the leaders of the Dominican formators' group are beginning
to organize a central library in the provincial headquarters of the Dominican friars in Manila. They
have, however, next to no funding available for this project. I have been in touch with Sr.
Margaret Ormond, and know that it has for some time been a dream of Dominican Sisters
International to find means of getting books to the Asian Pacific and other regions with problems
such as this. I am inviting you to help!...What kinds of books are needed?
Dominican sources and spirituality (including the 'old standards')
General theology and spirituality
Religious life, community, and leadership
Women's issues
Issues of social justice and ecology
Psychology (e.g., mid-life transition)
"The most economical [and dependable] way to ship them is by way of 'mail bags' from the U.S.
Postal Service. Each such bag (obtained from any Post Office) may be packed with a maximum of
66 pounds of books and is shipped by surface [mail] at $66 per bag. The recipients pay $1 for
each bag on retrieving it at the Manila Post Office. Address them to: Rosa Yaya, OP
Bahay Dominiko
# 8 Biak Na Bato St.
Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City 1114
Philippines
"E-mail Sr. Rosa at opjprosa@yahoo.com telling her books have been sent and to let you know when they arrive." from April 18, 2002 e-mail to DLC
SUMMER READING SELECTIONS
"Summertime and the living is easy." If your summer brings a bit more time to read, perhaps you are searching for your next quality study. Here are some new publications by Dominicans worth your review:
Paul Hinnebusch, OP: Beatitudes: Seeking the Joy of God's Kingdom; Pauline Books, Boston, MA, 2000; 166 p.; ISBN 0-8198-1153-X; $9.95 paperback. www.paulinebooks.com
John Orme Mills, OP (ed.): Justice, Peace and Dominicans 1216-2001; Dominican Publications, Dublin, 2001; 229 p.; Preface by fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP; ISBN 1-871552-7-X; about $13. www.dominicanpublications.com and click on Dominicana to view. Accepts credit cards to make currency exchange.
Mary Catherine Nolan, OP: Mary's Song: Living Her Timeless Prayer; Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, IN, 2001; 128 p.; ISBN 0-87793-701-X; $9.95 paperback. www.avemariapress.com
Timothy Radcliffe, OP: I Call You Friends; Continuum, New York, 2001; 232 p.; ISBN 0-8264-5188-4; $24.95 paperback. www.continuumbooks.com
Simon Tugwell, OP: Saint Dominic and the Order of Preachers; Dominican Publications, Dublin, 2001; 47 p.; ISBN 1-871552-78-8; about $7. www.dominicanpublications.com and click on Dominicana to view. Accepts credit cards to make currency exchange.
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for the spiritual
renewal of bishops, priests, deacons, brothers,
sisters, lay ministers and seminarians.
We praise You for giving their ministry to the Church.
In these days, renew them with the gifts of Your Spirit.
You once opened the Holy Scriptures to Your disciples
when You walked on this earth.
Now renew Your ordained and chosen ones
with the truth and power of Your Word.
In the Eucharist, You gave Your disciples renewed life and hope.
Nourish Your consecrated ones with Your Own Body and Blood.
Help them to imitate in their lives the death and resurrection
they celebrate around Your altar.
Give them enthusiasm for the Gospel,
zeal for the salvation of all people,
courage in leadership and humility in service.
Give them Your love for one another and
for all their brothers and sisters in You.
For You love them, Lord Jesus,
And we love and pray for them in Your Holy Name.
from http://www.divineprovidence.org
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
U.N. Commission on Human Rights Fifty-eighth Session
March 18 - April 26, 2002 at Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Franciscans International, in conjunction with Dominicans for Justice and Peace, again draws the attention of the Commission to the issue of religious intolerance and discrimination on the basis of religion. Religious intolerance remains at the root of a number of conflicts and ongoing violence in the world. The absence of political will on the part of some governments to end this discrimination further encourages groups to persecute and victimize individuals and organizations.
In Pakistan, for example, political leadership and martial law regimes have used Islam to legitimize their rule to the disadvantage of religious minorities. This has led in recent years to ethnic and sectarian violence among Muslims and the imposition of discriminatory and repressive laws against religious minorities. Religious discrimination in Pakistan is inscribed in legislation that tends to promote a culture of intolerance and division. The legislation is contained in the Separate Electorate Act for religious minorities and the Blasphemy Laws 295 B and C of the Penal Code that includes the death penalty for violation of the laws.
Presently, 23 Christians are charged under the Blasphemy Laws and one of those has been sentenced to death. Further, among 40 Muslims charged, one has also been sentenced to death. In addition, 265 Ahmadis have been victims of the law, as well as two Hindus.
Law of Evidence
In another area, under the discriminatory Law of Evidence, the courts operate under a biased legal procedure. For example, under the Law, court witnesses are judged according to their religion and gender: the testimony of 2 non-Muslim male court witnesses is equivalent to the testimony of 1 male Muslim. Further, the testimonies of 4 non-Muslim women are equivalent to the testimony of 1 male Muslim.
The oppressive and unfair Law of Evidence represents an attack on religious groups, and an affront to the protection and promotion of human rights for all, regardless of religion.
Joint Electorate
Since 1985, the Separate Electorate system has represented a form of religious apartheid, where Muslims were required to vote for Muslims, Christians for Christians, Hindus for Hindus, etc. All religious minorities are denied equal participation and have been treated as second-class citizens.
However, we recognize that the government of Pakistan announced, on 16 January 2002, the reintroduction of the Joint Electorate system which we consider represents a positive step. However, the enacting legislation has not yet been introduced. Further, the proposed Joint Electorate will apply only at the national level and not at the provincial and local levels. We, therefore, ask the international community to monitor the implementation of Joint Electorates and to press its applications at both the national and local levels. Joint electorates will enable religious minorities to participate equally in the political life of their country, reduce religious harassment, and end a long period of religious discrimination against them.
Franciscans International, in conjunction with Dominicans for Justice and Peace and our partners
in Pakistan, recommends:
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that the government repeal all discriminatory laws, including the Blasphemy Laws
sections 295B and 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code;
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that it repeal the unjust Law of Evidence;
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that the government enact legislation and implement the Joint Electorates at the
national and local levels.
from http://un.op.org/docs/statement/php?id=133
Mary Lee Odders
P O Box 85451
Racine WI 53408-5451