Monitor

CBCP

OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 12, 2017, VOL 21, NO. 22 CBCPMONITOR@AREOPAGUSCOMMUNICATIONS.COM

PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE

THE CROSS A3: NEWS A6: LOCAL NEWS B1: PASTORAL CONCERNS
A Supplement Publication of the Chinas president seeks more control over religion Borongan diocese protests mining permit renewal Invitation to start the healing
Order of the Knights of Columbus
and KCFAPI

Church urges repentance over killings

By Roy Lagarde

THE head of the Catholic

Bishops Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP)
called for repentance
amid the rising death
toll of criminals and
drug suspects, including
minors.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas,
CBCP President, said Filipinos,
especially political and church
leaders, are called to repent as he
warned of curse awaiting a country
that kills its own people.
We need to repent as a nation,
Villegas said in his homily during
the Lord Heal Our Land Sunday
Mass at the historic EDSA Shrine in
Quezon City on November 5.
Repent now. Time is not ours.
Start the healing by repenting
now. We cannot heal as a nation
by blaming others. We have only
ourselves to blame first. Let the
healing begin here in each one
here, he said.
The archbishop, however,
pointed out that while stopping the
killing is a big step, the journey of
healing for the nations values that
turned upside down will be a long
journey still.
He said many Filipinos are
misguided and chose the path People raise candles as they welcome the image of Our Lady of Fatima after a kilometer-long procession for national healing from Edsa Shrine to the People Power Monument in Quezon, November 5, 2017.
Repentance / A6 ROY LAGARDE

NYD Zamboanga, part of Marawi crisis healing CBCP to police, military: Stop
OFFICIALLY opening on
Nov. 6 with thousands of
delegates from all over the
Philippines, the National
Youth Day being held in
this city could be part of
Mindanaos healing process
after the Marawi siege.
[Now] locals will feel that
this will be a part of the
continuing healing from
the 2013 Zamoboanga
siege. The coming of NYD
delegations is a big boost
to help raise the confidence
and trust of the people
of Zamboanga, said Fr.
Conegundo Garganta, CBCP-
Episcopal Commission on
Youth executive secretary in
an interview.
The priest also emphasized
the importance of the
considerable number of
attendees because it shows
solidarity despite the
apprehensions to send young
people to Zamboanga.
We have a total of 2,052
delegates [who]are in
Zamboanga as we speak,
these are all delegations
from different diocese and
members of the Federation
of National Youth
Organizations, National
Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Dela Cruz opens the National Youth Day 2017 with a Mass at the Zamboanga Cathedral, Nov. 6,
2017. RON RAMOS
Youth Day 2017 executive
secretary, Mark Anthony
Saavedra, announced in a
press conference.
Scammed
Saavedra further explained
some factors that led to fewer
attendees than expected,
such as inclement weather,
local disputes or issues and
unique reasons, specifically
the scamming of an entire
delegation that involved
airline tickets.
The Dioceses of Malolos
and Iba, Zambales bought
tickets [through] a certain
third party agent. Malolos
had around 58 [delegates]
and Iba Zambales had
23 and all of them were
scammed by this travel
agent, he explained.
Fortunately, both dioceses
would still send some
delegates, unfortunately
like for Malolos it would
now decrease to 22, because
thats the only number their
diocese can accommdate
while Iba Zambales can still
send 11 out of the 23, added
Saavedra.
Days highlights
Signaling the start of the
National Youth Day program,
Zamboanga Archbishop
Romulo Dela Cruz celebrated
a holy Mass, which was
attended by pilgrims, public
officials, and locals.
In his homily, the prelate
NYD / A6
violence, uphold rule of law
THE Catholic prelate in war-
torn Marawi sum up in just
one word his thought about
the mar-tial law extension in
Mindanao: sad.
Marawi Bishop Edwin de
la Pea was opposing the
extension, saying that the
two-month mili-tary rule
in the region was already
enough.
He said martial law
extension is no longer
necessary since the
government forces can
already deal with the
situation in Marawi.
I am against martial law
extension, de la Pea earlier
said. The first martial law
declaration was fine but if
they are going to use Marawi
again to justify its extension,
I dont think its right.
As the military continue
conducting airstrikes in
areas where the remaining
bandits are posi-tioned, he
said that it is apparent that
the enemys forces have
weakened.
With all the resources
at their command, the
government can address
the crisis now even without
martial law extension, he
said.
The government previously
assured to end the clashes last
June 2 but it failed to meet its
self-imposed the deadline.
The prelate claimed that
an army rule is already
causing discomfort to many
people and affect-ed business
operations in Mindanao
particularly in Iligan City
and nearby areas.
They made Marawi as
justification for martial law
but the government could
not finish the war in 60 days.
That sends a bad signal, de
la Pea said.
The Congress on July
23 has granted President
Rodrigo Dutertes request
to extend martial law in
Mindanao until the end of
the year.
With an overwhelming
vote, majority of the
lawmakers are convinced
that a five-month ex-tension
is necessary to quell the
Maute terrorist group and
restore peace in Marawi.
(CBCPNews)

Pope on PH Church drug rehab program: Way to go
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila hugs a
Sanlakbay graduate at the San Sebastian Church,
October 21, 2017. MARIA TAN
A CHURCH-BASED drug
rehabilitation program got a pat
on the back from no other than
Pope Francis.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of
Manila said the pope wants parish-
based drug rehabilitation centers to
continue in the Philippines.
Recalling his recent meeting
with the pontiff at the Vatican,
the cardinal said he shared with
Francis his archdioceses Sanlakbay
program for drug surrenders and
recovering addicts.
And when he heard about it, with
eyes twinkled, he said, thats the
way to go, Cardinal Tagle said in
Prelate has mixed feelings as Marawi siege ends
his homily during Mass to mark the A CATHOLIC prelate
programs first anniversary at the has expressed mixed
San Sebastian Church on Oct. 21. feelings after the
Amid the governments violent government declared
crackdown on illegal drugs, the an end to five months of
initiative has been providing fighting in the southern
counseling, spiritual and values Philippine city of
formation and even livelihood Marawi.
opportunities for former drug Bishop Edwin dela
addicts. Pea of the Marawi
It is also a faith-based approach prelature said he is
geared towards the healing and happy that the siege
restoration of drug dependents. is over, while hoping
Earlier, on January 8, Tagle that the rehabilitation
partnered with an international of the city can proceed
Tears fell as local officials and some residents who have returned
drug rehabilitation farm to boost the at dizzying pace to their homes gathered in front of Marawi City Hall for Peoples
Rehab / A7 Mixed / A6 Day, October 30, 2017. ROY LAGARDE
A2 WORLD NEWS October 30 - November 12, 2017, Vol 21, No. 22 CBCP Monitor

60 Vincentians martyred during Vatican Briefing

Spanish Civil War to be beatified Pope names 2 laywomen to key posts in
Vaticans family office
The Vatican announced Pope Francis appointment
of two lay women experts in bioethics and canon
law as the first two under-secretaries of the mega-
dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. The appointment
of Dr. Gabriella Gambino for the section on life
and Dr. Linda Ghisoni for the section on laity was
announced in a Nov. 7 Vatican communique,
bringing the leadership of the dicastery more clearly
into shape after its establishment in 2016. The
Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life officially
began its work Sept. 1, 2016, replacing the former
Pontifical Council for the Laity and Pontifical Council
for the Family, which were dissolved. (Hannah
Brockhaus/CNA)

New book reveals details of John Paul Is

death
A new book discloses details about the death of Pope
John Paul I who died in 1978 after just 33 days in
office and conclusive evidence that his death was
the result of a heart attack, as previously thought.

MADRID, Spain Next
Saturday 60 members of
the Vincentian Order who
were martyred during the
Spanish Civil War will be
beatified at a Mass in Madrid,
a celebration of hope, faith
and forgiveness.
The grace experienced by
these martyrs is impossible
to understand without faith,
said Sister Angeles Infante,
a Daughter of Charity who
is postulator of the cause for
beatification. She praised
the martyrs faithfulness
to the Vincentian charism,
giving their lives, the
greatest treasure they had,
for Christ.
The Nov. 11 Mass
of Beatification at the
Palacio Vistalegre will be a
celebration of hope because
these martyrs believed in
the beatitudes and their
martyrdom summed them
all up.
It s not a violent death
that makes you a martyr, but
the cause you die for, which
is Christ. They gave their
lives for God, embodying the
faith through their witness,
forgiving and asking their
families to forgive, the
postulator said.
Cardinal Carlos Osoro
Sierra of Madrid, who will
celebrate the Mass, said
that these 60 martyrs gave
their lives out of love. They
died loving and forgiving,
demonstrating a wisdom
which comes from above, not
taking sides in the conflict
or getting involved in the
civil unrest, but having a
wisdom which came from
Jesus Christ.
A human beings weapons
are not hatred or rancor but
those of Jesus Christ: the
love which engenders life
and not death.
He also emphasized that
these 60 martyrs are a
model more timely than
ever because they led the
life of God which is always
relevant, especially during
times in history when it
seems hard for us to forgive.
DAVID RAMOS/CNA
Thats why its good to
remember people like these,
people who dont destroy
but forgive instead, who give
their lives not for an idea, but
for a person: Jesus Christ.
Those being beatified are
Vicente Queralt Lloret and
20 companions, and Jos
Maria Fernndez Sanchez
and 38 companions. They
were killed in 1936 and 1937
by Republican forces.
Thousands of priests and
religious, accompanied by
laity, were martyred during
Spains civil war. More
than 1,800 have already
been beatified, and several
have been canonized. (ACI
Prensa)
In the book, called Papa Luciani: Chronicle of a
Death, Vatican journalist Stefania Falasca presents
thoroughly-researched evidence, including previously
undisclosed medical reports, witness testimonies and
Vatican documents, confirming original reports that
the late pontiff died of a heart attack. Albino Luciani,
who was born on Oct. 17, 1912 in Italys northern
Veneto region, was elected Bishop of Rome at the age
of 65. He took the name Pope John Paul to honor both
of his immediate predecessors, St. John XXIII and Bl.
Paul VI. (Hannah Brockhaus/CNA)
Pope: Those in authority cant live double
life, must lead by example
Pope Francis offered some punchy advice to both
average faithful and people in positions of authority,
saying true power is expressed through service and
a good example, which Christians must always show
to others in humility. Speaking during his Nov. 5
Angelus address, Pope Francis told pilgrims that a
frequent defect in those who have authority, whether
it is civil or ecclesiastical authority, is to demand from
others things, even justly, but which they do not put
into practice firsthand. They lead a double life. He
noted how in days Gospel reading from Matthew,
Jesus, whose death is drawing nearer, offers serious
critiques of the scribes, and at the same time leaves

Australias former prime minister: Redefining marriage
has big consequences
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. If the people
of Australia vote to redefine marriage
in the country, the consequences will
be dire, warned former Prime Minister
Tony Abbott.
The idea that you can just change the
definition of marriage and nothing else
follows is intellectual fraud, he said.
Abbott spoke to CNA before a Nov. 1
panel discussion on Australias ongoing
marriage vote. The panel, held in
New York City, was hosted by ADF
International, an alliance-building
human rights group that promotes
religious freedom and the sanctity of
life, marriage, and family.
Australia is currently in the final
days of a plebiscite on marriage. The
plebisciteor voluntary poll to measure
public feedbackasks voters to return
mail-in ballots on whether to redefine
marriage in the country.
The mail-in vote itself is not legally
binding. But Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbulls government has promised
to introduce legislation in Parliament
to redefine marriage if the majority of
voters favor it.
Abbott has been vocally opposed to
the redefinition of marriage, warning
that it will weaken the institution which
serves as the foundation of society.
He also voiced concerns that if
marriage is redefined, those who oppose
it will find themselves marginalized and
penalized, since even now, just voicing
support for the longstanding view of
marriage as the union of one man and
one woman attracts an instant social
media storm and reputational death.
Especially if unaccompanied by
any wider charter of freedoms, we can
expect same-sex marriage in Australia
to have much the same consequences
as in other countries, Abbott said at
the panel. People will take offense at
the traditional teaching and the anti-
discrimination laws can be relied upon
to do the rest.
This is already starting to happen,
he said, pointing to Archbishop
Julian Porteous of Hobart, who faced
prosecution under anti-discrimination
laws for a booklet outlining Christian
teaching on marriage.
People arent being argued
into changing their minds; theyre
being bullied into abandoning their
convictions, Abbott warned.
And these pressures will only increase
if marriage is redefined, he told CNA.
The anti-discrimination laws will be
deployed, I think oppressively, against
peopleparticularly educatorswho
put forward the traditional definitions
and teachings.
Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia. PHOTO FROM TONY ABBOTT FACEBOOK PAGE
No matter how the plebiscite turns out,
he said, freedom of religion, conscience,
and speech need to be reaffirmed,
because the current debate has shown
how fragile they are in the country today.
Despite opposition, Abbott said he
is encouraged by the strong show of
support for marriage, especially in
large groups of young people. The effort
to defend marriage in Australia, he
said, has raised millions of dollars and
mobilized tens of thousands of donors
and volunteers.
Win, lose, or draw, he said, starting
from scratch two months ago, the
campaign for marriage in my country
has mobilized thousands of new
activists; and created a network that
could be deployed to defend Western
civilization more broadly and the Judeo-
Christian ethic against all thats been
undermining it.
These newly activated citizens will be
crucial in fighting other challenges to
Australian society, such as an effort to
legalize assisted suicide in Victoria and
a push for gender ideology in schools,
he said.
We need more standard bearers, at
every level, because a majority that stays
silent soon becomes a minority.
Ultimately, Abbott sees the push to
redefine marriage as part of a broader
ailment affecting much of Western
society.
Campaigns for same-sex marriage
and the like are a consequence of
our civilizational self-doubt and the
collapse of cultural self-confidence, he
said, adding that until Western nations
address this underlying question,
additional challenges to Christian values
will continue to arise.
Michael Farris, president of ADF,
agreed, warning that a broader process
of religious freedom erosion is at work.
In the two years since the Supreme
Court unilaterally redefined marriage
for the United States, Farris said, we
have seen individuals and institutions
increasingly come under fire simply
for trying to live their lives, run their
businesses, and operate their ministries
consistent with the millennia-old
belief, shared by millions of people
around the world, that marriage is a
sacred union between one man and
one woman.
These individuals are not bigots,
but people of sincerely-held religious
belief attempting to find their way as
entrepreneurs and artists in a new legal
landscape, he continued.
Leading up to the redefinition of
marriage in the U.S., proponents of
same-sex marriage quelled fears that
redefining marriage would threaten
rights of conscience by repeatedly
promising that same-sex marriage
would not infringe on these fundamental
rights, Farris said.
Now, Australians are being told the
same falsehood.
In the final days of voting, Abbott
warned his fellow Australians to carefully
consider the broad consequences of
redefining an age-old institution that is
so foundational for society.
This is a decisive vote, he told
CNA, and it is, one way or another, a
watershed moment in the life of our
country. (CNA/EWTN News)
important signs for Christians not just of that time,
but of all times, including us today. (Elise Harris/
CNA)
In latest prayer video, Pope shines light on
challenges in Asia
In his prayer video for November Pope Francis
prays for the Church in Asia, that despite challenges
it may continue to be a source of peace and dialogue
between religions. On this continent, where the
Church is a minority, the challenges are intense, the
Pope says in the video. Let us pray that Christians
in Asia may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual
understanding especially with those of other
religions. Released Nov. 3, the video shows people
of different religions and countries from throughout
Asia. It also shows scenes of life in Asia, including
the celebration of Mass. The Popes prayer for Asia
comes just a few weeks ahead of his Nov. 27 Dec. 2
pastoral visit to Burma and Bangladesh. (Hannah
Brockhaus/CNA)
Philosophy professor launches intl pro-life
academy
A former member of the Pontifical Academy for Life
has launched an independent organization he claims
will work to unfold the splendor of truth about
life and family. Josef Seifert, president of the new
lay-run John Paul II Academy for Human Life and
Family, announced the academy Oct. 18 in Rome at a
conference on the topic of Blessed Paul VIs encyclical
Humanae Vitae. The academys aim is to clarify,
to teach and to spread that part of the truth about
man and about God that serves human life and the
natural family, and, through serving these, serves and
glorifies God, said Seifert. (Kevin Jones/CNA)
The tradition of sacred choral music needs
to be reviewed
For one member of the Popes Choir, the Catholic
Church, while appreciating sacred music, has in some
respects lost the art of singing it in her parishes,
prompting the need for a revival of traditional style
across the world. Coming from the UK, Im used to
a choral tradition, its a great Anglican tradition,
Mark Spyropoulos told CNA, noting that much of the
sacred music they sing is written for great Catholic
choirs, but generally, across Europe at least, weve
lost touch with that. The cathedrals are mostly
silent, he said, and while the Vatican is an exception,
from a personal stance, as a choral singer, I would
like to see that tradition revived in Catholic choirs
because its absolutely wonderful. (Elise Harris/
CNA)
Catholics, Lutherans look toward Christian
unity
The Reformation anniversary gives us a renewed
impetus to work for reconciliation, said a statement
released jointly by the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World
Federation. We recognize that while the past
cannot be changed, its influence upon us today can
be transformed to become a stimulus for growing
communion, and a sign of hope for the world to
overcome division and fragmentation, it said Oct.
31. Again, it has become clear that what we have
in common is far more than that which still divides
us. The statement was released to mark the end
of the year of common commemoration of the
500th anniversary of the Reformation. (Hannah
Brockhaus/CNA)
CBCP Monitor October 30 - November 12, 2017, Vol 21, No. 22
Chinas president seeks more control over religion
BEIJING, China President
Xi Jinping of China
announced this week that
he wants to tighten Beijings
strict government controls
on religion in the communist
country.
In a speech, this week
during the 19th National
Congress of the Communist
Party of China, Xi said that
religions not sufficiently
conformed to Communist
ideals pose a threat to the
countrys government, and
therefore must become more
Chinese-oriented.
While these comments
were reportedly intended
particularly for Tibetan
Buddhists, who have lobbied
for independence from China,
it could also mean a cooling
of the already-rocky relations
between the Vatican and China.
Diplomatic ties between
the Church and China were
all but cut in 1951, when the
communist party took control
over Beijing. Members of the
Communist Party in China
are technically not allowed
to hold any religious views.
Recently, Benedict XVI and
Pope Francis have worked
to re-establish diplomatic
relations with the country,
though it has been a slow and
Burmas cardinal: The Pope will come
to heal the wounds of the country
YANGON, Burma Pope Francis
trip to Burma will help heal the
wounds of his country, especially
for minorities under attack, the
nations sole cardinal maintains.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of
Yangon is the first Burmese cardinal
in the history of the Church. He was
made a cardinal by Pope Francis
in 2015.
Speaking with CNA about the
upcoming papal trip to the country,
Cardinal Bo stressed that the
Vatican and others need to work
toward healing the wounds of our
nation, by showing a future that
can bring positive results for all
communities.
Burma, also known as Myanmar,
has garnered increased international
attention in recent years because of
an escalating persecution of the
Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim
ethnic group within the Buddhist
majority state.
Pope Francis has made a number
of appeals for the protection of the
Rohingya, since at least May 2015.
Since late August, the United
Nations estimates that 582,000
Rohingya have fled Burmas
Rakhine state for Bangladesh.
Cardinal Bo told CNA he hopes
that the Pope will address the
burning questions of Rohingya
persecution in a meeting scheduled
with the countrys de facto leader
Aung San Suu Kyi during the
November trip.
He also said that the Pope will
likely encourage good steps,
and said that as a Church, we
want to affirm the intensity of
human suffering experienced by
the Rohingya because this problem
has been there for last 60 years, and
most intensely since 1982, when an
unjust citizenship law passed.
The cardinal also noted that
there is a new energy let loose
by the global Islamophobia.
The xenophobic regulations in
rich countries against Muslims
encourages this. Injustice anywhere
is injustice everywhere. Muslims are
not suffering only in Burma.
He explained that recent government
persecution of the Rohingya was a
response to attacks on police stations
by Rohingya militant groups. Yet,
he said, nothing can justify what
happened afterwards.
Cardinal Bo also addressed
controversy surrounding Aung San
Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner,
and Burmas State Councillor, the
nations head of government. A
longtime human rights activist,
she has been criticized for failure to
recognize or stop military atrocities
against the Rohingya, and for
assigning blame to both sides of
the conflict.
The cardinal said that Aung San
Suu Kyi could have done better,
but to stigmatize her as if she did
Young Chinese Catholics attend the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. CBCPNews
arduous process. appointed by the Vatican,
While the Chinese driving many among the
government technically Catholic Church leadership
recognizes Catholicism as and laity underground.
one of five religions in the
country, it does not recognize established the Chinese
many Church leaders Catholic Patriotic Association
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon
nothing is a far fetched theory.
The cardinal recalled that Aung
San Suu Kyi formed the Kofi
Annan Commission, an advisory
commission on the Rakhine
State chaired by the former UN
General Secretary Kofi Annan and
composed by six Burmese and three
international members.
The commission issued a final
report in August, requesting that
Burmas 1982 citizenship law
that classifies Rohingya as illegal
immigrants be reviewed. As a
short term recommendation, the
commission requested that Burma
clarify the rights of people who
are not granted full citizenship,
including the Rohingya.
Cardinal Bo noted that Aung San
Suu Kyi agreed to implement the
recommendations of the Annan
Commission.
Cardinal Bo noted that,
unfortunately the very day the
Commission report was released,
there was a militant attack and the
reprisal started. This, he explained,
prevented implementation of
recommendations.
But, he said, by attacking Aung
San Suu Kyi, nobody wins. She is
still a hope for democracy.
Cardinal Bo underscored that
Burma is one of the poorest
countries in the world, and Rakhine
State is the poorest: 70 percent of
its people live in extreme poverty.
In the end, Myanmar has so
many resources, but these do not
go to the poor. The Pope is a great
prophet of economic justice and
environmental justice. He should
raise his voice against these two
injustices.
The Archbishop of Yangon also
emphasized that the Pope needs
to shed light on other unresolved
conflict and displacements.
The cardinal mentioned the
situations in the states of Karen,
(PA), which is a sort of
alternative ecclesiastical
hierarchy officially recognized
by the Chinese authorities.
The Chinese government Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
has called the PA incompatible
with Catholic doctrine, since
Kachin, and Shan. Anti-Christian
persecutions in Myanmar were
highlighted in a 2016 report of
the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom.
The report said that in three
Burmeses states, Christians are
subjected to forced relocation,
attacks on their places of worship,
and an ongoing campaign of forced
conversion and brainwashing in
schools funded by the government.
According to the 2016 Report
on Religious Freedom by Aid to
the Church in Need, minorities are
often targeted in Burma in a sort of
continuous conflict that takes place
in ethnic states.
The report refers in particular to
Kachin, where at least 66 churches
have been destroyed in ethnic
conflicts ongoing since 2011.
The report also underscored that
in the prevalent Christian states
of Chin and Kachin, the Burmese
army has promoted a policy that
forces Christians to remove crosses
from the hills and the top of the
mountains, sometimes forcing
them to build Buddhist pagodas to
replace them.
This practice, the Report stressed,
has diminished since 2012, but
never ceased. In the state of Chin,
a Christian was jailed for the crime
of building a cross.
Cardinal Bo stressed that the
Rohingya situation is a great
tragedy, but added that the
country needs healing on various
fronts.
The Holy Father, he concluded,
has stood against the winds of
criticism and mourned the suffering
of Muslims and Rohingyas. With
unflinching courage we need to
stand against global Islamophobia.
What happens here is a spill-over
and to see this tragedy detached
from other human tragedies would
be a fragmented truth.
it recognizes both legitimately
and illegitimately appointed
bishops.
The Vatican and the
Chinese government are
in ongoing talks about the
recognition and appointment
How do we help trafficking
victims re-enter society?
Vatican conference takes a look
ROME A Vatican workshop
this past weekend drew attention
to the vast challenges faced by
victims of human trafficking
when reintegrating into society,
suggesting concrete steps for
helping victims.
One of the first challenges faced
by trafficking victims upon being
freed is recourse to legal aid and
restitution, attorney Jami Solli told
CNA Nov. 6.
Founder of the Global Alliance for
Legal Aid, an association of jurists
who provide legal aid in developing
countries, Solli participated in the
Vatican workshop.
She said that when it comes
to legal aid, the challenges are
complex.
If theyre coming from overseas,
they dont speak the language, they
dont know the law, she said. In
addition to this, many countries do
not offer any financial compensation
to trafficking victims, and it can be
hard to find quality lawyers who are
willing to help them.
Unfortunately, Solli said,
prosecution rates for human
trafficking crimes are very low.
According to U.S. reports, there
are about 10,000 prosecutions of
trafficking perpetrators globally
each year, while the number of
trafficked people is estimated to be
around 40 million.
What does prosecution of
perpetrators actually achieve for
victims? It can bring significant
peace of mind, Solli said, allowing
victims to know that the person who
trafficked them is in jail.
However, victims are still left
with a slew of problems, including
mental suffering, a lack of skills,
education and a job.
How is this person going to
restart their life? Solli reflected,
noting that restitution money is
one way to recognize the immense
harm that victims have suffered,
and while it will not solve all of their
problems, it can help them get a
fresh start.
The Nov. 4-6 workshop, Assisting
Victims in Human Trafficking Best
Practices in Resettlement, Legal Aid
and Compensation, addressed
these challenges and others.
The workshops focus was on
how to better provide legal aid
and restitution for trafficking
victims, not only to try to achieve
justice for the crimes committed
against them, but to support their
reintegration into society and
help with necessities such as food,
housing and education.
Critical to this reintegration is
the broad cooperation of different
entities, including the Churchs
vast network of parishes, said Dr.
Margaret Archer, president of
NEWS FEATURES A3
of bishops. The most current
proposal would allow the
government to select possible
episcopal candidates and
send the names to the Pope
for approval or denial.
In May, Chinese Cardinal
Joseph Zen said that the
danger of this proposal is that
the Pope could be forced to
approve a bad bishop, or
see decisions ignored by the
Chinese government.
Currently, the Vatican sends
a list of potential candidates to
Beijing for approval or denial
before appointing bishops. At
issue is that that Beijing also
independently nominates
bishops for leadership
positions in the PA.
Cardinal Zen said he hoped
the Church throughout the
world would intensify their
prayers for the Church in
China, which continues to be
persecuted in the officially-
atheist country even as
relations thaw.
According to a report
earlier this year by US-based
NGO Freedom House, violent
and non-violent religious
persecution has seen an
overall increase in China
since President Jinping came
to power in 2012. (CNA/
EWTN News)
Pope Francis passes immigrants as he arrives
for his general audience in St. Peters Square at
the Vatican Sept. 27, 2017. Immigrants were in
attendance as Caritas Internationalis launched
its Share the Journey campaign in support of
immigrants. PAUL HARING/CNS
the Pontifical Academy of Social
Sciences, in a press conference
Monday.
If we can turn passive parishes
into active parishes for this cause,
well have made a giant step
forward, she said.
Dr. John F. McEldowney, a
law professor at the University of
Warwick and a newly appointed
member of the Academy of Social
Sciences, agreed with Archer. He
told journalists that he thinks
the next step is very much a
collaborative effort throughout the
world.
The hope is to bring together not
just government entities and NGOs,
but also the smallest communities,
in the smallest parts of the world,
such as parishes and small villages.
One of the big projects to come
out of the weekend, still a work in
progress, is a document to define the
rights of victims and the resources
available to them.
McEldowney told CNA that this
victims charter would work as a
sort of map to help people get from
point A to point B to point C.
The document would connect
information and resources from all
the different areas in which victims
likely need assistance including
legal aid, housing assistance,
education, and mental and spiritual
guidance. Together, these resources
would help trafficking victims
answer the question, Where do I
go from here?
It is also hoped that the act of
compiling the charter will draw
attention to those areas which are
lacking adequate, or perhaps any,
resources. For example, it can be
difficult for trafficking victims to
know how to apply to a university
if they are not a citizen of the
country or dont have the correct
documentation.
Its an ambitious project,
McEldowney noted in his comments
to journalists. It requires patience
and dedication. And education,
knowledge, information is at the
heart of this, so that people know
that slavery has not been abolished.
(Hannah Brockhaus/CNA)
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