tvc.dsj.org | June 11, 2019
IN THE CHURCH
13
U.N. Declares Special Day to Remember Victims of Violence Against Religion
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- On May
28, the U.N. General Assembly adopt-
ed a resolution establishing August 22
as the Day to Commemorate Victims
of Violence Based on Religion.
The resolution invites all member
states, relevant organizations, civil
society, individuals and the private
sector to observe the international day
and show appropriate support for vic-
tims of religiously motivated violence.
In the wake of recent religiously
motivated terrorist attacks, the reso-
lution notes a serious concern for
“continuing acts of intolerance and
violence based on religion or belief
against individuals, including against
persons belonging to religious com-
munities and religious minorities
around the world, and at the increas-
ing number and intensity of such
incidents.”
Poland initiated work toward the
commemorative day, but united with
Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Ni-
geria, Pakistan, Poland, and the United
States to co-draft the resolution.
Ultimately, 88 U.N. member states
People pray in Kabul, Afghanistan June 4,
2019. On May 28, the U.N. General Assem-
bly adopted a resolution establishing August
22 as the Day to Commemorate Victims of
Violence Based on Religion. (CNS photo/
Omar Sobhani, Reuters) A pilgrim prays near the Marian shrine of
Fatima in central Portugal May 12, 2019.
On May 28, the U.N. General Assembly
adopted a resolution establishing August
22 as the Day to Commemorate Victims of
Violence Based on Religion. (CNS photo/
Pedro Nunes, Reuters)
voted to co-sponsor the resolution.
“The right to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion, which is
commonly referred to as the right to
freedom of religion or belief, is a uni-
versal right of every human being and
the cornerstone of many other rights,”
Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs
Jacek Czaputowicz said in his keynote speech before the vote.
In response, the U.S. Commission
on International Religious Freedom in
Washington issued a statement prais-
ing the resolution.
“We applaud the U.N. General As-
sembly for adopting this resolution,
which acknowledges and honors vic-
tims of violence based on religion or
belief around the world,” said Tenzin
Dorjee, chair of the commission. “But
we must not stop at condemnation.
Like-minded governments must also
increasingly work together to hold
perpetrators accountable, whether
they are state or nonstate actors re-
sponsible for the abuses.”
The Vatican, too, commented on
the resolution after its adoption in
a statement released by its Perma-
nent Observer Mission to the U.N.
The statement recalled the recent
religiously motivated violence in Sri
Lanka, New Zealand, California and
Burkina Faso.
“This resolution and the interna-
tional day it establishes is an opportu-
nity for the international community to
focus on the victims and to strengthen
efforts to eradicate such violence and
acts of terrorism targeting persons be-
cause of their religion or belief,” it said.
The Vatican also reminded the
U.N. that religion and belief cannot be
blamed for these acts. They are, rather,
deviations from religious practices
and must be condemned.
CCH153_CarDonateAd2_4.937x6in_PressQuality.pdf
1
8/10/15
7:41 PM
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Marian shrine of Sumuleu Ciuc in Miercurea Ciuc,
Romania, June 1, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Leave Divisions Behind, Embrace Fellowship,
Pope says at Marian Shrine
MIERCUREA CIUC, Romania (CNS)
-- At a Marian shrine in the heart of
Transylvania, Pope Francis called on
Romania’s Catholics to leave resent-
ments behind and to embark on a jour-
ney of unity. Celebrating Mass June 1 at
the Sumuleu Ciuc shrine, an important
place of pilgrimage for Romanians and
for Catholics from across the border in
Hungary, the pope called on the faith-
ful to ask God “for the grace to change
past and present resentments and mis-
trust into new opportunities for friend-
ship.” The pope said that “complicated
and sorrow-filled situations from the
past must not be forgotten or denied,
yet neither must they be an obstacle or
an excuse standing in the way of our
desire to live together as brothers and
C
M
Y
sisters.” Because of severe rain and fog,
the pope’s originally scheduled land-
ing at an airport in Bacau and subse-
quent helicopter ride to the shrine was
cancelled. Instead, his plane landed at
Transylvania Airport in Targu Mures
and he was driven by car to Sumuleu
Ciuc. Tens of thousands of pilgrims
wearing colorful raincoats, surrounded
by green pine forests clouded by mist,
waited for the pope outside the shrine.
Rain, mud and fog did little to dampen
their spirits as they sang and waved
happily awaiting the pope’s arrival.
Among the pilgrims at the Mass were
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica
Dancila and Hungarian President Ja-
nos Ader, who attended “as a simple
pilgrim,” the Vatican said.
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Donating Your Vehicle
Rebuilds Hope
Vehicle Donations Support Catholic Charities’
Refugee & Immigrant Programs
Free Towing • Fast & Easy • 100% Tax Deductible
Contact Us Today at CarDonationCC.org or 1 (866) 565-5912