unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/24/89)
the root-cause of many heinous crimes and denial of human rights. It is distressing that considerations of racial privileges, too often, tend to blind humanity to its oneness in God's image. For a while we have noticed the speed and single-mindedness with which some Member States of the United Nations have imposed economic and other sanctions against States for alleged violations of human rights; some of these same States have been known to resist modest attempts to impose limited sanctions against South Africa. Are we surprised when victims of racism and racial discrimination decry such double-standards? Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has provided leadership in educating millions of peoples all over the world. The Catholic Church is still highly respected as arbiter on moral issues in the world. It is with this in mind that the thread of brotherly love, which eschews racial discrimination and hatred, has consistently run through the teachings of the Church. Let me cite but a few recent instances. The Vatican Council has not only underscored the belief that man was created in God's image but also affirmed that any discrimination based on race, sex or religion is incompatible with the teachings of the Redeemer Jesus Christ. His Holiness, Pope Paul VI said that "all those who believe in God ... even the least privileged, are sons of the Universal Father who created them in his own image". Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, emphasized the need for racial harmony and justice for all regardless of race, sex and religion, if succeeding generations are to be spared the scourge of war. His Holiness cautioned that "injustice first attacks human rights and thereby destroys the organic unity of the social order, and then affects the whole system of international relations". For many years, the United Nations organs dealing with racism and racial discrimination have enjoyed the full co-operation and collaboration of the Catholic Church and other Church organizations like the World Council of Churches and non-governmental organizations. Together, in their different programmes and activities, they have reached out and provided much-needed succour to the victims of apartheid and other forms of racial injustice. They have sustained faith in the innate good nature of the human person and demonstrated endurance and courage in educating individuals and Governments alike about the evils of racism and racial discrimination. Let me, once again, pay tribute to the Church and all the members of the World Council of Churches for their contributions towards the realization of the main objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, now incorporated as article 7 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. As is well known, racial bigotry is not necessarily innate in human beings. It is a result of teaching, by following examples and, indeed, by systematic indoctrination. Apartheid represents the most virulent strain of racism and racial discrimination. Even so, some of us have heard accounts of how, in some instances, African mothers or nannies have raised their own children along with children of their employers of European origin. Indeed, some of the white children are said to have been suckled by their African nannies. It is also known that by school age, those innocent white children undergo the wrenching experience of being separated from their nannies, and their African friends and thus take their first steps along the road to living "separate lives" in the apartheid regime. Let me emphasize my conviction that just as racial bigotry and other forms of racial discriminatory practices begin in the mind, so also must efforts to eradicate them begin in the mind. In saying so, I do not for one moment underestimate the hard work entailed in replacing the Christian message of love, respect, tolerance and brotherhood with years of spurious racial theories and engrained attitudes of the mind. Indeed, the human mind needs to undergo a significant sea-change to achieve that end. The paper attached to the letter with which I was invited to this Seminar requested that I speak frankly. I have done so and I would now wish to make one final point -- again frankly. One of the keys to better racial understanding and harmony, to my mind, is education. The Catholic Church, as I said earlier, has, over the centuries, provided laudable leadership in educating millions of peoples all over the world. May I submit that curricula in social studies in parochial schools should emphasize the need to develop and strengthen harmonious race relations by recognizing that ethnic diversity is by God's will. The elimination of racial discrimination and bigotry is after all a moral issue. In closing, allow me to quote again the words of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II which I believe are just as valid today as they were when he expressed them to us. I quote: "The Church, keeping in mind her own level of responsibilities and competencies, is at your side as you travel your difficult road, and she is ready to support every effort aimed at removing the temptation to violence and at helping the problem of apartheid in a spirit of dialogue and fraternal love that respects the rights of the parties involved." I trust and hope that the Church will continue to provide leadership in this moral crusade. * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | United Nations | FAX: 212-787-1726 patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | BBS: 201-795-0733 patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | (3/12/24/9600 Baud) -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-