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)
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