Christian Aid Suspends Palestinian Exhibit

INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC NEWS, Aug. 1 — An exhibition at the Royal Lancashire (agricultural) Show created by the group Christian Aid was scuttled after intense pressure, Independent Catholic News reported.

The display of photographs and stories from the West Bank illustrated the difficulties Palestinian farmers undergo because of Israeli occupation. But Christian Aid withdrew the exhibit after a barrage of phone calls to Royal Lancashire Show administrators asserted the exhibit was anti-Israeli. When one e-mail threatened a demonstration, police got involved, and the display was soon removed.

“As a Christian organization, it's our duty to speak up for the poor and to highlight the causes of poverty and injustices, and this is exactly what our exhibition does,” said Sue Turrell, head of Christian Aid's Middle East team. “We are unequivocal in our support for the security of the state of Israel and the rights of all Israeli people to live safely and securely. We believe Palestinians should be afforded the same rights.”

State Church Criticizes Vatican-Loyal Bishop

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, July 30 — Communist authorities and their collaborationist Patriotic Church have tried to use a meeting with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C., to discredit the Catholic bishop of Hong Kong, Bishop Joseph Zen.

According to Agence France-Presse, on July 30 these separatist bishops told Cardinal McCarrick, “We've learnt from our Catholic friends in Hong Kong that certain Catholic leaders there have become political stars. They've been putting on shows in a vigorous way that outshines even show-business stars. This does not conform with their religious roles.”

Bishop Zen has roused official anger by opposing the China-based Hong Kong government's plans to impose a stern new “security law” that some fear will take away many civil liberties still enjoyed by the people in that former British colony.

The Chinese official news agency Xinhua quoted Cardinal McCarrick as saying, “Crossing the line between religion and politics [is] dangerous for Catholicism.”

Teach the Faith in Ireland, Go to Jail?

IRISH TIMES, Aug. 2 — Catholics — even clergy and bishops — could face legal action in Ireland for distributing the latest Vatican statement opposing homosexual “marriage,” The Irish Times reported.

Because the document, “Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons,” describes homosexual activity as “evil,” it might fall under the Irish Republic's 1989 “Incitement to Hatred” legislation.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has denounced the Vatican document, issued by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on July 31, and challenged its legality.

While the Church statement insists homosexuals should be treated with “respect, compassion and sensitivity,” it reasserts Catholic teaching that homosexuality is “objectively disordered” and opposes adoption of children by homosexuals.

The paper reported that anyone convicted of inciting hatred in Ireland could face jail terms of up to six months.