Vatican- Pope- I am especially concerned about Indian and Iraqi Christians- under such persecution at present

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. News 24 (secular) 26/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

This Sunday, Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, of the illustrious Roman Catholic Church, having announced plans to visit Africa, noted some spots of trouble for Christians, noting especially some eastern countries, where Christians suffer intolerance, unjust violence, and are forced or threatened into leaving their homes. He by name mentioned India, where over 50 000 Christians have been adversely affected, and 60 have been killed in an anti-Christian Genocide, and Iraq, where about 2300 Christians recently had to flee the city of Mossul.

He also mentioned hopes for China, where authorized religion is controlled, and censored by the state, and Catholic priests and bishops seemingly have appeared to disappear every now and again, and where the underground church suffers grave threats daily. China and the Vatican have no diplomatic relations, this since 1951, and the Chinese Catholic church is considered sacramental by the papacy, but not due to any compromises to allow safe worship in the country, however underground bishops are not permitted to partake in many meetings on Chinese soil.

The "Open" Catholic Church, in the control of the Chinese government, is one Catholics are discouraged from attending in a very extreme sense by the Vatican, due to the control of it by a foreign power.

Chinese milk scandal- catholic woman claims government knowledge!

( Social Justice South Africa; c.f. CathNews)

Article by Marc Aupiais

According to the Australian organization- CathNews,who sites Union of catholic Asia News, and Asianew.it - who cover the milk crises in China- a catholic source is claiming that government representatives knew about the crises three years ago in 2005.

If true- then the claims of a moral degeneration by Chinese Catholics- could be more than simply apt- but in fact a dire cry for aid. Sadly- we often hear of poor safety standards from China- more than that- we often are forced by retailers to support these- in that many of our western products are produced there. Truly- it is not only the Officials or people who knew who are guilty of this, but we also share partly in the remorse of thousands affected- by not asking higher standards of business as regards respect for the fundamental dignity for the human person- by those we buy from.

When we have the option- we should always rather buy products which support healthy business practices- and if possible- from countries which promote good practice

- rewarding such action, as that of those aptly ignoring what should be international health standards, by buying from these countries and companies- means those responsible are less likely to be called to account for it!

Whether or not the claims of knowledge have utter credence- there still must be some negligence in the system- this is not the first health problem we have seen from China- and further- even without knowledge- it should have been sought.

With the given facts- many will have no powerful reason not to believe the reports of knowledge- we have seen very little signs of an improved respect for life and liberty from the Chinese of late- only more of the same. Prayerfully- one day the Chinese will throw off their oppressive cloak- and once again rejoin the civilized human rights governed world- but then again- the issue the Chinese face- which more manifest than in our western nations- can clearly be mirrored in the horror of Abortion, so that- while there are atrocities, or negligence in other parts of the world- the same sins often occur in the west and in Africa- it is not China alone which needs to change their regulations, but rather- every layman should be utterly involved in fighting for respect for human rights in their daily environment- and even in the political sphere.