National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life
 St. Clare Friary
WITNESSING THE GOSPEL OF LOVE AND THE GOSPEL OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY
  440 wEST 36TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10018-6326

 

 

We  need to
 
bring the
 
Gospel of the
 
heart of
 
every man

and woman 

and make it 

penetrate 

every part of

society......


Pope John
Paul II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2, 2003

 

 

Secretary-General Kofi Annan

United Nations Secretary General

United Nations

New York, New York 10017

 

 

Dear Secretary-General Annan,

 

I am deeply distressed that the United Nations Human Rights Commission is considering upgrading Sudan’s human rights status from an Item 9 to Item 19 category, which would in effect let Sudan off the hook for its ongoing genocide.  This resolution sends a strong message to the Sudan government that the international community condones its continuing genocide.  The move from Item 9 to 19 would remove the U.N. Rapporteur for Sudan, freeing the regime from useful scrutiny, and also make Sudan eligible for new U.N. financial support.

 

This change in status is entirely unwarranted by the realities in Sudan, where the human rights abuses are and have been as serious as ever.  It would reward Sudan for genocide at a critical moment in the peace negotiations between the parties.

 

You should also be advised that a U.N. Human Rights Commission’s upgrade could have a devastating impact on the already strained relationship between the United States and United Nations.  I urge you to use your influence to pressure European Union members not to introduce this resolution.

 

I will continue to ask the intercession of Saint Josephine Bakhita for her people in Sudan, and those struggling throughout the world.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rev. Fr. James E. Goode, OFM, Ph.D.

President, National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life

Pastoral Director, Solid Ground Franciscan Ministry

 

 

CC:

EU Secretary General Javier Solana

French Embassy

U. S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
 

The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life was inaugurated in the fall of 1997, with the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the Franciscan Solid Ground Ministry as sponsors and with the support of John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York and the Archdiocese's Office of Black Ministry.

www.blackcatholicsforlife.org

 Join the National Black Catholic Apostolate for life in proclaiming Life by becoming an Affiliate of NBCAL. We would welcome your organization or group 
as an Affiliate of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life as we witness the 
dignity and sacred of life as Black Catholics.  Our affiliates will be posted on the 
website: www.blackcatholicsforlife.org.

              An Affiliate of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life will:

Pray for Life in the Black community and throughout the world.

Proclaim the dignity of human life from the moment of conception to its natural 
end in the Black community and throughout the world.

Promote Pro-Life Issues with the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life in the Black community and throughout the world.

Provide a donation to the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life whenever 
possible to help with: mailings, printing of Pro-Life educational/advocacy materials and outreach programs for the Black Community.

For more information contact us at: tnbcalife@aol.com or Fax 212 563-0787.

Prepared by the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life. 
Copyright   2002.

          “REVERENCE FOR LIFE” A PUBLICATION OF NBCAL CAN BE REPRODUCED TO PROMOTE THE RESPECT LIFE MESSAGE.  KINDLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE FOR LIFE.

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