R E L I E F

Respect Every Life In Every Family

Editorial

The feast of Easter which we will soon be celebrating, brings to mind the feast of LOVE when Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist – where He gave us His body as a remainder that He was giving up His life to bring us Life. This was the culmination of His great love for us. When we truly love someone, we are ready to die so that the other may ‘live’. I would like to share with you the reflections of Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life, in his article from Family Resources Centre News Aug/Sep. 96.

THIS IS MY BODY

Did you ever realize that the same four words that were used by the Lord Jesus to save the world are also used by some to promote abortion, "This is my body." The same simple words are spoken from the opposite ends of the universe, with meanings that are directly contrary to each other. Scripture tells us that on the night before He died to save all people, the Lord Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "This is My Body, which is given up for you." He was pointing to what would happen next day, when He would give that same Body on the cross. He sacrifices Himself so that we may live. He gives us His Body so that He can destroy the power of sin and death. As a result, He welcomes us into His life, into His Kingdom. He makes us member of His Body! On the other hand, abortion supporters say, "This is my body, so don’t interfere with it! It’s mine, so I can do what I want, even to the point of killing life within it. All is secondary to my dominion over my body. "In fact one abortion supporter has written, "I say their (prolifers) God worth is nothing compared to my body." (Mischelle Goldberg, "rant for Choice," in the University of Buffalo student newspaper, 1995). "This is my body." Same words, different results. Christ gave His Body away so that others might live; abortion supporters cling to their own bodies so that others might die. In giving His Body, Christ teaches the meaning of love: I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion teaches the opposite of love: I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself! This is my body. "If, indeed, our body is ours, then let’s ask the next question: Why? The answer is so that we can give our bodies, our lives, ourselves, away in love to one another and to God. Christ declares, "Do this in memory of Me." He calls us to do what He did, and that is precisely how we reverse the dynamic of abortion. Mom and Dad must say to their child: This is my body, my life, given for you," rather than, "This is my body, my life, so go away." HUMAN happiness and fulfilment are never found by pushing other people out of the way. May the Peace, Joy and Love of the Risen Lord Jesus abound in us so that filled with His dynamism we may go forth with greater zest to promote the Culture of Life against the Culture of Death. A Happy and Glorious Easter to you!

Sr. M. Annunciata RGS

On Cloning …….

Cloning and its implications are being debated hotly all over the world. The recent creation of Dolly, a sheep, made headlines. The intention of an American scientist to make human clones was received with mixed feelings and people quickly formed two opposite groups, as often happens! Let us look at this prospect with some clarity and arrive at some reasonable conclusions. Cloning of bacteria has been in vogue for many years. Advances in the knowledge of molecular biology and genetics allowed man, ever inquisitive, to take out a portion of the gene, the DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) and with the help of a bacteria, generally one called E Coli, replicate the gene several folds. If the replications is done for the whole sequence of say insulin, we can make a lot of insulin, called recombinant insulin. In fact such insulin is been in use, employing the E Coli as the factories of drug production. But the creation of a whole animal as in the case of Dolly, was a complex process and the success made heady headlines! But when it comes to the cloning of humans, people started raising eyebrows, not to mention ethical issues involved. But even if a human is cloned from some cell of his body, the "other" will not be a replica of the original "Parent" (we cannot say father or mother for obvious reasons!). Why? Simple because the original being has developed over the years with the parents, his friends, his school teachers, his physical and social surroundings etc., and the clone will certainly not have these reproducible. Hence, it follows that the cloned individual will grow up as another individual far different from the "parent". He will of course be influenced by his own environment and the "real" parents who take care of him/her (though they should really be called surrogate parents.) So the science fiction dream of many Hitlers or Gandhis being cloned is as realistic as …. A dream! I am not concerned about the medical dimension of the problem of human cloning, even assuming it can be done in the next 50 years by increasing intelligence of homo sapiens. I am far more concerned about the moral dimension of the problem. If this cloned child were to ask who my parents are, what do we tell him? Will he grow up as a "freak" be ridiculed at school? Will this harm his mind and development as a socially complete being? More serious are the misuse that man is capable of; intelligence does not, unfortunately, translate into wisdom. If the cloned being is created only as an altruistic experiment, it is one thing. But how am I sure that such people will not be created say for organ donation by the needy? Are you sure that these beings will be like the rest of us with our own moral rights? Who will protect them from being grown in asylums, far from "human" eyes, to be for medical experiments, all in the (un) fair grab of science? Can the whole world get into a fair understanding that some of the cloned beings will not be developed, say with lesser intelligence by modulating the diet for example, so that they can serve as slaves for the people who created them? These are dark waters and shudder to think of the scenario. The Boys from Brazil was written as pure fiction but then when it past, today’s fantasy is often true tomorrow. No, from whatever angle I look at it, I cannot escape from the conclusion that man is not wise enough and compassionate enough in the present day world to have earned the right to clone other beings. Far from it, I think it is best to let nature do its own way, and allow natural selection as in the present way of human reproduction, parents and grandparents and all. If necessary, I will start the social movement against human cloning, by first signing a legal document asserting that I SHALL NOT be cloned! I say this not to show modesty, but in stark fear!

Dr. OM PRAKASH , Head of the Dept of Medicine St. Martha’s Hospital

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

History reveals that violence against women has been a common phenomenon in all classes and societies of humanity. Killing, raping, maiming, assaulting are the most common activities reported, besides a large number of sadistic violence against women. Inspite of many laws, rules and regulations woman is still subjected to aggressive abuse.

The Constitutional battle alone cannot save the woman but it should be aided by conscious effort by all concerned. The intensity of violence against women has risen to that extent that their very survival is threatening. Social evils add to the atrocities. However, change is seen in the present day women who are better educated about social legislations and the society.

The United Nations General Assembly declaration of December ‘93 on Violence against Women states that

1. Violence against women is an obstacle to the achievement of equality, development and peace.
2. Violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of human rights and fundamental freedom.
3. Violence against women in manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women which has led to domination over, and discrimination against women by men.
4. Violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position.
5. The Declaration recognizes that "Violence against woman" in the family, and society is pervasive and cuts across lines of income, class and culture.

Statistics show that violence against women is found in all the countries, be it a highly advanced country like U.S or totally underdeveloped country like Ethiopia. Instances of rape, reported or unreported, pushing young girls into prostitution, selling of the female child have been on steep increase. Laws are unable to curb the dowry related murders in India. Parallel violence is seen in most of the third world countries. Women subjected to violence sometimes become physically and mentally handicapped. Abused women are subjected to personality depression and lose confidence in the society. The children get affected and the families become shattered. Who’s to blame? The society?

Mahatma Gandhi said "The day a woman walks in the middle of the night on the streets without any fear, the country has achieved real independence". Could we expect that Golden Day?

Prof. Vanaja S Kumar , HOD OF SOCIOLOGY BMS COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

TO CLONE A DYING CHILD?

Is it reasonable to clone a dying child id this is what the grieving parents want? The answer is no …. When a child is cloned, it is not the parents who are reproducing, but the child is cloned, it is not the parents who are reproducing, but the child. No one should have such dominion over a child - even a dead or dying child - as to use its gene to create the child’s child.

-George Annas, Professor of health law and bioethics at Boston University

R.F.L.I. PROGRAMMES AT A GLANCE JAN - FEB 1998 Programmes on self Awareness, Human Sexuality, Respect For Life (RFL) & AIDS were conducted by Sr. Annunciata, Mrs. Phyllis Farias, Mrs. Barbra Naidu and Miss Louella Sequeira. Fr. Cruice Sanjivi CSsR gave talks at various parishes in English and Tamil. Classes on Marriage prepration, Family Life Education, Natural Family Planning (NFP) and Human Sexuality were conducted by Mrs. Kumari Baptist, in Tamil and Kannada.

04. 01. 98 St. Joseph’s Church, Prolife theme 800 Persons Lingarajpuram 05. 01. 98 St. Mary’s G. H. School Self Awareness, 143 Students & Miller’s Road, Bangalore Human Sexuality of Std IX 06. 01. 98 RFL & AIDS A & B 07. 01. 98 St. Mary’s G. H. School Self Awareness, 140 Students & Miller’s Road, Bangalore Human Sexuality of Std IX 08. 01. 98 RFL & AIDS C & D 10. 01. 98 Don Bosco Centre Family Life Education 36 Women Slum area, Lingarajapuram 26 Girls 11. 01. 98 St. Martha’s Hospital Sharing of activities of 20 Persons Pro-life units 11.01. 98 St. Joseph’s Church Pro-life theme L R Puram 13. 01. 98 St. Martha’s Self Awareness 50 Students to School of Nursing Preciousness of Life, 15. 01. 98 Human Sexuality, RFL 15. 01. 98 Palottine Church, Work done by pro-life 1000 Persons Banaswadi 17. 01. 98 Don Bosco, Family Life Education 36 Women Lingarajpuram Marital Problems 26 Girls Health & Environment 18. 01. 98 Holy Ghost Church Preciousness of Life & 1000 Persons Abortion 24. 01. 98 Devarajeevanahalli Marriage Preparation 75 Ladies Devarajaurs Colony Family Life, NFP 36 Teenage Girls 24. 01. 98 Copper Cottage Marriage preparation 10 Persons to Lingarajapuram 28. 01. 98 29. 01. 98 Holy Ghost Church Marriage Preparation 35 Members 31. 01. 98 Devarjeevanahalli preciousness of Life & 37 Ladies Abortion 01. 02. 98 St. Joseph’s church Pro-life theme & work 800 Persons Lingarajpuram done in Bangalore 07. 02. 98 Devarjeevanahalli Preciousness of Life & 37 Ladies Abortion 09. 02. 98 St. Alphonsus School Sex Education 150 Girls 10. 02. 98 St. Alphonsus School Sex Education 148 Boys 10. 02. 98 St. Alphonsus School RFL Silent Scream 18 Teachers 14. 02. 98 Devarjeevanahalli Sex Education 21 Girls 21. 02. 98 Don Bosco centre Family Life Relationship 36 Members 22. 02. 98 Holy Ghost Church Marriage Preparation 56 Members to 28. 02. 98 28. 02. 98 Devarjeevanahalli Sex Education 36 Girls

HERE COME "FAST FOOD" ABORTIONS

In England, Marie Stopes International (MSI) recently offered to abort babies in 10 minutes, during the mother’s lunch breaks, if they are not more than three months pregnant. The advertised price was about $430. Health Minister Tessa Jowell spelled out her fears about ‘lunchtime abortions."

The announcements of the "walk-in/ walk-out, 10 minute, quick abortion" by Dr. Tim Black, chief executive of MSI, shocked a nation that’s hardly shockable any more when it comes to abortion. Marie Stopes, by the way, was the Margaret Sanger of England, almost a contemporary, although more educated and sensible than the maverick founders of PP. Like the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), MSI runs a global chain of abortion centres, fuelled with tax money and private wealth.

(Source; HLI Special Report No. 152 August 1997)

A Baby gives new life to a world grown old before its time.

A Family is literally a "museum of memories" to those who have been blessed with children.

- James Dobson

TEEN CORNER

I received a letter from a boy I’ve met only a few times. He says that he cares for me a lot, and that he thinks about me every minute of the day. Do you think he really loves me?

He is more likely to be infatuated with you. A boy who is sexually attracted to a girl (or vice versa) can experience strong emotions. Being the "loved one", you can often be in his thoughts, and daydreams are likely to distract him from his work. Undoubtedly, he would want to be constantly near you, and may even feel jealous if he knows you are with other boys. Though romantic infatuations can give rise to feelings that are intense and exciting, it is very different from real love. Love is much more than a feeling. Feeling change easily. If a relationship is based on mutual still retains freedom to grow as an individual.

It is probable that in a relationship between a boy and a girl, friendship, love, romantic infatuation and even exploitation are all present. The question is to what extent each component is present. A relationship based primarily on infatuation will not last. How would you know it if a relationship is more friendship and love, and less infatuation? You have to look honestly into your relationship. For instance, do you really know each other well? A relationship is more likely to grow into love if you can communicate well and share your thoughts and interests. Dose your relationship tend to exclude others, or do you occasionally go out separately with old friends so as to keep in touch with them? In romantic infatuation, there is a strong tendency to spend a lot of time with each other only, and to be jealous of the other person’s relationships with third parties. A love relationship, on the other hand, gives each other freedom to pursue personal interest and to grow as individual persons. If you want a relationship to grow, you must deepen the friendship part and reduce the infatuation component.

Excerpts from letters …..

These two days helped me greatly because I came to know more about life, what’s going on inside my body and about the future. ‘It will also be helpful to many girls, like those who were about to commit suicide due to many reasons like failing in examinations and things like that.’

--Elizabeth I learned that I’m someone special, I’m precious on the earth and I need to build up my self esteem. ‘I will also pray to God to stop these abortions, not to give children to those mothers.’

--Pooja I was happy to learn many things, especially about the embryo in the mother’s uterus which is so precious. ‘I also came to learn how t be friendly with boys ….’

-Nirmala ‘I am thankful to you for coming to our school and teaching us many things we did not know, we did not know whom to ask. ‘The two days helped me change myself, behave well with others, especially to co-operate and understand the feeling of others.’

-Shirley ‘What I liked most was the topic of love. It will help in my future to avoid the wrong things in love. It may harm me, but I will be very careful.’

-Ashwini ‘We girls were innocent and we thought our life is just like how it goes on. But after listening to the session, we have become bold enough to face our life carefully and happily.’

-Maria This course has helped me, because it has made me understand what the world expects of me and what I expect of the world. It has made me understand things about which I would not be free to discuss with my parents. ‘Before we enter the world full of people who are ready to use us, they have warned us about those people and saved us from falling into trouble.’

"THE MIRACLE INJECTION"

A nun, nursing terminally ill cancer patients, often comes across her patients pleading her to end their terrible suffering with an "INJECTION OF DEATH". A sharp pain results in this nun’s heart at this request because she herself sees and feels the terrible suffering that cancer brings to the patient. The suffering and pain is not limited only to the area of the body affected by cancer but deep down into the inner being. Bed-ridden, totally dependent on the family to take care of them, who many a time, reject them or are too tired of the long drawn out treatment with constant pain and agony. The terrible suffering has started telling on the family too. Agony of seeing the cancer, or money being stretched to the limits or recreation coming to a stop or just tiredness, are just some of the reasons that the family is faced with. Many a times a cold hardness of the heart sets into those caring for the sick persons which results in this suffering patient having a further trauma of rejection. The added depression and internal suffering is what escalates the pain of cancer and there is a pushing desperate force to end this suffering once for all ….. "EUTHANSIA".

The nun uses the best ever injection. "THE INJECTION OF LIFE WHICH IS LOVE ITSELF". Her hands are by themselves agents of tenderness, as they work on the cancer and bring relief from pain to the patient. More important than the nursing the nun uses "LOVE and COMPASSION" as she gives a listening ear, a tender touch, a loving and strengthening word, and the "MIRACLE INJECTION" is given. The patient comes alive again with a renewed spirit to live anew.

Knowing that this renewed spirit of living in the patient will not last long if she does not reach out to mend the pain, the depression and fears of the family, the nun again uses the "INJECTION OF LOVE" and becomes the mediator to lovingly explain the trauma of the sick person to the family and the trauma of the family to the sick person. After all both do not really know what the other is going through in this situation. Suddenly there is a understanding and the love lost returns to both the patient and the family and there is a rekindling of love. This love brings a tranquilizing effect on the pain of the patient which generates to the family and there "THE INJECTION OF LOVE BECOMES A MIRACLE DRUG".

God is the ultimate source of unselfish love. The flowing of us, human beings into this love by giving up our own selfish loves, will result into a "BEAUTIFUL NEW WORLD OF LOVE". This fusing of self into the loving plan of God will eliminate forever the terrible destruction of the man-made world. Suicide, euthanasia, abortion, murder, war, ecological destruction and other destructive forces will disappear and peace, joy and love will result.

Like this nun who "Practised what is preached" let those of us who have experienced this unselfish love of God too advertise this "INJECTION OF LOVE" to all …… "BY OUR EXAMPLE".

-Sunil Menon, Bangalore -Sunil Menon spends his time with cancer patients in various hospitals after his work at Escorts.

THINK ABOUT THIS --- YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Mrs. Selva thought me about Self-Respect. She does not eulogise or writes essays but she lives it. I have a story on her modus operandi.

Walking down Brigade Road one afternoon she was trailed by a beggar on a low cart pleading for alms. He was an amputee with no lower limbs and propelled himself by his hands. She stopped and said, "Why do you people beg? Can you not get some work?"

He said, "Look at me, madam, do you think I can get any work? Do you think I enjoy this humiliating begging?"

"Is that so?" she asked, scribbling a note, she gave it to him and said he would find help there if he wished.

Today, Mani, the beggar, no longer begs. He can be seen tending the garden at ECD Industries factory on Hosur Road. He wears a shirt and cap and pushes himself around the tidy garden, watering and weeding. After hours, he lives in the outhouse at the back, feeds the dogs and keeps as eye on the back-gate. He holds himself with pride and has a smile for everyone-especially Mrs. Selva

Now we all scorn or pity beggars and would like to see them off the roads, but have you ever wondered what they think of themselves? Can you imagine the poverty of emotion and self worth that keep them in this state?

Human beings were not meant to live this way. The sociological factors and forces at play may be varied and complex but I will not be paralysed by them.

Though the other argument is easy money, I truly believe that it is this haunting debasement that could push them to try any job that comes their way even crime-linked ones.

We could break this cycle. Instead of the usual cynical view of beggars, let us try some good, old-fashioned compassion. Look at them as humans in need of a chance and offer one if we can. What is truly frightening is the "poverty fatigue" creeping into society leaving only apathy. Shrug it off and reach out to at least one person. Help him regain his self-respect and together we can make a difference.

Dr. Olinda Timms

ALL ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY

The church teaches that homosexual persons "must be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons they are Christians, to untie to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition". (CCC 2358) However, the Church also insists that "Under no circumstances can homosexual acts be approved". (CCC2357)

Yet approval is what many practising homosexual persons demand. When Archbishop Pell refused to give Holy Communion to men wearing rainbow sashes at Mass recently in Melbourne, he did so because, he explained, these people were condoning homosexual activity and calling on the Church to change her ancient teaching.

The Church is not about to change her teaching. Homosexuality is a disorder and persons suffering this disorder need help. What they do not need is to be told that they do not need to change, that homosexuality is "OK" and should be encouraged and given society’s and the Church blessing.

Recently in Queensland, an attempt was made to give same-sex couples legal claim over the estates of partners who die without a will. Jon Sullivan, member for Caboolture in Queensland, was unsuccessful in calling for this change. However, we can be sure that this will not be the end of the matter. Now, Sydneysiders have learned that their city will host the 2002 Gay Games! Sydney has been described as having the highest gay and lesbian profile in the world. On the surface, any attempt to halt the homosexual juggernaut would seem doomed to failure.

However, we must not forget that, despite the bold face put on by so many homosexual activities, they are not the ‘gay’ people they want to be. The trouble is, the more society recognise and ‘blesses’ homosexual relationships, the less help is offered to those who want to be rescued from what is a very personally destructive life-style.

(Source: Editorial, Life-Lines, Dec.1997/ Jan 1998)

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED ….. (Contd.)

In our previous issues we reported about the injustice suffered by Fr. Christudas at Dumka. We may have asked ourselves why was there so much antagonism against him. A Delhi-based Non-Govt. Human Rights Trust after investigation has said that after taking over charge as the Vice-Principal of the school, Christudas has enforced a strict discipline because of which the students had to abstain from drugs, alcohol and indecent ragging in the school. He had also dismissed some students for indiscipline in the past and banned the participation of students in strikes and bandhs organized by a local college students. Fr. Christudas had also streamlined the school admission policy because of which local officials including the Deputy Commissioner whose recommendations the formed bad refused, were annoyed with him. He had also antagonised some local traders, as he did not allow the forming of college hostels around the campus.

The investigating team after visiting Dumka in its report says:

1. That the complaint was not a minor as reported and was a divorcee who studied in class seven.
2. That the incident appeared to be pre-planned and was executed using the school boys in which the administration, police officials and students of a local college were involved.

Hence, the report observes that the police and civil administration could have prevented the incident as it was the handiwork of a few miscreants and the remaining crowd were mere onlookers.

However, the Human Right Trust has found Fr. Christudas, innocent and a victim of a conspiracy.

Fr. Cruice J Sanjivi CSsR Redemptorist Philosophate, Banglore 84

HIGHLIGHTS OF TRAINING PROGRAMME

• Directive and Non-directive Sex Education
• Being comfortable a sex Educator.
• Sex Education: A Denomination Session (The Knowledge & Skills component)
• Answering Students’ Questions on Sexual Behaviour: Developing positive attitudes
• Child Abuse and its effects. Teaching children Skills to withstand Sexual Abuse
• Abortion & Cloning : tampering with nature’s and God’s Pro-life design
• Contraceptives: What the Sex Educator needs to know
• Natural Family Planing
• HIV / AIDS - Myths and Facts
• Evolving your own Sex Education session. The detailed programme will be sent to you on receipt of the application form.

When you've finished reading this newsletter, you are encouraged to take a print out and please pass it on to a friend or relative!

Published by Sr. Annuntiata, RFLI, C/o. St. Martha's Hospital, Bangalore GPO 560 001, Karnataka, INDIA

Pro-Life : Relief News Letter May-June 97 Issue, Bangalore

Pro-Life : RELIEF News Letter July-August 97 Issue, Bangalore

Pro-Life : RELIEF News Letter March-April 98 Issue, Bangalore

Pro-Life : RELIEF News Letter May-June 98 Issue, Bangalore

Pro-Life : RELIEF News Letter July-August 98 Issue, Bangalore

Pro-Life : RELIEF News Letter September - October 98 Issue, Bangalore

Pro-Life : RELIEF News Letter November - December 98 Issue, Bangalore

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