African bishops throw swift punch at 'ideological colonization' [CNA]

[CNA_News]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/i...azur_catholicnewsorguk_CNA_10_5_15.jpgVatican City, Oct 8, 2015 / 10:38 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Heavy criticism of the West imposing secular values on Africa in exchange for aid emerged as a theme from the continent’s bishops, as the Vatican’s synod on the family kicks off its first week.

From press conferences to individual interviews, multiple prelates voiced concern over what Pope Francis has termed "ideological colonization," in which Western nations have made the acceptance of legislature favoring gay rights and "marriage" contingent on receiving financial aid.

"It's one thing that the African bishops are very, very conscious of," Cardinal Wilfred Napier of South Africa told journalists Oct. 7.

"What we are talking about is when countries are told unless you pass certain legislation, you're not going to get aid from the governments or aid agencies," he said, pointing to the danger of "political colonization" being replaced "by a different kind of colonization."

This year's Synod on the Family, which runs from  Oct. 4-25, is the second and larger of two such gatherings to take place in the course of a year. Like its 2014 precursor, the focus of the 2015 Synod of Bishops will be the family, this time with the theme: "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the modern world."

Cardinal Napier held up the example of the Obama administration, specifically the President's visit to Kenya in July. During his two-day trip to the country Obama spoke out about the importance of gay rights, despite requests from Kenya's leaders to not address the issue. Homosexual acts are illegal in Kenya, as well as several other African countries. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State "repeated much the same message" to Africa as well, he added.

In an Oct. 8 interview with CNA, Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu and president of the Ugandan Episcopal Conference called the act "criminal," and said ideologies must never be attached to receiving aid, which is meant to save lives.

"The issue of homosexuality should not be linked with saying 'if you don't accept this we won't help you,' that is criminal, I call it criminal," he said.

"Aid should not be linked with ideological acceptance or rejection. Aid is to save human life. If you link it to ideology it becomes contradictory...it is self-defeating."

Human beings must be helped without any conditions attached, Archbishop Odama said, adding that the survival of human life "is paramount," and that the family exists precisely to promote human life.

"Any other society, any other groups elsewhere should exist to promote life and protect life, so if it intends to limit the life to be protected or to be accepted to a certain way of thinking then we run shot, and that running short is not only for that small group, but it is against humanity," he said.

"So any issue against human life is an issue against humanity in general."

In an Oct. 8 press briefing with journalists, Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra, Ghana lamented how some European countries pressured Africa to accept legislation favoring gay "marriage" after Pope Francis made his  2013 "Who am I to judge?" comment on the way back from Rio de Janiero in reference gay individuals authentically seeking Christ.

The comment, he said, "had huge repercussions in our country (Ghana)," and prompted one European country - which he identified as Britain - "to tell us that if we do not accept this gay marriages and the rest, they were not going to give us financial help."

"We found it rather very sad that some government could take the sovereignty of another country and say 'if you don't do this we won't do that,'" he said, calling the move a "gross violation of what we call the sovereignty of countries."

Similarly, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, C.M, archbishop of Addis Abeba in Ethiopia, told CNA Oct. 8 that Africa's traditional values must be respected.

He recalled how when Benedict XVI visited Africa in 2011, the pontiff said that the African continent has "their own values you are in fact the spiritual lung of the world and you can become the spiritual lungs of the world because you have traditional values."

Protecting those values, such as life and the love and protection of it, is of utmost importance to the African bishops, the cardinal said, explaining that they have already spoken about these issues and "we will speak about them more I feel."

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Full article…

 

[SuperLuigi]

Tell me more about how the First World left “cares” about people.

They are using foreign aid as a carrot stick to shove their agenda down the throats of the Third World just like they are doing to Christian conservatives in their own countries just so they can have good feelings inside.

I fully support African, Asian, Oceanian and Latin American leaders to resist so-called gay “marriage” and abortion and call it what it is:

Intolerance and colonialism.

 

[HCTC]

I know next to nothing about this. However, governments and aid organizations in Western countries are always concerned about human rights. In my humble opinion, the treatment of people who are gay by government institutions falls under the heading of “human rights.”

I can understand why the leaders in African nations do not like it, but I think that it is entirely appropriate for aid to be contingent on the enactment of measures aimed at alleviating the persecution and prosecution of people who are gay. They are also children of God.

 

[Phil502]

Tell me more about how the First World left “cares” about people.

They are using foreign aid as a carrot stick to shove their agenda down the throats of the Third World just like they are doing to Christian conservatives in their own countries just so they can have good feelings inside.

I fully support African, Asian, Oceanian and Latin American leaders to resist so-called gay “marriage” and abortion and call it what it is:

Intolerance and colonialism.

:clapping:

 

[phil19034]

I know next to nothing about this. However, governments and aid organizations in Western countries are always concerned about human rights. In my humble opinion, the treatment of people who are gay by government institutions falls under the heading of “human rights.”

I can understand why the leaders in African nations do not like it, but I think that it is entirely appropriate for aid to be contingent on the enactment of measures aimed at alleviating the persecution and prosecution of people who are gay. They are also children of God.

You have to learn more about this… The West (including the Obama Administration) is holding aid hostage unless African nations legalize abortion, “gay marriage”, etc.

Obviously, the persecution of gays is bad, but for the United States and other nations to force their pro-abortion, pro-population control, and pro-sodomy agenda on other nations, holding financial aid hostage, is morally wrong.

I heard a talk somewhere (I believe here on Catholic Answers, though I can’t find it) which was about the myth of population control. And it was very enlightening regarding what the Obama Administration is doing in Africa.

 

[HCTC]

You have to learn more about this… The West (including the Obama Administration) is holding aid hostage unless African nations legalize abortion, “gay marriage”, etc.

Obviously, the persecution of gays is bad, but for the United States and other nations to force their pro-abortion, pro-population control, and pro-sodomy agenda on other nations, holding financial aid hostage, is morally wrong.

I heard a talk somewhere (I believe here on Catholic Answers, though I can’t find it) which was about the myth of population control. And it was very enlightening regarding what the Obama Administration is doing in Africa.

You are right; I should learn more. I’m starting by researching the situation that gay people face in some African countries, and then I will research what Western governments and non-government aid groups are doing. There is quite a lot online about how gay people in Africa are persecuted and prosecuted. Here is some information from RNS:

"SYRACUSE, N.Y. (RNS) A growing number of LGBT Ugandans are fleeing to neighboring Kenya to escape violence and persecution, a Ugandan Catholic priest says.

People are beaten, raped, evicted and dismissed from their jobs because of their sexual identity or orientation, the Rev. Anthony Musaala said during a talk at All Saints Catholic Church as part of a month long visit to the United States and Canada.

Even associating with or advocating for LGBT people may spur discrimination, he said."

Here is a link to the article:

religionnews.com/2015/06/05/ugandan-priest-lgbt-people-fleeing-kenya-avoid-rampant-discimination/

I think that it will be a little more involved to sort out the second phase of my research which will have to wait until I have more time, but I will make a follow up post about what Western governments and aid agencies are doing via-a-vis the persecution of homosexuals in Africa.

Reading about the real time persecution of anyone is not how I like to spend my time. Still, I sincerely thank you for suggesting that I become more informed. I probably should have done so before commenting.

 

[EmperorNapoleon]

Tell me more about how the First World left “cares” about people.

They are using foreign aid as a carrot stick to shove their agenda down the throats of the Third World just like they are doing to Christian conservatives in their own countries just so they can have good feelings inside.

I fully support African, Asian, Oceanian and Latin American leaders to resist so-called gay “marriage” and abortion and call it what it is:

Intolerance and colonialism.

As it stands, much of the financial aide is pocketed by such corrupt leaders and their cronies and charities have to budget for bribes to local officials so they can operate. I dare say that if such persons were as vocal and critical of the reasons why financial aide is needed in the first place then this would be a non-issue. If they don’t want strings attached to financial aide then they should stop violating human rights and actually do something to lift their people out of abject poverty. Otherwise they can pound sand.

 

[phil19034]

As it stands, much of the financial aide is pocketed by such corrupt leaders and their cronies and charities have to budget for bribes to local officials so they can operate. I dare say that if such persons were as vocal and critical of the reasons why financial aide is needed in the first place then this would be a non-issue. If they don’t want strings attached to financial aide then they should stop violating human rights and actually do something to lift their people out of abject poverty. Otherwise they can pound sand.

This isn’t entirely accurate. Western governments typically don’t give much direct aid to the governments that are hoarding all the money.

Yes, those are the nations where people are starving. The aid in those governments to directly to the relief agencies that try to help, and yes sometimes those corrupt governments steal the supplies.

But we are not talking about those nations. We are talking about the nicer governments which are doing the best they can to help their people, but are poor.

Those are the African nations that western nations are holding relief aid hostage in exchange for pro abortion laws, pro-same sex marriage laws, pro-population control laws, etc.

 

[HCTC]

You have to learn more about this… The West (including the Obama Administration) is holding aid hostage unless African nations legalize abortion, “gay marriage”, etc.

Here’s what I have learned about humanitarian aid generally:

The whole field of humanitarian aid in Africa is especially complex generally. In some respects Christianity is arguably in opposition to traditional African values.

“Conditionally” is a long-standing, accepted and possibly intrinsic element of humanitarian aid that becomes evident in the consideration of ways in which the provision of aid might exacerbate the victimization of oppressed groups. Here are some examples:

“It has been suggested that International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform measures in the former Yugoslavia helped to reinforce group dynamics that were leading to conflict. Robert Muscat writes about a similar situation in Rwanda, which before the 1994 genocide was seen as one of the most successful recipients of aid. There, all aid resources flowed through the central government, and aid was therefore a factor in the institutional discrimination against Tutsis. The World Bank later acknowledged that it had been aware of the growing discrimination against Tutsis, but had always attempted to take an apolitical stance toward provision of aid. With hindsight, such a stance can seem naive and even irresponsible.”
beyondintractability.org/essay/incentives

Here is a link to some basic training information about the subject of humanitarian aid generally:

beyondintractability.org/essay/humanitarian-aid

Here is what I have learned specifically about the United States and President Obama:

In the article we are discussing, African Bishops complain about comments made by President Obama during his trip to Kenya. Here is an account of that event from the L.A. Times:

“Standing side by side with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Obama called upon Kenya and other African governments to set an example by banning state discrimination against gays and lesbians. “When you start treating people differently, not because of any harm they’re doing to anybody, but because they are different, that’s the path whereby freedoms begin to erode and bad things happen,” Obama said, evoking his own experience with discrimination as an African American in the United States.”

It is an interesting article with additional background information about human rights in Kenya and Kenyan aid expectations such as their complaints “that Obama has not delivered any new, sweeping American aid programs, such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief under George W. Bush.” Here’s a link to the article:
latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-obama-kenya-ties-20150725-story.html

I agree with the comments made by President Obama in Kenya and support them as completely appropriate. I do not believe that President Obama suggested any conditionally regarding the provision of aid. However, it may have been taken that way since there has been no aid program to Africa during the Obama administration comparable to that under Bush 43.

Those are the African nations that western nations are holding relief aid hostage in exchange for pro abortion laws, pro-same sex marriage laws, pro-population control laws, etc.

From what I have read, your statement above is mistaken - at least as far as the United States is concerned. However, as I noted, conditionality is a frequent and prudent component of humanitarian aid.

 

[Exiled_Child]

Tell me more about how the First World left “cares” about people.

They are using foreign aid as a carrot stick to shove their agenda down the throats of the Third World just like they are doing to Christian conservatives in their own countries just so they can have good feelings inside.

I fully support African, Asian, Oceanian and Latin American leaders to resist so-called gay “marriage” and abortion and call it what it is:

Intolerance and colonialism.

 

[Exiled_Child]

This is a very interesting and important story, and I hope this becomes a big “issue” that people talk about. I didn’t know any of this before I read the article. It’s really disturbing.

 

[Sarah_B_Good]

Tell me more about how the First World left “cares” about people.

They are using foreign aid as a carrot stick to shove their agenda down the throats of the Third World just like they are doing to Christian conservatives in their own countries just so they can have good feelings inside.

I fully support African, Asian, Oceanian and Latin American leaders to resist so-called gay “marriage” and abortion and call it what it is:

Intolerance and colonialism.

The irony of your comments is that the existence of Christianity in the places you mention is the result of colonialism and intolerance of people who were often considered “savages” and labeled as “primitive.”

 

[Sarah_B_Good]

Here’s what I have learned about humanitarian aid generally:

The whole field of humanitarian aid in Africa is especially complex generally. In some respects Christianity is arguably in opposition to traditional African values.

“Conditionally” is a long-standing, accepted and possibly intrinsic element of humanitarian aid that becomes evident in the consideration of ways in which the provision of aid might exacerbate the victimization of oppressed groups. Here are some examples:

“It has been suggested that International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform measures in the former Yugoslavia helped to reinforce group dynamics that were leading to conflict. Robert Muscat writes about a similar situation in Rwanda, which before the 1994 genocide was seen as one of the most successful recipients of aid. There, all aid resources flowed through the central government, and aid was therefore a factor in the institutional discrimination against Tutsis. The World Bank later acknowledged that it had been aware of the growing discrimination against Tutsis, but had always attempted to take an apolitical stance toward provision of aid. With hindsight, such a stance can seem naive and even irresponsible.”
beyondintractability.org/essay/incentives

Here is a link to some basic training information about the subject of humanitarian aid generally:

beyondintractability.org/essay/humanitarian-aid

Here is what I have learned specifically about the United States and President Obama:

In the article we are discussing, African Bishops complain about comments made by President Obama during his trip to Kenya. Here is an account of that event from the L.A. Times:

“Standing side by side with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Obama called upon Kenya and other African governments to set an example by banning state discrimination against gays and lesbians. “When you start treating people differently, not because of any harm they’re doing to anybody, but because they are different, that’s the path whereby freedoms begin to erode and bad things happen,” Obama said, evoking his own experience with discrimination as an African American in the United States.”

It is an interesting article with additional background information about human rights in Kenya and Kenyan aid expectations such as their complaints “that Obama has not delivered any new, sweeping American aid programs, such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief under George W. Bush.” Here’s a link to the article:
latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-obama-kenya-ties-20150725-story.html

I agree with the comments made by President Obama in Kenya and support them as completely appropriate. I do not believe that President Obama suggested any conditionally regarding the provision of aid. However, it may have been taken that way since there has been no aid program to Africa during the Obama administration comparable to that under Bush 43.

From what I have read, your statement above is mistaken - at least as far as the United States is concerned. However, as I noted, conditionality is a frequent and prudent component of humanitarian aid.

Like you, I am unaware of any aid actually being withheld or made contingent upon such conditions. And I too agree that Obama’s comments in Kenya were perfectly appropriate and in my opinion praise worthy in consideration of Kenya’s anti-gay laws which not only criminalize homosexuality severely, but also ignore the mob mentality and violence so often doled out against gay individuals, incidences that are completely ignored and uninvestigated by law enforcement officials. If any other group were subjected to this type of treatment, I doubt there would be much complaint about the President speaking out against it.

 

[HCTC]

This is a very interesting and important story, and I hope this becomes a big “issue” that people talk about. I didn’t know any of this before I read the article. It’s really disturbing.

I agree, the specific issues as presented in this article and the subject of conditionally in regards to humanitarian aid generally are worthy of our consideration and discussion. Both the African bishops’ feelings of fear regarding the appropriation of humanitarian aid and the plight of gay people in Africa are serious and complex matters. In my humble opinion, we must bring our intelligence, our discernment skills, and our respect for opposing opinions to the dialogue with the ultimate goal of increasing our understanding.

 

[phil19034]

Here’s what I have learned about humanitarian aid generally:

The whole field of humanitarian aid in Africa is especially complex generally. In some respects Christianity is arguably in opposition to traditional African values.

“Conditionally” is a long-standing, accepted and possibly intrinsic element of humanitarian aid that becomes evident in the consideration of ways in which the provision of aid might exacerbate the victimization of oppressed groups. Here are some examples:

“It has been suggested that International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform measures in the former Yugoslavia helped to reinforce group dynamics that were leading to conflict. Robert Muscat writes about a similar situation in Rwanda, which before the 1994 genocide was seen as one of the most successful recipients of aid. There, all aid resources flowed through the central government, and aid was therefore a factor in the institutional discrimination against Tutsis. The World Bank later acknowledged that it had been aware of the growing discrimination against Tutsis, but had always attempted to take an apolitical stance toward provision of aid. With hindsight, such a stance can seem naive and even irresponsible.”
beyondintractability.org/essay/incentives

Here is a link to some basic training information about the subject of humanitarian aid generally:

beyondintractability.org/essay/humanitarian-aid

Here is what I have learned specifically about the United States and President Obama:

In the article we are discussing, African Bishops complain about comments made by President Obama during his trip to Kenya. Here is an account of that event from the L.A. Times:

“Standing side by side with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Obama called upon Kenya and other African governments to set an example by banning state discrimination against gays and lesbians. “When you start treating people differently, not because of any harm they’re doing to anybody, but because they are different, that’s the path whereby freedoms begin to erode and bad things happen,” Obama said, evoking his own experience with discrimination as an African American in the United States.”

It is an interesting article with additional background information about human rights in Kenya and Kenyan aid expectations such as their complaints “that Obama has not delivered any new, sweeping American aid programs, such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief under George W. Bush.” Here’s a link to the article:
latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-obama-kenya-ties-20150725-story.html

I agree with the comments made by President Obama in Kenya and support them as completely appropriate. I do not believe that President Obama suggested any conditionally regarding the provision of aid. However, it may have been taken that way since there has been no aid program to Africa during the Obama administration comparable to that under Bush 43.

From what I have read, your statement above is mistaken - at least as far as the United States is concerned. However, as I noted, conditionality is a frequent and prudent component of humanitarian aid.

I found the Catholic Answers Radio show I was looking for.

Please listen to this episode… it was very informative. While I think listening to this whole show is 100% worth it, but if you don’t have enough time, start at minute 14:02

catholic.com/radio/shows/the-overpopulation-myth-31871

It also details what the Bishops were really upset about. Obviously, the Bishops do not condone pagans and muslims killing gays, but they are not going to condone legalizing gay marriage - which is the Obama Administration’s way to eliminate discrimination.

God Bless!