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News Archive CLICK HERE for the printer-friendly version of this page. • Church's
UN Representative Promotes Religious Freedom in Romania Church's UN Representative Promotes Religious Freedom in Romania
Calarasi,
Romania, September 26, 2002. Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations representative
for the Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently visiting Romania to
promote religious freedom in the country. Organized by the Romanian Religious Liberty Association leader Viorel Dima with the participation of local Adventist church leaders, the meeting was hosted by the regional council vice-president Marian Dragan. In a personal conversation with Gallagher, Dragan commended the work to promote religious freedom and identified this as of considerable interest in his district. "We appreciate what you are doing and will work with you to develop understanding of human rights and religious freedom."
"This
was an excellent opportunity to develop our external strategy of contacts
with outside organizations and other churches," say Dima. "We
value the contributions that such meetings make to the improvement of
religious freedom in our country." Violence
Against Christians Continue in Pakistan Silver Spring, MD...
[PARL news]. For the 38th time, the world celebrated International Literacy
Day in Paris earlier this month where the importance of literacy and basic
education is linked to freedom and development. Recent figures released
by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) showed a steady fall in the number of illiterate adults from
22.4 percent to 20.3 percent in 2000. In that same year about 877 million
adults were non-literate, and 113 million children were not attending
school. Of these the most affected non-literate group is women. UN Liaison Director Visits 3ABN
Silver Spring, MD… On September 19, at a visit to the headquarters of the Christian broadcasting station Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist Church, presented case studies with video evidence of persecution and intolerance of Christians in several countries. Hosted and interviewed by 3ABN owners, Linda and Danny Shelton, Gallagher spoke of the importance of getting involved in combating religious intolerance, and the need for support of the Church’s representational work at the United Nations. “I was very encouraged by the recognition of Danny and Linda of the importance of exposing the terrible examples of Christian persecution in many countries around the world,” says Gallagher. “By broadcasting the video evidence of church burnings and other examples of hostility and violence against believers we can better mobilize support for our program to combat persecution. 3ABN has provided a great service in broadcasting these cases and in letting viewers know they can contact us for more information and to give support for this vital program of the Church.” The previous broadcast featured the destruction of the Adventist church in Turkmenistan and the ongoing persecution of believers there. Gallagher provided an update on this situation, and he also showed video footage from Belarus and Montenegro, along with pictures from China. Adventists Commemorate 9/11 at UN in New York
September 11, 2002. New York, NY, USA. Seventh-day Adventists commemorated the anniversary of 9/11 at the United Nations in New York while attending the UN Conference entitled “Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict: A Shared Responsibility.” After observing a period of silence and prayer, Adventist church leaders then issued a statement read by Robert E. Lemon, treasurer at the Adventist church’s world headquarters. In the statement read outside the UN building in New York, Lemon spoke of those who had died, including members of the Adventist church, during the attacks on September 11. “Seventh-day Adventists stand with all others gathered here in New York to mark the first anniversary of 9/11,” said Lemon. “Like everyone else, we were appalled at the attacks that took so many lives and caused such terrible destruction. We also grieved the loss of friends and loved ones, and suffered together with the families that were torn apart by the events of that horrific day.” Lemon also called for the rejection of violence and condemned the use of religion for terrorist objectives: “In the events of 9/11 we see the tragic results of the hijacking of religion for evil ends, the taking of innocent lives for some perverse attempt to make a statement. We totally reject the use of violence in attempting to resolve the problems of this world, and call on all people of good faith to do all they can to live together in harmony, toleration, and mutual respect.” He concluded with a re-commitment of the church to peace and Christian values as expressed in the life and work of Jesus Christ: “On this first anniversary we can think of no better place to be than to stand here and commemorate the lives lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to peace and goodwill to all. Our message is that of Jesus Christ who came to save humanity, to end such acts of evil, and to establish his eternal kingdom when he will “wipe every tear from our eyes,” where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.” Adventist participation at the Conference was coordinated by the Adventist Church’s UN Liaison Office of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department which represents the Church at many UN summits, conferences, and committees. It advises diplomats, UN leaders, and non-government organizations of the Church’s global program of education, health, and spiritual development from the perspective of religious freedom and human rights based on moral and ethical principles, emphasizing a commitment to an improved quality of life based on Christian values and beliefs. [Jonathan Gallagher] FULL TEXT OF 9/11 STATEMENT BY ROBERT E. LEMON
Seventh-day Adventists stand with all others gathered here in New York to mark the first anniversary of 9/11. Like everyone else, we were appalled at the attacks that took so many lives and caused such terrible destruction. We also grieved the loss of friends and loved ones, and suffered together with the families that were torn apart by the events of that horrific day. Adventists died in the Twin Towers, on the airplanes, and at the Pentagon. We are not immune from such tragedies, and we mourn together with all those who lost their lives, and for the families so tragically devastated. In the events of 9/11 we see the tragic results of the hijacking of religion for evil ends, the taking of innocent lives for some perverse attempt to make a statement. We totally reject the use of violence in attempting to resolve the problems of this world, and call on all people of good faith to do all they can to live together in harmony, toleration, and mutual respect On this first anniversary we can think of no better place to be than to stand here and commemorate the lives lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to peace and goodwill to all. Our message is that of Jesus Christ who came to save humanity, to end such acts of evil, and to establish his eternal kingdom when he will “wipe every tear from our eyes,” where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.” Adventist Leaders to Attend 9/11 Commemoration at UN in New York
New York, NY, USA... Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will attend the United Nations-sponsored meetings to commemorate the events of September 11 last year. "Along with many others, we wish to mark the anniversary of these heartbreaking and devastating events," says Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations liaison director for the Adventist Church. "As the focus of the world is once again turned on New York, we can think of no better place we should be. Adventists have consistently worked for peace, religious freedom, and human rights. As we mourn those-including members of our own church-who so tragically lost their lives last September, we want to add our voice to call for harmony and mutual respect between nations and all peoples." Representatives from the world headquarters, including administration and departmental leaders, are attending the UN Conference "Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict: A Shared Responsibility."
In his message to the Conference, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said that, "The broad range of participation in this Conference highlights the need to pursue a more coherent approach to countries in crisis... Unless more intense efforts are made to address the deep-rooted structural causes of violent conflicts, no preventive measures will have long-lasting effects." Also attending is the new Adventist liaison officer to the UN Mindi Rahn, who began her assignment September 9 and is also participating in the parallel youth workshops. "It's a sobering experience to be here and to start work this very week when such significant things are happening. For me it's an incredible privilege to represent the Church in this way and to realize that young people like myself are given such important responsibilities." The Conference runs September 9 through 11 with more than 2,700 delegates in attendance. [Viola Hughes] |
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