March 8, 2005

Instead of a scriptural reference today, I’m simply writing to request prayers and raise awareness of an event at the United Nations. The 4th conference on the rights of women, this time called “Beijing + 10”, began last week and will finish at the end of this week. This conference, which takes place approximately every five years, puts forth a declaration on the rights of women. Although this declaration is not considered international law, it largely determines how billions of dollars will be allocated for a variety of programs in Third World countries.

Basically everyone agrees on most of the rights mentioned in this declaration, such as equality in education, in health care, and in protection from crimes. The controversial topic, as you would expect, is abortion. Five years ago, at Beijing + 5, the U.S., under the Clinton Administration, was pushing for abortion to be considered as a “reproductive right”. The Holy See, together with a block of Third World countries (called “G-77”) managed at that time to prevent the mention of abortion in the declaration. This time, in an amazing reversal, the U.S, together with the Vatican, is trying to amend the declaration to explicitly state that abortion is not a reproductive right, because some people have been interpreting it that way anyway.

Some of us friars went to the U.N. five years ago and have been going as many days as we can this time as well, and it makes for some interesting stories! It is an opportunity we rarely have to mix with radical feminists and talk with those who are willing. Some ignore us, some glare at us with an icy stare, and some have even threatened us. Five years ago I had a few in-depth conversations with some of these women and I became convinced of one thing – that behind every angry radical feminist is an abusive man. So I found myself often apologizing for men in general, though not at all excusing the anti-life stance that many of these women have taken.

Our presence there as friars is more for prayer, witness, and conversation with other NGO’s (non-governmental organizations), although we have been able to talk with some of the delegates from Third World countries as well. There is great hope in the young people who are there because the majority of them are on the pro-life side. I will try to give more specifics at another time, but for now I’m asking for your prayers. It looks like the U.S. amendment (pro-life) will not pass, but there are votes still ahead to ban cloning, which looks hopeful, and other important issues.

Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
Community Vicar, residing at St. Joseph Friary in Harlem

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