Barrington woman is a delegate at annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

From Chicago-

Barrington resident Ellen Birkett Lindeen says she plans to promote women's education opportunities when she arrives in New York this week as a delegate at the 64th annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

"I'm thrilled that (I'm representing) not only the province, not only the diocese of Chicago, but I'm bringing Barrington to the U.N.," said Lindeen, 65, a longtime member at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in the village.

Lindeen will be part of an international contingent for the U.N.'s Commission on the Status of Women running from March 9 to 20. The commission is the main global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

This year's session at U.N. headquarters in New York has added significance with the silver anniversary recognition of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing declaration where Hillary Clinton famously said: "Human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights."

More here-

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200302/barrington-woman-is-a-delegate-at-annual-united-nations-commission-on-the-status-of-women

Justin Welby to UN Security Council: Church will not walk away from global pain

From Premier-

The Archbishop of Canterbury has promised the United Nations Security Council that the Church of England will do all it can to provide mediation and peaceful resolution of conflict in war-torn countries. 

Most Rev Justin Welby addressed the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday. 
He told the council that the Church is embedded in communities where conflict and violence is rampant and said that the Church “cannot and will not walk away” from those who are suffering.

“Let me pledge my support to you, Mr Secretary-General, in this work,” Archbishop Justin said.
“I have the privilege of having assembled a team in my office that is already learning from past experiences. Many of them worked with the UN. Together we can reach out to counterparts from other faiths to encourage their involvement and support, as they are already doing.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Justin-Welby-to-UN-Security-Council-Church-will-not-walk-away-from-global-pain

Provincial and Episcopal delegates named for March 2018 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

From The Episcopal Church-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry has named the provincial delegate and churchwide delegates to represent him at the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, NY, March 12-23, 2018.

The provincial delegate and the churchwide delegates will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the United Nations and will represent the Presiding Bishop with the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion delegations in their advocacy at the UN, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women.

The delegates named by Presiding Bishop Curry are: Dr. K. Holly Carter, Diocese of Massachusetts; the Rev. Annalise Castro Pasalo, Diocese of Hawaii; Dr. Damaris De Jesús Carrasquillo, Diocese of Puerto Rico; Lois Frankforter, Diocese of Connecticut; Maria Gonzalez, Diocese of Olympia; Stephanie Gray, Diocese of Arkansas; Claudia Haltom, Diocese of West Tennessee; Dr. John Harris, Diocese of Oklahoma; Clare Hendricks, Diocese of Montana; Pragedes Coromoto Jimenez de Salazar, Diocese of Venezuela; the Rev Deacon Myra Kingsley, Diocese of Arizona; the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Diocese of Los Angeles; Annika Lewis, Diocese of Colorado; Maire Powell, Diocese of Iowa; Lydia Simmons, Diocese of South Dakota; the Rev. Stacy Walker, Diocese of Chicago; and Amanda Ziebell Mawanda, Diocese of Minnesota.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/provincial-and-episcopal-delegates-named-march-2018-united-nations-commission

Provincial and Episcopal delegates named for March 2018 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

From The Episcopal Church-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry has named the provincial delegate and churchwide delegates to represent him at the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, NY, March 12-23, 2018.

The provincial delegate and the churchwide delegates will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the United Nations and will represent the Presiding Bishop with the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion delegations in their advocacy at the UN, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women.

The delegates named by Presiding Bishop Curry are: Dr. K. Holly Carter, Diocese of Massachusetts; the Rev. Annalise Castro Pasalo, Diocese of Hawaii; Dr. Damaris De Jesús Carrasquillo, Diocese of Puerto Rico; Lois Frankforter, Diocese of Connecticut; Maria Gonzalez, Diocese of Olympia; Stephanie Gray, Diocese of Arkansas; Claudia Haltom, Diocese of West Tennessee; Dr. John Harris, Diocese of Oklahoma; Clare Hendricks, Diocese of Montana; Pragedes Coromoto Jimenez de Salazar, Diocese of Venezuela; the Rev Deacon Myra Kingsley, Diocese of Arizona; the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Diocese of Los Angeles; Annika Lewis, Diocese of Colorado; Maire Powell, Diocese of Iowa; Lydia Simmons, Diocese of South Dakota; the Rev. Stacy Walker, Diocese of Chicago; and Amanda Ziebell Mawanda, Diocese of Minnesota.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/provincial-and-episcopal-delegates-named-march-2018-united-nations-commission

Archbishop Justin Welby joins new UN advisory board on mediation

FromACNS-

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has joined 17 other global leaders and experts on a new United Nations High Level Advisory Board on Mediation. The board was established by António Guterres, nine months into his tenure as UN secretary-general. It is part of a “surge in diplomacy for peace” that Guterres has called for. The new board “brings together an unparalleled range of experience, skills, knowledge and contacts,” the UN said, and “will provide the secretary-general with advice on mediation initiatives and back specific mediation efforts around the world.”

Guterres wants to strengthen the UN’s work in conflict prevention and mediation and the new board is expected to allow the UN “to work more effectively with regional organisations, non-governmental groups and others involved in mediation around the world,” the UN said.

Archbishop Justin Welby said that he was “honoured” to join the new board and was “praying for its contribution to global peace and reconciliation.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/09/archbishop-justin-welby-joins-new-un-advisory-board-on-mediation.aspx

Anglicans' hopes high as UN conference on economic empowerment of women opens

From ACNS-

Optimism, enthusiasm and expectation filled the air as Anglican, Episcopal and Mothers' Union delegates from more than 20 countries around the world gathered for the opening day of the 61st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York on Monday.

This year’s theme, “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work”, will look at issues such as how to promote equality and how to give women better access to education. Thousands of people are attending the two-week event – many representing faith groups, NGOs and various UN groups. Hundreds of other events will be taking place in parallel.

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, told the opening plenary that campaigners were an inspiration as they championed equality. Empowerment for women had to be a key priority - and he promised that he and the UN would support them every step of the way.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/03/anglicans-hopes-high-as-un-conference-on-economic-empowerment-of-women-opens.aspx

Archbishop tells UN: You have to fix refugee crisis

From Christian Today-

Refugees and migrants are "treasured human beings made in the image of God" who deserve "safety, freedom and the opportunity to flourish", according to the Archbishop of Central Africa.

Most Rev Albert Chama wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Ban is hosting the Global Summit Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants this week at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Reflecting on the global reaction to the crisis, Chama called for a "much more intentional and robust collective response in which the churches and other faith communities are more than ready to take their place".

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/migrants.are.treasured.human.beings.archbishop.tells.un/95883.htm

UN hears of Anglicans’ refugee and migrant experience

From ACN-

The Archbishop of Central Africa has told the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, that “hospitality, reconciliation and love are our most formidable weapons against hatred and extremism.” The comment was made by Archbishop Albert Chama, chairman of the Anglican Alliance, in a letter ahead of today’s UN General Assembly summit on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. The letter, which was written at the request of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, sets out some of the experiences of Anglicans around the world who are working to support refugees.

“The global tragedy of the forced displacement of millions of people is now a crisis that calls us to work together in new and creative ways in response to such suffering and disruption,” Archbishop Chama said. “The trauma experienced by the world’s 60 million refuges speaks to our common humanity, and pleads with us to take action as we reach out to respond to their suffering.
More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/09/un-hears-of-anglicans-refugee-and-migrant-experience.aspx

California bishop represents church at climate agreement signing

From ENS-

Among the hundreds of people present at the United Nations headquarters in New York on April 22 for the historic signing of the world’s first ever comprehensive agreement on climate change, California Bishop Marc Andrus stood out as the only visible religious leader, dressed in a purple clerical shirt and a collar.

“I was there as a witness,” said Andrus, adding that he could not identify other “overtly” religious people in the crowd and that no one was singled out as representing the faith community. “I was the only one, and there where hundreds and hundreds of people, and so I’m so grateful for that. Then I was met with gratitude, people saying ‘I’m so happy that the church is here.’

“I was very careful to step forward saying I’m here to represent the Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, and honored to be here partnering with you and we are looking for ways to support this work,” he said during an April 23 interview back in California with Episcopal News Service. Andrus spoke after an EcoConfirmation service, where participants upheld their baptismal vow to “cherish the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty and integrity of all creation.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/04/25/california-bishop-represents-church-at-climate-agreement-signing/

Anglican, Episcopal women gather to open the 60th annual UNCSW

From ENS-

Examples of women’s strength, courage and “sisterhood of the suffering” can be found throughout the Bible, including in the two lectionary readings coinciding with the opening of the 60th annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

The March 14 readings, 2 Kings 4:18-37, where Elisha raises the Shunnamite’s son, the Gospel, John 11:18-44, in which Jesus raises Lazarus to life, are each an invitation “to claim the witness and power” of women in biblical texts, said the Rev. Margaret Rose, the Episcopal Church’s deputy for ecumenical and interfaith collaboration, in a sermon given during the opening midday Eucharist at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in the Episcopal Church Center a block from the United Nations headquarters.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/03/14/anglican-episcopal-women-gather-to-open-the-60th-annual-uncsw/

Church Writes to U.N. Group

From The Living Church-

With the 2015 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) meeting on the horizon, the Episcopal Church submitted its first official written statement [PDF] to the 59th Session last October, detailing persistent challenges to women’s empowerment and gender equality and offering action steps.

This year, UNCSW will undertake a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The document outlined 12 Critical Areas of Concern in which progress needs to be made to empower women and girls.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/church-writes-un-group

New UN document means churches can do more on indigenous rights

From Anglican News-

Scattered throughout the recent history of Indigenous Peoples are national treaties, declarations and laws that languish in obscurity or are brushed aside and ignored.

Adding insult to injury, when many national and local churches attempt to speak out about the denial of rights of Indigenous Peoples they are told by governments that the church has no place in politics, effectively being seen but not heard.

Yet a new "outcome document" of the United Nations World Conference on Indigenous Peoples is about to turn that perspective on its head. The world’s governments are now inviting churches and other civil society groups to be seen and heard when it comes to advocating for Indigenous Peoples’ human rights.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/09/new-un-document-means-churches-can-do-more-on-indigenous-rights.aspx

Applications accepted for Episcopal Church delegates at 2015 United Nations meeting

From ENS-

Applications are being accepted for a provincial delegate and up to 20 churchwide delegates to represent The Episcopal Church at the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, March 9-20, 2015.

The provincial delegate and the churchwide delegates will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the UN and will represent The Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion in their advocacy at the UN, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women.

The 2015 UNCSW theme is a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Program for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference for Women in 1995.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/08/18/applications-accepted-for-episcopal-church-delegates-at-2015-united-nations-meeting/#.U_NBCt5rqCw.facebook

Statement from the Anglican Communion delegation to the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

From Anglican News-

The priority theme for the 2014 session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW58) was “Challenges and Achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for Women and Girls”.

We are at a historic point in global development and understanding as we review the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), move toward the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 (Beijing+20), and negotiate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015-2030. Despite hard-won gains, women currently account for about two-thirds of the 1.4 billion people who live in extreme poverty. One in three women experience violence in their lifetime. Gender equality and women’s rights are the essential precursors to meeting global challenges, which have disproportionate and burdensome impacts on women and girls. These include:

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/04/statement-from-the-anglican-communion-delegation-to-the-58th-session-of-the-united-nations-commission-on-the-status-of-women.aspx

Anglican Communion women in USA for UN Commission

From ACNS-

Women from 18 Provinces of the Anglican Communion are converging on New York, USA, to collectively take part in the annual session of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women.

On Monday, 10 March, the United Nations will launch the 58th session of the Commission, which this year has the theme of Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls.

Anglicans and Episcopalians were selected by their Primates to attend on behalf of their Province and will be monitoring plenary sessions and attending parallel events (panels and meetings) on topics that all speak to that theme.

After the Commission concludes, the women will be returning to brief their Provinces on the discussions and outcomes from the event.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/03/anglican-communion-women-in-usa-for-un-commission.aspx

What the United Nations demands of the Holy See: background and analysis

From Catholic World News-

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has released the full text of its report that criticized the Vatican’s response to the clerical abuse scandal.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child is responsible for examining compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a 1989 treaty signed by 193 states. (The United States is not bound by the treaty: although President Bill Clinton signed it in 1995, the Senate has not ratified it.) The Holy See signed the treaty in 1990, putting forward three reservations as it did so:

[The Holy See] interprets the phrase `Family planning education and services' in article 24.2, to mean only those methods of family planning which it considers morally acceptable, that is, the natural methods of family planning.

[The Holy See] interprets the articles of the Convention in a way which safeguards the primary and inalienable rights of parents, in particular insofar as these rights concern education (articles 13 and 28), religion (article 14), association with others (article 15) and privacy (article 16).

More here-

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=20415

Also here-

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=54129

Anglican Women gather in New York to consider Communion's advocacy efforts

From ACNS-

Twenty Anglican women from countries1 including Australia, Bangladesh, Uganda and India are visiting the Anglican United Nations Office (AUNO) next month to engage with the UN’s 56th Commission on the Status of Women, which this year has ‘empowerment of rural women’ as its priority theme2.

“Members of the Anglican Communion have always been involved with speaking out for and with those suffering injustice and the effects of poverty,” said Rachel Chardon, Special Assistant at the Anglican United Nations Office. “Increasingly Anglicans around the world are recognising that they share particular issues common to all their Provinces: promoting birth registration, the impact of climate change and environmental degradation, the abuse of women and girls.

“One key Communion-wide initiative that has been endorsed by a range of Primates and bishops—including the Archbishop of Canterbury—is the campaign to end sexual violence. Anglicans and Episcopalians worldwide are already working with other Christian traditions and the World Council of Churches address violence against women.“

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2012/1/19/ACNS5016

Sudan delegation meets with UN secretary general, 'raises alarm'

From ELO-

An ecumenical delegation of Sudanese religious leaders met with U.N. officials and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Oct. 11 to express its fear of what might happen if the Jan. 9 referendum in which south Sudan is expected to vote for independence from the north is not carried out as planned.

"We told him we came to raise an alarm to the United Nations," said Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of Sudan during a press conference held at the Church Center for the United Nations, following a day of U.N. meetings.

"We are the church, we are in the ground. We are with the people. And we are knowing every thing that is happening in the ground there. So because of that we are here," Deng said.

The ecumenical delegation is in the United States on an awareness and advocacy campaign in advance of the referendum. The archbishop was joined at the press conference by Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Adwok Marko Kur of Khartoum; Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban of Torit; and the Rev. Ramadan Chan, general secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches.

The referendum is the final provision of Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in 2005 by the warring Sudan People's Liberation Movement in the south and the north's Khartoum-based Government of Sudan. The CPA ended a 21-year civil war -- fought by the Arab and Muslim north and rebels in the Christian-animist south -- that killed more than 2 million people and displaced an estimated 7 million more.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79425_125063_ENG_HTM.htm