1) Aborted vote upsets traditionalists No. 5715 Date: April 29 2004 http://www.churchnewspaper.com/?go=news&read=on&number_key=5715&title=Aborted%20vote%20upsets%20traditionalists
Church of England Newspaper UK
Traditionalists in Canada have been dealt a blow in their hopes for alternative oversight. Although the House of Bishops had asked for a report, from a group chaired by Bishop Victoria Matthews, they declined to vote on it after Bishop Michael Ingham walked out to meet the Dalai Lama.
A decision will not now be made until October, after Canada's General Synod decides whether to give "local option" to its dioceses on the blessing of "same-sex unions".
Bishop Matthews's report concluded that Canada was so deeply divided over homosexuality that "healing and reconciliation can be served best by the implementation of Alternative Episcopal Oversight." The plan asked that "dissenting and distressed parishes" be assigned a bishop based upon theological affinity, not geography.
The Matthews' plan would have vested authority for the selection of the "flying bishop" in the Church's five metropolitan Archbishops in consultation with the House of Bishops, and not with the local diocesan.
Participants in the debate told us Bishop Michael Ingham of New Westminster objected to the plan telling the House of Bishops it was "biased", and further argued that jurisdiction must remain with the local diocesan and could not be devolved to other bishops under Church canons.
Bishop Matthews unsuccessfully urged the bishops to commit to some plan of action before the June meeting of General Synod in order to provide a "safety net" for conservatives should Synod authorise dioceses to allow the blessing of same-sex unions.
The Acting Primate, Archbishop David Crawley, however, closed off discussion of the Report after Bishop Ingham announced he was leaving, two days early, to participate in an inter-faith forum with the Dalai Lama. Archbishop Crawley ruled it would be improper to vote on the Report in Bishop Ingham's absence, as Bishop Ingham was the focus of the report.
A spokesman for the diocese of New Westminster told us before the House of Bishops meeting had been scheduled, Bishop Ingham "had been invited over a year ago" to moderate a forum at the University of British Columbia with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Rt Rev Donald Young, Bishop of Central Newfoundland told The Church of England Newspaper, that the Bishops' failure to lead "leaves the Church on a slippery slope". The "inability of the House to act" he argued, "does not sit well with many Anglicans across this country. They, quite frankly, are looking to the House of Bishops for leadership and for something that may help both sides in this debate."
Lesley Bentley, a spokesman for the traditionalists in New Westminster told us "to be unable even to receive the report seems at the very least a slap to Bishop Matthews and committee who worked so hard on it."
2a) Church on brink of split No. 5715 Date: April 29 2004 http://www.churchnewspaper.com/?go=news&read=on&number_key=5715&title=Church%20on%20brink%20of%20split Church of England Newspaper, UK The Church of England is facing the growing possibility of disintegration as opposition to Canon Jeffrey John's appointment as Dean of St Albans gained momentum this week.
Leading evangelicals were warning that the appointment would change the relationship of their churches with bishops across the country, raising the possibility of impaired communion across the Church.
St Albans clergy met this week to discuss action that they would be taking in protest at Dr John's promotion at a time when the Eames Commission had called for calm and restraint. Many of the churches will be deciding whether to cut payments to the dioceses, and to stop the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, from taking confirmations at their churches. They were saying that the Southwark canon's promotion had "changed everything". The split in the St Albans diocese is expected to widen at the national level, according to one evangelical leader.
Evangelicals pointed to comments made by the gay dean in the first week since his new posting was announced as indications of his plans to attack the traditional teaching of the Church. The Rev John Coles, leader of the New Wine network, which represents the leaders of 600 Anglican churches, said that Dr John was "publicly committed to undermining the historic Christian position." New Wine is now working in connection with the other traditionalist streams in opposing the appointment.
On Sunday, the gay dean followed last week's call for the Church to bless same-sex relationships by accusing those who opposed his ministry as being akin to 19th century supporters of slavery.
Mr Coles said: "The appointment was inflammatory, and his comments are very inflammatory. The house is on fire and we are going to put it out."
One of the St Albans clergy opposed to Dr John's appointment, the Rev Charles Dobbie, said that the comments were outrageous. He confirmed that his church would consider ending payments to the diocese as one option in response to the controversial move to make the gay canon dean.
A senior evangelical said that he would be making the seriousness of traditionalists' concern clear to a diocesan bishop this week, expressing his dismay at the lack of action taken by evangelical bishops in standing against Jeffrey John's appointment.
Anglican Mainstream has asked the Prime Minister to meet a delegation who want to air their concerns about the appointment.
2b) http://www.virtuosityonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=727 Posted by dvirtue on 2004/4/27 15:05:22 ENGLAND: Serious Disquiet Over Dean-Elect of St Alban's Cathedral St Alban's Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship reacts to Jeffrey John appointment Reflecting the widespread concern over the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John to be Dean of St. Albans, a meeting of the Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship committee, together with a large number of clergy and laity from across the St Albans Diocese, expressed dismay at this appointment and the consequences that will flow from it.
We recognise that the ministry of the Dean is confined primarily to the Cathedral but in view of the role such a person takes in the Diocese as a whole and also the importance of the Cathedral as one of the larger churches in the Diocese we regret this appointment.
We note that this particular appointment has been made despite the request of the Lambeth Commission that perceived controversial appointments should be avoided during their 12 months consultation period. We consequently regard this step as a serious error of judgement. Furthermore, we are aggrieved that the Diocesan Bishop, who has also called on people not to take precipitate action, should have agreed to the appointment, thus creating division within the Diocese and the wider Anglican Communion.
Such disquiet and concern has been compounded by the statements made at the Press Conference, both by Canon Jeffrey John and the Bishop of St. Albans. We regard their views as reported as wholly erroneous and contrary to Scripture, tradition and reason, as well as the statements of the House of Bishops ('Issues in Human Sexuality') and the Anglican Communion. We respectfully request that the appointment be withdrawn.
We recognise that individual clergy, congregations and lay members have taken, or will wish to take, further action. We will continue to consult, work and pray together for the advancement of the gospel of Christ and the upholding of biblical standards in the Diocese…
2c) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3666109.stm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/04/28/nchurch28.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/04/28/ixnewstop.html http://uk.gay.com/headlines/6177 http://www.virtuosityonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=735 http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=102291634&p=yxzz9z34x Gay cleric under pressure to quit (BBC) Evangelists call for new gay dean to step down By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent (Filed: 28/04/2004) Gay Church of England cleric Jeffrey John was under pressure today to step down from his new post as Dean of St Albans.
A group of around 40 evangelical clergy and laity in the St Albans diocese met yesterday to express their "dismay" over his appointment, announced last week by Downing Street…
A statement issued by the St Albans Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship said the new appointment was a "serious error" of judgment following appeals for restraint over controversial appointments until the commission reports.
It added that they were "aggrieved" that the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, should have agreed to the appointment…
Canon Nicholas Bell, of St Mary's Church, Luton, said the appointment had been "sprung" on them. He added that he was now considering whether to resign his post as a member of the college of canons at the cathedral. "This drives a coach and horses through what we had considered to be a time for reflection and deep prayer," he said…
2d) http://www.virtuosityonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=737 ENGLAND: Church Society Leader Blasts Jeffrey John Appointment By David Phillips, April 20, 2004 Posted by dvirtue on 2004/4/28 21:58:00
2e) http://uk.gay.com/headlines/6185 Gay friendly clergy sign up for international protest day Ben Townley, Gay.com UK Thursday 29 April, 2004 12:09 Clergy from all faith backgrounds will join an international day of protest today by marrying same-sex couples across three countries.
The gay friendly clergy will conduct the acts of "civil disobedience" to draw attention to the inequality they feel that same-sex couples face by being denied marriage. Ceremonies are expected to take place in the UK and US as well as New Zealand…
Yesterday, evangelical Church of England clergy and laity wrote a letter of protest calling for Dr Jeffrey John, the gay priest forced to step down last year, to resign from his new position of Dean of St Albans.
However, the Coalition for Marriage Equality, a group of gay organisations, has been launched to demand full equality for same-sex couples. They argue that Civil Partnerships do not go far enough to provide full equality and "leave the door wide open for future discrimination".
3a) http://www.virtuosityonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=740 BETHLEHEM BISHOP GOES AFTER TWO ORTHODOX PARISHES Special Report By David W. Virtue, April 29th 2004 BETHLEHEM, PA-Two orthodox parishes and their priests in the Diocese of Bethlehem are feeling the heat from the Rt. Rev. Paul Marshall because they refuse to support decisions made at the last General Convention on human sexuality which the bishop voted for.
Fr. William H. Ilgenfritz of St. Stephen's in Whitehall said he, his curate, senior warden and every parish member got letters from the bishop, the president of the Standing Committee and the vice-chair of the Diocesan Council questioning their loyalty.
In letters dated April 23, the bishop asked, "Does the Parish of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Whitehall, PA consider itself still to be part of the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Bethlehem? Does the Parish of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church consider itself to still be in communion with the Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem and under his canonical jurisdiction?"
The bishop wrote, "We expect an answer on or before noon of May 5. In the event an answer is not received in the diocesan office by that date, we will understand the response to these questions to be negative."…
Looking at his situation as an orthodox priest in a revisionist diocese, Ilgenfritz said that "the only means of protest we had was to withhold money to the diocese, and now he is going to use that to try and depose me. The bishop is a canonical fundamentalist when it comes to money, but loose on biblical standards of morality."
Last year the bishop wrote a book lauding lesbian love.
In another letter to Fr. Ilgenfritz, Bishop Marshall blasted the priest for not turning up to a Bible study he was conducting.
"As you know, I require clergy to attend Bible studies, clergy days and the Chrism Mass. You are in violation of this requirement and have not requested to be excused. Furthermore, my recent attempt to schedule a visitation at St. Stephen's has been rebuffed. I have a letter from the vestry indicating that is in support of our rector that they are violating the diocesan constitution regarding assessments."
Marshall demanded that Ilgenfritz "write to me in the next 48 hours advising if you believe yourself to be in communion with me as your bishop and whether you believe yourself bound to respect my canonical authority and pastoral direction." Marshall wrote that if he did not hear in the "affirmative, I will interpret that as a No."…
Ilgenfritz said he was particularly affronted about his loyalty to the bishop and the church. "Do you believe yourself to be in communion with me as your bishop and do you believe yourself bound to respect my canonical authority and pastoral direction?" You must understand how difficult it is for me to answer with an unqualified "yes" or "no." If I answer "yes," I will most likely lose my parish. If I answer "no," I will most likely lose my parish. So, I will answer in the only way I know how to answer - honestly."
The orthodox priest then wrote, "You are the juridical authority in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem…I am subject to your authority. I am bound to respect your juridical authority under the canons. However, I am bound to reject your pastoral direction when I believe it is contrary to the Word of God written and to 2,000 years of tradition in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."
Ilgenfritz said that as a priest of the Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Communion, "I find myself part of a church that has been declared to be in open rebellion and disobedient to the whole counsel of God by the vast majority of baptized members of the Anglican Communion."
"Just as your communion with the majority of the Anglican Communion has been impaired by your actions in support of the decisions of the 74th General convention, so my communion with you is impaired."
A letter signed by the President of the Standing Committee, the Rev. Henry Pease and the Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Vice-Chair, Diocesan Council to the church's parishioners said congregations exist as such only in relationship with a duly elected bishop, specifically the bishop of the diocese where the congregation is located. The relationship of congregations among themselves and the wider church community is defined by a diocesan constitution and canons developed and approved at one time or another by representatives of those congregations.
"Suggestions by the leadership of your parish that the current problem is about homosexuality or the ordination of a gay bishops seem little more that attempts to distract from the matter at hand: governance and relationships within the Episcopal Church. And congregation and its leaders are free to disagree on issues without risking their position in the diocesan community. The Episcopal Church in the United States does not focus on beliefs held by individual members."
ANOTHER ORTHODOX PARISH in Scranton, the Church of the Good Shepherd and its rector Fr. Eric Bergman had also received a letter from Bishop Marshall addressed to the vestry concerning his parish's stance on the actions of General Convention…
3b) http://www.forwardinfaith.com/artman/publish/04-04-28-ilgenfritz.shtml FiF North America Persecution Begins In the ECUSA Diocese of Bethlehem 28 April 2004
3c) http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=519 Archbishop Gomez Expects Discipline for Episcopal Church April 2004, Living Church, USA The Episcopal Church will be disciplined for permitting same-sex liturgical blessings and for consecrating a sexually active homosexual person as Bishop of New Hampshire, according to the Most Rev. Drexel Gomez, Primate of the West Indies and a member of the Lambeth Commission, which is due to issue a recommendation later this year…
4a) http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,118245,00.html Jesus Tees Off: 'Passion' Star Goes for Golf FOX News - USA April 27th 2004 Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in Mel Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ," tells me he got a big bonus check after the movie did so well at the box office…
Caviezel says he doesn't believe "The Passion of the Christ" is anti-Semitic, by the way, something this reporter disagrees with. "It's based on the Gospels," he says, "and anyone who thinks the movie is anti-Semitic thinks the Gospels are anti-Semitic." He continued: "My faith says that anti-Semitism is amoral. I never would have made the movie if it were like that."…
4b) http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/002200404272071.htm The Hindu - Chennai, India Kintop to harp on faith to sell Christ's Passion in India New Delhi, April 27. (PTI): In a bid to make Mel Gibson's controversial movie "The Passion of the Christ" a big hit in India, its distributors plan to mobilise the opinion of the Christian clergy in the country.
Deepak Nayar, President of Kintop Pictures, the distributors of the movie in India, said the film, that was a runaway hit in US and Europe, would be shown to clergymen especially in the South where there is a large presence of Christians…
4c) http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=52662 ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome Code: ZE04042722 Date: 2004-04-27 A Muslim Who Acted in Mel Gibson's "Passion" How the Film Moved Abel Jafri PARIS, APRIL 27, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The only French actor in Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" is Abel Jafri, a Muslim of Tuareg origin.
In this interview, the 38-year-old Jafri, who in the film plays the part of the leader of the Temple guards in charge of arresting Jesus, speaks about what he learned from the movie…
Q: What thoughts has your role inspired in you?
Jafri: I was the leader of the Temple guards who led the group in charge of arresting Jesus to condemn him after Judas' betrayal. I spat on Jesus, I mistreated him.
What impressed me most was the physical and moral suffering of this innocent man. Like a hurricane, blind and senseless violence knocked him down.
Today, people continue to let themselves be carried away by hasty judgments, without reflection, without a conscience, manipulated by pressure groups that defend their personal interests.
The current problem is summarized in a question: Why so much hatred? Why is love not loved? In our modern developed societies, it would seem that reactions are the same as they were 2,000 years ago. The film's message brings us directly to the present…
The film's violence is a mirror of the violence hidden in man's heart. All of us are, in a certain measure, accomplices of this wickedness, of this mystery of evil, and if we become conscious of it, it is never too late to turn around, to love.
Only the force of love can triumph over the absurd. We can be in solidarity in the good [and] decide that the light shines in the darkness through our daily actions.
Q: You are a Muslim. Who is Jesus for you?
Jafri: Jesus belongs to everyone; he is a model for all men; his message goes beyond the boundaries of beliefs…During the filming, I was injured by the crowds, on my back and tibia. I received blows at the same time as the principal actor, Jim Caviezel, and we went to the infirmary together. I had bruises everywhere.
Now I feel closer, in greater solidarity with what the man Jesus suffered. It is a profound feeling, difficult to explain in words…
The tenderness of Jesus opens the way to a future. A resurrection is still possible if we collectively give proof of courage and care for others.
Q: Is there a phrase of the film, from your point of view, that summarizes Jesus' message?
Jafri:…How is it possible not to respond to the phrase pronounced by Jesus on the cross, when he says to God: "Forgive them"? In these words he offers us the key to happiness and peace. Everything is said in this forgiveness.
4d) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/644118.cms The Passion of Nayar NONA WALIATIMES NEWS NETWORK [ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004 05:53:03 AM ] His movie The Passion of the Christ is, but Mel Gibson isn't coming to India. "Mel doesn't want to take the limelight from the film, so he's watching from the background," says Deepak Nayar of Kintop Pictures, Indian distributor of the film and Hollywood producer of Bend it Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice …
What's the real-life Mel Gibson like? "He's a prankster, quite wild. He likes playing personal jokes on people, but remains aloof with no nakhras . He's a regular guy, very professional. And he loves India. He believes passion and pain only bring love."…
4e) http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/entertainment/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-2/108324024427470.xml (Michigan, US) http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-04-29-passion-in-iran_x.htm http://www.salon.com/ent/wire/2004/04/29/passion/ (Salon Magazine, USA) http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/news/celebrity/sns-ap-people-iran-passion,0,1087017.story?coll=mmx-celebrity_heds (Chicago Illinois) http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/8548820.htm (Miami, Florida) http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040429/APE/404290683 http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/bal-artslife-passion0428,0,6292941.story?coll=bal-entertainment-headlines http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1083235193611&call_pageid=968867495754&col=968705925735 (Toronto Star Newspaper, Canada)
Iranian censors approve 'Passion' The Associated Press, Apr. 29, 2004
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's censors have approved the screening of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" in the Persian state's cinemas, the official news agency reported Wednesday.
A committee of clerics and officials within Iran's Islamic Cultural and Guidance Ministry unanimously decided Tuesday to let the film be played in its entirety, with Persian language subtitles, the agency said.
The state-owned Farabi Cinema Foundation, which is in charge of foreign movies, bought a copy of Gibson's controversial film in February and has negotiated with theater owners to screen it in May, the agency added.
Iran, a predominantly Shiite Muslim state, is allowing the screening of the film despite strong Islamic objections, particularly from Sunni Muslims, to the depiction of religious prophets in any form…
4f) http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=9829 Middle East Online - UK First Published 2004-04-29, Last Updated 2004-04-29 09:56:59 'Passion of the Christ' on Iran's public screens Iranian authorities allow public screening of 'the Passion of Christ' in rare green light for US-made movie.
TEHRAN - Iranian authorities have approved the public screening of the controversial film "The Passion of the Christ" in a rare green light for a US-made movie, press reports said Thursday.
One report by the state news agency IRNA noted that the Mel Gibson feature upset Jewish critics - Iran is an arch-foe of Israel and says it should not exist.
The go-ahead came from Iran's ministry of culture and Islamic guidance, which normally takes a dim view of western movies because of scenes allegedly contravening Islamic values.
Iranians are able to watch the current movie blockbusters only on video cassettes or DVDs, or on officially banned satellite television channels…Other Islamic countries in the region have been divided about the film: Oman and Qatar have approved it, Bahrain has banned it and Kuwait is still making up its mind.
In Israel one Tel Aviv cinema club plans to give it one showing.
4g) http://www.christiantimes.com/Articles/Articles%20May04/Art_May04_15.html 'The Passion' is reaching thousands in Middle East CHRISTIAN EXAMINER DOHA, Quatar - Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ," is moving many Muslims in the Middle East to tears. Long lines have formed at movie theaters in at least two cities-Amman, Jordan, and Doha, Qatar.
Teachers take pupils to watch the movie depicting the last 12 hours before Christ's crucifixion. Parts of the film are also shown on Arabic TV followed by panel discussions with Muslim scholars.
Eyewitnesses say that Arab audiences are deeply moved by Christ's suffering. Street vendors are offering pirate copies. DVDs and videos are "selling like hotcakes," reported the British information service Ekklesia. Western movies are even available on the black market in Saudi Arabia, one of the strictest Islamic countries.
The Peninsula, an English-language newspaper in Qatar, reported that "seats have been scarce" since the movie opened at three local cinemas in Doha on March 21.
"All showings at The Mall, Landmark and Gulf Cinema were sold out by mid-afternoon Monday, and bookings have been made for days ahead," the newspaper reported.
Officials from the Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Co. disclosed that the movie is expected to play for no less than two months.
A missionary in Qatar said in an e-mail report that the film is opening up unprecedented opportunities to share the gospel in the country. On the second day after its release in Doha, the missionary took along a former student, who now works for a government agency, to view the film.
"Today very possibly was the most significant day we have seen in nearly 12 years of living in the Middle East," he said. "In two short hours more Qataris heard the gospel than I have been able to reach in nearly five years of living here. At the 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. showings, the film was running in all three theaters. I would estimate that well over 50 percent of the people in the theater were local Muslims-women completely veiled. You could see how this film impacted everyone.
"After we saw the film I looked at my former student and said to him in Arabic, 'Don't you see that Jesus died for your sins?' I then took a bit of a risk and said, 'You think that this film is here because of 'freedom of speech' or the new openness of your government, but actually God Himself has sent this film to correct your people's total misunderstanding about who Jesus is and why He came to earth.'
"What followed was a two-hour discussion/debate on many of the differences between Islam and Christianity."…
4h) http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=9840 Gibson's movie proves big hit in Qatar DOHA - Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of the Christ," now in its sixth week of screening here, is close to breaking box office records in Qatar, a movie industry executive said Thursday. First Published 2004-04-29 "Some 25,000 people have seen the movie so far, bringing it close to breaking the box office record of 30,000 viewers held by Titanic," Abdul Rahman Mohsen, director of the Qatar Cinema Company, said. The tiny gas-rich state of Qatar has a population of around 650,000, of whom about 150,000 are nationals.
4i) http://newstodaynet.com/arts/2904fl1.htm News Today - India April 29th 2004 More political than spiritual (The Passion of The Christ) Unlike Kazantzakis Last Temptation of Christ, there is no allowance for contemporary interpretations in Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ. The film which can be called a traditional Christians work depicts the last 12 hours of Jesus of Nazareth in graphic details, as per the gospels of John, Mark, Mathew and Luke….
5) http://www.charismanow.com/a.php?ArticleID=8971 April 29, 2004 edition Church & Ministry Millions Expected for 'Biggest Prayer Movement in the World' Millions are expected to gather this Sunday for what may be the greatest act of united prayer by Christians in the history of the African continent. The Africa Day of Prayer is expected to draw 15 million to 30 million participants in hundreds of stadiums of all 58 African nations and islands.
"[Harvest Evangelism head] Ed Silvoso said to me, 'You know Graham, this may be the biggest prayer movement the world has ever seen,'"…
6a) http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/apr/04042801.html Wednesday April 28, 2004 Canadian Parliament Passes Homosexual Hate Crime Bill Threatening Freedom of Speech
6b) http://www.fotf.ca/familyfacts/news/042804.html APRIL 28, 2004 FOCUS DISAPPOINTED AT PASSAGE OF BILL C-250 VANCOUVER - Bill C-250's passage represents a significant loss of free speech for Canadians, said Derek Rogusky, Vice President of Family Policy with Focus on the Family Canada. The private members' bill adds 'sexual orientation' to the Criminal Code section on hate propaganda. Senators approved the bill 59-11 this afternoon.
"This bill was pushed through Parliament with little public consultation," noted Rogusky. "It's unfortunate that both Senators and MPs rejected the concerns of thousands of Canadians, and ignored the huge flood of correspondence they received about this bill. Canadians are now stuck with this poorly-worded legislation, and it's left to the courts to define what is and what isn't hate propaganda."
"Clearly, acts of violence against anyone are wrong and should be punished, as all Canadians agree. But the existing laws already cover these actions, and this bill does not improve the situation," Rogusky said.
7) http://www.virtuosityonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=738 An Archbishop Tells the Truth About Islam By Val MacQueen, FrontPageMagazine.com, Posted by dvirtue on 2004/4/28