European Bishops Meet on Immigration

This article comes from the website of the European Bishops' Conference.

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The Europe of people on the move. Overcoming fears. Planning projects

About one hundred delegates are scheduled to take part in the meeting, representing bishops, national directors for the pastoral care of migrants and pastoral workers, alongside representatives from civil society and the political world.

The aim of the meeting is to analyse the manifold causes and consequences of the migration movement thoughout Europe on the Church’s work.

“Mobility / migration, within the same country or between different countries, is today an important aspect of European society and it has many guises, from voluntary, often temporary mobility – for tourism, more or less forced life choices (e.g. “Travelling People” such as the Rom), the free decision to change residence (for pensioners, students, etc.) – to forced, often but not always definitive mobility: for reasons of work, for political reasons or economic poverty, due to situations of conflict or the lack of protection of human rights and personal freedom. To this last category belong especially refugees (from war or environmental refugees), political refugees, clandestine immigrants, etc.”, states Fr Duarte da Cunha, CCEE General Secretary. He continued: “If, therefore, on the one hand the very political development of the European Union (e.g. the Schengen Convention) increases and promotes temporary or long-term mobility within the EU member States, at the same time it forces Europe to carry out a more profound reflection on the mobility / migration of people from other continents. Mobility / migration is not just an internal European phenomenon, but one that in fact unites Europe with the whole world! The Catholic Church, too, feels it is part of this pehnomenon, which of course is not something new, but which is now something happening in ways and means that are very fast. Equally quick, therefore, must be the pastoral responses which we have and are adopting throughout Europe”.

According to the CCEE General Secretary the consequences of such mobility / migration are first of all cultural: “Europe is becoming multi-religious in that immigrants bring their own cultures and their own values”; but the consequences are also ecclesial: “the face of the ‘ecumene’ is changing. Christians of other denominations are settling in traditionally Catholic countries and establishing their own ecclesial structures (parishes, dioceses); and vice-versa, with Catholics settling in traditionally Orthodox or Protestant countries. The State-Church relationship itself is being transformed into a State-religions relationship”.

So what are the consequences for the Church’s work in Europe? By examining the theme in three stages, participants at the Congress will focus on the challenges facing three “institutions” which are largely affected by the phenomenon of migration. First of all the family: how does migration impact upon the education of children and what are the consequences of migration on religious education especially since migration to Europe is assuming an ever more “feminine” aspect and families are thus separated. Or again, what help needs to be given, in order to guarantee migrants a dignified life in old age, too?
Secondly, the Parish: to what extent is inter-culturalism an enriching element of pastoral work? What is the future of native-language communities? What are the “bridge-building” roles which must be undertaken by pastoral workers in the context of inter-cultural pastoral activity? What is the impact of inter-religious dialogue on catechesis and the catechumenate?
And finally Society: What is the specifically Christian element which the Christian citizen is called to bring to the world of politics and the economy?

This process will provide an opportunity to examine the fears that must be overcome and plan projects also for the new evangelisation of the continent.

The meeting is open to journalists. The working languages (with simultaneous translation) are French, English, Italian, German and Spanish.

The programme for the meeting is available on the CCEE website (www.ccee.ch). In due course, also available on the site will be the list of participants and various texts under embargo.

The body language points to a Lib-Lab pact

The immediate post-debate polls were unequivocal in their result: David Cameron won.

But these same polling organisations are also united in their view that a hung parliament is the most likely outcome next week, and - let's be honest - whether or not the Conservatives win the most votes or the most seats, it is more likely that a Lib-Lab coalition will try to form a government than a Con-Lib coalition.

Just look at the body language.

While Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown verbally trashed each others' policies and character, they were positively flirting with each other through their bodies.

Only seven per cent of communication is through words: some 38 per cent is intonation, speed and volume of speech; the remaining 55 percent is received via the body.

This peculiar photograph shows both Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown engaged in what movement psychologists refer to as 'mirroring':

We can make others feel comfortable by mirroring or matching their mood. When two people enjoy similar things, they tend to move in sync with each other. This does not mean that every single move they make is exactly the same, but rather that their moods are the same.

When a person finds something in common with another, an instinctive fondness develops between them. This same effect is replicated by mirroring. In mirroring, you need to tune in to the other person’s movements and imitate them, not mimic them. Also, these actions should not be done in the same pace as his/hers, otherwise, the person might take it instead as mockery. Generally, the mirror actions should be done after 10-20 seconds, and must be done naturally. The other purpose of the mirror actions is to show the other person that you accept and respect their views without them noticing it. In effect, he/she will subconsciously see you as an open-minded person.

Essentially, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown may have engaged in a Benedick and Beatrice game of verbal loathing, but their body langiage indicates that they are flirting with each other; they are bonding.

Mirroring is flattery: we immitate those we like and admire. If someone is doing what we're doing, we feel they're on the same level as us and in the same mood as we are. When body language and speech characteristics are mirrored or synchronized between people, this tends to assist the process of creating and keeping rapport (a mutual feeling of empathy, understanding, trust).

So, since it appears that there is to be a Lib-Lab union, and we know only too well the manifest failings and falsehoods of the Labour half, it is worth focusing for a moment on the Liberal.

Nick Clegg came unequivocally unstuck trying to hide his unpopular policies.

He tried to hide his euro policy. In the debate, Nick Clegg said: ‘No I’m not advocating entry into the euro.’

But last year, he thought the euro was an ‘anchor’. Last year, Nick Clegg told the Financial Times that the euro would ‘anchor’ countries against the ‘vulnerable exposure to international financial markets.’ (The Financial Times, 21 January 2010).

And his manifesto advocates joining the euro. ‘We believe that it is in Britain’s long-term interest to be part of the euro.’ (Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2010, p67).

He tried to hide his policy for an amnesty for 600,000 illegal immigrants. He said: 'I'm not advocating an amnesty…’

But Nick Clegg has previously called his policy a ‘selective amnesty’: 'And most controversially in our proposals…also establishing a selective amnesty, if you like, a route to earned legalisation for the up to 600,000 people who have being living in this country invisibly, illegally, often exploited by unscrupulous employers and others’ (approximately one minute into this video).

And his manifesto promises illegal immigrants an amnesty. ‘We will allow people who have been in Britain without the correct papers for ten years… live here long-term to earn their citizenship.’ (Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2010, page 76).

And he tried to hide the facts about immigration from outside the EU: 'You say numbers, can you now tell me, am I right or wrong that 80 per cent of people who come here come from the European Union…?’

But official statistics show Nick Clegg is completely wrong. In 2008, net foreign migration was 251,000 of which 63,000 or 25 per cent was from the EU. Over the past five years the average has been 31 per cent (see Table 2.01a).

And he tried to hide his benefits policy: ‘We all agree benefits should be conditioned. We all agree they shouldn't be dished out for free if people refuse to take up work.’

But his DWP spokesman says benefits should not be conditional. Asked about the LibDem benefits policy today, their Work and Pensions Spokesman Steve Webb said: ‘[Questioner] “Just a very quick yes, no question. If somebody, long term unemployed, or, or even more recently, turns down the first job offer, will you do what the other two are doing which is remove their benefits after two weeks or after a month?” [Steve Webb]: “No we won’t because what we need to do is look at the demand for work, and there’s not really enough of that...”’ (Daily Politics, BBC 2, 29 April 2010).

And Nick Clegg tried to hide his VAT bombshell on houses: '…the second thing we need to do is invest in the kind of things we need… affordable housing...’

But his manifesto promises to levy VAT on new homes. Liberal Democrats would make it more difficult for first-time buyers to get onto the housing ladder. They want to levy VAT on new homes, which is currently zero-rated: ‘We will equalise VAT on new build and repair.’ (Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2010, page 81).

We all know that Gordon Brown says one thing in public and quite another in private. So, it appears, does Nick Clegg.

It may be a marriage made in heaven. But it be an unendurable purgatory for the nation.

America Boycotts Arizona, BP Oil Spill Impacts Wildlife, Enraged Wall Street Protestors, Strange News Stories - News Headlines 29 Apr 2010

From Denny: It's a thorny issue. How do you balance your own safety and security with keeping out criminals from another country? We have enough of our own criminals to deal with as it is. That's the question Arizona folks kept asking themselves, and, out of frustration came up with this Nazi style "show me your papers" as their answer.

Unfortunately, this type of law has room for a lot of abuse. It isn't just about racial profiling. It goes to freedom of movement for all citizens. You would think carrying a driver's license would answer this issue and this separate law would not be necessary. Here in Louisiana you have to prove who you are, prove you are an American citizen or other place of birth before being allowed a license to drive. Now if they would just start checking people for how many DUIs they amassed before they allow them to renew those same driver's licenses and there would be fewer deaths on the road from drunk drivers in this state... but I digress.

Seriously, Arizona needs to rethink this new law because no one wants to visit a police state. I've lived under martial law overseas and it is very unnerving. You can get arrested for the dumbest things, be innocent and still get executed or thrown in jail. America does not need to become a police state like the Republicans have long dreamed of doing here.

Perhaps Arizona will prove to be a testing ground for a new wrong direction for this country to march off in thinking it will cure all the woes. The Republicans and Arizona also need to ask themselves that if they want all this federal government protection and immigration control then they need to get serious about paying for those taxes it will take to create that presence. You can't complain about the government, limit its size and then demand services.

*** Living here in Louisiana, I am ever mindful of the recent British Petroleum oil spill. In short, the United Kingdom and its BP owes the Gulf Coast states and the American government billions of dollars to clean up their mess. Just like Toyota they have lied to us: repeatedly. Of course, being Big Business, they decided to downplay the situation and claimed it was far less crude oil spilling out than was true - try 75% less than the truth.

There should be an international court and a ready-and-waiting firing squad with shoot-on-sight standing orders to execute lying CEOs as soon as the words come out of their annoying mouths. Fining these guys a few million just isn't enough to stem the tide on the arrogant attitudes, wrong and oh, so destructive, behaviors.

Even $500 billion was not a large enough fine like the American government did to Toyota when they lied and failed to report quickly enough to the federal government, ordering recalls of their vehicles. Until we get serious about making it a 50% take on their gross profit for a ten year period will Big Business get the idea to play straight with us. They only respect tough - not nice, not polite, not easy.


*** As to being tough, why in the world is this White House willing to even consider allowing Iran a place at the table or podium to spout off their usual destructive rhetoric - and in our own backyard? At some point President Obama needs to use some unusual moves to challenge this defiant Iran with a defiance of our own: reject his visa to attend the nuclear summit. He's just using this summit to expand his world presence and place of leadership. He's trying to bully his way into being accepted as a nuclear power along with other countries of good reputations. Show the world he is no leader. Make him wait another five years - if he's still in office.


*** And three strange news stories... Mad as hell protesters march on Wall Street firms and scare the daylights out of them in their lobbies until the police quietly escort them away. Recently, a hermit in India has been found to be living without food and water for - are you ready for this video? - 50 years! Jesus Christ always said, "Man does not live by food alone" so there may be something to consider here as an unusual possibility that strays form the norm. And then there's that "flirting gone bad" where a guy told a woman she was fat at a party and so she tackled him and bit off part of his ear prize fighter style. Those women in Nebraska are more than corn huskers; they are a force to be reckoned with!






More City Councils Move Toward Arizona Boycotts Over Immigration Law: (CBS)

While a number of local lawmakers want their states to adopt immigration measures similar to Arizona's, there is also a growing crop of lawmakers aiming to shun the state for its controversial measure.

The city of San Francisco was at the head of the trend, when its board of supervisors on Tuesday considered a measure to off the city's economic ties with Arizona. The board has yet to officially approve the boycott, but San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has imposed an immediate moratorium on city-related travel to Arizona.

The Arizona law at the center of the controversy, signed by Arizona's governor on Friday, would require immigrants to carry documents verifying their immigration status. It would also require police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that person may be illegally in the country.

City councils in Washington, D.C. , and Los Angeles are also considering economic boycotts of Arizona,..





WH: Oil Spill Could Impact Offshore Drilling Plans
: (CBS)


The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could impact President Obama's plans to consider new offshore drilling sites, administration officials said today.

The White House announced today that it is sending three cabinet members to oversee the effort to control and clean up the spill, which is much worse than first thought. Liberal activists are pointing to the disaster as a reason for the president to reconsider his decision to open up the southern Atlantic coastline and some other areas to offshore drilling.

Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner emphasized today that no plans for new drilling have been established yet and that the president's decision was simply "the beginning of a process" to consider new plans over the next five years.

"There will be ample opportunity for public input, ample opportunity for congressional and governor input," Browner said. "What's occurring now will also be taken into consideration."

Asked if the White House might call for a pause in all offshore oil drilling, because of the incident, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior David Hayes said, "everything is on the table."

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that Mr. Obama has expressed his concern over the spill and will be examining the cause while considering how it could impact the plans for new drilling.

"Could that possibly change his viewpoint? Well, of course," Gibbs said...





10 Animals Most At Risk from Gulf Oil Spill: (CBS)

...Here's a selection of animals at risk in the open water, along the coasts and in the wetlands.

1. North Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: The Great Bluefin Tuna, prized for sushi and sashimi, is one of the species most in danger of slipping into extinction. Traveling down across the Atlantic seaboard, bluefin tuna spawn in the Gulf of Mexico between mid-April and mid-June.

2. Sea Turtles: Five of the world's seven sea turtle species live, migrate and breed in the Gulf region. Kemp's ridley is the world's most endangered species of sea turtle, and one of its two primary migration routes runs south of Mississippi. Loggerhead turtles, also endangered, feed in the warm waters in the Gulf between May and October.

3. Sharks: Shark species worldwide are in decline. The grassbeds south of the Chandeleur Islands are very close to the oil spill. These grasses are a known nursing area for a number of shark species, which are now beginning their spawning season in the Gulf. Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, feed on plankton at the surface of the water and could also be affected.

4. Marine mammals (whales, porpoises, dolphins): Oil spills pose an immediate threat to marine mammals, which need to surface and breathe. Not only does the oil pose a threat, but also the nasty toxins that the oil kicks off into the air. A resident pod of sperm whales in the spill area could be at risk along with piggy sperm whales, porpoises and dolphins.

5. Brown Pelicans: The state bird of Louisiana, the pelican nests on barrier islands and feeds near shore. Brown pelicans only came off the endangered species list last year, but they've had a rough time in past seasons with storms. Their reproductive rates are low. Breeding season just started, and with eggs incubating the oil could pose a significant threat.

6. Oysters: The coastal waters around the very tip of Louisiana’s boot-shaped coast are home to some of the most productive oyster farms in the country. Oils and hydrocarbons are toxic to oysters. Unfortunately, hydrocarbons can persist in coastal sediments for months or even years. Louisiana oyster farmers, many of whom barely scrape by with high fuel costs and global competition, could have trouble weathering the oil spill if their harvests are affected.

7. Shrimp and blue crab: Coastal marshes are key to the life cycle and development of Louisiana shrimp and blue crab — both staples of the local seafood industry. Inshore shrimp season will open in mid-May, while brown shrimp are in their post-larval and juvenile development stages.

8. Menhaden and marsh-dwelling fish: The young offspring of species such as mullet, menhaden and marsh-dwelling forage fishes are especially vulnerable at this time of year. Menhaden is a little fish you've probably never heard of, but people all over the world use it everyday. Menhaden fish oil and meat are used in everything from cosmetics to animal feed. Louisiana is one of the world’s biggest suppliers and the oil spill comes smack in the middle of menhaden spawning season.

9. Beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds: Overdeveloped beachfronts all along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida have made life difficult for several species of plovers, sandpipers, terns and oystercatchers. Those that build their nests on the ground and feed on invertebrates are susceptible to oil on the beaches. Some migratory shore birds fly nearly the length of the Western Hemisphere and use barrier islands in the Gulf for key resting and refueling spots on their journey.

10. Migratory songbirds — warblers, orioles, buntings, flycatchers, swallows and others: About 96 species of neo-tropical songbirds make a 500-mile journey without a pit stop across the Gulf of Mexico. The next two weeks mark the height of their migration as they travel north from Central and South America to breed in North America. The smoke from controlled burns to mitigate the oil spill could affect the migration, but the impacts will be difficult to monitor.





Iran Claims Top Billing at U.N. Nuclear Conference: (CBS)

The world stage is set for a showdown next week, but this time, the nuclear summit will not be hosted by President Obama in Washington, but by the International Atomic Energy Agency at United Nations headquarters, and Iran's defiant President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at left, is to be a featured speaker.

The event is the latest review conference of the global Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They take place every five years, as mandated by the treaty, and this year, the stakes couldn't be higher...





Wall St. Protesters March Through Bank Buildings: (CBS/AP) Chanting Protesters Enter Buildings With Offices for JPMorgan Chase, Wachovia and Wells Fargo

Thousands of workers and union members angry over lost jobs and the taxpayer-funded bailout of banks are marching on Wall Street.

Thursday's rally was organized by the AFL-CIO and an association of community groups. The protesters included people hurt by the mortgage crisis and held up signs saying "Wall Street Overdrafted Our Economy" and "Reclaim America."

Noisy protesters with signs took over two bank building lobbies on Thursday in a prelude to a Wall Street rally by workers and union leaders angry over lost jobs, the taxpayer-funded bailout of financial institutions and questionable lending practices by big banks.

Hours before the scheduled rally, more than 100 people entered a midtown Manhattan building housing JPMorgan Chase offices. They handed a bank executive a letter requesting a meeting with the CEO, and chanted "Bust up! Big banks!" and "People power!"

...They then walked a few blocks up Park Avenue and crowded into the lobby of the Seagram Building, where Wells Fargo and the bank it merged with in 2008, Wachovia, have offices.

The protesters held up signs reading, "Save Our Jobs" and "Save Our Homes." One included a Great Depression-era photograph. Police arrived on horseback as curious office workers watched the scene unfold from their windows...





Man Claims 70 Years Without Food


Scientists are studying an 82-year-old hermit in Ahmedabad, India who claims to have survived without food or water for most of his life. The goal is to discover new human survival strategies.



Watch CBS News Videos Online





Police: Woman Bites Man After Being Called Fat: (CBS/AP) Nebraska Police Say Woman Tackles And Bites Man's Ear After Being Called Fat

Police say a 24-year-old man is missing a chunk of his right ear that was bitten off by a woman who didn't like being called "fat." Police spokeswoman Katie Flood said officers were called to a Lincoln hospital around 3:25 a.m. Wednesday to talk to the injured man.

He told them that he'd been bitten at a party.

Flood said officers later learned that the injured man and two others had been arguing with other people at the birthday party. Flood says the man told 21-year-old Anna Godfrey that she was fat.

Officers said Godfrey then tackled the man and took a bite.

Flood said the ear chunk was not found...





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