WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

he vital importance of religion and freedom of conscience was the topic of Taipei mayor Dr. Ying-jeou Ma's speech at the commencement of the International Religious Liberty Association's (IRLA) regional conference held August 30 and 31 in that city.

"Religion is supposed to be a guarantee of happiness and peace, but unfortunately things are often very different, and human rights are often violated," said Dr. Ma. "Across the strait [in mainland China] important progress has been made in the area of religious freedom, but there remains much to be achieved. Religion is not emphasized, and people are not so free to worship. Since religion plays such a vital role in society, I welcome your conference to Taipei with your theme of religious freedom, human rights, and security."

Speaking on the second day of the conference, Cardinal Paul Shan, the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the area, declared, "We must tell tyrants to respect religious freedom. While we cannot expect them to change overnight, over time things can improve."

Shan was one of several religious leaders addressing the conference. He urged people of faith to work together for religious freedom and peace as a top priority.

"World permanent peace is built on truth, forgiveness, reconciliation, and concrete actions of love and compassion, but not on violence and war," Shan said.

Echoing the same theme, IRLA secretary-general John Graz said, "Religious freedom, human rights, and security are focused on the importance of maintaining such fundamental freedoms as a major contribution to global security. Without a strong involvement of religious groups in dialogues, the natural long-term answer to the war against terrorism may be a mutual defiance between religions, and a suspicious attitude from the state toward religious minorities."

Graz further explained that the purpose of the conference was to highlight the importance of maintaining the right to religious freedom as part of a stable and secure society. "Freedom should not be sacrificed on the altar of national security."

"Religious liberty is important because man's dignity is based on freedom of conscience," said Jairyong Lee, IRLA president for the Northern-Asian Pacific Region. "Unfortunately, this fundamental human right has been exploited in different parts of the world, and many have suffered from the loss of religious liberty."

IRLA vice president Eugene Hsu (originally from Taiwan) added, "With so much discrimination going on in many places, and with countries where religious freedom was well-established now restricting liberties after 9/11, we need to work together to promote and defend religious liberty."

Taipei's 2.7 million population includes Buddhists, Confucians, Taoists, and Christians. Since 1983, the IRLA has worked to promote religious freedom and tolerance, and has affiliates in more than 70 countries. For more information about the IRLA, visit www.irla.org
                                        --Public Affairs and Religious Liberty/AR

Haiti. Tropical Storm Jeanne left more than 1,500 dead, including at least six Adventists, and more than 950 missing in Haiti. The storm's continuous downpour stretched for nearly three days, September 17-19, swelling rivers and sweeping away entire villages in Haiti's northwest region.

"There is such devastation here; people need everything; people are dying; they need food, water, clothing, and medicines," says Etzer Obas, president of the church in Haiti. "The flood waters are still present, and the people are mourning. They cannot bring people to the morgue, they cannot bury their dead, they cannot find their loved ones amid the dead animals and bodies swept together." Six deaths have been reported so far among church members, and church leaders are concerned about what the receding waters will reveal. At press time, rescue workers still had not been able to access six Adventist churches and several schools.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Haiti toured part of the city of Gonaives, one of Haiti's hardest-hit areas, and distributed 12 tons of supplies, including water, rice, peas, and medicines.

The recently inaugurated church region office, the Northwest Haiti Mission, suffered extensive damage. The first floor of the building was flooded, soaking computers, furniture, and other equipment.

Obas spoke to Gonaives radio listeners on behalf of the Adventist Church, offering sympathy to all who are mourning the loss of family members and friends.

"I believe this is a sign of the end of time, that Jesus is coming soon and all of us have to make sure our souls are ready for Him," says Obas. "Whatever we can do to physically assist people with food, medicine, and clothing we will do, but we want to encourage everyone to be right with God."

Church leaders in Haiti will be providing additional assistance for the flood victims with the help of ADRA International and ADRA/Inter-America Division.

Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic, Haiti's neighboring country on the Isle of Hispaniola, Jeanne left 27 dead, 260 injured, and flooded more than 30,000 homes in the east part of the country. According to Sylvestre Gonzalez, ADRA/Dominican director, hundreds of church members have been affected by the pounding rain and floodwaters of Jeanne. So far, no deaths have been reported among church members. Four hundred Adventist families, however, lost household goods, and 50 families were left homeless in the cities and towns of San Pedro, Ceibo, Nagua, and Samana.

ADRA, as well as the Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic, is assisting church families and other community residents affected by the storm.

North Bahamas. Six days after hitting the Isle of Hispaniola, Tropical Storm Jeanne became a hurricane and rammed the northern Bahamas with 150 mph winds and dumped rain on the area for 12 hours. Homes in Grand Bahama and Abacos were demolished or flooded. No loss of life among Adventist church members has so far been reported.

"We didn't have the kind of extensive damage Frances left, but Jeanne expanded damages to our churches and schools and members' homes," says Keith Albury, president of the church in North Bahamas. "We are in the process of assessment once again."

"Frances has been a tremendous blow to the economy of Grand Bahama-1,800 homes destroyed, 700 sustaining major damage resulting in dislocation of approximately 10,000 people," says Albury. In the aftermath of Frances, the Adventist Church distributed food and water, and provided 300 hot meals every day. The church also offered temporary shelters for the homeless and provided counseling and support for victims traumatized by the hurricanes.

"We are spiritually encouraged," says Albury. "The spirit of the brethren is good; they are not overwhelmingly discouraged after the effects of Jeanne on the islands. Our God is in control of all things, and members will continue with the mission of the church."

Grand Bahama is far from returning to normal life. The church there still needs more supplies to help its members and fellow islanders. Churches have not been able to hold full services, and schools are functioning half days while they await power to be restored.

For more information go to www.adra.org or call ADRA International at 800-424-2372.                                   --Inter-America Division/AR

Viola May Mallernee Koch Turns 107
Viola May Mallernee Koch from St. Helena, California, celebrated her 107th birthday on May 24 at the Silverado Orchards Retirement Center. She has been a member of the St. Helena Adventist Church for 15 years.

Koch was born in Hynes, California, in 1897. She graduated from Paradise Valley Sanitarium as a registered nurse in 1922, and worked as an RN for several years at Portland Sanitarium and Hospital in Oregon. She then met and married John Koch of Sacramento, a business teacher and contractor.

In 1991 she moved to the retirement center, where she actively takes part in the social activities. She also enjoys reading, especially the Pacific Union Recorder and the Adventist Review. Koch attributes her longevity to "not eating between meals and not eating too many desserts."

Koch has four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Her husband and three step-children are deceased.

News Note