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Primer Ministro de Cook Islas se Opuso a Leyes Dominicales Nacionales
El Primer ministro Sir Geffrey Henry continua defendiendo principios de libertad religiosa de frente a la "constante presión de la mayoría de denominaciones para decretar leyes dominicales." Ray Coombe, Director de la División Pacífico Sur de IRLA, dijo que las iglésias Cristianas de Cook Islas quieren que el gobierno proteja la santidad del domingo, pero "Sir Geoffrey se opone aunque el es de la religión CICC."
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Cook Islands Prime Minister Opposes National Sunday Laws
Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry continues to defend principles of religious liberty in the face of "constant pressure by the major denomination to enact Sunday laws." Ray Coombe, IRLA-South Pacific Division director, says the Cook Islands Christian Church wants the government to protect Sunday sacredness, but "Sir Geoffrey resists even though he is CICC himself."
Prime Minister Henry was a principal speaker at the 1993 IRLA Pacific Rim Regional Congress in Suva, Fiji.
To provide citizen support of the PM’s position, Coombe wants to organize a Cook Islands chapter of the IRLA. Seems, however, that a number of Cook Islanders are for religious as long as it’s for themselves, not others. Unfortunately," Coombe notes, "even many Seventh-day Adventists are not totally convinced about the principles of complete religious freedom. They fear "that such a position opens the door to new sects and non-Christian religions." The Cook Islands Constitution officially recognizes four major faiths in the nation: CICC, Roman Catholic, Mormon, and Seventh-day Adventist. Thus, says Coombe, "Seventh-day Adventists enjoy a ‘privileged’ position. To admit other religions--and there are plenty in existence without official recognition--is seen somehow as a weakening of status."
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSOCIATION
* Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has advocated for religious freedom for 105 years. It is incorporated as a tax-exempt educational organization. The IRLA does not identify with any political party anywhere, nor does it endorse candidates for political office. The IRLA was originally organized by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but its purpose is universal and non-sectarian. Various religious traditions are represented on the Board of Directors. The presidency rotates annually among a panel of vice presidents. The president in 1989 was the former general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation; in 1991, the general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. The IRLA has no paid staff. Officers and directors serve voluntarily. Funding for IRLA operations comes from organizations supportive of the association’s purpose.
* Offices of the IRLA are at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600 U.S.A. Phone 301.680.6680. Fax 301.680.6695. President (1998): Robert W. Nixon. Vice Presidents: Bert B. Beach, Matthew Bediako, Denton Lotz, Leo Ranzolin. Secretary General: John Graz. Acting Deputy Secretary General: Richard Lee Fenn.
* The IRLA maintains a United Nations liaison office at the Church Center for the UN, Room 9-H, 777 UN Plaza, New York, New York 10017-3585 U.S.A. Phone: 212.687.6488. The IRLA is represented at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
* The IRLA supports the publication of Liberty: A Magazine of Religious Freedom in the United States and Conscience et Liberte in Europe. It plans to issue The International Journal of Religious Liberty annually starting in November 1998.
* The International Religious Liberty Association has organized and convened 11 world (*) and regional congresses on religious liberty: Amsterdam* 1977; Rome* 1984; New Delhi (Southern Asia Regional) 1986; London* 1989; Nairobi (East Africa Regional) 1991; Moscow (Russia and CIS Regional) 1993; Suva, Fiji (Pacific Rim Regional); Moscow (Russia and CIS Regional) 1996 and 1997; Budapest (Hungary) 1997; Rio de Janeiro* 1997.
* The IRLA Statement of Purpose: (1) To disseminate the principles of religious liberty throughout the world. (2) To defend and safeguard the civil right of all people to worship, to adopt a religion or belief of their choice, to manifest their religious convictions in observance, promulgation, and teaching, subject only to the respect for the equivalent rights of others. (3) To support the right of religious organizations to operate freely in every country by their establishing and owning charitable or educational institutions. (4) To organize local, national, and regional chapters, as well as seminars and congresses.
IRLA INFORMATION is issued periodically by the International Religious Liberty Association, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600 U.S.A. Phone 301.680.6680. Fax 301.680.6695. Robert W. Nixon, J.D., President.. John Graz, Ph.D., Secretary-General. This issue of IRLA INFORMATION was prepared by Richard Lee Fenn.
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600, USA
Phone: (301) 680-6680
Fax: (301) 680-6695
E-Mail: [email protected]