AGC News Online: May, 2008

When Wendy Gonaver was offered a job teaching American studies at Cal State Fullerton this academic year, she was pleased to be headed back to the classroom to talk about one of her favorite themes: protecting constitutional freedoms.

But the day before class was scheduled to begin, her appointment as a lecturer abruptly ended over just the kind of issue that might have figured in her course. She lost the job because she did not sign a loyalty oath swearing to "defend" the U.S. and California constitutions "against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

"I wanted it on record that I am a pacifist," said Gonaver, 38. "I was really upset. I didn't expect to be fired. I was so shocked that I had to do this."

California State University officials say they were simply following the law and did not discriminate against Gonaver because all employees are required to sign the oath. Clara Potes-Fellow, a Cal State spokeswoman, said the university does not permit employees to submit personal statements with the oath.

"The position of the university is that her entire added material was against the law," Potes-Fellow said.

In February, another Cal State instructor, Quaker math teacher Marianne Kearney-Brown, was fired because she inserted the word "nonviolently" when she signed the oath. She was quickly rehired after her case attracted media attention.

The AGC supports legal action to protect good people.

Week of 04 May - 10 May, 2008

Council of Elders meeting called for 23- 26 May

A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called in Washington D.C. The meeting will discuss several items including recommendations from the Legal Affairs division, public group registrations, expansion of multiple websites, security of personnel in Africa and review certain public submissions of general interest to the faithful. Also a major public position statement is to undergo review and revision prior to its release at a time yet to be determined on or before 1 July, 2008.

Elders, following on the March meeting noted above are also expected to resume legal challenges on topical areas of special interest. The AGC has not appeared before the U. S. Supreme Court since it's doctor-assisted suicide representation in 1996.

Moderator attends Yom Ha'atzmaut ceremony for Israel's 60th Independence Day

Good Christian Aid Society rules out assistance to Burma

The military junta continues to refuse external aid. AGC supports RCC Caritas International as best donor recipient.

GCCC endorses the release of an Evangelical Manifesto, moderator signs

Among other items, the signers criticize professing Christians to the right and left of the political "aisle" concerning the politicization of the faith perhaps to the demise of the central message of the gospel. In identifying themselves they display their intentional political separation with either right or left. The document is bound to trigger much discussion and even controversy. Read the summary here. Read the entire document here. There is also a study guide that you can download from here.

Week of 11 - 17 May, 2008

Nothing is so important as human life, as the human person. Above all, the person of the poor and the oppressed... Jesus says that whatever is done to them he takes as done to him. That bloodshed, those deaths are beyond all politics: They touch the very heart of God.

Oscar Romero
March 16, 1980

AGC to ask Turkish government for permission to run ancient church building

Good Christian Aid Society says Burma donations should go to Caritas International

In an unusual move, the GCA said cash donations to assist Burma victims should be directed to a Roman Catholic charity, Caritas International.

Real ID Defeat in Minnesota is another AGC success

Salesian Order Settles Clergy Sex Abuse Suit for $19.5 Million

The Salesian Society of Catholic priests reached a $19.5 million settlement in a sexual molestation lawsuit, said an attorney for the plaintiffs. The Salesians were the only religious order that refused to join the $660 million settlement the Los Angeles Archdiocese reached with sexual abuse victims last summer. A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury had been seated Wednesday to hear claims that the Salesians knew Father Titian Miani had been accused of abusing children when they assigned him to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. The settlement money will be split among 17 victims.

Vermont RCC Diocese to Appeal $8.7 Million Clergy Abuse Verdict

The state's Roman Catholic diocese will mount a two-pronged appeal of the $8.7 million damage award issued this week in a clergy sex abuse case, an attorney for the diocese said Wednesday. Kaveh Shahi said the diocese's appeal would seek to overturn two rulings by Judge Matthew Katz -- one that allowed the jury in the case to award punitive damages and another that told the jury not to consider whether the plaintiff waited too long to file his lawsuit.

A jury ruled Tuesday that Vermont's Roman Catholic Church should pay a record $8.7 million for negligence in hiring and supervising a pedophile priest. A 12-person panel deliberated for almost five hours before finding the statewide Roman Catholic Diocese liable for charges in a Chittenden Superior Court lawsuit regarding the former Rev. Edward Paquette, who worked in Rutland in 1972, Montpelier in 1974 and Burlington in 1976. The jury awarded Perry Babel, a 40-year-old Burlington native, $950,000 in compensatory damages and $7,750,000 in punitive damages for his civil claims that the diocese failed to protect him from Paquette.

16- 18 May, 2008 Baltic bishops meet in Niš, Serbia

AGC elders and bishops from across the Balkan hold special regional council meeting in the ancient city of Niš.

17-19 May, 2008 Canadian bishops meet in Calgary, Canada

AGC elders meet in Calgary, Alberta for special regional council.

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Week of 18 - 24 May, 2008

Email backlog continues this week, averaging 63 per day

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. GOD is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Six Baha'i leaders arrested in Iran, AGC sends protest letter

Six Bahá'í leaders in Iran were arrested and taken to the notorious Evin prison yesterday in a sweep that is ominously similar to episodes in the 1980s when scores of Iranian Bahá'í leaders were summarily rounded up and killed.All seven Bahá'ís who form a group that sees to the needs of the Bahá'í community of Iran have been arrested, six of them in early-morning raids on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. They are, seated from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet.

Christian Aid supports China relief though the Amity Foundation

Christian Aid is responding to the huge magnitude earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on 12 May through the work of the Amity Foundation, a recognised NGO.

Despite an aftershock yesterday that has worsened conditions and heavy rains making roads impassable, they have deployed staff to the affected region and are coordinating work through local organisations on the ground.

The Amity Foundation is preparing to provide 8,000 blankets to some of the poorest families affected by the disaster and 8,000 plastic sheets to families who have been made homeless. Food will be provided to 16,000 of the most vulnerable in areas facing food shortages.

Once the initial needs have been met, the Amity Foundation will begin the process of rehabilitation, rebuilding houses, schools and clinics destroyed by the earthquake. They will also ensure that people in the Sichuan and other affected provinces have access to clean water by rehabilitating damaged water and irrigation systems.

As a Chinese organisation that has been engaged in relief work for 20 years, the Amity Foundation is well placed to respond to this emergency.

With an estimated 3.5 million homes destroyed, and as downpours continue, providing some degree of protection for those whose houses have been destroyed is critical.

Although Christian Aid has not launched an appeal to respond to the disaster, it is funding the Amity Foundation's response through Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a global alliance which brings together churches and other related agencies to respond to emergencies around the world.

Universal Pictures negative portrayal of good Christians a bust, as viral marketing fails

An online viral marketing campaign supporting the future release of a movie from Universal Pictures was a dud after AGC and online activists expose attempted manipulation of blogs, forums and online articles.

20-22 May, 2008 American elders meet in Portland, Oregon

A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called.

AGC bishop in Australia congratulates new Anglican bishops

Bishop John Clement issued a congratulatory call to Australia's first female Anglican bishop Kay Goldsworthy who was consecrated in St George's Cathedral in Perth 11 April. At the same time he applauded the appointment on 25 April of Canon Barbara Darling as an assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.

Council of Elders meeting called for 23- 26 May

A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called in Washington D.C. The meeting will discuss several items including recommendations from the Legal Affairs division, public group registrations, status of multiple websites, security of personnel in Africa and review certain public submissions of general interest to the faithful. Also a major public position statement is to undergo review and revision prior to its release at a time yet to be determined on or before 1 July, 2008.

Elders, following on the March meeting noted above are also expected to resume legal challenges on topical areas of special interest. The AGC has not appeared before the U. S. Supreme Court since it's doctor-assisted suicide representation in 1996.

Week of 25 - 31 May, 2008

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Jesus said, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you" Gospel of Thomas We honour the memory of the martyrs who suffered at the hand of the Anti-Christ. We pray for their perfect souls. We pray for a unified Church purged of its corruption and steered safely again by good Christians. Rights in Shreds? USA Join us for the ACLU Membership Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 9 and 10 and stand up to the abuse of power. MORE...		Important Note Do not bookmark this page for the balance of May, use the main page. This page location will change, moving to a new directory. Council of Elders meeting called for 23- 26 May A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called in Washington D.C. The meeting will discuss several items including recommendations from the Legal Affairs division, public group registrations, expansion of multiple websites, security of personnel in Africa and review certain public submissions of general interest to the faithful. Also a major public position statement is to undergo review and revision prior to its release at a time yet to be determined on or before 1 July, 2008. Elders, following on the March meeting noted above are also expected to resume legal challenges on topical areas of special interest. The AGC has not appeared before the U. S. Supreme Court since it's doctor-assisted suicide representation in 1996. Week of 27 April - 03 May, 2008 Council of Elders meeting called for 23- 26 May A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called in Washington D.C. The meeting will discuss several items including recommendations from the Legal Affairs division, public group registrations, expansion of multiple websites, security of personnel in Africa and review certain public submissions of general interest to the faithful. Also a major public position statement is to undergo review and revision prior to its release at a time yet to be determined on or before 1 July, 2008. Elders, following on the March meeting noted above are also expected to resume legal challenges on topical areas of special interest. The AGC has not appeared before the U. S. Supreme Court since it's doctor-assisted suicide representation in 1996. The Weekly News Section closure delayed until Monday 2 June 28 April 08 The weekly news section, scheduled to close on 30 April has been deferred until Monday, 2 June, 2008 to allow reporting of the Elders meeting 23- 26 May. 01 May 08 News updates delayed by floods The daily news updates is delayed. The volunteer responsible for recieving, processing and web posting is unavailable due to flooding in his region. We pray this situation will be resolved within 24 hours. 02 May 08 AGC sites offline for 6 hours on Thursday Our host server was hit by a massive DOS attack causing our websites to be offline for nearly six hours. Pacifist teacher fired for refusing to sign loyalty oath at Cal State Fullerton. When Wendy Gonaver was offered a job teaching American studies at Cal State Fullerton this academic year, she was pleased to be headed back to the classroom to talk about one of her favorite themes: protecting constitutional freedoms. But the day before class was scheduled to begin, her appointment as a lecturer abruptly ended over just the kind of issue that might have figured in her course. She lost the job because she did not sign a loyalty oath swearing to "defend" the U.S. and California constitutions "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." "I wanted it on record that I am a pacifist," said Gonaver, 38. "I was really upset. I didn't expect to be fired. I was so shocked that I had to do this." California State University officials say they were simply following the law and did not discriminate against Gonaver because all employees are required to sign the oath. Clara Potes-Fellow, a Cal State spokeswoman, said the university does not permit employees to submit personal statements with the oath. "The position of the university is that her entire added material was against the law," Potes-Fellow said. In February, another Cal State instructor, Quaker math teacher Marianne Kearney-Brown, was fired because she inserted the word "nonviolently" when she signed the oath. She was quickly rehired after her case attracted media attention. The AGC supports legal action to protect good people. Week of 04 May - 10 May, 2008 Council of Elders meeting called for 23- 26 May A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called in Washington D.C. The meeting will discuss several items including recommendations from the Legal Affairs division, public group registrations, expansion of multiple websites, security of personnel in Africa and review certain public submissions of general interest to the faithful. Also a major public position statement is to undergo review and revision prior to its release at a time yet to be determined on or before 1 July, 2008. Elders, following on the March meeting noted above are also expected to resume legal challenges on topical areas of special interest. The AGC has not appeared before the U. S. Supreme Court since it's doctor-assisted suicide representation in 1996. Moderator attends Yom Ha'atzmaut ceremony for Israel's 60th Independence Day Good Christian Aid Society rules out assistance to Burma The military junta continues to refuse external aid. AGC supports RCC Caritas International as best donor recipient. GCCC endorses the release of an Evangelical Manifesto, moderator signs Among other items, the signers criticize professing Christians to the right and left of the political "aisle" concerning the politicization of the faith perhaps to the demise of the central message of the gospel. In identifying themselves they display their intentional political separation with either right or left. The document is bound to trigger much discussion and even controversy. Read the summary here. Read the entire document here. There is also a study guide that you can download from here. Week of 11 - 17 May, 2008 Nothing is so important as human life, as the human person. Above all, the person of the poor and the oppressed... Jesus says that whatever is done to them he takes as done to him. That bloodshed, those deaths are beyond all politics: They touch the very heart of God. Oscar Romero March 16, 1980 AGC to ask Turkish government for permission to run ancient church building Good Christian Aid Society says Burma donations should go to Caritas International In an unusual move, the GCA said cash donations to assist Burma victims should be directed to a Roman Catholic charity, Caritas International. Real ID Defeat in Minnesota is another AGC success Salesian Order Settles Clergy Sex Abuse Suit for $19.5 Million The Salesian Society of Catholic priests reached a $19.5 million settlement in a sexual molestation lawsuit, said an attorney for the plaintiffs. The Salesians were the only religious order that refused to join the $660 million settlement the Los Angeles Archdiocese reached with sexual abuse victims last summer. A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury had been seated Wednesday to hear claims that the Salesians knew Father Titian Miani had been accused of abusing children when they assigned him to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. The settlement money will be split among 17 victims. Vermont RCC Diocese to Appeal $8.7 Million Clergy Abuse Verdict The state's Roman Catholic diocese will mount a two-pronged appeal of the $8.7 million damage award issued this week in a clergy sex abuse case, an attorney for the diocese said Wednesday. Kaveh Shahi said the diocese's appeal would seek to overturn two rulings by Judge Matthew Katz -- one that allowed the jury in the case to award punitive damages and another that told the jury not to consider whether the plaintiff waited too long to file his lawsuit. A jury ruled Tuesday that Vermont's Roman Catholic Church should pay a record $8.7 million for negligence in hiring and supervising a pedophile priest. A 12-person panel deliberated for almost five hours before finding the statewide Roman Catholic Diocese liable for charges in a Chittenden Superior Court lawsuit regarding the former Rev. Edward Paquette, who worked in Rutland in 1972, Montpelier in 1974 and Burlington in 1976. The jury awarded Perry Babel, a 40-year-old Burlington native, $950,000 in compensatory damages and $7,750,000 in punitive damages for his civil claims that the diocese failed to protect him from Paquette. 16- 18 May, 2008 Baltic bishops meet in Niš, Serbia AGC elders and bishops from across the Balkan hold special regional council meeting in the ancient city of Niš. 17-19 May, 2008 Canadian bishops meet in Calgary, Canada AGC elders meet in Calgary, Alberta for special regional council. Search our site with FreeFind Week of 18 - 24 May, 2008 Email backlog continues this week, averaging 63 per day No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. GOD is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Six Baha'i leaders arrested in Iran, AGC sends protest letter Six Bahá'í leaders in Iran were arrested and taken to the notorious Evin prison yesterday in a sweep that is ominously similar to episodes in the 1980s when scores of Iranian Bahá'í leaders were summarily rounded up and killed.All seven Bahá'ís who form a group that sees to the needs of the Bahá'í community of Iran have been arrested, six of them in early-morning raids on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. They are, seated from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet. Christian Aid supports China relief though the Amity Foundation Christian Aid is responding to the huge magnitude earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on 12 May through the work of the Amity Foundation, a recognised NGO. Despite an aftershock yesterday that has worsened conditions and heavy rains making roads impassable, they have deployed staff to the affected region and are coordinating work through local organisations on the ground. The Amity Foundation is preparing to provide 8,000 blankets to some of the poorest families affected by the disaster and 8,000 plastic sheets to families who have been made homeless. Food will be provided to 16,000 of the most vulnerable in areas facing food shortages. Once the initial needs have been met, the Amity Foundation will begin the process of rehabilitation, rebuilding houses, schools and clinics destroyed by the earthquake. They will also ensure that people in the Sichuan and other affected provinces have access to clean water by rehabilitating damaged water and irrigation systems. As a Chinese organisation that has been engaged in relief work for 20 years, the Amity Foundation is well placed to respond to this emergency. With an estimated 3.5 million homes destroyed, and as downpours continue, providing some degree of protection for those whose houses have been destroyed is critical. Although Christian Aid has not launched an appeal to respond to the disaster, it is funding the Amity Foundation's response through Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a global alliance which brings together churches and other related agencies to respond to emergencies around the world. Universal Pictures negative portrayal of good Christians a bust, as viral marketing fails An online viral marketing campaign supporting the future release of a movie from Universal Pictures was a dud after AGC and online activists expose attempted manipulation of blogs, forums and online articles. 20-22 May, 2008 American elders meet in Portland, Oregon A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called. AGC bishop in Australia congratulates new Anglican bishops Bishop John Clement issued a congratulatory call to Australia's first female Anglican bishop Kay Goldsworthy who was consecrated in St George's Cathedral in Perth 11 April. At the same time he applauded the appointment on 25 April of Canon Barbara Darling as an assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. Council of Elders meeting called for 23- 26 May A special meeting of the Council of Elders has been called in Washington D.C. The meeting will discuss several items including recommendations from the Legal Affairs division, public group registrations, status of multiple websites, security of personnel in Africa and review certain public submissions of general interest to the faithful. Also a major public position statement is to undergo review and revision prior to its release at a time yet to be determined on or before 1 July, 2008. Elders, following on the March meeting noted above are also expected to resume legal challenges on topical areas of special interest. The AGC has not appeared before the U. S. Supreme Court since it's doctor-assisted suicide representation in 1996. Week of 25 - 31 May, 2008 Search our site with FreeFind Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Email backlog reduced all should be answered by 31 May Monday 26 May, 2008 American offices closed for Memorial Day while good Christians passively protest U.S. war dead. Our 'Blast from the Past' this week shows the website front page in March, 1999. Search form code restored on several pages. All USA chapter webpages have been taken offline due for a coding revision.