Fides News English

AMERICA/HAITI - Political dialogue resumes, with the mediation of Cardinal Langlois

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Port au Prince - "The inter-Haitian dialogue" between the president and parliament will resume shortly, with the return to the country of Cardinal Chibly Langlois: this was reported to Fides by Mgr. Patrick Aris, a spokesman for the Episcopal Conference of Haiti .
Dialogue between the political forces in Haiti started on 24 January and concluded on 12 February, but the signing of the agreement fell through because the government had published the incomplete list of judges to integrate the "Court of Auditors" in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur"
Two years ago, elections were supposed to be held in Haiti, but the disputes over the formation of the electoral court and the law that regulates the conduct of elections, postponed the consultation.
To resolve this protracted crisis in the country - which is still suffering the consequences of the devastating earthquake - the Catholic Church has been invited to mediate .
Newly-elected Cardinal Chibly Langlois, Archbishop of Les Cayes, in an interview with Fides said a few days ago: "There is a very important thing to be noted in the social field: the Church accompanies political actors to be able to build dialogue between all parties and solve the problems of our society. We must share the responsibility of resolving the political situation and the crisis that our country is experiencing, and this can only be achieved through dialogue. The Bishops' Conference has offered to be a mediator in this crisis. What is missing is the signature of the agreement in order to end the crisis. In this, the Church has therefore a very well-defined social role".

AFRICA/EGYPT – Coptic politician Shukrallah: what worries me is the possible return of the military to power

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Cairo - The Coptic politician Hala Shukrallah, the first woman elected to lead a Party in Egypt, has expressed "concern" with regards to the possibility that a return to power of the military in the Country could jeopardize a genuinely authentic democratic system.
Shukrallah, elected Presedent of the liberal Al-Dustour Party in February, interviewed by the Egyptian media about the likely candidate for the presidential election of General Abdel Fattah al- Sisi, confessed her concern regarding the "incursion of the military in a democratic election". The Coptic political leader said she was concerned even before the operations of repression that caused nearly 1,500 deaths in the last eight months, especially in the ranks of Islamist groups, while recognizing the impossibility of a reconciliation between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian society.

ASIA/SYRIA - Archbishop Hindo: Christians do not support the Kurdish autonomous entity

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Hassaké - Christians in the north-eastern Syrian province of Jazira have ruled out any support regarding the creation of an autonomous Kurdish region in the area surrounding the towns of Qamishli and Hassaké. This was confirmed to Fides Agency by the Syrian Catholic Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo, titular of the eparchy of Hassaké-Nisibis.
On the eve of the International Conference on Syria convened in Geneva, the Syrian Kurds had taken a step forward towards the creation of an autonomous political entity in the north- east of the Country, announcing the formation of an autonomous government composed of 20 ministers. "I and the Assyrian bishop Mar Afrem Natanaele" says Archbishop Hindo to Fides "after having consulted our communities, on behalf of everyone we said that every choice regarding the arrangement of the region had to be equally shared by the three components of the local population: Kurds, Christians and Muslim Arabs. The three Christian aggregates in the government were chosen by the Kurds, as a mere concession to seek consensus, but they only represent themselves".
The Archbishop also raises doubts on the real solidity of the Kurdish autonomy project in northeastern Syria: "it is supported" repeats Mgr. Hindo "only by the PKK. Other Kurdish organizations did not get involved. The impression is that the moves carried out by the Kurds are only temporarily tolerated by the government in Damascus". One episode, reported by the Archbishop, is emblematic: a few weeks ago a leader of the Syrian security and intellligence apparatus went to talk with the leaders of the Kurdish separatists, and the next day from Qamishli - home of the self-styled autonomous government of the area - all the banners and flags of Kurdish militants disappeared from the streets downtown. "Even the operations of the Kurdish militias against rebel factions", explained archbishop Hindo "have lasting success only when they are accompanied and supported by the incursions of the government army".

EUROPE/SPAIN - Seven out of ten poor people in the world are women who have no rights and education

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Madrid – Out of 1 billion 300 million people living in extreme poverty around the world, 910 million are women, seven out of ten. In addition, they do not have the same rights and opportunities as men. This is what is reported in a statement from the Spanish NGO Ayuda en Acción that, since 1981, is dedicated to international cooperation for the eradication of poverty through self-sustainable development programs and awareness campaigns among the most vulnerable. Women who live in the poorest Countries of the world, although they produce 70% of food products, do not have even 2% of the arable land, and the fact of being poor, or children living in a conflict zone increases the probability of not having access to education. The situation is worsened by the fact that women marry and get pregnant at an early age and this does not allow many to study or find a job. According to the NGO, over 60 million girls are forced to marry before 18 years of age, a woman dies every minute in the world for preventable complications during pregnancy or childbirth, and 350 million have no access to family planning programs.

AMERICA/PARAGUAY - The Church calls for "fair justice"

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Concepcion - Father Pablo Caceres Vicario of the Diocese of Concepción, sent by Bishop Mgr. Miguel Angel Cabello, attended the blessing of the new Palace of Justice in Horqueta . As reported in a note sent to Fides, Fr. Caceres, a priest known for his criticism towards the government in power, blessed the new building, proposing a reflection on this event: "The building is beautiful, it is enviable, but we are dealing with 'Justice' and this is the reason why we have work", he said. And then added : "It is a reality that affects everyone: the judges are well aware that justice is neither fast nor cheap. Justice has a high price, poor people do not have access to justice. Justice still sells itself to the highest bidder. There are still people among you, judges, who traffic justice", he reiterated before a speechless assembly.
After the blessing, the Minister of the Supreme Court, Miguel Oscar Bajac, superintendent of the judicial district of Concepción spoke, stating: "The Church is right because this is the constant concern of the Supreme Court. You have to take the responsibility to recognize that justice is slow and expensive: we must reverse this trend".
Bajac made an appeal to his judges: "Your hands must not shake when it comes to signing judgments and decisions that help justice".

AFRICA/GUINEA – A campaign to vaccinate 400,000 children against measles

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Conakry – A vaccination campaign has begun against measles in Guinea to curb the epidemic declared by the national government on January 14. 1105 suspected cases including 68 confirmed have already been recorded and this has caused the fear of a rapid spread of the infection. "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can spread in a flash. It mainly affects children and can lead to serious medical complications", explains the responsible of the mission of the NGO Doctors Without Borders in Conakry who is coordinating the campaign. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, DWB has sent 32 teams in the districts of Matam, Matoto and Ratoma. Strategically located close to the people who need aid, in community centers, private homes and public spaces, DWB teams plan to vaccinate 394 000 children from 6 to 10 years of age. The treatment is completely free of charge. The NGO estimates that during the epidemic about 50 children affected by the pandemic will risk developing serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Measles can be prevented through safe and effective vaccine which, when it becomes part of a regular vaccination program, is administered to all children from the age of 9 months. But overall, only 37 % of children in Guinea have received both doses necessary to ensure full protection. Even in Conakry, vaccination coverage remains insufficient, because only 80% of the population has been vaccinated. As part of this vaccination campaign a free diagnosis to children affected by the disease is also provided, so that they can be taken care of, in addition to free medical care for any complications.

ASIA/BRUNEI - Christian Faith forbidden in Christian schools if there are Muslim children

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Brunei - Principals and teachers in schools and private educational institutions in Brunei risk five years in prison and a fine of up to $ 20,000 if they teach or speak to a Muslim child of religions other than Islam. As Fides learned, for the new Penal Code, based on the "Sharia" , which will come into force in April, it is a crime "to persuade, influence, incite, encourage a child with non- Islamic teaching". It is a crime to also "expose the child to any ceremony or act of worship which is not Islamic or allow the child to participate in activities for the benefit of other religions".
As reported to Fides by the local Church, the measure and the restrictions concern Christian schools also attended by Muslim students: Christian schools, in fact, guarantee quality education, free from all forms of proselytism.
Brunei will introduce the new law in several phases: the first phase will regard offenses punishable by fines or imprisonment, the second phase will regard the application of more severe punishment, such as the amputation of limbs for theft . In the third phase the death penalty will come into force.
The Catholic Church in the small sultanate - where there is an Apostolic Vicariate led by Archbishop Cornelius Sim, with three parish churches, three priests and about 20 thousand Catholics - said he hoped that the provisions of the Shariah will be applied only to Muslim citizens. The "Sharia", in fact, is generally limited to Muslims, but can be extended to non-Muslims if they are complicit in a crime committed by a Muslim

AMERICA/MEXICO - The phenomenon of adolescent mothers who drop out of school continues to worsen

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Mexico City - Pregnancy among adolescents continues to be a very serious problem in Mexico. According to the 2012 national Research studies, the abandonment of high school education is the second leading cause of school dropout among adolescent women. One out of two gets pregnant and the pregnancy rate among minors in the age group 12-19 has not reduced, in fact, since 2000, continues to increase. According to the document "Teenage pregnancy" of the national program that provides scholarships for young mothers, shame, stigma and social prejudices are some of the causes why pregnant teenagers drop out of school.
In the Faculty of Law of the Juárez University of the State of Durango , the president of the alumni association has revealed that an alarming number of young people get pregnant. Out of 2000 students, 30% are parents. To limit this phenomenon, students of UJED have created a unique nursery in the Country.
Created by students for students, who pay a fee depending on their socio-economic level, was built thanks to the initiative of university students with the support of the Government and the University, and is open from 7 am to 8 pm. It currently houses 160 children and the waiting list is very long.

ASIA/IRAN - A Christian Pastor released on bail

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Tehran - The Armenian-Iranian Christian Pastor Sevada Aghasar, was released on bail after spending six months in prison in Evin. The pastor was arrested on August 21, 2013 with two laymen, Masoud Mirzaei and Ebrahim Firouzi, who converted to Christianity from Islam. The police arrested them without a warrant or an official reason but, as suggested by "Mohabat News" a website which gives information regarding Iranian Christians in the diaspora, the reason seems to be linked to its online contact with several Christians of Farsi language, and the suspicion of proselytism. In fact, the authorities do not take kindly to the diffusion of Christian worship in the Persian language , but tolerate it in the Armenian language or in other languages. Of the two lay people arrested with him, Masoud Mirzaei has been released, while Ebrahim Firouzi was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of exile in the remote town of Sarbaz for "propaganda against the Islamic regime". Such "propaganda" is substantiated with having started "groups of evangelization", having contacted "agents contrary to the Islamic revolution outside the country" and of having launched a Christian website.

AMERICA/ARGENTINA - The campaign against drug abuse, a scourge for thousands of young people, restarts in Jujuy

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Jujuy - Jointly organized by the Diocese of Jujuy and the foundation "Manos Abiertas", the campaign to combat the consumption of drugs restarts. The first campaign was launched in Jujuy in November 2010. The first initiative of this year's conference is titled "Addictions in the house, what challenges us?", which will be held on March 6 at Nostra Signora dell'Orto, in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy.
The program of the conference provides for the intervention of Msg. César Daniel Fernández, Bishop of the Diocese of Jujuy, who continues to promote activities to tackle this scourge, especially in light of the guidelines issued by the Assembly of Argentine Bishops contained in the document "The tragedy of drug abuse and drug trafficking". Another speaker will be a Jesuit priest Fernando Cervera, a specialist in the field, who has spent 20 years working for prevention and treatment.
The note sent to Fides by a local source, reports that the diocese is trying to involve the whole community to work to solve a social problem that affects all but is handled badly in families. In Argentina there are currently about 180 thousand addicts of so-called "drug of the poor", each of whom "buys an average of 20 doses per day", which cost 6 pesos each. PACO, is the third dependency in the country, after alcohol and drug addiction.
In addition to these data collected by Fides, updated in November 2013, the National Pastoral for drugs in Buenos Aires, indicates that 10 % of the population between 15 and 64 years of age uses a drug, while 15 % of adolescents in their final years of study in high schools make use of marijuana, a figure that rises to 30% just on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. This Pastoral also highlights that "the country lacks a global public policy" to address this problem.

AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - Imam of Bangui: "If we want peace, we must be impartial and condemn all forms of violence"

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Bangui - "We cannot ignore what Seleka has done, and provoked today's anti-Muslim reactions", said the Imam of Bangui, Oumar Kobine Layama in an interview with metronews.fr, stating that "some Imams present the situation in the Central African Republic with a partial view; they only denounce the violence of Christians against Muslims, without mentioniong what Seleka has done. When they were in power, they were not able to handle the situation in the Country, they looted and committed violence. If the Central African Muslims had not opted for complicit silence, all this would not have lasted more than a month. If we want peace, we must be impartial and condemn all forms of violence".
Seleka is a coalition of rebel groups, mostly composed of Muslims, who had seized power in Central Africa in March 2013 and then were thrown out by Anti Balaka groups, often described as Christians . The Anti Balaka were responsible, in turn, of crimes against Muslims, but also of Christians.
Imam Kobine reiterated that the Central African crisis is "political and military, not religious". "No religious leader in the Country has launched an appeal regarding religious clash: the proof is that we live together", added the Imam, who together with the Catholic Archbishop of Bangui continues to launch appeals for peace and to visit the displaced.

EUROPE/ITALY - Father Lazzaro, "discreet martyr of charity"

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Rome - "Discreet martyr of charity": this is how His Exc. Mgr. Nuncio Galantino, Bishop of the Diocese of Cassano all'Jonio and ad Interim Secretary General of the Italian Bishops Conference, described Father Lazzaro Longobardi, pastor of the St. Raphael the Archangel parish in Sibari, found dead on the morning of March 3, near the parsonage next to St. Joseph church, where he lived. An iron bar was found under his body with which he was killed, most likely on Sunday evening, March 2nd.
The priest, born in 1945, was ordained a priest in 1971. Since 1987 he was pastor in Sibari, loved by the entire parish community for his commitment in favor of the marginalized, especially for the thousands of immigrants who flocked to those areas in search of work. According to authorities, one of them, who was stopped, tried to extort money from the priest.
"From investigations the sad truth comes to surface of a death due to the infinite goodness and trust in others - said Mgr. Galantino – Fr. Lazzaro was a priest who had dedicated himself entirely to Christ, to the weakest and most defenseless".

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Famine affects more than 300 000 people

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Maputo - This year more than 300 thousand people have suffered famine in the southern part of Mozambique. According to information gathered by Fides Agency, the Minister of Agriculture Jose Pacheco said that the serious phenomenon, which affects mainly the central and southern regions of the African Country, was caused by different factors, including drought, floods and an outbreak of insects. In addition, crops were destroyed by wild animals, including elephants and hippos. According to local authorities, the Government is developing new mechanisms to help farmers produce more food, buy fertilizers and agricultural tools.

ASIA/HOLY LAND - Patriarch Twal: the Pope's visit will boost the peace process

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Jerusalem - The visit Pope Francis will carry out in the Holy Land at the end of May will give a new impetus to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. This was written by Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem of the Latins in the pastoral letter for Lent issued in Arabic and relaunched by the official bodies of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The patriarchal message, as well as proposing again the traditional practices that mark Lent - prayer, fasting, almsgiving, interest in approaching the sacrament of confession - invites the faithful to prepare for the upcoming visit of the Bishop of Rome "as pilgrim in places that the Lord blessed us with his birth, his baptism, his preaching, his death and resurrection". The Pope - refers t Patriarch Twal "will come to confirm our faith, to intensify ecumenical relations and interreligious dialogue and give a new impetus to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, strengthening relations between the Vatican and each of the Countries that he will visit: Jordan, Palestine and Israel". As of now, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem invites "the greatest possible number of the faithful to participate in Massess that the Holy Father will celebrate, one at the international stadium in Amman , the other in the square of the Nativity in Bethlehem .
Since the end of February a special media commission has been established in view of the papal visit by the Assembly of Catholic ordinary Bishops of the Holy Land http://popefrancisholyland2014.lpj.org, accessible in 7 languages, which provides documentation regarding the next papal pilgrimage to the Holy Land and his intentions. Meanwhile, on Thursday afternoon, March 6th an exhibition will be inaugurated at the hall of the Convent of St. Saviour in Jerusalem, titled "Paul VI in the Holy Land", held under the patronage of the Custody of the Holy Land, which presents the public with photos and historical documents regarding the journey Pope Paul VI carried out in Jerusalem in 1964.

ASIA/INDIA - Religious freedom at risk and violence against minorities, in view of the general elections

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

New Delhi – Tensions and violence against religious minorities in India increase in view of the general elections to be held in May: this is what is stated in the new Report published by the NGO "Christian Solidarity Worldwide" titled "India: Communalism in an Election Year", sent to Fides Agency. The text emphasizes strong concerns regarding the states of Orissa, Karnataka and Rajasthan. In these states, the Report points out, there is a widespread practice of violence against religious minority communities, in addition to a robust system of impunity. For this reason, the NGO believes there is a need to monitor any "outbreaks of violence", especially in areas where Hindu extremist groups foment tensions between tribal communities. The Report also highlights the "legalized discrimination" against Dalit Christians and Muslims, the anti-conversion legislation, and the censorship imposed by the laws on blasphemy.
CSW is concerned about the increasing pressure on human rights defenders, including harassment and threats from Hindu extremist organizations. "To protect and strengthen the defense of human rights in India is a compelling imperative", says the text.
CSW also elaborated the Report after the visit to India of Heiner Bielefeldt, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who went to the cities of Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Bhubaneswar.
The concerns for freedom of religion in India have received increased attention in recent months, after the outbreak of the violence against Muslims in Muzaffarnagar, in September, and the appointment of Narendra Modi - who in the past encouraged inter-community tensions - as Premier candidate of the Hindu nationalist "Bharatiya Janata Party" . In a note sent to Fides, the Executive Director of CSW, Mervyn Thomas, said: "In the year of the general elections, concerns over the violence against religious minorities have intensified. We are particularly concerned about impunity, after episodes of violence, both on a large scale and in confined areas".

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - The Bishops on the crisis in Ukraine: "We raise our voice in defense of religious liberty"

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Louisville - On March 4, the Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky , His Exc. Mgr. Joseph Edward Kurtz, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the United States, issued a statement on Ukraine, in which he expresses concern about "the tensions and troubling events" which continue to unfold in the region.
"The bishops of the United States, together with tens of millions of U.S. Catholics of Eastern European descent, join Pope Francis in solidarity and prayers for the people of Ukraine for an end to the current tensions and troubling events which continue to unfold there". The Archbishop still repeats the call of Pope Francis: we all have to "endeavor to overcome misunderstandings and build together the future of the nation".
The statement continues: "The heroic witness of Ukrainian Greek and Latin Catholic leaders, who stand firm for human rights and democracy, gives us hope that peaceful means might prevail to help rebuild civil society.
Over the centuries, Catholics in Ukraine have been severely persecuted, and Catholicism even outlawed. For this reason, we raise our voice in defense of religious liberty in Ukraine, a liberty further threatened by the invasive actions occurring in the country".
On behalf of the Bishops, the Archbishop concludes by asking the U.S. Catholic communities, gathered for the beginning of Lent, "to pray for a peaceful resolution of this crisis, one that secures the just and fundamental human rights".

EUROPE/LUXEMBOURG -Appointment of National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Vatican City - On June 21, 2013 Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, appointed rev. Don Maurice Péporté, of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Luxembourg for a five-year period . The new National Director is 46 years old and was ordained a priest 22 years ago. From 1991 to 2008 he was pastor in two different parishes. Since 2008 he has been pastor in Ettelbruck.

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Threats to judges and lawyers: two Christians accused of blasphemy remain in jail

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Gojra - Two innocent Christians, Shafaqat Emmanuel, paralyzed, and his wife, Shagufta Kausar, accused of "blasphemy via sms" remain in the prison in Toba Tek Singh: The High Court in Lahore has in fact refused the request of release on bail, submitted by the defense lawyers. As denounced in a note sent to Fides by the Foundation "World Vision in Progress" , that is following the case, "the judges of the High Court were initially convinced of what was said by the defense. But after pressure from Muslim religious leaders and the threats of extremists in Gojra, the judges denied bail, saying the case will be completed within two months. Radical Muslims had already threatened defense lawyers many times. Threatening letters have arrived to our NGO, to discourage us to defend the couple. In response to the threats, we have filed a petition to transfer the case to the High Court. But even these judges seem partial".
The risk is, according to the NGO, that the High Court imposes death penalty to a sick man and 35 years in prison to his wife. Shafaqat who is now in the prison hospital, due to multiple bedsores will soon need surgery.
"We do not know for how long Shafaqat will be able to survive in prison, without assistance, in his condition", notes the NGO.
"In Pakistan, terrible injustice with the misuse of the blasphemy law continues to be perpetrated. And the judges do not have the strength to restore justice" says to Fides Farrukh H.Saif, of WVIP.
Shafaqat Emmanuel and his wife, Shagufta Kausar, had been arrested in Gojra in July 2013 for allegedly sending blasphemous SMS text messages to local Muslims. The two have been subjected to torture by the police. Their four children now live with their grandfather.

AFRICA/CONGO DR - "No to indirect elections", say the Bishops who fear fraud and manipulation

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Kinshasa - The Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo are contrary to the hypothesis of indirect vote to elect mayors, councilors and provincial deputies, as proposed by the President of the Independent Electoral Commission , Father Malu Malu.
The Bishops’ position was announced in a statement issued on 3 March in Kinshasa.
"The Bishops - said Don Leonard Santedi, Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo, CENCO at a press conference - believe that the hypothesis of provincial or municipal elections by indirect suffrage is not suitable to consolidate our democracy".
Indirect election calls for citizens to vote "great electors" who in turn will proceed to elect administrators and deputies. The Bishops are concerned that this procedure will increase the possibility of fraud and manipulation through the corruption of the "great electors".
"We want municipal, urban and local elections to be carried out through indirect suffrage, in order to consolidate our democracy but also to allow the population to exercise its right recognized by the population", say the Bishops in their statement.
CENCO finally, calls for provincial elections to be organized in the first quarter of 2015 in order to conclude the election cycle which began in 2011, and then proceed, in 2016, with the presidential election.

EUROPE/ARMENIA - Major exhibit on Armenian Genocide available online

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0100

Yerevan - A major exhibit consisting of 20 panels with over 150 historic photographs documenting the role of the Armenian Church during the Armenian Genocide with testimony from survivors and witnesses will be released: this is the aim of an exhibit available online: www.armenian - genocide.org, set up in view of the centenary of the Armenian Genocide with the contribution of the Armenian National Institute, the Armenian Genocide Museum of America and the Armenian Assembly of America in collaboration with the Armenian apostolic Catholicosate of Echmiadzin.
The online exhibit, titled "The First Refuge and the Last Defense: The Armenian Church, Etchmiadzin, and The Armenian Genocide", examines the vital leadership role played by the clergy during the Armenian Genocide, especially the all-important intervention of His Holiness Catholicos Gevorg V Sureniants in alerting world leaders about the massacres, effectively issuing the first 'early warning' of an impending genocide.
The exhibit provides ample evidence of the aid extended by fellow Armenians to the refugees fleeing Ottoman Turkey as the Young Turk regime pursued its path toward the destruction of the Armenians. It is now almost forgotten that the first people to come to the aid of the fleeing and starving were Armenians across the Russian-Turkish border who welcomed their countrymen into their homes and threw open the doors to their schools, hospitals, and other facilities to house, care, and feed the hungry, the sick, and the homeless.