October 30, 2016 - St Augustine Cathedral

October 30, 2016 - St Augustine Cathedral

Saint Augustine Cathedral
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 30, 2016
Parish Mission Statement
Inside This Issue:
The Catholic Community of St. Augustine Cathedral,
nourished by the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit
are sent forth to proclaim the Good News of God’s love for
all people.
Weekly Parish Information
2-3
Liturgical4-6
Prayer List
5
Parish News
6-7
Diocese News
8
World News
9
As a Parish Community we will put this into action by
continuously developing a Pastoral Program that reaches
out to meet the needs of our Parishioners and community.
Feature Article: “Holy See’s Statement On Prevention Of An
Arms Race In Outer Space”
192 S. Stone Ave. • Tucson, Arizona 85701 • Tel (520) 623-6351 • Fax (520) 623-0088 • cathedral-staugustine.org
Parish Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 - 5 / Friday 9 - 4
ST. AUGUSTINE CATHEDRAL
CLERGY & STAFF DIRECTORY
Rector: Rev. Gonzalo Villegas
x115
Parochial Vicar:
Rev. Showri Raju Narra
x117
Capuchin Priests: Rev. Robert Kose • Rev. John Francis Samsa
Deacons:
Keating Ackerley • Salvador Carmona,
Charles Gallegos
Office Manager: Margaret Ortiz Ochoa
x102
Secretary: Norma Madril
x101
Receptionist: Cecilia Metz
x118
Compliance Officer: Terry Gill
x116
Sacristan: Richard Martinez
Diocesan & Cathedral Director of Music:
Carlos Zapien
x114
Maintenance: Gloria Ramos • Cecilia Metz
Nick Gomez
Rectory Housekeeper: Norma Pinedo
Bulletin & Website Editor: Patty Alcala
ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES
Altar Server Society: Sylvia Kamei &
Sandra Smith
Docent/Hospitality: Leilani Gomez
Eucharistic Ministers: Liz Aguallo
Events Fundraising: Leilani Gomez
Finance Council: Joe Ladenburg
Guadalupanos: Juan Carlos Martinez
Keep Cathedral Grounds Beautiful: John Jacome
Knights of Columbus: Hector Tellez
Pastoral Council: Liz Aguallo
RCIA:Deacon Charles
Gallegos &
Gene Benton
St. Vincent de Paul: Justin Castillo
Usher Society:
Luis E. Kamei
Youth Group:
Matt Yanez & Ariana Varelas
COLLECTIONS
October 16, 2016
REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday
5:30 pm
English Vigil Mass - Organist
(Fulfills Sunday obligation)
Sunday Collection Received:
2nd Collect: Thank you for your continued and
generous support of our parish.
God bless you!
Sunday
6:30 am
8:00 am
10:00 am
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
English Mass - No Music
Spanish Mass - Mariachi
English Mass - Choir
English Mass - Choir
Spanish Mass - Coro
Weekday English Masses
7:00 am & 12:00 pm
Monday - Friday
Holy Days (except Christmas & New Years)
7:00 am
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
English Mass
English Mass
Spanish Mass
Sacrament of Penance
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
2
$4,628.11
$1,311.84
SAINTS AND SPECIAL
OBSERVANCES
Sunday:
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Priesthood Sunday
Monday:Halloween
Tuesday:
All Saints
Wednesday:
The Commemoration of All the
Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
Thursday:
St. Martin de Porres
Friday:
St. Charles Borromeo; First Friday
Saturday:
First Saturday; Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday
PARISH INFORMATION
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
SUNDAY/DOMINGO 10/30/16
6:30am
English Mass
8:00am
Spanish Mass 10:00am
English Mass
12:00pm
English Mass
5:30pm
Spanish Mass
Jane Ann Sundberg
Slate Owen McAdams, Maria Slate
& Luis Humberto Corona
Henry Mata
Happy 105th Birthday, Amelia Benton!
Feligreses de San Agustín
MONDAY/LUNES 10/31/16
7:00am
12:00pm
5:30pm
Daily English Mass
Norma Renteria
Daily English Mass
Richard H. Stengel
ALL SAINTS’ DAY VIGIL MASS
TUESDAY/MARTES
11/1/16
OFFICE CLOSED ALL DAY
7:00am
ALL SAINTS’ DAY MASS
12:00pm
ALL SAINTS’ DAY MASS
5:30pm
MISA DEL DIA DE TODOS LOS SANTOS
6:00pm PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
NO CONFIRMATION CLASS - ATTENDING 5:30pm MASS
WEDNESDAY/MIERCOLES11/2/16
7:00am
12:00pm
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Daily English Mass
Daily English Mass
RCIA
THURSDAY/JUEVES
7:00am
12:00pm
6:00pm
11/3/16
Daily English Mass
Daily English Mass
BIBLE STUDY RESUMES
Carlos Estevan Amado
Dolores Rendon
FRIDAY/VIERNES
7:00am
12:00pm
Daily English Mass
Daily English Mass
SATURDAY/SABADO
5:30pm
Guadalupe Castillo
Richard M. Ochoa, Jr.
English Vigil Mass
11/4/16
Alfredo Romero Monarez
Norma B. Renteria
11/5/16
Johnny Lucero
UPCOMING EVENTS
2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH
6:30pm
ST VINCENT DE PAUL MEETINGS
EVERY WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
6:30pm - 8:00pm
RCIA
TUESDAY/MARTES
11/8/16
ELECTION DAY
SATURDAY/SABADO
7:00pm
ADVERTISE
YOUR BUSINESS
WITH US!
If you are interested in
placing an ad for your
company in our Bulletin,
please contact
Claudia Borders at
(520) 298-1265
VISIT OUR
WEBSITE!
cathedralstaugustine.org
VISIT US ON
facebook/
staugustine
cathedral
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT
DEADLINE:
Please submit your request to
the parish office two Fridays
before the weekend you need
your announcement in bulletin.
Thank you.
11/12/16
SPANISH BAPTISM CLASS
PARISH INFORMATION
3
THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME
OCTOBER 30, 2016
The Lord lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
— Psalm 145:14
su amor a Dios, un amor que se hace carne en obras
de caridad y justicia.
La mayoría de los santos se hicieron santos gracias
a los monstruos que los rodeaban. Los primeros
mártires cristianos murieron a mano de los
monstruos romanos, muchos religiosos medievales
se refugiaban en Dios para protegerse de los
monstruos internos que los tentaban con sexo,
dinero y poder. Y en América muchos como Manuel
Chin Sooj se hicieron testigos de la justicia en manos
de los monstruos de gobiernos injustos.
Los monstruos, en fin no pueden vencer a los santos
por eso en Guatemala el martirio de Manuel Chin
Sooj, animó a los obispos guatemaltecos a unirse
con la carta “El clamor de la tierra” a los esfuerzos de
pobres en búsqueda de tierra y dignidad humana.
—Fray Gilberto Cavazos-Glz, OFM, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — Lord, you love all things that exist
(Wisdom 11:22 — 12:2).
Psalm — I will praise your name forever, my king and
my God (Psalm 145).
GOD IS WITH US
The book of Wisdom tells us that the spirit of God is
in all things. What a wonderful thought, and what a
wonderful image to keep in front of us as we travel
down life’s road. For if the path is revealed in the
treading, it’s good to know that God is with us—and
all around us—every step of the way.
But Paul knows that this divine presence is not timid.
Instead, God calls out to us, and Paul prays that we,
along with the Thessalonians, might be made worthy
of that call. And who knows more about God’s call
than Zacchaeus, the tax collector? Jesus called him
out of a tree, for goodness’ sake. Or perhaps more
correctly, as we reflect upon the end of today’s
Gospel reading, for heaven’s sake. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE
El 31 de octubre muchos se visten de monstruos y al
día siguiente, los cristianos celebramos a todos los
santos. Es interesante el contraste entre los dos días.
Un día recordamos brujas y zombis y al siguiente
conmemoramos vírgenes y mártires, religiosos y
laicos comprometidos todos con una cosa en común:
4
Second Reading — May the name of Christ be
glorified in you and you in him (2 Thessalonians 1:11
— 2:2).
Gospel — Zacchaeus, a tax collector, considered to
be a sinner, is converted to the Lord (Luke 19:1-10).
The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997,
International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
Phil 2:1-4; Ps 131:1bcde-3; Lk 14:12-14
Tuesday:
Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3;
Mt 5:1-12a
Wednesday:
Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5-11 or
6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40, or any readings from
no. 668 or from Masses for the Dead,
nos. 1011-1016
Thursday:
Phil 3:3-8a; Ps 105:2-7; Lk 15:1-10
Friday:
Phil 3:17 — 4:1; Ps 122:1-5; Lk 16:1-8
Saturday:
Phil 4:10-19; Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9;
Lk 16:9-15
Sunday:
2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15;
2 Thes 2:16 — 3:5; Lk 20:27-38 [27, 34-38]
LITURGICAL
JUBILEE YEAR OF
MERCY
Last Sunday’s Gospel gave us a tax
collector’s beautiful prayer to take with us from this
Jubilee Year of Mercy. Today, another tax collector’s
encounter with Jesus offers a comforting memory to
cherish, but also a challenging mission to embrace.
Zacchaeus’ short stature (see Luke 19:3) matched
how contemptible, socially and spiritually, Zacchaeus’
religious acquaintances considered tax collectors to
be. Jesus counters that judgment with mercy. Radical
sin meets unmerited grace. God seeks and finds the
lost; a sinner’s home becomes salvation’s house. The
sinner “quickly” welcomes salvation “with joy” (19:6),
while the righteous grumble judgmentally at God’s
mercy. Mercy challenges us, too. Like Zacchaeus,
we have been sought and found by Jesus, called
by name to welcome Jesus into our heart’s home.
Therefore, we must go forth from this Jubilee Year of
Mercy as “missionaries of mercy,” seeking our fellow
sinners with Jesus, receiving them with joy (see 19:6)
as cherished brothers and sisters, and joyfully offering
our judgment-free hospitality as Jesus’ own “Welcome
home!” —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. | Papal quotes Copyright ©
2015, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.
AÑO JUBILAR DE LA MISERICORDIA
En el Evangelio del domingo pasado leímos que el
recaudador de impuestos hizo una hermosa oración
y nosotros la podemos rezar este Año Jubilar de la
Misericordia. Y en el Evangelio de hoy también leemos
acerca de otro recaudador de impuestos quien se
encuentra con Jesús y la historia ofrece una misión difícil
de comprender. Los conocidos religiosos de Zaqueo
consideraban a los recaudadores de impuestos algo bajo
y eran despreciados social y espiritualmente; y luego
la altura de Zaqueo combinaba. Jesús responde a ese
juicio con misericordia. El pecado radical se encuentra
con la gracia inmerecida. Dios busca y encuentra lo
perdido; la casa de un pecador se convierte en la casa
de salvación. El pecador “pronto” acepta la salvación
“contento” (19:6), mientras que los justos se quejan
juiciosamente de la misericordia de Dios. La misericordia
tan bien nos desafía a nosotros. Como a Zaqueo, Jesús
nos buscó y nos encontró, llamados por nuestro nombre
recibimos a Jesús en el hogar de nuestro corazón.
Por lo tanto, tenemos que terminar este Año Jubilar
de la Misericordia como “misioneros de misericordia”,
buscando con Jesús a nuestros compañeros pecadores,
LITURGICAL
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR
PARISHIONERS
Please call the office to remove your
loved one’s name when well. Thank you!
Jennifer Abeyta
Lorraine B. Aguilar
Cristen Aguirre
Francisca Aguirre
Margaret Aguirre
Esther Alba
Ruben G. Amado
Altagracia Araiza
Valdez
Guadalupe Arerala
Lee Leon Baker
Rosa Maria Barrera
Antonio Beltran
Vicente Bencomo
Gene Benton
Benjamin F.A.
Bicknese
Alma Rosa Bombilla
Lopez
David Bombilla
Fregoso
Terry Rico
Bracamonte
Betty Brichta Garcia
Deacon Oscar Bueno
Mary Helen Bueno
Ana Bustamante
Maria Bustamante
Vincent Bustamante
Carmen Cardenas
Irma Carmona
Msgr. Arsenio Carrillo
Coach Carter
Omar Casas Varela
11yrs
Julie Castro
Alex Catalan
Luz Catalan
Javier Chavez
Liliana Chavez
Pete Confrey
Dolores Corrales
Norma Corrales
Walter Cruz
Theresa Cuestas
Margie Echeveria
Pache Estrada
Diego & Nubia
Federico
Jerry Federico
Jose Fimbres
Jose Lluly Fimbres
Ursula Fimbres
Kyle Frank
Alex Gallego
Maria Galvan
Alex Garcia
Betty Garcia
David Garcia
Marco Antonio
Garcia Avila
Roxanne Garcia
Martin Gastelum
Yolanda Gastelum
Kathy Gatt
Frank Chapo Gomez
Veronica Gomez
Roberto Grijalva
Octavio Guerrero
Erica Harper
Mei Li Hepner
Noah Hepner
Ofelia Hernandez
Gianna S. Hurtado
Rudy Ingels
Ramona Barba
Inigues
Elliot Janacek
Jazmine Larra
Maya Larra
Angelica Lopez
Dora Lopez
Baby Gilberto Ramon
Lopez, Jr.
Isaac Lopez
Lourdes Lopez
Maverick Lopez
Michelle Lopez
Curtis Lucas
Socorro Macedo
Alicia Manuel
Bertha Dolores
Martinez
Rebeca Mesquita
Asuncion Metal
Christina Molina
Rosalie Monreal
Jana Montione
Linda Montoya
Artie Navarro
Alfonso Nieto
Kyra Nieto
Liz Nunez
Nancy O’Connor
Neal O’Connor
Bernice Irene Ornelaz
Santiago Orozco, Sr.
Gerardo Pereira
Carmen Perez
Esther Perez
Mariah Peterson
Carmen Pinedo
Sherry Poe
Gloria Pullium
Edilia Quiroz
Angela Ramirez
Diego Ramirez
Rodrigo Ramirez
Soleil Richards
Fred Riesgo
Graciela Rodarte
Alejandro Romero
Bertha Romero
Dora Romero
Leonel Romero
Karina Romo
Jaime Roybal
Sister Paulette Shaw
Millie Smith
Daniel Smyers
Howard Spence
Christine Stern
Mary Stern
Joe Szleszinski
Michele Tejada
Eric Torres-Largarda
Noel Torres
Georgeann Toto
Angel Valenzuela
Armando Valenzuela
Barbara Valenzuela
Berta Valenzuela
Jose Valenzuela
Rosa Maria Varrera
Armando Vasquez
Jonelia Whitten
Mark Whitten
Paula Whitten
Randy Whitten
Lydia Yanez
Yareth Ybarra
Angie Yrigoyen
Gabriella Kenosha
Zemont
recibiéndolos con alegría (ver 19:6) como hermanas
y hermanos queridos, y alegremente ofreciéndoles
nuestra hospitalidad sin ningún juicio como la propia
“bienvenida a casa” de Jesús.
—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. | Citas del Papa Copyright © 2015, Libreria Editrice
Vaticana. Usadas con permiso.
5
PARISH NEWS:
BIBLE STUDY CORRECTION
Bible Study Group will resume Thursday, NOVEMBER
3, 2016 at 6:00pm at San Cosme Chapel. For further
information, call Gene Benton at 520-419-9677.
OUR LADY’S CHAPEL
EARLY NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
ALL SAINTS DAY MASS
November 1st is All Saints Day and is a holy day of
obligation. This year we’ll be celebrating the Vigil
Mass on Monday, October 31st at 5:30pm and we’re
inviting families to bring their children dressed
as saints. On November 1st, there will be Mass at
7:00am & 12:00pm in English & 5:30pm in Spanish.
We appreciate your participation in the Cathedral’s
activities, as this is how we grow into a united
community in Christ.
MISA DEL DÍA DE TODOS LOS
SANTOS
Este 1ero de Noviembre es el día de todos los Santos
y es día de precepto (obliga la misa). Tendremos
misa vigilia el 31 de Octubre en español a las 5:30pm
y estamos invitando a que traigan a sus niños
vestidos del Santo/a de su devoción. Agradecemos
su participación en las actividades de la Catedral
porque así crecemos como comunidad unida en
Cristo.
Chapel Staircase
Evangelist Artwork (#1)
Evangelist Artwork (#2)
Evangelist Artwork (#3)
Evangelist Artwork (#4)
Cross
Tabernacle Refurbishing
Altar Base
Altar Side Table (#1)
Altar Side Table (#2)
Balcony Railing
Sound System
$15,000
$4,000 each
$4,000 each
$4,000 each
$4,000 each
$9,000
$1,000
$10,000
$7,000 each
$7,000 each
$6,000
$20,000
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
PEW SPONSORSHIP NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
There are 20 pews in Our Lady’s Chapel. Each pew
may be sponsored with an honorary plaque for
$1,000 each.
Pew #1
Pew #2
Pew #3
Pew #4
Pew #5
Pew #6
Pew #7
Pew #8
Pew #9
Pew #10
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
TAKEN
Pew #11
Pew #12
Pew #13
Pew #14
Pew #15
Pew #16
Pew #17
Pew #18
Pew #19
Pew #20
CAN FOOD DRIVE
St. Vincent de Paul is holding
a Can Food Drive after
every mass on Saturday
and Sunday. Please help
us feed the needy families in our
community. Thank you!
6
PARISH NEWS
BRINGING MUSIC TO LIFE
FUTURE CATHEDRAL CONCERTS
October 27, 7:00pm
Ivar-Nicholas Fojas, Guitarist
November 15, 7:00pm
Sophie Shao, Cellist & Adrienne Kim, Pianist
December 16, 7:00pm
Humberto Borboa, Tenor & Yunnie Park, Soprano
Each concert is $15 and will be held in Our Lady’s Chapel
located on the north side of St. Augustine Cathedral.
REMINDER FOR PARENTS
We would like to remind parents to please
accompany your children to the restrooms. We want
to promote a safe parish. Thank you
RECUERDO PARA PADRES
Nos gustaría recordar a los padres que por favor
acompañen a sus hijos a los baños. Queremos
promover una parroquia segura. Gracias
PARISH NEWS
WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE!
Have you seen our newly redesigned website yet?
It now is easily accessible through all mobile devices
with a new modern and user-friendly design! Find
our bulletins easily from several pages. View our new
galleries. More changes to come! (Sorry, Spanish site
not yet available).
ST. AUGUSTINE CATHEDRAL, A
SHINING JEWEL IN THE DESERT
Tours of this beautiful cathedral and its grounds are
available by appointment. If you are interested in
bringing your students, youth groups, senior citizen
groups or civic groups, please contact Leilani Gomez
at 401-7577 for scheduling. Our docents are prepared
to take you back in history!
7
DIOCESE NEWS:
ANNUAL ALL SOULS DAY MASSES
Mass will be concelebrated at Holy Hope
Cemetery on Wednesday, November 2,
2016 at 8:30am. Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas,
D. D., Bishop of Tucson, will preside.
Mass will be concelebrated at
Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery
on Wednesday, November 2, 2016
at 8:30am. Rev. Mario Ordonez from
St. Joseph Parish, will preside.
PATHWAYS OF HOLINESS
•
Attention all women! (ages 17 to 40)
•
For any one asking this question:
•
“Who me, a Religious Sister?” Pathways of
Holiness / Caminos de la Santidad is for you.
Explore the Diversity of many Religious Charisms.
The Charism of a Religious Community is what makes
Religious unique in the way they live and serve God
in a vowed relationship with Jesus.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (Lunch provided)
with Maria Community,
1835 W St. Mary’s Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745
ATTENTION CATHOLIC MEN.........
Sponsored by the Diocese of Tucson Vocations
Committee. Register to attend by November 1,
2016.
Come to the one day Catholic Men’s Conference on
Saturday, November 5 from 9:00am – 4:00pm at St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson. Join men from
across the diocese to experience the theme of the
day........to take up your call to Be a Man, Be a Saint.........
the saint that God created you to be!
[email protected] / 520-838-2524
The keynote speakers for the day include Mr.
Chris Muglia, an inspirational speaker, singer and
songwriter from Phoenix, and Dr. John Bergsma,
a full professor of theology from the Franciscan
University of Steubenville. Also included in the day
are opportunities for faith witness, prayer and the
Sacrament of Penance. Bishop Kicanas will be present
and conclude the day with the Celebration of the
Eucharist. Men of all ages are encouraged to attend!
Be inspired and renewed in your faith!
To view flyer and register online, visit: www.
tucsonmensconference.org, or call 520-838-2541 for
registration form.
RETROUVAILLE - A LIFE LINE
FOR MARRIED COUPLES
Marriage Help – Retrouvaille (pronounced retrovi) has helped tens of thousands of couples at all
stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage.
This program can help you too. For confidential
information about or to register for the upcoming
program beginning with a weekend on January 13th
call 520-686-1598 or email: [email protected] or
visit the website at www.HelpOurMarriage.com
8
Directions:
•
I-10 to St. Mary’s Rd (go west); (cross Silverbell);
•
To Anklam (turn left & immediately turn right
through the open gate);
•
Go to the back near tree and park;
•
Maria Community house will be on your right,
last one;
•
Come up the walk and to the door on your left;
•
(call Sr. Noelle’s cell if you get lost: 650-9220439)
COUPLE PRAYER RETREAT
Couples say: “We have made a deeper commitment
to God and each other.” “The retreat opened a whole
new way to pray and share with each other.” ME
brought me to a deeper love and communication
with my spouse and Retrouvaille help us save our
marriage and family. Marriage Retorno is the next step beyond that
brings husband and wife to a deeper intimacy with
God using prayer and Scripture. It is facilitated by a
Catholic priest and Retorno Team Couples. Call Kevin
& Kathie Stogsdill 520-722-2931 for more info or email
[email protected]
Benedictine Sisters Monastery
800 N. Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716
DIOCESE NEWS
HOLY SEE’S STATEMENT ON
PREVENTION OF AN ARMS RACE
IN OUTER SPACE
‘In the digital age, humanity has
become ever more dependent on space
technology for the conduct of everyday
life and safeguarding the future.’
Below is the text of the Holy See’s intervention given
by Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United
Nations, at the 71st Session of
the United Nations General
Assembly, regarding the “First
Committee Agenda Item 96
(A): Prevention Of An Arms
Race In Outer Space”It was
published on Oct. 19, on The
Permanent Observer Mission
of the Holy See to the United
Nation website:
***
Mr Chair,
In the digital age,
humanity has become ever more dependent on
space technology for the conduct of everyday
life and safeguarding the future. From banking to
telecommunications, from navigation and traffic
control to regulating water supplies and electrical
grids, the peoples of the earth are dependent on
satellite technology. These same technologies have
led to rapid advances in the developing world, such
as improvements in communications, banking and
agriculture. Space technology, once the province
of a few powers, has become a universal common
good, essential for the survival and well-being of all
humanity.
Given the universal dependence on these
technologies, their vulnerability to attacks is a
risk not just for a few nations but for all humanity.
At a time when basic resources, like water and
power, are tied to control systems linked by
satellite communications, the very life blood of
societies is vulnerable to attacks in outer space. The
humanitarian consequences of a war in space would
be devastating for populations far beyond those
of adversary states. With fundamental activities
dependent on space-based technology, the impact
on civilian life would be calamitous.
It is imperative that our efforts to outlaw the use
of weapons in outer space be sufficiently broad
to take into account the changed conditions of
contemporary life and the increase of risks to human
WORLD NEWS
civilization represented by the danger of war in
space. Given the growing body of humanitarian
law and increased concern for the humanitarian
consequences of war, the integration of prohibitions
designed for the protection of human infrastructure
should become an essential component of outer
space law.
Given the potential breadth and depth of the impact
of armed conflict in space on life on earth, moreover,
preservation of the principles of noncombatant
immunity and discrimination will both be more
important than ever and also more difficult to
ensure. Armed conflict in
space, especially with the
ever-advancing weapons
technology, may make it
more difficult to contain
war within the bounds of
law. Therefore every effort
must be made to prevent
the expansion of state
conflict to space. The risk of
counter-population warfare
through attacks on satellite
technology must be checked
by concerted international
action.
The Conference on Disarmament should overcome
its frustrating, years-long impasse and agree now
to begin negotiations dealing with conventional
weapons use in space, bearing in mind that weapons
of various kinds might be launched from outside outer
space. The United Nations Disarmament Commission
should begin consideration of transparency-and
confidence-building measures for space as proposed
earlier this year by a number of States.
Our delegation reiterates our recommendation,
made last year, that the adoption of an International
Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities should
be accomplished promptly, taking into account the
availability of a draft Code. As we noted then, the
Code would make an important contribution to
international peace and security.
Collaboration in the peaceful development of outer
space will provide further protection against armed
conflict there. To this end, more attention ought
to be given to the promotion of multilateral and
international projects in space.
Space is a common heritage of all, an environment
that we all depend on. We should ensure that we
deal with it accordingly, and not make it another
source or place of conflict.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Copyright © 2016 ZENIT • October 21, 2016 • ZENIT Staff
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