THE US House of Representatives voted to give $25 million to the United Nations for population control programmes as long as it promised not to fund projects in China.
Republican Chris Smith, the most prominent pro-life member of Congress, unsuccessfully challenged the amendment which passed 221198.
Last year Congress rejected a request for funds for the UN Population Fund.
The amendment was part of a larger $2.4 billion Bill to improve security at US embassies and fund other State Department programmes.
Church backs Falklands agreement
THE ARGENTINE Church has pledged its support for the agreement reached by Argentina and the United Kingdom over the status of the Falklands.
Mgr Alejandro Buccolini, the Bishop of Rio Gallegos, said that the agreement marked a breakthrough in Anglo-Argentine relations over the islands.
The Falklands territory is an apostolic prefecture that depends directly on the Holy See.
It is under the jurisdiction, in effect, of neither the Argentine nor the British bishops.
The territory was formed on January 10, 1952. Its present apostolic prefect is Fr Anton Agreiter of the Mill Hill Missionary Society.
ARCHBISHOP Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico has warned of the anti-life policies of the United Nations.
In his homily last Sunday, he strongly criticised those who "hide" behind organisations like the UN, presenting themselves as defenders of human rights, while they are really promoting the "extermination" of man.
Archbishop Carrera said that inventions and progress were intended by God to make "a better and more habitable home, a more fraternal and human world".
Instead, he said, we fmd that reality is far removed from this Plan of Love.
He said: "Marvellous scientific advances that should help human progress have become lethal weapons against man." ECUADOR'S bishops are working with the country's embattled president to bring an end to a wave of strikes and social unrest. In a recent meeting, the bishops offered President Jamil Majuad a six-point plan to encourage national dialogue and reconciliation.
The plan included the elimination of "corruption and impunity", putting the economy at the service of the population, and increasing education, health and social security expenditure.
After a meeting with trade union and business leaders,' the bishops said: "It is urgent that we combine efforts for effective dialogue... not only to overcame this crisis, but to give a new direction to society in terms of creativity fot the benefit of all."