Fall 2004 In the last installment of these "News" notes we recommended a conference in Chicago organized by the Carmelite Institute. About 200 persons attended the four-day convocation. At it the Chairman of the Institute of Carmelite Studies (who is also Publisher of ICS Publications) co-conducted a workshop. Fr. John Sullivan joined with Sr. Jane Remson, O. Carm. to inform participants of the workshop about the presence of the two Carmelite Orders as NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) at the U.N. Their workshop delved into one aspect of the conference’s general theme "Carmel as a Sign of Hope and Healing for a Troubled World." The two Carmelite Fathers General asked Sr. Jane Remson for the O. Carms and Fr. John Sullivan for the OCDs (see photo) to devise a statement of support for the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals, listed below in the meeting’s statement. The generals and their representatives appear in this photo. When presented to the full assembly their statement was unanimously accepted by acclamation. The brief text of this message of support for the MDGs was: We Carmelites, who minister worldwide and have convened here in Chicago to discuss "Carmel as a Sign of Hope and Healing for Our Troubled World" are particularly affected by the difficulties encountered in the world’s developing countries. As we recommit ourselves to pursue justice and peace for all, we share the vision proposed by the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (listed below) and we urgently call for their fulfillment within the stated timeframes assigned to them. For and with those present, [signed] M. Rev. Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm.  and  M. Rev. Luis Arostegui Gamboa,O.C.D. Millennium Development Goals 1 Eradicate Poverty and Hunger 2 Achieve Universal Primary Education 3 Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women 4 Reduce Child Mortality 5 Improve Maternal Health 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases 7 Ensure Environmental Sustainability 8 Develop a Global Partnership for Development The text of this declaration was presented to the U.N. at the September Conference for NGOs which, this year, was designed to discuss progress so far on the same Millennium Development Goals. For the aims and workings of NGOs see the following UN website: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/brochure.htm. The O.Carm NGO webpage is available at carmelites.org; and in a while there will be an OCD webpage devoted to the Order’s activities in this important new form of outreach. Jane Ackerman provided an undeniable contribution to literature about the Carmelite tradition when she gave us her Elijah, Prophet of Carmel for publication. The public is buying her book, and we at ICS Publications know people are learning from her volume. . .and how! If only for the reason that we have received two letters of protest, we now know some have not only been reading Dr. Ackerman’s thoughts about Elijah, they have also been reacting against facets of them. One individual did not appreciate how the author pointed to Muslim affection for the Prophet of Tishbe, with the ensuing bias that space allotted to consideration of such Muslim devotion is wasted, especially in a book published by and for Carmelites. It is worth simply noting that Dr. Ackerman gives sober treatment of this matter on pages 87-98 and does not engage in any apologetics for Islam. Her words enable us to heed the authoritative voice of the Second Vatican Council where it encourages Catholics to increase their knowledge of other religions, including—to be sure—the Islamic faith. In Nostra Aetate the Council stated: 3. Upon the Moslems, too, the Church looks with esteem. They adore one God, living and enduring, merciful and all-powerful, Maker of heaven and earth and Speaker to humankind. They strive to submit wholeheartedly even to His inscrutable decrees, just as did Abraham, with whom the Islamic faith is pleased to associate itself. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin mother; at times they call on her, too, with devotion. In addition they await the day of judgment when God will give individuals their due after raising them up. Consequently, they prize the moral life, and give worship to God especially through prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Although in the course of the centuries many quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this most sacred Synod urges all to forget the past and to strive sincerely for mutual understanding. On behalf of all mankind, let them make common cause of safeguarding and fostering social justice, moral values, peace, and freedom. Several years ago a Discalced Carmelite expert on Mariology living on Mount Carmel produced a book-length study he titled Mary of The Koran. ICS Publications does not distribute his tome, but we feel it is significant for interreligious understanding that a Carmelite scholar would spend time producing a thoughtful study of Muslim interest in the Mother of God. May she intercede for all true believers so they might esteem anew, and deeply, the message of peace preached by Her Son to all the people he met, whether Jews or Gentiles.