, Dec 7, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The Vatican is urging the United Nations to give acts of hatred and discrimination against Christians the same recognition as a social evil that is given to such acts committed against Jews and Muslims.

The Catholic Church made first public mention of this campaign to have the UN and other international organizations recognize “Christianophobia” Dec. 3, reported Reuters.

In discussing religious bias, the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva now speaks of "anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Christianophobia." The current General Assembly in New York is expected to approve these terms this month.

"It should be recognized that the war against terrorism, even though necessary, had as one of its side-effects the spread of 'Christianophobia' in vast areas of the globe," said the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, at a U.S.-organized conference on religious freedom in Rome Dec. 3.

According to Reuters, Vatican officials say privately they could not stand aside while Christian minorities are persecuted in countries worldwide and only Judaism and Islam get special attention at the U.N.

The Vatican has suggested the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna include Christianophobia as well.

01:46 am | Holy Father reminds the hearing impaired they are also recipients of the Gospel

09:07 pm | CNN poll finds 61% of Americans oppose government-funded abortions

08:02 pm | USCCB: Senate health care bill 'morally unacceptable'

05:54 pm | Mexican expert: Don’t believe false 'end of world' Mayan prophecies

02:36 pm | Expert explains upcoming battle over pro-abortion Senate health care bill

Official report reveals strong anti-Catholic bigotry in Scotland

Iraqi bishop says Islamists will not drive Christians out

Indian Christian deported from Saudi Arabia

Fundamentalist attacks strengthen faith of Catholics in India