By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer   The European Union has instructed its Parliamentary staff to begin using gender-neutral language and cease using terms such as Mr. and Mrs., Madame and Mademoiselle, Frau and Fraulein, Senora and Senorita. According to report by LifeSiteNews.com, the new rules have been published in a booklet that has been distributed to staff saying the old forms of expression are “sexist.” Staff must now begin to us “gender-specific” terms such as “political leader” instead of “statesman.” A largely feminist doctrine, this kind of “inclusive language” has been a key issue for the radical feminist movement in the English speaking world. In the US, the movement's flagship publication, founded by feminist icon Gloria Steinem in 1972, was titled "Ms.," an indication of the importance to feminists of the abolition of traditional titles. Not everyone is going along with the idea, however. Struan Stevenson, a Scottish Conservative MEP (Member of European Parliament), called it a case of "political correctness gone mad." The Halifax Chronicle Herald mocked the decision in an unsigned editorial, saying it was a throwback to the era of bellbottoms and love beads.   Calling it "politically correct nonsense," the editorial said that the "muddled thinking behind the effort is certainly familiar to many" in heavily politically correct Canada.   "Ensuring men's and women's rights are equal does not mean we have to disinfect language to remove all gender references. Insisting on doing so can actually rob words and phrases of meaning." A European Parliament spokesman defended the booklet, saying it was only a guideline to be used by staff. “It is particularly useful for translators and interpreters, who are being asked to consider gender-neutral languages when they are translating documents or interpreting MEPs speaking in the chamber." © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly/Women of Grace. http://www.womenofgrace.com