Action Alert

December 2013/January 2014 

50 Years Later, Disparities Exist! 

January 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty in the United States.  This marks the time when America made a commitment to reduce poverty.  In 2000, world leaders came together to form and implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) to reduce the number of people in the world whose income is less than a dollar a day and to restore dignity and a basic quality of life to these individuals.  So important was this idea that one of the goals was to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.  Yet, how successful have individuals, nations, and our global community been at reducing poverty?  According to the 2013 Millennium Development Goal report, "significant and substantial progress has been made in halting the number of people living in extreme poverty.  Other MDG's have seen progress as well.  Discrepancies that still exist have to do with those that live in rural areas and those living in urban areas as well as between countries."   In an article entitled, "Inequality is a Choice," Joseph Stiglitz states, "To this day, inequality between countries is far greater than inequality within countries."  New research by World Bank economist, Branko Milanovic, states that  "from 1988 to 2008, people in the world’s top 1 percent saw their incomes increase by 60 percent, while those in the bottom 5 percent had no change in their income. And while median incomes have greatly improved in recent decades, there are still enormous imbalances: 8 percent of humanity takes home 50 percent of global income; the top 1 percent alone takes home 15 percent."  

According to a 2011 study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, income inequality first started to rise in the late 1970's and early 1980's in America and Britain (and also in Israel). Joseph E. Stiglitz states that, "widening income and wealth inequality in America is part of a trend seen across the Western world."  Stiglitz also points out that the trend is not universal, because "over these same years, countries like Chile, Mexico, Greece, Turkey and Hungary managed to reduce (in some cases very high) income inequality significantly, suggesting that inequality is a product of political and not merely macroeconomic forces. It is not true that inequality is an inevitable byproduct of globalization, the free movement of labor, capital, goods and services, and technological change that favors better-skilled and better-educated employees."  Stiglitz goes on to say that, "American inequality began its upswing 30 years ago, along with tax decreases for the rich and the easing of regulations on the financial sector. That’s no coincidence. It has worsened as we have under-invested in our infrastructure, education and health care systems, and social safety nets. Rising inequality reinforces itself by corroding our political system and our democratic governance."  And frighteningly, he states, "last year, the top 1 percent of Americans took home 22 percent of the nation’s income; the top 0.1 percent, 11 percent. Ninety-five percent of all income gains since 2009 have gone to the top 1 percent. Recently released census figures show that median income in America hasn’t budged in almost a quarter-century."  

Both Simone Campbell, SSS and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth L. Hinson-Hasty in their recent presentations asked if those living in poverty and those living in wealth really see each other?  Sister Simone, of NETWORK helped participants re-enact the disparities in wealth through a human chart, entitled, Mind the Gap.  Reverend Hinson-Hasty affirmed much of these same ideas in her own statistic sharing.  It was noted in a book titled, Spirit Level by Wilkenson and Pickett (c. 12.2009) that the greater the disparities within any country, the worse the following became for ALL in the country:

• Life Expectancy
• Math/Literacy
• Infant Mortality
• Homicides 
• Imprisonment
• Teen Births
• Trust/Child Well-Being
• Obesity
• Mental Illness/Drug/Alcohol
• Less Social Mobility

Why does all this matter?  Of course, there are many perspectives and here are a few:  

• Wealth supports candidates, lobbyists, media outlets thus threatening democracy.
• Children of wealth attend the best schools and connect with the best jobs thus limiting social mobility restrictions.
• Wealth creates political leverage and thus policies that favor those having wealth.

How does one redistribute the wealth and decrease inequality?  NETWORK suggests work on four policies regarding income gap and redistribution in the United States.  These include:

• Tax Policy - examine rates, loopholes, estate taxes.
• Wages and Labor - who champions worker rights?
• Housing Policy - no significant investment in housing since Johnson era.     
• Asset Development - studies show less tension in household if small "nest egg."

Throughout this time of reflection, one may ask, Does my country have a problem of poverty?  Does my country have a problem of wealth?  In either case, there exists disparities that, as Christians, must be reflected upon and acted upon while taking social teaching to heart.  Justice in the Hebrew Bible is relational and biblical faith is focused on the whole of creation with humanity as part of creation and emphasis on right relationship in "God's household."  Thus, "Has the creation of wealth increased the well-being of ALL Earth community?"  Who are the winners?  Who are the losers?  How can individuals and groups confront with courage and imagination?  How can individuals and groups create space for alternative economies to emerge that include the well-being of ALL Earth community?   

Reflections/Actions:

• St. Vincent was born to a poor peasant family.  During his life he was friend of both poor and those who had wealth.  Vincent said, "To serve the poor is to go to God.  You must see God in the faces of the poor."  What experiences and connections with others empower one toward greater service with those who live in poverty?   
• What is the cost of overconsumption?  What impact does it have on one's ability to reflect upon the common good?
• An excellent film entitled, The End of Poverty, is located here.  
• What economic cracks and crevices divide this country?  How might I/we speak and act in lessening this divide? 
• To glimpse a picture of wealth inequality in America, visit here.  
• The Story of Solutions, the educational Annie Leonard series’ ninth web film; it focuses on how communities find answers to the problems named in the eight preceding videos, beginning with The Story of Stuff.
• Mind the Gap workshop materials are located here. Other resources are located here and here.  
• How intentional am I in finding common values to build on when speaking with those who disagree about poverty and wealth?  How often do I ask, "What matters to you?"
• Watch the Poverty USA website in December for a simple calendar with suggestions for learning and action each day in January.
• Events and Resources including readings of the past year on poverty are listed on this webpage. 
• Read and apply alternative logic to our lives through The Moral Underground by Lisa Dodson.
• On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, Pope Francis will launch a worldwide movement to respond to the needs of the poor and vulnerable in our midst by praying and acting to end hunger.  The prayer kicks off Caritas Internationalis' Campaign One Human Family, Food for All to raise awareness and encourage action that addresses U.S. and international hunger.  Resources can be found here OR here.   

Human Rights Day is December 10

This year’s Human Rights Day, December 10, 2013, marks the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. On this day, we are encouraged by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) – as people of faith, who acknowledge the dignity of every human being – to reaffirm the Universal Declaration’s statement that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” 

Kelly Kundrat, in an article titled, "Solitary Confinement: Penitence, or Torture?" explains that "solitary confinement within the United States prison system began at the Eastern State Penitentiary. This type of punishment originated from Quaker religious philosophies of natural healing with penitence and reform through isolation. The idea was individuals would use the time alone to reflect on the error of their ways and emerge with modified behaviors and attitudes. However, the practice of solitary confinement was abandoned— for a time—as cruel and ineffective. Isolation proved to be negatively modifying behaviors instead of positively promoting self-reflection. Individuals who experienced solitary confinement became psychologically destroyed and increasingly violent.  After September 11, 2001, solitary confinement reemerged as a main facet of the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba." 

The use of solitary confinement within Guantanamo Bay and/or any other place where individuals are kept in isolation at length and without due process, violates human rights, international law and Christian faith.  U.S. Catholic bishops oppose the use of isolation units, especially in the absence of due process.  This is stated in their 2000 pastoral letter entitled, "Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration."  

Reflections/Actions

• How much do I/we know about the current day prison system in our country?  Whom among my/our acquaintances has visited or been in prison who could share with me this reality?  
• "... It is clearly laid down that the paramount task assigned to government officials is that of recognizing, respecting, reconciling, protecting and promoting the rights and duties of citizens." (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Peace on Earth #77.)  How do I see government fulfilling this statement?  
• Spend some time reflecting upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights located here.  In what parts of the world do I see violation of these rights?  What groups/organizations do I work with to help individuals/groups whose rights are in violation?  
• NRCAT has developed a Human Rights Day toolkit to help congregations and religious organizations observe the day.
• In remembrance of the first anniversary of the Newtown, Conn., killings (December 14th, 2012), there will be a vigil at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on December 12th, 2013 at 4 p.m. sponsored by Faiths United Against Gun Violence.  Individuals and groups may join in solidarity to end gun violence around the world.  Faiths United will again sponsor a Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath, March 13-16, 2014. Resources to host a Sabbath event will be located here.

 Alternative Gift Giving

Alternative gift giving is common this time of year as individuals and families observe with deep gratitude the "enoughness" in their own lives.  The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are again offering opportunities for individuals and families to participate in alternative gift giving.  These include:

• $1/day sponsorship for a girl at Asha Kiran, a home for abandoned children whose mother is a commercial sex worker.
• $1/day sponsorship for a child affected by polio in Rajgir with funds covering meals, medication, education and skills training to offer a life of independence and dignity.
• Any donation to support the SCN disaster relief efforts in Washington, IL after a devastating tornado.

Donations may be sent to the Office of Congregational Advancement, PO Box 9, Nazareth, KY 40048 indicating in the memo section your giving preference.  

U.S. Legislative Updates 

Budget Conference Committee for FY 2014 Budget Resolution:  The Conference Committee continues with a December deadline for agreement.  Great differences exist over entitlement reform and potential tax increases.  Various groups are closely monitoring the talks for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, tax loopholes that could be closed, funding of the Affordable Care Act, Pentagon cuts, and the continuance of sequestration.  Chairs of the Conference Committee include Representative Paul Ryan and Senator Patty Murray.  Ranking members include Representative Chris Van Hollen and Senator Jeff Sessions.  Individuals are invited to contact these legislators urging them to prepare a budget that provides a "circle of protection" around those most vulnerable in our nation, provides a path out of poverty for those most vulnerable, and maintains the $1 trillion in cuts to Pentagon spending.  As Christians, the common good must take priority.

Farm Bill 2013:  Legislation continues in a conference committee that could reach an agreement.  While an agreement remains highly unlikely due to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts that vary greatly in legislation passed by the House and Senate.  If the current conference committee does not reach agreement, the farm commodity support programs and the insurance program becomes the safety net for farmers.  The other option would be to extend the Farm Bill being careful not to have the extension end at a time when legislators have elections.  Watch the Newsline for potential action.    

Comprehensive Immigration Reform:  With 8 work days remaining in the House calendar for 2013, Immigration Reform seems unlikely unless it is passed piece by piece.  If legislation does not pass in 2013, 2014 must begin with the legislation as mid-term elections will get the focus.  Therefore, it is highly important to stay alert and visit regularly the Justice For Immigrants website and in the spirit of Advent, watch the Newsline for potential actions.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Human Trafficking:  The November issue of Stop Trafficking co-sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth is located here.  

Empowering Women:  The Charity Federation invites individuals to act in support with Sisters in the Korean Province with regard to acts of prostitution that happened during the Second World War.  Help these individuals obtain an apology from the Japanese government for allowing soldiers to abuse these women.   

Challenging Unjust Systems:  U.S. citizens are invited to urge Congress to commit to voting NO on "fast tracking" the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.    

U.S. Budget talks continue and legislators need to hear from constituents.  Urge federal legislators to reach a framework agreement by the end of November that does not include sequestration cuts and indecision that leads to more cuts but rather a Faithful Budget.       

Care of Earth: Urge the Department of Interior Secretary, Jewell, to support a bill to close the Halliburton Loophole that exempts hydraulic tracking from the Safe Drinking Water Act and parts of other critical environmental laws.    

Empowering Women and Men: Act in support of the Military Justice Improvement Act that would help women and men in the military by taking rape charges outside of the chain of command and leave it with independent prosecutors.      

In the Spirit of St. Vincent:  Call U.S. Senators (1.888.705.5182; NO charges) urging them to vote yes on the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10/hour in three phases so that those who remain stuck at $2.13/hr (tipped workers of which women are 70%) could afford food, housing and other necessities for their families and improve economic growth.

Kentucky:  A video is available on the Bluegrass Pipeline Bust.   

Promotion of Peace: The School of the Americas vigil is this weekend (http://www.soaw.org).  Individuals and groups are invited to pray in solidarity with those attending in Fort Benning, Georgia.  
Provident God, aware of our own brokenness, we ask the gift of courage to identify how and where we are in need of conversion in order to live in solidarity with all Earth's people.  Deliver us from the violence of superiority and disdain.  Grant us the desire, and the humility, to listen with special care to those whose experiences and attitudes are different from our own.  Deliver us from the violence of greed and privilege. Grant us the desire, and the will, to live simply so others may have their just share of Earth's resources.  Deliver us from the silence that gives consent to abuse, war and evil.  Grant us the desire, and the courage, to risk speaking and acting for the common good.  Deliver us from the violence of irreverence, exploitation and control.  Grant us the desire, and the strength, to act responsibly within the cycle of creation.  God of love, mercy and justice, acknowledging our complicity in those attitudes, actions and words which perpetuate violence, we beg the grace of non-violent hearts.  Amen.  (Source: Sisters of Divine Providence) 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Immigration and Action Today:  On this Feast of St. Frances Cabrini, patroness of immigrants, individuals are invited to contact U.S. Representatives at 1.800.826.3688 (NO Charges) urging them to pass a bill that is comprehensive and includes a path to citizenship; and oppose the SAFE act. The SAFE Act is a concern because of its single-minded focus on immigration enforcement that will likely increase detentions and deportations and encourage racial profiling and unconstitutional detentions, without fixing any of the real problems of the broken immigration system.  NETWORK will delver the postcards signed for immigration reform today to legislators office in DC.

In the Spirit of St. Vincent, U.S. citizens are invited to urge legislators to protect SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and stand with low-income families working to put food on the table.     

Challenging Unjust Structures:  Urge Pepsi to join Coke and show zero tolerance for land grabs for the production of sugar.     

Call and urge U.S. Senators (1.202.224.3121; Charges Apply) to support diplomacy with Iran and oppose sanctions. 

Urge U.S. Senators to stand for democracy and human rights in Honduras ahead of the November 24 presidential election by signing Senator Kaine's letter that would ensure the right of all Honduran citizens to peacefully assembly, campaign and vote.     

Urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make changes to the proposed rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act to ensure that new regulations do not put safe farms out of business; harm soil, water and wildlife or shut down the growth of local and regional healthy food systems.     

Urge U.S. Senators to end taxpayer subsidized CEO bonuses by passing the "Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act (S. 1476).   

Urge Warren Buffet to stop bullying rail yard workers who are trying to lift themselves out of poverty by demanding more than $9/hr pay.    

Sign a petition to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, to help sanction key conflict gold smugglers that aid and abet rebel groups in the Congo.    

No Need to Kill: Reflections of Murder Victims' Family Members booklet is located here.     

Louisville:  On December 5 at 7 p.m., Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking will speak at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (4th and York in downtown Louisville).  Space is limited so reserve a FREE ticket(s) here.   

Weekly Justice Highlights

Immigration:  NETWORK invites individuals on November 12 to a community-wide fast being held for comprehensive immigration reform.  On November 13, the Feast of St. Frances Cabrini, patroness of immigrants, individuals are invited to contact U.S. Representatives at 1.855.589.5689 (NO Charges) urging them to pass a bill that is comprehensive and includes a path to citizenship; and oppose the SAFE act. The SAFE Act is a concern because of its single-minded focus on immigration enforcement that will likely increase detentions and deportations and encourage racial profiling and unconstitutional detentions, without fixing any of the real problems of the broken immigration system.

KY Bluegrass Pipeline:  A video of the Lorettos in Kentucky protesting the Bluegrass Pipeline is located here.    

The Farm Bill continues in conference committee with individuals being urged to contact legislators in support of protecting food aid domestically (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and international food aid by clicking here.  (First item under "Take Action Now")  

Care of Earth:  Urge Secretary of State John Kerry to ensure that the U.S. steps up its leadership role in curbing aviation pollution.  

Urge United Nation members to ask China for specific and monitorable commitments with regard to human rights before returning to the UN Human Rights Council.   

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade (well-known and respected 65-year-old Palestinian-American activist working in Chicago) to drop charges filed against Rasmea Yousef Odeh on alleged immigration fraud who was arrested October 22 and reflects a pattern of repressive U.S. government actions against Palestinian activists and people who stand with them.    

Individuals are invited to contact U.S. Representatives to urge them to co-sponsor HR 15 (Comprehensive Immigration Bill in the House) that provides a pathway to citizenship and to vote in support of this legislation this year.     

The Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (HR 3279) addresses state health exchanges and the potential federal tax subsidy for abortions, thus greater transparency.  Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, individuals may eek to have abortions covered in their insurance policies and some of these insurance policies may receive federal tax subsidy thus using taxpayer money to fund abortions.  This violates the policies governing all federal health programs.  In no other program may federal funds subsidize any part of a health plan that covers such abortions; and nowhere else does the federal government forbid insurers to allow an 'opt-out' from such coverage on conscience grounds.  Individuals are invited to call U.S. Representatives(1.202.224.3121) to co-sponsor HR 3279.

Louisville Area:  On Friday, November 15 on KET2, the recent legislation on Human Trafficking will be discussed.  The same program will also air on Sunday, November 17 around 1/1:30 pm on KET. 

November 2013

How Do I/We Avoid the Promotion of Human Trafficking When Celebrating? 

Human trafficking, modern slavery, includes labor, slavery-like practices (such as debt bondage, forced marriage, and sale or exploitation of children), and sex trafficking.  While celebrations of family and community exist year-round, the end of the calendar year usually finds a more abundant amount of these celebrations in a shorter time frame.  As a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) Family, we have committed to educate ourselves and others about the inherent violence of human trafficking, pray for an end to this grave injustice, and to work for systemic change with regard to policies and programs that empower individuals to abstain from these slave-like conditions.  

A new report, The Global Slavery Index, is published by the Walk Free Foundation. Walk Free is committed to ending all forms of slavery in this generation. It is the first Index of its kind-providing an estimate, country by country, of the number of people living in slavery today. A key finding from this inaugural Index is that there are an estimated 29.8 million people enslaved around the world. In addition to providing factual information about slavery, the Index also identifies the factors that shed light on the risk of modern slavery in each country and examines the strength of government responses in tackling the issue. 

Using quantitative methods, it provides the first measure of the prevalence of modern day slavery in 162 countries, reflecting a combined measure of three factors: estimated prevalence of slavery by population, a measure of child marriage, and a measure of human trafficking in and out of a country. It places the figures in its findings in the context of what governments are doing to tackle it. The annual Global Slavery Index will be critical in directing efforts to eradicate modern day slavery. The entire Index can be viewed here.  

With regard to the purchase of products for our celebrations, a helpful website is located here.  This website reveals the story behind the barcode in that it rates companies on a school-based grading scale examining child and forced labor in the supply chains.  Those companies with whom individuals plan to purchase products of food for celebrations (i.e. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and others) would do well to visit this website looking for the word, "Industry."  To the right of the word, individuals may choose the industry and the word, "view" to observe the details of the company.  Downloadable iPhone and Android applications are also available at the website.

When considered as a percentage of population, the prevalence of modern day slavery is highest in Mauritania, Haiti, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Moldova, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, the Gambia and Gabon. However, when considered in absolute terms, the countries with the highest estimated numbers of enslaved are India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Taken together, these ten countries account for more than 76% of the total estimate of 29.8 million enslaved.  The top 10 countries ranked for their low prevalence are: Ireland, Iceland, UK, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, and Denmark.

Reflections/Actions:

• What experiences do I/we have connecting our food and other products used in celebrations with labor trafficking?
• From Catholic Social Teaching: "... Whatever insults human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children; as well as disgraceful working conditions, where men are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society, but they do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury."  (The Church and the Modern World, #27)
• What observations encourage greater reflection and research about the countries with the most prevalence and those with less prevalence for human trafficking?
• How can I/we be more intentional about the products I/we purchase so as to guarantee I/we are not contributing to enslavement of others to produce products?
• How can our consumption choices in keeping with the women religious vow of poverty or the call to live simply be perpetuating the enslavement of others?  What options do I have for changing this perspective and my actions?  
• On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), individuals and groups are invited to help raise awareness of the violence of women in all parts of the world.  International resources are located here.  
• When purchasing clothing, how do I/we ensure that women and girls in the garment industry are not exploited?
• Pray for those who are caught in the web of human trafficking and pray, also, for the perpetrators that they may come to recognize the dignity of all persons.
• Join people throughout the world by making a commitment to do your part to build a world without slavery. Visit this site and click on Take Action to sign on to the international campaign to end modern day slavery.
• View a short video on modern day slavery.   
• An interesting article on Walmart's Human Trafficking Problem is located here.  
• Start small and continue, looking for fair trade products or find individuals/small companies that make their own products in your country of origin.

The Harvest of Justice Season

National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) continues to encourage supporters of migrant farm workers to host a sacrificial meal honoring the hands that harvest food.  The basic idea is to gather friends, family, and/or faith communities to pray and reflect on farm workers' lives giving thanks for their labor and seeking justice on a variety of issues with them.  The simple dinner allows for further education of farmworker issues and a free-will collection to be given to the NFWM movement.  More information is located here.  Oxfam America also offers the opportunity to host a hunger banquet with materials and instructions.   

Reflections/Actions:

• What actions can I make in solidarity with migrant farmworkers in eating a simple meal no matter what amount of food is set before me?
• What stories of migrant farmworkers can I share at the table with those whom I gather?
• From Catholic Social Teaching: "Yet the workers' rights cannot be doomed to be the mere result of economic systems aimed at maximum profits. The thing that must shape the whole economy is respect for the workers' rights within each country and all through the world's economy."  (On Human Work (Donders translation), #17.)  What other consequences do countries experience as a result of not addressing the root causes of labor injustices?
• To avoid exploitation of migrant farmworkers, the NFWM union label shopping guide.  
• Harvesting Justice: Transforming Food, Land and Agricultural Systems in the Americas is downloadable (click on "get a copy" tab).  You can also find "Sowing Seeds for Learning and Action," a popular education curriculum including more than 100 games, discussion guides, and action items.
• A two-minute video on farmworkers is located here.   
• Sample prayer if desire to use: Holy God, source of righteousness and hope, where is your justice if we, your followers, do not bring it to bear against the wrongs you lay before us? As we sit at the table each meal, cause us to remember the farmworkers who daily endure hardship and exploitation so that they can feed their families. 

 U.S. Legislative Updates

Farm Bill and SNAP:  Last week House members agreed to sit down with Senate members in a committee to reconcile their versions of legislation.  It is not known what aspects of the Farm Bill and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will come from this committee.  As stated previously, the Senate seeks to cut $4.1 billion from the SNAP program while the House desires almost $40 billion in cuts to the program.  

Immigration reform still awaits action in the House with approximately 16 working days in the calendar year and the many days of fasting, prayer and action officially over.  No need to let up on the pressure of House members with comprehensive immigration reform messages.  Yes, skeptics predict the House will NOT act this year as it found difficulty with the budget issues that were not considered as complex.  Catholics Confront Global Poverty in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops  are urging individuals to raise the question with Congress as to the root causes of migration that include extreme poverty, unemployment and violence in countries of origin.  With legislation being introduced by a variety of individuals, the voting may come in a quick manner.  U.S. Catholic Bishops are watching legislation co-sponsored by California Jeff Denham (H.R. 15) that contains elements of comprehensive immigration reform, especially a path to citizenship.

Reflections/Actions:

• Individuals are invited to contact both U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to AVOID SNAP benefit cuts, reduce funding, restrict eligibility, reduce benefits or make harmful structural changes.  With regard to protecting those individuals most vulnerable, one might ask, "why does Congress continue to allow federal income tax breaks to large corporations and at the same time take food out of the mouths of hungry children?"
• Review and reflect upon the comprehensive immigration reform elements.  
• November 13 is the feast of St. Frances Cabrini, a patron of immigrants.  Catholics are invited to a national call-in day urging U.S. Representatives to pass a comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes a path to citizenship and opposes the SAFE Act as it is focused on enforcement that will likely increase detentions and deportations and encourage racial profiling and unconstitutional detentions without addressing the root causes of the broken immigration system.
• Catholic Relief Services recently had an excellent editorial letter in the New York Times laying out the facts of immigration reform. Resources from facts and figures to talking points continues to be at the Justice for Immigrants website.  
• Individuals are urged to continue making phone calls and sending messages to House members and House Speaker John Boehner on a consistent basis.  Sample messages are located on the Justice for Immigrants website and talking points are located here. It is important to urge Speaker Boehner to place immigration reform up for a vote.   

Weekly Justice Highlights

Empowering Women: A 16-year-old Kenyan walking home from her grandfather's funeral was ambushed by six men who took turns raping her and then threw her unconscious body down a 6-meter toilet pit.  Urge the Inspector General of Police to hold her rapists accountable. (International Action is available)

Human Trafficking:  Humanity United, in partnership with a dozen anti-trafficking organizations, launched a new website examining corporations and their practices as a result of a California law on human trafficking.  

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Urge Congress to oppose cuts to lifesaving foreign assistance programs.  Additionally, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) are currently being debated in the Farm Bill 2013 conference committee.  Individuals are invited to contact Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senator Thad Cochran (1.202.224.3121) urging them to oppose any SNAP changes that would cap or reduce funding, restrict eligibility, reduce benefits or make harmful structural changes.  

Care of Earth:  Urge U.S. Senators and Representatives to support the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy that would protect American wind installation and manufacturing jobs, keep the U.S. competitive in the worldwide clean energy market, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent air and water pollution from coal and natural gas.  

Immigration:  Individuals are invited to read and sign on to a letter opposing harmful guest worker legislation, HR 1773 by clicking here.  

U.S. citizens may also urge President Obama to stop the immigrant imprisonment quota as outlined in his FY 2015 budget.    

Challenging Unjust Structures:  Urge President Obama to create an executive order prohibiting tax deductions when companies settle with the government for wrongdoing.   

Urge President Obama NOT to partner with Burma's military unless they stop abusing human rights, especially those of Ethnic minorities.  This message is wrong and President Obama must be told this.

Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to limit carbon pollution that causes unpredictable weather and health related issues from power plants.   

Weekly Justice Highlights

Water: Urge Veolia water company to end its profit-driven political interference and respect the public's right to control water.

The 2013 Global Slavery Index produced by the Walk Free Foundation and its partners is located here.

Immigration: Join others in opposing Representative Bob Goodlatte's Agriculture Guestworker Act, HR 1773, that contains an anti-immigrant and anti-worker approach (imposes low wages and poor working conditions on guest workers with no roadmap to citizenship) to immigration reform and must be stopped.    

Confronting Unjust Structures: Urge CEO, Jim Wegner of Darigold dairies to stop the cycle of worker abuse that workers from DeRuyter, Ruby Ridge and Mensonide dairies continue to experience.

Urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Investor Choice Act (H.R. 2998) that would stop broker-dealers and investment advisers fem putting take-it-or-leave-it forced arbitration clauses and class- action bans in their terms of service.    

Urge House members to join other members in supporting House Resolution 365, "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives commending efforts by the U.S. to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution."

Urge General Mills Chairman, Kendall J. Powell, to take a proactive stand and announce a phase out of all genetically modified organisms in General Mills foods starting with Cheerios.     

Tell President Obama that no deal will change the simple truth that the Keystone XL is a climate disaster.   

Congratulations to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their great achievements in raising wages and improving safety and working conditions for workers in Florida's tomato fields. More information is located here.  

Louisville: On October 30, faith leaders and their communities are encouraged to attend a Louisville rally (noontime at 601 West Broadway, outside the Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse) standing in solidarity with other concerned citizens encouraging the State Department and the White House to use their powers to stop the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline. 

Urge the Department of Justice NOT to let JPMorgan get a $4.5 billion tax write-off for peddling dangerous financial products.    

Resources from the Franciscan Action Network on Human Trafficking are located here.  

Weekly Justice Highlights

The Stop Trafficking Newsletter co-sponsored by the SCN's is available here.      

Care of Earth:  Urge Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to promote zero land grabs when it comes to suppliers stealing land for the production of sugar. (International Action is available)     

Promoting Peace:  Urge House members to join other members in supporting House Resolution 365, "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives commending efforts by the U.S. to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution."

Urge General Mills Chairman, Kendall J. Powell, to take a proactive stand and announce a phase out of all genetically modified organisms in General Mills foods starting with Cheerios.  

Urge the United Nations to continue to eliminate all weapons of mass destruction.    

Urge the World Bank to end the support of failed private water projects and invest in clean, safe water for all.     

Tell President Obama that no deal will change the simple truth that the Keystone XL is a climate disaster.    

Urge two big coal companies planning a coal export terminal (Millennium Bulk Terminals) in Longview, WA, that could export 44 million tons of coal each year could harm communities, climate and environment.  Click here to submit a comment with regard to this potential largest project in the United States.

Urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to disclose corporate pay disparities as they are paid more than 354 times the average worker.   

Urge the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy to stand up to the natural gas industry, and put the health of our communities first.     

Louisville:  The last of the Social Justice Series shared at Assumption High School (2170 Tyler Lane, Louisville) is on October 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will focus on the topic of Education for Girls around the World featuring the film GirlRising.

Weekly Justice Highlights

In the Spirit of St. Vincent:  U.S. citizens are urged to call U.S. Representatives toll free at 1.888.659.9562 telling them to end the shutdown and prevent the economic catastrophe of a government default without conditions.  Please vote to restore funding for all of the services that families count on and to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Food Stamps.  Invite others to call too!  

Immigration:  U.S. citizens are invited to call U.S. Representatives (1.866.659.9562; NO charges) urging them to oppose the SAFE Act that increases deportations, racial profiling and criminalizes undocumented immigrants.

Care of Earth:  Urge the World Food Prize Foundation NOT to reward Monsanto and bee-killer Syngenta's outrageous practices.   

Water: Urge the Environmmental Protection Agency to say "NO" to polluters and protect our waterways.   

Promoting Peace:  Tell Congress that it is time to revisit legislation to reduce gun violence.

Challenging Unjust Systems:  Urge Congress to examine the relationship between Monsanto and the U.S. Department of Agriculture with regard to growth hormones.  

A new study finds that 90% of Americans would experience a net loss under the Trans-Pacific Partnership in the form of reduced wages.  Urge U.S. Representatives not to let the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement circumvent ordinary Congressional review, amendment and debate procedures.  

Urge Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation to uphold human rights. 

Ask Fox News Channel host Brian Kilmeade to apologize to Maria Molina and Latino Americans for promoting a damaging stereotype on the October 4 broadcast (National Taco Day) when he asked Maria about growing up eating tacos having been raised in Nicaragua and not grown up eating tacos.  Action can be taken here. 

Louisville: Residents are invited to contact their school board members (find yours here) and Chief Academic Officer Dewey Hensley (485-3476, Dewey.Hensley@jefferson.kyschools.us ) before an October 14 board vote that would create a Military Cadet Academy Magnet at Myers Middle School in Hikes Point.  Individuals may also join the Board Meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct 14th at the Van Hoose Center (3332 Newburg Road).    

Bardstown, KY:  On October 15, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Faithful Citizenship Luncheon at St. Thomas Parish Center (870 St. Thomas Lane), Jimmy Morris (local farmer) will discuss the topic, "Natural Gas Liquids pipelines: Karst and Farm Issues."  All are invited to attend and bring their own sack lunch.  

Weekly Justice Highlights

In the Spirit of St. Vincent:  Call U.S. Congressional members at 1.800.826.3688 (NO charges) urging them to pass a responsible budget that addresses sequestration and to raise the debt ceiling without political games and protects families struggling with poverty and hunger.  Individuals may also click here (scroll down) to edit a message to Congress.  

Immigration:  U.S. citizens are invited to call U.S. Representatives (1.866.940.2439; NO charges) urging them to oppose the SAFE Act that increases deportations, racial profiling and criminalizes undocumented immigrants.  

Care of Earth:  The Feast of St. Francis is October 4.  Individuals and groups are invited to view a presentation on climate change sponsored by the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change.  Resources for parishes, colleges and high schools are located here.    

Urge Coke, Pepsi and ABF to show zero tolerance for land grabs that produce sugar for soft drinks here.    

Urge U.S. Representatives to sign a "Dear Colleague" letter to stop Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement by clicking here.   

On September 20, a Honduran Court ordered that internationally respected indigenous leader Berta Caceres, coordinator of the Lenca organization COPINH, be jailed.  Individuals are invited to urge Honduran and U.S. officials to drop these charges.   

Urge U.S. Representatives not to undermine the historic opportunity for diplomacy with Iran.

Human Trafficking Resource:  An educational resource for secondary teachers on human trafficking is located here.   

Bardstown, KY:  On October 15, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Faithful Citizenship Luncheon at St. Thomas Parish Center (870 St. Thomas Lane), Jimmy Morris (local farmer) will discuss the topic, "Natural Gas Liquids pipelines: Karst and Farm Issues."  All are invited to attend and bring their own sack lunch.  

October Action Alert

Education, Poverty and the International Day of the Girl Child 

October 11 marks the second International Day of the Girl Child that this year recognizes the need for fresh and creative perspectives to propel girls’ education forward with new technology, innovative partnerships, policies, resource utilization, community mobilization and the engagement of young people themselves.  A recent UNICEF report states that “the education of girls is the most powerful and effective way to address global poverty.” 

Girls are more vulnerable abuse, violence, disease, early marriage, and poverty when education is missing from the life of a girl.  Around the world, many girl children face extreme challenges in accessing education.  A recent UNICEF report estimates that about 150 million children have no access to primary education and about two-thirds of these are girls.  

Those marginalized in society are often the most vulnerable.  Girls are often the first to be pulled out of school when help is needed in the home or to support the family.  Girls can be sold by parents or family members who are unable to feed them into labor or sex trafficking.  Girls suffer higher mortality rates linked to gender-related norms such as infanticide or fetal sex selection.  And the majority of the out-of school children is most attributed to lack of funds for adequate schooling facilities, teenage pregnancy and gender inequality in family and society. 

The first millennium development goal speaks of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.  Yet, girls are expected to help maintain families by assuming childcare and home tasks or engage in labor not only missing education but also bearing the brunt of poverty.  Girls are often exploited in a variety of ways with regard to these realities.  Yet, when girls are involved in appropriate decision-making that influences them, their lives improve and so do the lives of their families.  The second millennium development goal of universal primary education for all children certainly puts the girl child on more equal “footing” with the boy child and decreases the chances that a girl child and her future family will live in poverty.  Therefore, nations must continue their work on prioritizing education for the girl child. 

Individuals, families and communities can reflect and consider the following in promoting education for the girl child:

• How “girl-friendly” are community schools with female teachers and curricula free of gender bias and stereotyping?
• What incentives exist to encourage families with girls to send their daughters to school?    
• What infrastructure and sanitation exists in the community to improve the girl child’s access to education?
• What resources suggest social spending and capacity building for girls?
• How is discrimination confronted and initiatives that promote the girl child implemented? 
• How engrained is gender violence in the community and what steps can be taken to change this?

Reflection/Action: 

• What obstacles are present where I live that prevent the girl child from being equal to the boy child? 
• What is the relationship between poverty and education in my country? my community? 
• “Where the effects of past discrimination persist, society has an obligation to take positive steps to overcome the legacy of injustice.  Judiciously administered affirmative action programs in education and employment can be important expressions of the drive for solidarity and participation that is at the heart of true justice.  Social harm calls for social relief.” (Economic Justice for All, #73)  What aspects of this statement call for awareness, education and action?
• Article 19,1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child speaks of “parties taking all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent, legal guardian or any person who has the care of the child.”  What prevents this from being a reality?
• Over 70% of those living in poverty are female around the world, what concrete action can I take to change this?
• More information on the International Day of the Girl Child is located here and here.      
• Watch the YouTube film The Clock is Ticking here and live the belief that girls are powerful agents for change in our world.     
• October 16 marks World Food Day and October 17 marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  In what ways does food and poverty relate to the girl child?  How do these two oppressive systems ensnare the girl child?
• A prayer to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is located here.   

Global Frackdown

Global Frackdown on October 19 is a global day of action intended to send messages to elected or government officials in communities around the globe that citizens desire a future of clean, renewable energy, not dirty polluting fossil fuels.  The July 2013 Action Alert highlighted hydraulic fracturing and encouraged reflection on the global community’s care of creation.  Additionally, the feast of St. Francis (October 4) encourages us to continue to hold Earth’s concerns as our concerns.  The melting of glaciers all over the world indicates that all is not ideal for Earth and all that depends on glaciers.  

Pope Francis cautions humanity in his document, On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family and the Church in the Twenty-First Century, “There is a moment in which ‘humanity’ goes too far in this task (of subduing the Earth); and gets overly zealous and loses respect for nature.  The ecological problems arise like global warming, which are new forms of non-culture.” (page 5)

Events drawing attention to “Global Frackdown” and the “Feast of St. Francis” are encouraged and can include creative, locally relevant ideas such as clean-up days, less use of energy for the day, screening of films such as Gasland I or Gasland II, education of others, and advocating for clean energy among many others.  

Reflections/Actions: 

• Spend some time with the quote from Pope Francis or another quote from Catholic Social Teaching.  What challenges am I being called to as a result of reflection?
• A global anti-fracking movement exists with information on annual events located here.   
• A series of articles written on hydraulic fracking by Michael Ludwig is located here.  
• Urge global leaders to envision a cleaner energy future here.  
• Contact your local and national elected officials and express how fracking threatens air, water, climate and urge them to pursue policies that promote renewable energies. 
• Pray to St. Francis of Assisi for wisdom and courage.  The St. Francis Pledge and other resources to commemorate the day are located here. 
• Updates on the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline that is expected to run through portions of KY are located here.  

 U.S. Legislative Updates 

Immigration reform still awaits action in the House that includes a reasonable path toward citizenship, however, the atmosphere is one of "piecemeal" at the present moment and could likely prolong comprehensive immigration reform.  From September 9 to October 8 people of faith across the United States will be participating in FAST Action for Immigration Reform.  This will include prayer, advocacy and fasting with encouragement to get others involved in this action.  More information can be found here.  Additionally, all 50 state information is located here and here.  Individuals are invited to continue contacting their legislators at 1.202.224.3121, clicking here or at the Justice for Immigrants website.

SNAP:  The Senate included funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the Farm Bill cutting $4.1 billion from the program and the House has now agreed to almost $40 billion in cuts to the program in separate legislation outside the Farm Bill.  Thus in less than two months, all SNAP recipients will see a reduction in their benefits when the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s temporary boost expires, leaving a family of three with $20-$25 less in benefits per month.      This fall, a committee will work on compromise legislation.  Individuals are  invited to contact U.S. legislators urging them to oppose any cuts to the SNAP program that harms those most vulnerable.  

FY 2014 and the Debt Limit:  In October 1, FY 2014 begins with regard to the U.S. budget.  Currently, the House and Senate are at an impasse with regard to this budget and the debt limit that is approaching in mid-October .  The House has currently passed a continuing resolution that includes defunding the Affordable Care Act.  House Republicans are talking about delay of the Affordable Care Act to an increase in the debt limit.  The Continuing Resolution (CR) extends spending on military, domestic and international appropriations at this year’s levels through December 15. 

The Senate and President Obama have both made clear that they will not accept defunding the health care law.  Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Mikulski prefers a CR that would last till mid-November, if set at current year funding.  The farther out the CR is set in terms of date, the more difficult it will be to negotiate an end to sequestration.  Upon action from the Senate, the House will need to decide if it insists on dismantling the Affordable Care Act through defunding or agree to a cleaner extension.  A cleaner extension would require more votes in the House that will prove difficult.  If Congress does not increase the federal borrowing authority by mid-October, the government will be unable to pay all its bills.  Thus, Republicans will have to seriously reflect voters reactions as a result of their actions.  Individuals are invited to urge U.S. legislators to support a continuing resolution that does not defund the Affordable Care Act and ends sequestration cuts.  A message can also be edited to House members on budget priorities by clicking here.