Milestone for Women: On 2 July, in a historic moment, the UN General Assembly voted unanimously for the establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment, to be known as “UN Women.” The resolution that establishes the new entity is part of a larger resolution on System-wide Coherence (A/64/L.56) and is the result of years of negotiations between UN Member States and active advocacy of women’s groups and civil society.
In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Ask President Obama to deliver a plan that spells out how we can achieve the poverty-fighting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2010 at http://one.org/us/actnow/2015/
Empowering Women: Despite Iran signing a United Nation convention that requires the death penalty only be used for the “most serious crimes” and despite Iranian Parliament passing a law banning stoning last year, stoning for adultery still continues. Sign a petition to stop stoning at http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_stoning/?vl
Other Potential Actions:
Urge the United States to strength its support of the International Criminal Court in bringing Darfuri war crimes suspects to justice by clicking here (Act this week)
Protect communities from Coal Ash by contacting Administrator Lisa Jackson of the Environmental Protection Agency urging her to adopt enforceable federal safeguards, not suggested guidelines for states, to protect our communities by clicking here (Act this week)
The Appalachia Restoration Act (S 696) would sharply curtail mountaintop removal in the United States and protect the valleys, streams and communities that are being devastated by this destructive form of mining. Urge Senators to co-sponsor this legislation at http://www.ilovemountains.org/write-your-senators/ (Act this week)
Contact U.S. Representatives urging them to pass the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act (H.R. 5504) to improve the quality of food and meet the needs of all children at http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/alert/?alertid=15238256 (Act this week)
Urge Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei and Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani to halt the imminent executions of two Iranian women whose legal rights were violated and to commute their death sentences by clicking here (Act this week)
On July 15, the Senate plans to vote on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This financial reform bill takes some key steps toward breaking the control that Wall Street has over our country – urge Senators to support this bill at http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4023/c/33/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=401 (Act before July 15)
Louisville: A Community Gathering of Mourning and Loss in response to the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster is planned for July 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church (4th and York Street). This gathering will include the chance to share with others, music, and deep ecology processes. The event is hosted by Cultivating Connections. Donations are requested.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Ways to Take A Stand
Sometimes it's difficult to take a stand. However, those who are part of the SCN Family are called to do that every day. The mission statement calls the SCN Family to work for justice in solidarity with oppressed peoples, especially the economically poor and women, and to care for the earth.
Here are some of the things you can do:
Here are some of the things you can do:
- Participate in fundraising projects, charity-sponsored walks, food collections, and clothing drives. Click here for a list of the SCN Family fundraising projects.
- Volunteer your time. Our director of lay mission volunteer programs can connect you with an opportunity to serve with and learn from the poor in ways that are right for you. Click here to learn more about volunteering with the SCN Family.
- Have a garage sale and donate proceeds to the charity of your choice.
- Check out opportunities to participate in advocacy and systemic change from the SCN Office of Global Ministries. It is likely that your concerns are also our concerns. The Office of Global Ministries looks at poverty, justice and peace issues worldwide, keeping tabs on policies and providing updates and ideas for you to consider.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Action Alert July 2010
Migration of Creation and the Call to Responsible Stewardship
As a global community, many of us have continued to hear and read about the on-going events related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and ongoing oil being released into the Gulf of Mexico extending into other parts of the United States and beyond. This is certainly not the first tragic event related to the extraction of resources, nor will it be the last. While this unfortunate series of events began with the loss of human life, it is now including the loss of wildlife and the migration of God’s creation to more nurturing areas of life whenever possible. One might say this is typical the world over where extraction occurs.
The oil spill has caught nesting birds and has stretched into many wildlife refuge areas where thousands of birds stop during migration. Is the migration of non-persons equally important and/or more/less significant than the migration of persons? While the answer to this question differs from person to person, as followers of Christ, we are called to be responsible stewards of all life no matter where we reside. Pope Benedict XVI states in his World Peace Day message in January 2010, “Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all.” Additionally, this message emphasizes the fact that humans can no longer afford to be indifferent about what we are doing to Earth (our home). Individuals are invited to critique environmental policies and reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Now is the time to renew a promise made to “care of Earth” that the SCN Family commits to in the mission statement and 2008 General Assembly Directives. After all, not one of us in the global community is “oil free.” Each of us has use of oil and products of oil on a daily basis such as the fuel used in vehicles for transportation, heating fuel, curtains, detergents, plant fertilizers, plastics of all types, pain relievers, penicillin, clothes, ink dyes in pens, camera film, shoes, CD’s and cassettes, tires, asphalt, roofing, food additives to prolong shelf life, candles, milk cartons, polishes, crayons, deodorant, and the list goes on. Additionally, the St. Francis Pledge calls us to pray, learn, assess, act, and advocate to “care for creation and to share Earth’s resources in solidarity.”
So, what are the practicalities in what seems like an “ocean of bad news?”
- Live simply and resist consumerism as much as possible to reduce dependence on “oil products.”
- Look for environmentally sensitive specifications on goods and services we purchase.
- Examine environmental policies and advocate for policies that protect all creation.
- Support those directly affected in any way through prayer and monetary support.
- Eliminate, whenever possible, products that are only good for one-time use.
- Nurture the adaptation of alternative energy and fuels.
- Hold governments and corporations accountable in caring for Earth.
- Conduct a periodic environmental audit both personally and as a group.
- Challenge groups to deepen their ecological commitment to more sustainable living.
Reflection/Action: “The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole." Charity in Truth by Pope Benedict XVI, paragraph 48
Reflecting on the above practicalities, what recent sacrifice have I made to reduce my use of oil and the petrochemicals that are derived from oil remembering that no effort is too small and all efforts are important to future generations and the human family?
Purchasing a product that contains a fair trade logo (pictures of some of these) means that:
- Forced and exploitative child labor is prohibited (thus avoiding further exploitation of trafficked children)
- Guaranteed set prices that provide a living wage for those who have produced them (thus empowering women and others to dignified work)
- Sustainable farming is promoted (thus promoting care of Earth)
Additionally, the winds of change are stirring individuals and groups to purchase more local. According to Stacy Mitchell in an article from YES! Magazine, “there are now 5,274 active farmers markets in the United States. … Food co-ops and neighborhood greengrocers are likewise on the rise. … Neighborhood hardware stores are on the rise. …Driving in the U.S. is down in the last two years. … Local business alliances have now formed in over 130 cities and collectively count some 30,000 businesses as members. … Corporations desperately want to turn the local economy movement into nothing more than a cheap marketing trick they can appropriate for their own ends.” Buyer beware!
Action: Look for these labels (personally and corporately) and shop with local merchants whom you can ask about where their products come from.
Responsible Estate Tax in the United States
A century ago this summer, Theodore Roosevelt called on Congress to address the dangerous concentration of wealth and power by instituting a “graduated inheritance tax.” On June 24, members of the U.S. Senate introduced legislation to establish a progressive estate tax with graduated rates. The legislation would:
- Exempt the first $3.5 million of wealth in an estate from federal taxation ($7 million for couples)
- Institute a progressive graduated rate structure so that the super wealthy pay more
- Include a billionaire’s surtax of 10 percent
- Closes all of the Estate and Gift Tax Loopholes requested in FY 2011 budget by Obama
- Protects family farmers by allowing them to lower value of farmland by up to #3 million for estate tax purposes
- Benefits farmers and landowners by providing estate tax relief for conservation easements
Revenue potential ranges from $25 to $40 billion/year. The estate tax, as Bill Gates Sr. has written, “is a means by which wealthy people pay back the society and the commonwealth that has made their wealth possible.” According to Wealth for the Common Good, “eliminating the estate tax — or gutting it with irresponsible reforms — would shift our nation’s revenue obligations onto lower-income taxpayers and future generations. This legislation would exempt over 99.75 percent of Americans from paying any estate tax whatsoever, while ensuring that the wealthiest Americans in our country pay their fair share.” The non-partisan Tax Policy Center estimates that “only 80 small businesses and farm estates throughout the country paid an estate tax in 2009- representing 0.003 percent of all estates.”
Monday, June 28, 2010
Oil Legislative Information
No New Drilling Act of 2010: This bill would permanently protect much of our oceans, beaches and coastal economies from the harmful impacts of offshore drilling. This act bans new leasing. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h5248/show
The Clean Coasts & Efficient Cars Act: This bill would place a permanent moratorium on most offshore drilling and boost fuel-economy standards from 35 mpg to 55 mpg by 2030. The Moratorium would cover the Atlantic, Pacific, Central and Eastern Gulf but not Alaska or the Western Gulf. http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=A90354DF-2892-4EF7-8BAF-F8899521CCA1
Big Oil Bailout Prevention Liability Act (S.3305): This bill would amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to increase the liability of the party responsible for an offshore facility, except a deepwater port, from which oil is discharged into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines to the total of all discharge removal costs plus $10 billion (currently, $75 million) for each incident. Note: Senator Menendez’ unlimited liability Act went forward, but was blocked by Sen. Murkowski, though the White House has spoken about its import. Counterpart: Rep. Grijalva's Bill is in the House. http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=c9ca441f-ddac-4ebb-ad3a-b044cb3c79f8
Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act: This bill which would crack down on a series of loopholes that amount to over $20 billion for Big Oil. It would recoup royalties that oil companies avoided paying for oil and gas production on public lands, prevent oil companies from manipulating the rules on foreign taxes to avoid paying full corporate taxes in the U.S. and end a number of tax deductions. http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=fdd03312-20d3-418d-bbcf-00f24edff261
The American Power Act: Among many other things, this climate bill creates new incentives for expanding offshore oil drilling. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1733/show Climate Reality Check will be releasing a Report Card on the Act at http://climaterealitycheck.org
A Prayer For Healing of the Gulf of Mexico
Opening: O Great Spirit, Your sacred Gulf water and abundant forms of life sustained by it are now devastated by a massive oil spill that began April 20th. You established with Noah and all generations a new covenant with the earth and every living creature on it to never be destroyed again. Grant us wisdom to understand and mourn this wound to the Gulf today and for subsequent generations to come; we pray for the grace to live by Your covenant with the one creation that is the source of all life.
We pray:
That all oil leaks are closed and sealed and oil flow into the Gulf is stopped.
All: Great Spirit, Help Us find a way to restore beauty to Your Handiwork.
That the oil that has spilled into the Gulf, wetlands, rivers, and land be cleaned up.
All: Great Spirit, Help us to listen anew to creation’s music.
We mourn the loss of people and all forms of life destroyed by the oil spill.
All: Great Spirit, Grant us Wisdom to live in harmony with your creation.
We pray for healing of the entire Gulf region ecosphere, that the smallest and largest forms of life may find healing from the oil and chemicals dumped into the Gulf.
All: Great Spirit, Help us to find ways to refresh Your Gulf, bayous, rivers, and lands.
We mourn the loss of a way of life for all fishing people; may all who find their livelihood through fishing find the comfort and economic support they now need.
All: Great Spirit, Renew in us a humble gratitude for the fragility of the global biosphere.
That our nation and world find new ways to humbly reverence the one Mother earth and all forms of life that are nurtured by it—that we may find renewable forms of energy that sustain all forms of life.
All: Great Spirit, Grant us grace to wonder at the wonder of it all!
Closing: (Psalm 96)
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them;
Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord who comes,
who governs the earth
To govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.
In Wonder of One Mother Earth, We pray, Amen!
Alex Mikulich, Research Fellow, Jesuit Social Research Institute
(Inspired by, and adapted from, the First American “O Great Spirit” Prayer)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
Good News: Named for Eileen Egan, a co-founder of Pax Christi, long-time executive with CRS and friend to both Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa, the special recognition award was instituted in 2007 and awarded periodically to honor a group or individual who has “made a strong and extraordinary prophetic witness for peace in a time or situation of devastating violence or injustice.” Pax Christi USA will honor LCWR in recognition that “women religious are the backbone of the Catholic peace and justice movement. . . always on the frontlines where the weak and most vulnerable suffer at the hands of violent and unjust power. They have been our teachers, our guides, our mentors, and our conscience.” LCWR is humbled by this award which will be received on July 18 by LCWR president Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA. To learn more about the conference, to be held in Chicago July 16-18, 2010, go to www.paxchristiusa.org.
Promoting Peace: Contact Senators as soon as possible with these three messages: (1) Vote NO on funding for the Afghanistan war, no matter what other measures are attached to it. (2) Vote YES on amendment 4204 to HR.4899 (the supplemental appropriation bill), submitted by Sens. Boxer, Durbin and Merkley, which in simplified language sets an exit timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan. (3) Join the Out of Afghanistan Congressional Caucus initiated by Rep. John Conyers.
Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge the United Nations to establish an independent, international investigation without further delay to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka at click here.
Other Potential Actions:
Urge Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to halt all oil drilling in the arctic this summer
Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, it is imperative that you cancel plans to explore or drill for oil and gas in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas at click here.
Contact Representatives and Senators urging them to help families still struggling from the impacts of the economic recession by including the following in The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213):
- Urge funding for the National Housing Trust Fund that will provide housing for very low-income families and maintain and create jobs in the hard hit construction industry.
- Urge continued funding for the successful job creation program for low-income youth.
- Urge the extension of unemployment insurance eligibility for laid-off workers through the end of this year.
- and/or send them an e-mail
Southern Company is one of the most polluting utilities in the world, with nearly 70 coal-fired power plants generating over 50 percent of its power and it is one of the largest political contributors to Congress, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Congress who vote to oppose new regulations and deny funding to clean energy alternatives such as wind and solar. In seeking to care for creation it is time to tell Southern Company to phase out polluting coal plants like Plant Scherer and invest at clean energy. A letter for editing is at http://www.greenamericatoday.org/takeaction/southern
Visit http://breathingearth.net/ Place your mouse on any country and see the number of persons being born and dying, and the Co2 emitted in that country.
Action Alert June 2010
United Nations Blue Heart Campaign Against Human Trafficking
In addition to the South African World Cup Soccer Games in June/July and the World Equestrian Games (to be held in Lexington, KY) in September/October, we are aware that many individuals end up as “victims” everyday in the world of human trafficking. This is evidenced in the U.S. Department of State statistic that says “more than 27 million people are enslaved in forced labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude at any given time in our world.” For those living in the United States, this is nearly four times as many “slaves” as during the height of slavery in the South. Globally, human trafficking is tied with illegal arms trade as the second largest criminal activity. In the SCN Family corporate statement on human trafficking, commitment to prayer, education and advocacy can be realized in the United Nations Blue Heart campaign against human trafficking.
The Blue Heart campaign is an effort to:
- raise awareness on the issue of human trafficking
- encourage individuals to become involved and inspire action to help stop this crime
- and allows individuals to demonstrate solidarity with victims by displaying the Blue Heart.
Reflection/Action: Consider what actions you have taken lately to stand in solidarity with the many victims who are trafficked daily.
- How do I share my reasons for opposing trafficking and knowledge I acquire with others?
- What prayers have I come across related to human trafficking? How have I shared them with others in the SCN Family? A couple of prayers are located here.
- The Office of Global Ministries is in the process of printing static window clings of the logo for use in windows including those of vehicles. In what ways can I display the Blue Heart logo for greatest communication of the message?
Millennium Development Goals Review
In September of this year, world leaders gather at the United Nations to perform a 10-year review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). While progress has been made a great deal remains to be done if the international community is to realize these goals by 2015. The Sisters of Charity Federation signed on to a letter with 100 other civil society organizations through the Global Call to Action Against Poverty calling for a Millennium Development Breakthrough Plan to be achieved at the UN Summit with clear and concrete results for the 1.4 billion people who live in poverty.
The letter recommends and demands the following:
- a broad space for civil society participation at all levels
- a process addressing inequality, discrimination and lack of progress on gender equality
- execution of a gender and social inclusion audit
- an effective and inclusive monitoring and accountability component
- concrete measures for addressing corruption
- binding timetables in meeting the Official Development Assistance (ODA) targets
- new forms for financing development
- an integrated approach to development
- urgent steps to achieve MDG8
- productive employment must be a key component
- sufficient funds for climate change mitigation and adaptation
- a recognition of the centrality of emissions reduction to combat climate change
Action: Individual members of the Charity Federation and this coalition are now being asked to support this Plan through a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon located here.
World Environment Day is June 5
This day calls us to pause and reflect upon all individuals/groups have done to nurture Earth and what must challenge us into the future to preserve Earth. The SCN corporate stand on water calls us to consider what can be done to conserve water in responsible actions. Am I aware of what is called “hidden water” or water used to create a product?
According to an April 2010 National Geographic chart on hidden water, there are 634 gallons of water used to produce a hamburger and 37 gallons used to produce a cup of coffee. Additionally, a human diet that regularly includes meat requires 60 percent more water than a diet that’s predominantly vegetarian. Promotion of one way of eating over another is not the full reflection that must take place. Individuals also need to consider from where their products are produced, the amount of water located in that region, and if production of the product is sustainable to the water table in that region.
In other words, is the product sustainable due to the amount of water required to produce it? If not, how can I change my consuming so as to share water with all my sisters and brothers?
A prayer service created by the Union of International Superiors General Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation is located here.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
On June 26, we commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day was first proclaimed by the United Nations to demonstrate solidarity with all those individuals impacted by torture.
According to Catholic Social Teaching, torture can never be justified since doing so would be contrary to the teaching on the life and dignity of the human person. Each person is created in the image of God and thus human dignity is of God’s design not some accomplishment or human quality individuals possess.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a mandate under international law to act as a neutral observer in conflicts and to protect civilians and prisoners of war from torture and abuse. For decades, the ICRC has acted to ensure that captured soldiers are not simply “disappeared,” but rather given the rights guaranteed to them under international law.
- What view does my country have with respect to torture? Who are the victims considered to be “tortured” by my country?
- Does torture or harsh interrogation techniques make citizens safer?
- What action could I take to urge elected leaders to guarantee that the International Committee of the Red Cross has access to detainees held by my country?
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