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Environment Letter issued by Canadian Bishops Social Affairs Committee March 18th, 2008

Our Relationship with the Environment: The Need for Conversion (Download PDF)

This newly released pastoral letter talks about the need for people to re-think our relationship with God’s creation and is a moving call for personal conversion.

It was developed by the Commission for Social Affairs of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and is available in English and French on their website. Printed copies may be ordered from mchabot@cecc.ca

Oppose the SAVE Act (Shuler-Tancredo H.R. 4088) March 18th, 2008

The measure that would allow the government to jail religious and humanitarian workers for so-called “alien smuggling” is part of the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088). Introduced in November 2007, the bill is now being forced to a House floor vote and needs to be stopped.

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Zimbabwe 2008 elections: Prospect of Intimidation and Violence March 14th, 2008

Zimbabwe holds presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on March 29. On the ballot is President Robert Mugabe, 84 who plan to extend his 27 years in power for another five years; Morgan Tsvangira, a pro democracy and union labor activists and Simba Makoni, a former finance minister.

Non governmental organizations and religious leaders such as the Zimbabwe Catholic Justice and Peace Commission have called for postponement of these elections because there are clear signs that the polls will not be free and fair.

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Free Trade Agreement with Colombia Opposed by Faith Groups March 7th, 2008

Calling for international trade and investment activities to advance the common good, twenty faith-based groups, including the Oblate JPIC Office, sent a letter to the US Congress opposing the Colombia FTA. The signers believe Free Trade Agreements should be evaluated in light of their impact on the most vulnerable, which in the case of Colombia, are the Afro-Colombian and Indigenous populations. The U.S.-Colombia FTA fails these tests.

Download PDF of the letter

Sri Lanka Groups Decry Human Rights Abuses March 6th, 2008

The government of Sri Lanka unilaterally withdrew from the Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) on January 8, 2008. The cease fire had been violated on both sides, but at least provided a platform for negotiation. At the moment, the government appears to be seeking a military end to the 20+ year civil war. The consequences are tragic for civilians on both sides. The humanitarian situation in the Tamil areas of the north is particularly grim. Sri Lankan Oblates have been reporting on the violence and the need for alternative solutions, including the importance of a UN human rights monitoring presence.

Download PDF of the NGO submission to the UNHRC for the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

For a good overview of the situation, please see SRI LANKA: A Country in Search of its Identity, (PDF) by Oswald Firth, OMI, Assistant General, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Investors File Record Number of Global Warming Resolutions with U.S. Companies March 6th, 2008

14 Resolutions Already Get Results From Companies

Leading U.S. investors have filed a record 54 global warming shareholder resolutions in the 2008 proxy season - nearly double the number filed just two years ago. Resolutions were filed with U.S. companies that face far-reaching business impacts from climate change.

The investor groups are members of ICCR (Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility) or CERES (the largest coalition of investors, environmental and public interest organizations in North America). Joining other ICCR members, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate co-filed with three companies on global warming issues: Chevron, Exxon-Mobil and El Paso Corporation.

Download PDF of 3 page report.

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