News Archives » 2008 » April

Zambian Oblates Attend 25th Africa Faith and Justice Network Conference April 29th, 2008

Four Zambian Oblate scholastics from Sexton house of studies in San Antonio, Texas attended the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) 25th anniversary in Virginia on April 18-21. AFJN is a coalition of United States based Catholic religious congregations and diocesan organizations that have relationship to Africa. AFJN advocates for responsible U.S. policy towards Africa by engaging U.S. policymakers on human rights, peace building and sustainable development.

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Pope Benedict’s Visit to the UN April 28th, 2008

A DPI/NGO Briefing was held on the occasion of Pope Benedict’s April 18 visit to the United Nations. The briefing focused on the significance of His Holiness’ visit and its impact on present global issues.

This event was the first in the Focus on Faith series, during which the panelists shared insights into the topic and underlined the links between the principles of the United Nations and - in this case - the Catholic Church.

The speakers included: H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations; Sister Dorothy Farley, Executive Director, International Catholic Organizations/ Information Center at the United Nations; and Mr. Peter Steinfels, Co-Director, Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture.

NGO-DPI Briefing Summary

Archived webcast of the event

Root of insurgency in Mindanao is injustice April 25th, 2008

Oblate Fr. Robert Layson stressed that the root of the decade old problem of insurgency in Mindanao is injustice. Fr. Layson, also a peace advocate, said that while injustices continue to exist then there is also no end to rebellion. Layson added that the still existing prejudice of some Catholics towards the Moro and vice versa is contributing a lot to the problem. He said prejudices and biases have to be overcome.

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Bishops demand LTTE quit Madhu shrine April 24th, 2008

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka has demanded that the LTTE leave the sacred precincts of the Madhu Church immediately.

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Earth Day concert at novitiate in Godfrey April 24th, 2008

Jan Novotka, eco-spirituality singer and songwriter, entertained over 70 people at La Vista Ecological Center on Earth Day in an outdoor concert. Jan sings of the sacredness and oneness of all, care for Earth, and the Still Silent Presence within.

Perfect weather combined with the spiritually moving music to create an awesome Earth Day celebration. Novices from the Godfrey Novitiate “… accompanied her at times on the drums and shakers……they were in awe!” reported Maurice Lange, OMI, Director of the Oblate Ecological Initiative.

“We had over 70 folks in the bowl (near the flowerbeds) and all just loved the concert. Many folks attended from the Alton group of United Congregations of Metro East. We had a reception on the bluffs afterward and many folks purchased Jan’s CD’s.”

OMI Joins UN Forum on Indigenous Peoples April 24th, 2008

An OMI delegation attended the opening of the UN Forum on Indigenous Peoples held in New York on April 21. The group included Joseph Gomes OMI, Daniel LeBlanc OMI, Walter Butor OMI, Nicanor Sarmiento OMI, and Rohan Silva OMI. The theme of this Seventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges.

Sanjeeb Drong, a close collaborator with the Oblates in Bangladesh, wrote about the opening day in an article published in the Daily Star of Bangladesh.

Meeting with lay collaborators in New York City on Tuesday evening, the group discussed the opening events which included addresses by Ban Ky Moon, UN Secretary General, and Evo Morales, President of Bolivia. The group also talked about the recent OMI seminar/workshop on Indigenous Peoples held in Bolivia. Walter Butor, OMI and Daniel LeBlanc, OMI both attended that session which took place in Cochabamba in February 2008.

Download PDF of Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: Backgrounder

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