On September 16, all priests and catholic groups in Mongu diocese released a statement of support of Bishop Duffy OMI in which they added that the people of Western Province are tired of being referred to as the poorest province in Zambia.

In a statement of support to Bishop Duffy, Zambian Oblates of Mary Immaculate delegation said the verbal attacks by government ministers on Bishop Duffy were unwarranted. Father Singini Nacidze OMI, information director for the Oblates released this statement which was signed by Fr. Freeborn Kibombwe the acting local superior: “OUTSPOKEN OBLATE BISHOP PAUL DUFFY, OMI THREATENED” (Download PDF)

The Oblates in Zambia have also issued a Press Release with information about Bishop Duffy who has served in Zambia for 26 years. The statement calls for civility, decency, humility and responsibility in all sectors of Zambian society regardless of political party. (Download PDF)

Mr Sanjeeb Drong, an important advocate for human rights and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh and SE Asia, and good friend of the Oblates, was brutally attacked last Friday by a group of hired thugs. He and his wife were travelling home from a meeting with the Bishop and a Diocesan Committee. Sanjeeb fled from his attackers and was rescued by the Bishop and several priests who then took him to a hospital. He is now safe in Dhaka. His wife was unharmed.

Please call on US government officials and your elected representatives to press for an inquiry in Bangladesh. Use our suggested letter.

Read our Action Alert, learn more…

Bishop Duffy said the Western Province of Zambia still rates as the poorest in the whole country and that poor people are still waiting to see promises fulfilled. This was especially true regarding the Mongu-Kalabo road, which has been in a worsening state for several years. He went on to say that people keep hearing promises from government leaders, but are still waiting for action.

Government leaders in Zambia are angrily rebuking Bishop Duffy’s statements. A group affiliated with the ruling party is petitioning the Vatican’s representative. Western Province of Zambia ranks as the poorest province and suffers more from high poverty levels, low economic production and poor neglected infrastructure. In Western Province, the majority of children are unable to meet basic nutritional needs. Most women are highly disadvantaged and live in extreme poverty, vulnerable to HIV/AIDS as they are forced to engage in risky behaviors for economic survival. The Diocese of Mongu is involved in several development projects, runs HIV/AIDS programs and the only teacher’s training college in the region, supports the catholic radio station and operates hunger relief programs for the local people.

The Bishop’s statement has received support from all civil society groups in Zambia, development organizations like Caritas Mongu and from a local member of parliament who said that he totally agrees with Bishop Paul Duffy’s statement because the President of Zambia is the one who gave these promises to the people of Lukulu and that people voted for him on the basis that he was going to implement all those development programs.

In a show of solidarity, Zambia Oblate treasurer general Fr Godfrey Mpundu OMI described Bishop Duffy as a voice of the voiceless in Western Province. Fr. Mpundu suggested the ruling government leadership review its own record in Western Province over the last 25 years which coincides with the time that Bishop Duffy has been doing missionary work in the region.

The Bishops called for caution and transparency when accepting foreign aid, which often comes with a hidden agenda. The Bishops further added:” Whatever may be the responsibility of foreign interests, there is always the shameful and tragic collusion of the local leaders: politicians who betray and sell out their nations, dirty business people who collude with rapacious multi nationals, African arms dealers and traffickers who thrive on small arms that cause great havoc on human lives, and local agents of some international organizations who get paid for peddling toxic ideologies that they don’t believe in.”

On going crises in Somalia, Southern Sudan, Darfur and Democratic Republic of the Congo were singled out.

On HIV/AIDS, the Bishops, through the final document message, highlighted how the church has been involved in this ministry with love and care and applaud many people who take care of the infected and the affected in our land. The Bishops have also expressed great concern on the destruction of Africa’s environment.

The Synod for Africa has just ended but the work on the issues raised by the Synod begins now. More information visit Yes Africa Matters.

Senator Charles Schumer [D-NY] introduced the bill – S. 3389 – on July 31. This legislation would benefit shareholders, provide citizens with information to hold governments accountable and discourage corruption. A similar bill, H.R 6066 was introduced and a legislative hearing held in Congress by Rep. Barney Frank in May 2008.

Lack of revenue transparency in the extractive industry is common and worsens in conflict zone areas when companies do business with brutal regimes. United States and western nations’ sources of energy continue to flow from impoverished regions such as Angola, Congo D.R., and Nigeria, the Amazon basin and Southeast Asia.

The Extractive Industries Transparency Disclosure Act would affect all U.S. and non-U.S. companies that have registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Some publicly traded oil and gas companies that would be affected are Marathon Oil, Conoco Phillips, Chevron, ExxonMobil (U.S.), Petrochina, China Petroleum, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Petrobras, Repso and ENI.

The EITD legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. That Committee needs to vote favorably on the legislation to move it to the next stage – a vote on the Senate floor. Please contact your Senator today to urge him/her to support S. 3389.

Open the Books: Support the Extractive Industries Transparency Disclosure Act (A campaign of Publish What You Pay, USA)
Full text of the bill (PDF)