Latest OMI JPIC News

Attacks on the Mro damage the dignity of Bangladesh January 11th, 2023

By Sanjeeb Drong, General Secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum

The culture, development, democracy and humanity of a country are measured by how its religious, ethnic and other minorities fare. However, in the beginning of the new year, on January 2, we sadly witnessed an attack on the Mro community in Bandarban’s Lama. Their houses were burned and vandalised, and its inhabitants were assaulted. This happened last year too, but there was no redress.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE at the Daily Star: https://bit.ly/3XgPiXz

Volunteer Gratitude Luncheon at La Vista January 4th, 2023

Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center

Throughout each year groups of volunteers come from far and near to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey, IL, to spend themselves caring for the land by removing invasive trees, vines, and bushes; conducting prescribed burns; removing trash after flooding; restoring the Pollinator Garden to health; and caring for the renovated Lodge.

After our usual December workday, volunteers were invited to gather the Novitiate for lunch so I could express gratitude for their generosity. As it turned out, much more happened during our time together. Since there are four groups who work at various times, we found this an opportunity to meet one another on a deeper level. As participants introduced themselves and their interests in the field of ecological restoration, we were all enriched and amazed at the varied talents and areas of expertise among the group. Young and old felt encouraged by belonging to this unique blend of generous volunteers.

As I reflected on the experience, I realized that even more was happening: volunteers were giving flesh to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si by “caring for our common home”, as well as to the Oblates’ Land Ethic by valuing the land known as La Vista.

Cisco Shareholders Vote Down Oblate-Proposed Plan for Tax Transparency December 14th, 2022

Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Director, OMIUSA JPIC, OIP

“While payment of taxes does not rank high on anybody’s wish list, they are the contributions that individuals, organizations and institutions make at all levels so that governments can function and fulfill their responsibilities. Many corporations seek to hide from the public how much they pay in the different countries in which that they operate around the world. As shareholders and citizens, we believe that access to this information allows us to verify for ourselves if they are compliant in these matters and paying their fair share to support the common good, relieve the dire poverty and suffering of many and help to build a sustainable future for all. The OIP and the OMI USP have been leading proponents of this request with Cisco, Amazon and Microsoft, three of the largest companies resisting this proposal”. “This resolution with CISCO was supported by 27% of the shareholders last week, a vote total that is considered very acceptable for the first year that a resolution is presented, and allows us to present the resolution again in 2023”

Click here to see a report on Cisco’s action by Kevin Pinner for Law 360

“Aligning Faith and Finance: A Missionary Priority” December 2nd, 2022

Vatican Tells Catholics How to Make ‘Faith-Consistent’ Investments

New guidelines discourage investment in mining, contraceptives and violent videogames

By Fr. Séamus P. Finn, OMI, Director, OMIUSA JPIC, OIP

Shareholder democracy is essentially about every shareholder taking responsibility for their stock ownership positions and acting on them. In Catholic Social Teaching ownership is anchored on the cornerstones of rights and responsibilities. The Vatican Guidelines referenced in this WSJ article took 6 years to produce and will be a very helpful to both institutional and individual shareholders who want to make this a part of their missionary vocation. It was a special opportunity for me to be able to share our OMI decades of experience in faith aligned investing with the members of the committee that produced these guidelines.

For a link to the Wall Street Journal article visit Omiusa.org

OMI US JPIC Staff, Advisory Committee Meet in Godfrey, Illinois November 18th, 2022

From November 10 to 11 the OMI JPIC Committee had its first hybrid meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic. The in-person venue was the historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey, IL.

The group meets twice a year to discuss JPIC’s work and exchange ideas. Meeting discussions centered on JPIC’s socially responsible investing efforts, integrity of creation initiatives through LaVista Ecological Learning Center, the 2021-2023 Synod, and Economy of Francesco, an initiative of Pope Francis that engages young people in dialogue about “a different kind of economy that better respects humanity and nature.”

The group also paused to tour the grounds of the newly renovated novitiate, visiting the LaVista Garden and lodge, which sits on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

The US JPIC Advisory Committee is a mix of Oblates and laypersons passionate about issues of justice, economic development and ecology. They serve as a sounding board for the office. Full list of JPIC Committee and office staff:

Dr. Victor Carmona, Chair, Assistant professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego
Ms. Patti Radle, Co-Director, Inner City Development
Fr. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI, Associate, International JPIC Office and Oblate UN Representative
Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
Mr. Gary Huelsmann, Chief Executive Officer, Caritas Family Solutions
Mrs. Mary O’Herron, Former OMI JPIC Staff & Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate
Fr Emmanuel Mulenga, OMI, Pastor, St. Augustine Church
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Director, OMI JPIC & Chief of Faith Consistent Investing – OIP Investment Trust
George Ngolwe, Associate Director, OMI JPIC
Rowena Gono, Communications Coordinator, OMI JPIC