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Pope Francis Takes Strong Action to End Slavery December 3rd, 2014
VATICAN CITY As Pope Francis and leaders of other churches and religions signed a declaration pledging to work together to help end modern slavery in the world by 2020, he urged governments, businesses and all people of good will to join forces against this “crime against humanity.”
Tens of millions of people are “in chains” because of human trafficking and forced labor, and it is leading to their “dehumanization and humiliation,” the pope said at the ceremony Dec. 2, the U.N. Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Every human person is born with the same dignity and freedom, and any form of discrimination that does not respect this truth “is a crime and very often an abhorrent crime,” the pope said.
Inspired by their religious beliefs and a desire “to take practical action,” the pope and 11 leaders representing the Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, Anglican, Buddhist and Hindu faiths made a united commitment to help eradicate slavery worldwide.
Read the full article at National Catholic Reporter online
And here is something to put on your calendar:
February 8th, 2015
National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking
On February 8th, 2015 the USCCB will observe the National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking. February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering.
Last February, Catholics throughout the country observed the national day of prayer through Masses, prayer vigils, and other events to raise awareness about human trafficking in their parishes and communities. This coming February, we encourage you to do the same. Through prayer, we not only reflect on the experiences of those that have suffered through this affront to human dignity, but also comfort, strengthen, and help empower survivors.
Please visit www.usccb.org/shepherd to download prayers, intercessions, a toolkit and other resources to help you host a human trafficking event locally. Visit www.usccb.org/stopslavery for more information about human trafficking and to download flyers for the National Day of Prayer including a Mass that will be held on Sunday, February 8th at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
In the words of our Holy Father Pope Francis, may we be “slaves no more, but brothers and sisters.”
Slaves No More… December 1st, 2014
On January 1st 2015, Pope Francis will commemorate the World Day of Peace with the theme “Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters.” In alignment with this message for the new year, the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking invites you to join in efforts to eliminate the scourge of human trafficking by making a personal commitment in 2015 to resolve to fight human trafficking. Click here to find out more and commit to the resolutions today.
Support Families Facing Deportation! November 6th, 2014
From November 5th through November 13th, the US Catholic Bishops are running a campaign based on the feast of St. Frances of Cabrini, the patroness of immigrants. The Bishops are urging people to call the White House to convey this message: Protect as many immigrants and their families as possible from deportation.
Learn more at: OMI USA JPIC Blog and Justice For Immigrants
Canadian Symposium on Mining and Justice in November October 24th, 2014
The Oblate JPIC initiative in Canada has organized a symposium on mining, called “The Global Cry of the People” Symposium on Mining Extraction and Justice for Friday, November 7th and Saturday November 8th, 2014. It will be held at Saint Paul’s University in Ottawa.
The symposium is designed to create a greater awareness among Canadians about the impact of mining, and will try to create a space for Church, civil society and politicians to learn and discuss the justice issues involved.
Partners in this project include: St Paul University, Canadian Mining Watch, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the Halifax Initiative, Citizens for Public justice, Canadian Martyrs Parish, St Joseph’s Parish, Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace-CCCB and KAIROS. The guest speaker will be the theologian Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez Merino, well-known as the founder of liberation theology in Latin America. The symposium will also feature presentations from experts, which will include Canadian politicians, representatives of the mining industry, and spokespersons with direct experience from mining communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Canada.
Information and the registration form, are now available by going to the OMI Lacombe website and selecting Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation/JPIC. There you will find all conference materials. You can also register here.
This symposium is free and open to all who might be interested, although a voluntary donation to cover costs will be accepted at the registration table.
For more information, please contact Leonardo Rego, OMI at jpic@omilacombe.ca
Inspiring Cards of Compassion for Migrant Families October 24th, 2014
Cards for migrants families in detention sent by Fr. John Cox OMI and 32 church students.
These cards are for participation in the letters and cards campaign by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, which has been collecting and delivering cards, letters of encouragement, support and prayers to migrant families who are feeling demoralized and hopeless as a result of their current immigration detention in the United States. Students produced the cards on the Feast of Guardian Angels. Other Oblates and associates have also participated in the solidarity action by submitting their words of encouragement. Hundreds of letters, cards, and drawings from local churches and schools were taken to the women and children detained in the Artesia, New Mexico immigrant detention center. Learn more…
Details of the cards for immigrant families.
