News Archives » North America
Eco-tip: Prevent Litter, Protect Animals January 26th, 2011
Flickr Creative Commons license: epSos.de
Cigarette butts, snack wrappers, take-out boxes, and drink containers are our most common liter. Each one can hurt animals in a different way. Little animals like squirrels and skunks sometimes stick their heads in small plastic containers (especially yogurt containers) trying to get the food that’s left, and get stuck there. Deer and other animals often cut their tongues on half-opened cans. Six-pack rings of soda cans can trap and strangle birds, fish, and other animals. Animals mistake cigarette butts which are made of plastic and eat them, which can kill them.
So, when you go hiking take a trash bag to collect your trash and other trash along the way. The animals from the forest will greatly appreciate it.
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U.S. Bishops Outline Legislative ‘Principles and Priorities’ For New Congress January 26th, 2011
The poor and vulnerable must not be neglected in times of difficult choices
Respect for the dignity of all human life an underlying principle
Subsequent letter on health care reform reflects bishops’ principles at work
In a letter to Congress dated January 14th, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), outlined the “principles and priorities that will guide the public policy efforts” of the Bishops’ Conference during the new legislature.
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March for Life Rally January 24th, 2011
The annual March for Life rally and demonstration in Washington, D.C. is underway, with thousands of pro-life activists filling the National Mall and the streets to the Supreme Court. Many have included visits to their House and Senate representatives in their plans. Saturday marked the 38th anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion.
House Republican leaders are eager to move on a vote to put more restrictions on federal abortion funding.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and other key members of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus last week introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would prohibit federal agencies and programs from spending tax money to fund abortions. The USCCB strongly supports this measure. Read the letter to Congress signed by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo Archbishop of Galveston/Houston, Chairman, Committee on Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
At present, Smith’s measure has 161 co-sponsors and the public backing of the top GOP leadership. Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has has directed that the legislation be designed as H.R. 3 and called it “one of our highest legislative priorities.” The Senate is not expected to take up the measure, however.
8th Day Center E-Newsletter is a Good Resource January 21st, 2011
Stay connected with the 8th Day Center for Justice in Chicago by signing up to receive their electronic newsletter sent on the “8th Day” of each month. The e-newsletter will provide you with up-to-date information on the work of 8th Day, including actions, events and reflections.
To sign-up to receive the e-newsletter, contact Beth at beth@8thdaycenter.org.
Oblates Support Need for Immigration Reform January 16th, 2011
On 29 January, a March and Rally for Immigration Reform will be held in Pacoima, California, a city in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles. The event, organized by the Justice for Immigrants coalition in San Fernando Valley, will consist of a march which will proceed to the Oblate parish of Mary Immaculate. There, a rally will be held featuring speeches by community leaders encouraging elected officials in Congress to fix the broken immigration system and remind them of its impact on families.
Read the Press Release by Justice for Immigrants Coalition /San Fernando Valley.
In a separate but related action, the Oblate JPIC Office has joined 45 other faith-based organizations in issuing a declaration in support of Migrants. The Resolution on Migrants was developed in observance of National Migration Week, declared by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’, and recognizes the difficulties facing immigrants in the United States today. The diverse array of faith groups signing onto the statement are united in their concern for the plight of immigrants and the current negative political atmosphere in many communities. Most of the faith-based organizations endorsing the Resolution represent individuals and communities who live among and serve the immigrant population and are witnesses to the daily struggles of immigrants.
The U.S Migrant Resolution shows that a diverse faith community remains committed to immigration reform despite the current lack of political leadership. We hope that Congressional leaders can reach across the divide on this issue in the same way that the faith community has come together.
