News Archives » North America
Irish Bishops Issue Climate Change Statement November 30th, 2009
The bishops of Ireland released a major statement on climate change earlier this month. They invite all, “to reflect on ‘that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying’ (CV n. 50).”The statement has an accompanying DVD.
Faith Groups Advocate Pro-Poor Agricultural Policies at USTR November 30th, 2009
Fourteen representatives of the InterFaith Working Group on Trade and Investment, including Séamus Finn, OMI – Director of the Oblate JPIC Office, called on the US Trade Representative to support measures to aid small farmers in developing countries. In a symbolic gesture, the faith groups delivered more than 100 bags of rice to emphasize the need for trade rules that would enable poor countries to protect their populations from sharp spikes in food prices. The IWG members met with USTR trade negotiators the day before Thanksgiving, within 72 hours of their leaving for a WTO Ministerial meeting in Geneva.
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World AIDS Day 2009 – Focus on Universal Access and Human Rights November 24th, 2009
December 1st each year is World AIDS Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. The global HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major health and development issue. AIDS also continues to present pastoral challenges to the Church. Missionary Oblates in South Africa are regularly working directly with and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS.
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Lift the Ban on Travel to Cuba, Argue Prominent Senator and Congressman November 17th, 2009
Congressman Howard Berman and Senator Richard Lugar wrote an Op-Ed for the Miami Herald today arguing that the ban on visits by Americans to Cuba be lifted.
Legislation to abolish restrictions on travel to Cuba has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. This Thursday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing examining the rationale for the travel ban
For some time now, The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has urged Congress to pass legislation that would end travel restrictions to Cuba and encourage more contact between Cuban and American citizens.
Read the Berman/Lugar Op-Ed here.
Conservationists Argue Border Wall Blocks Migration November 16th, 2009
A wall being built along the Mexican border to stop illegal immigration is stopping wildlife that needs to migrate across that border, conservationists say. A photo exhibit titled Continental Wall: Borderlands, Wildlife, People and the Wall showing the impact of the wall along the US-Mexico border is on show in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC until November 20.
