News Archives » North America
Missionary Oblates Urge Congress to Fund Native American Programs October 27th, 2015
Missionary Oblates JPIC recently joined other faith groups in a sign on letter on behalf of Native Americans. In the letter, the interfaith group expressed concern that the voice of Native Americans are often drowned out by more powerful interests or larger constituencies. The letter was sent to the Senate and House Appropriations and Budget committees in the U.S Congress, requesting that they uphold specific funding commitments to Native Americans. Our missionaries, Oblates of Mary Immaculate work closely with indigenous peoples around the world, including North America and strive to respect their culture and aspirations while ministering to their needs.
40 Days For Life Concludes With Candlelight Vigil on Sunday, November 1 October 26th, 2015
A second Candlelight Vigil to mark the close of the 40 Days For Life campaign will take place in Washington, DC on November 1. 40 Days For Life is a nation wide initiative focused on renewing the Church’s commitment to the sanctity of all human life and protection of unborn babies. This year’s Candlelight Vigil coincides with All Saints’ Day. Details on the local Washington, DC event follow.
On-site Candlelight Vigil
Sunday, November 1, 7:00 P.M.
(candles with holders, provided)
- Where: 1225 4th Street, N.E., Corner of Florida Avenue, Washington, DC
- Metro Stop: Red Line, NoMa Gallaudet Station (Walk three blocks east to the site)
- When: Sunday, November 1st, 7:00 PM
For additional information, please contact:
Diane Conocchioli, Coordinator, 40 Days for Life, Washington, DC
at 4lifewdc@comcast.net or visit https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/washington/
Our Facebook link is: https://www.facebook.com/events/1703099089923485/
A Call for Compassion Toward Immigrants October 26th, 2015
“When the stranger in our midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and the errors of the past. We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our “neighbors” and everything around us. Building a nation calls us to recognize that we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mindset of hostility in order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort to do our best. I am confident that we can do this.”
(Pope Francis to Joint Session of U.S Congress- September 24, 2015)
On October 20, the Senate voted down “Stop Sanctuary Cities and Protect Americans Act,” also known as S.2146. Missionary Oblates JPIC joined other religious-based organizations and human rights groups in expressing profound concern about the potential impacts if S.2146 became law. Church groups expressed that such programs have led to increased fear of immigration detention and deportation among immigrant families in communities across the country. We appreciate you for standing with immigrant families and raising your faithful voices to Senators in Congress. Your voice made a huge impact.
Oblate Shrine hold workshop on Encyclical Laudato Si for Hispanic Community October 22nd, 2015
This week Fr. Chava Gonzalez, OMI of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleviile, IL led a workshop on Pope Francis’ latest encyclical Laudato Si. This workshop is one in a 4-part series and offered in Spanish for participation by the Hispanic community. The series was organized after parishioners expressed strong interest in discussing the encyclical, which focuses on the environment.
Fr. Chava Gonzalez, OMI of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleviile, IL (front) with his study group.
Post-2015 Development Agenda Officially Launched October 15th, 2015
Overview
The United Nation’s 70th session convened in New York in September 2015 with the formal adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by its 193 member states. The SDGs replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the prevailing development agenda since 2000, which ended in 2015. Like its forerunner, the SDGs will have a 15-year timeframe and remain in effect until 2030. It is the result of an international consultative process that originated at the Rio +20 meeting in 2012.
Some see the SDGs as the UN’s boldest anti-poverty agenda yet, as expressed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon who called them “17 bold yet achievable goals that aim to end poverty.”
The 17 goals cover a wide range of social, economic and environmental issues: poverty and hunger, improving health and education, reducing inequality, and combating climate change. They have been hailed as a step up from the MDGs because they tackle more present-day issues and incorporate all countries rich and poor.
Oblate Participation
![image001[2]](http://omiusajpic.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/image0012.jpg)
Fr Daniel LeBlanc OMI
In addition to governments, civil society groups have actively participated in the processes leading up to the final adoption of the global agreement. In the last year and a half, Fr Daniel LeBlanc OMI, JPIC’s Representative to the United Nations collaborated with several Working Groups including the Mining Working Group, International Trade Union Confederation and the Indigenous Peoples Major Group. These groups worked for the inclusion of a human rights perspective in the final agreement. Some of these rights include the right to water and sanitation, the right to decent work, the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the eradication of extreme poverty.
An area of particular concern for civil society and other stakeholders is the question of how the goals will be financed by individual countries. A separate negotiation process took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia earlier this year at the 3rd Financing for Development Conference. In Addis Ababa Fr Daniel LeBlanc OMI joined other civil society groups in pushing for a new and expanded follow-up process that will allow civil society to better monitor whether countries meet their commitment and provide support for struggling countries. Without the necessary financing, many countries will fall short of meeting their goals and targets within the 2015-2030 timeframe.
The SDGs are organized under 6 ‘essential elements’: o Dignity o Prosperity o Justice o Partnership o Planet o People
Additional resources on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be found at these websites:
1. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Background On Sustainable Development Goals
2. Caritas Internationalis Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS): Frequently Asked Questions
3. Download an Open Letter to Pope Francis from the UN Mining Working Group:
Thanks to Fr Daniel LeBlanc, OMI, Oblate representative at the UN, for this information
