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The Right to Water and Sanitation – A Practical Guide November 2nd, 2011
On 28 July 2010 the United Nations General Assembly officially recognised the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. To help make this Human Right a reality, Franciscans International and WaterLex have co-developed a learning manual for grassroots religious communities.
The purpose of this manual is to provide interested communities with an overview and some tools to address water access and governance challenges in everyday life. It explains progressively, over 7 sections, how to become aware of water and sanitation challenges as well as the planning of facilitation and advocacy activities at the local, national and international level.
Re-Occupying Main Street November 2nd, 2011
I believe there are analogies and lessons to be drawn from the responsible citizenship on display by demonstrators across the world, and the responsible ownership practiced by active shareholders in corporations.
Read Fr. Finn’s latest blog on Huffington Post…
Oblate Priest Speaks up for Underpaid Immigrant Workers October 31st, 2011
A new law in Texas (Senate bill 1024) has tried to crack down on wage theft, a serious problem for undocumented workers. The legislation closed a loophole that allowed employers to escape prosecution if they had paid employees only a portion of the wages owed. Fr. Kevin Collins, OMI supports the law, saying that many of the underpaid workers are undocumented immigrants who may not feel brave enough to pursue charges. The new law, if enforced, well will help millions of underpaid workers.
Fr. Collins, OMI, a pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Houston, Texas, serves as a co-director of the Metropolitan Organization, an interfaith social justice nonprofit group in Houston. Wage theft is a serious concern for the group.
Uphold Human Rights in Guatemala, Groups Urge New US Ambassador October 31st, 2011
Victims of impunity in Guatemala
In a letter to the new US Ambassador to Guatemala from a broad array of human rights and religious groups working on Latin America, the Ambassador was urged to continue the emphasis of his predecessor on upholding human rights and due process. The Rev. Seamus Finn, OMI signed the letter on behalf of the Missionary Oblates.
Read the letter (Download PDF)
Faith Based Investors Welcome Vatican Statement on Financial Reform October 31st, 2011
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility issued a statement welcoming the recent Vatican proposal and recommendations for reform of the global financial system. The statement reads:
The document, “Towards Reforming the International Financial and Monetary Systems in the Context of Global Public Authority”, released by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, offers a very helpful analysis of the ongoing global financial crisis and makes some sound proposals and recommendations to reduce the probability of meltdowns of such magnitude in the future.
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