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Faith Groups to Congress: Support Peace Through Diplomacy in Ukraine July 11th, 2022
Photo courtesy of Wilfried Pohnke, Pixabay
It has been more than four months since Russia invaded Ukraine. In response to the terrible human toll of this illegal assault, OMI JPIC joined nearly two dozen faith organizations, under the leadership of Friends Committee on National Legislation, in sending a letter to every member of the U.S. Congress urging lawmakers to avoid actions that would escalate, expand, or prolong the war in Ukraine.
The signers recognized the precious and equal value of every human life. As in every war, the burdens have fallen most heavily on the world’s most vulnerable people. With so many lives at stake, the letter urges Congress to fulfill its moral duty to do everything it can to support diplomatic efforts that create incentives for a negotiated settlement necessary to reach a just and lasting peace.
Visit Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)’s website to read the letter to the U.S. Congress, view the list of signers, and send an action alert.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI Offers Peace Prayer at Interfaith Gathering June 23rd, 2022
Out of shared concern for the trauma and sorrow wrought by war, Religions for Peace and UNIAPAC came together to promote multireligious collaboration in service of humanity, hosting an Interfaith Prayer for World Peace on Tuesday, June 22. Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, invited to offer a prayer of intercession, prayed the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
In the face of violent conflict and self-serving avarice, Religions for Peace and UNIAPAC are advocating for an alternative paradigm, human fraternity. They recognize that all are called to protect our brothers and sisters in humanity, irrespective of our differences in faith, and work together to cultivate peace and shared flourishment through dialogue and cooperation.
As people around the globe suffer from wars, deprivation and ecological precarity, they are calling on faith leaders of the world’s religious and spiritual communities to come together to pray for peace.
The International Christian Union of Business Executives or UNIAPAC is an ecumenical organization for Christian businesspeople.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI Interviewed by Berkley Center, Georgetown University June 20th, 2022
Background: Investment policies and priorities for faith communities have come to the fore in recent years, working alongside wider socially 
responsible investment policies and involving active efforts to shape directions for private sector impact. Fr. Séamus has played active roles in initiatives within his order (Oblates of Mary Immaculate), the Catholic Church, and faith communities broadly. He spoke to a group of Georgetown University students and other colleagues on April 27, presenting his work and exploring underlying issues related to investment policies and action to shape them.
Fr. Séamus brings a long history of active efforts to shape faith consistent investment policies and practice. As director of the Oblates’ United States Province Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, he coordinates their advocacy work on behalf of marginalized peoples and communities living in poverty; the priorities are “accompanying those in need” and “being present where decisions affecting the lives and the futures of the poor are made”, in both the public arena and the private sector.
He served as chair of the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility’s board of directors for 5 years and is the Director of Faith Consistent Investing for the Oblate International Pastoral Investment Trust. The latter includes an active shareholder investment program both for the U.S. province and for the congregation, and a presence at different legislative arenas and at international institutions like the World Bank, IMF and the UN. He serves on the boards of several organizations focused on justice priorities in the public policy arena.
Read the full interview: https://bit.ly/3O9TzHp
Synodality and Oblates in the U.S.A., Part Two June 17th, 2022
By Jim Brobst, OMI and Paul Hughes, OMI, Introduction by Harry Winter, OMI
In our first installment, we mentioned how much St. Eugene lived synodality, even though he may not have used the word (Synodality and the Oblates: Part 1). Since the core of synodality is mission, St. Eugene looks over our shoulders as we invest in synodality.
Michael Hughes, OMI, of the Anglo-Irish Province documented this when he described St. Eugene’s 1850 visit to England. “Today, we would say that he had set the Oblate mission well and truly on the synodal pathway” (p. 14, Oblate Connections, May 2022, #54). Hughes explains how St. Eugene “rallied his men and made a striking impression of gracious nobility on the various dignitaries he has met” (p. 15).This “gracious nobility” helped him overcome clericalism, and work equally with the laity and clergy.
Washington, DC, Oblate Residence, Jim Brobst, OMI
On May 12, 8 of the 12 Oblates residing in Washington, DC, met to discuss synodality… and I guided our discussion. Although our community discussion was often rather intellectual and historical in its approach, we also had some strong moments of personal disclosure. The fact of having something other-than-business to discuss was itself the best part about the meeting! We’re often good on the administrative/necessary business side of mission, but less so on the depth of community that is a part of mission. This discussion gave us the opportunity to go deeper than we normally do.
On May 14 I took our summary to the meeting on the Archdiocesan level, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. About sixty-five people attended, including Cardinal Gregory, laity, religious and pastors. Reporters ranged from Sr. Jeannine Gramick, long-time defender of LGBTQ within the church, to proponents of Latin Mass. There was quite a diversity in ages, ethnicity, culture and education among those present.
Visit OMIUSA.ORG to read the full article.
Three Part Harmony Farm Hosts Sisters of Mercy Delegation June 9th, 2022
Our collaboration with the Three Part Harmony farm at the OMI property here at 391 Michigan Ave in Washington, DC continues to bear fruit. Every week the farm receives requests for either tours or educational presentations. It is another way that we have been successful in sharing the message of Laudato Si in recent years. It is especially exciting to be able to share the message of caring for a common home, raising nutritional vegetables, adding a touch of beauty to the area with the street-side flower garden and of course teaching about good eating and good nutrition.
We received the following message and photos after a recent visit by a group of Mercy Sisters collaborators.
Dear Gail,
Thank you so much for your generosity in welcoming us to Three Part Harmony Farm the other day! It was a welcome break from classroom-style presentations with the group and meetings with their legislators.
We had some really good conversations afterward about food sovereignty, your farming practices vs. the corporate model, and intersections with our concerns for Earth and immigrants when it comes to farm workers. One of the staff with the students pointed out that you live the value of mercy in the great empathy you expressed for farmers whose practices differ from yours.
I’ve attached some photos, which I had to resize to send via email. I suspect you already saw many posted on social media that tagged the farm.
Many blessings for a fruitful season both with the bounty of your produce and with the building of community that you also prioritize.
Regards,
Marianne Comfort
Sisters of Mercy, Institute Justice Team
