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Sri Lanka War Crimes Report Released October 30th, 2009
The US State Department released its Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka on October 22. The report details violations of the laws of war committed by both government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from January through May 2009.
The report is a sobering chronicle of the horrors of war and points to the need for a more thorough independent, international investigation.
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African Synod calls for Accountability in Politics and Resource Extraction October 28th, 2009
After a three-week Vatican meeting, the Special Synod for Africa has ended. The Synod’s final message to the Church in Africa urges the people of Africa to work together for the continent’s political and economic future. The bishops delivered a strong message against corrupt Catholic political leaders in Africa, calling on them to repent or quit public office and stop ruining their countries.
The Bishops called for caution and transparency when accepting foreign aid, which often comes with a hidden agenda. The Bishops further added:” Whatever may be the responsibility of foreign interests, there is always the shameful and tragic collusion of the local leaders: politicians who betray and sell out their nations, dirty business people who collude with rapacious multi nationals, African arms dealers and traffickers who thrive on small arms that cause great havoc on human lives, and local agents of some international organizations who get paid for peddling toxic ideologies that they don’t believe in.”
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Consistent Life Pro-Peace/Pro-Life Harmony Pilot Project October 23rd, 2009
Consistent Life is trying to promote dialog among pro-life groups with materials to encourage discussion and mutual understanding.
Do you know of groups in the same campus, denomination, or community that define themselves as either pro-peace or pro-life, but might be willing to dialog with each other? Consistent Life’s emphasis on how the issues are connected and on cooperation of violence-opposing groups offers a prime opportunity to change the destructive right/left dynamics of these debates. The organization is offering a PowerPoint presentation designed for joint meetings of such groups to encourage discussion.
Consistent Life says: “Before launching this as a program, complete with a manual with good advice on what experience has shown, we need to have experience to know what experience has shown. Anyone who might like to organize a session with appropriate local peace & life groups to help us develop this program, please contact project coordinator Rachel MacNair directly at drmacnair@hotmail.com or by calling (816)753-2057, Central Time Zone.
NCRLC – A Great Resource on Rural Life Issues October 23rd, 2009
The National Catholic Rural Life Conference – NCRLC – offers resources on a range of issues related to rural life. Sign up for a weekly E-bulletin on their website/ This contains brief offerings on rural life programs, agriculture & food issues, and environmental justice concerns. A seasonal prayer or inspirational message is sometimes included.
NCRLC also has a faith-based campaign on stewardship of the earth and climate change. The website offers good resources on this issue and other environmental and food-related concerns.
Shareholders Press PPG Industries on Toxic Emissions October 23rd, 2009
The Missionary Oblates joined other faith-based and socially responsible shareholders in pressing PPG Industries, a chemical manufacturer, on pollution stemming from its operations in its Lake Charles plant in Louisiana. A letter to the CEO seeks clarification on the company’s policies with respect to community engagement and accountability.
Residents of the nearby community of Mossville, Louisiana have high rates of cancer and respiratory diseases. In their letter, concerned shareholders cited research showing a possible connection between the company’s chemical emissions from its Lake Charles, LA facility to documented medical conditions afflicting residents of Mossville.
Oblate JPIC Staff joined an ICCR fact-finding mission to Mossville in June 2009 where they met with community members affected by the toxic emissions of surrounding chemical plants.
