News Archives » Ecology
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI on Ford Foundation Mining Panel December 17th, 2014
Peter Bryant, Senior Fellow, Kellogg Innovation Network (KIN) – Moderator; Mark Cutifani, CEP Anglo-American; Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, Missionary Oblates JPIC Office Director; and Ray Offenheiser, President Oxfam America served as panelists at a recent forum on the Mining Company of the Future at the Ford Foundation in New York City
Learn more though the following links:
Mining Company of the Future; Anglo American CEO joins group to open discussion (Download PDF)
KIN CATALYST: MINING COMPANY OF THE FUTURE Development Partner Framework
Watch their video: A New Vision of the Mining Company of the Future, which explains the current problems with mining and efforts to engage stakeholders to create a new approach.
Church representatives vow to defend Latin American areas with mines December 11th, 2014
Thanks to Catholic New Service for this article, which was written by Lise Alves
SAO PAULO (CNS) — Christian leaders from 14 Latin American countries gathered in Brasilia in early December to discuss ways to reduce the impact of mining activities in their communities, especially the contamination of rivers and lakes.
“There is no large-scale industrial mining without water,” said Bishop Guilherme Werlang of Ipameri, president of the Brazilian bishops’ social justice and charity commission. But the bishops say materials used in mineral extraction contaminate groundwater, rivers and lakes in mining regions.
“It has been proven that these toxic materials will remain in the soil and in the water during many centuries,” said Bishop Werlang.
A three-day conference dubbed “Church and Mining: An Option in Defense of Communities and Territories,” was the first of its kind in the region. The conference had the support of the Brazilian bishops’ conference and the participation of the Latin American Council of Churches as about 90 participants tried to define strategies and alliances to reduce the impact of mining activities.
“We discussed the threats, challenges and insecurities that local and indigenous communities throughout Latin America are experiencing where mining companies are operating,” said Oblate Father Seamus Finn of the Oblates’ Washington-based Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Ministry.
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Canadian Mining Symposium a Success November 9th, 2014
Over a hundred and fifty people gathered on November 7th and 8th, 2014 at St. Paul’s University Campus for a symposium on mining organized by the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation ministry of the Canadian LaCombe Province. The gathering, titled SYMPOSIUM: Mining Extraction and Justice “The Global Cry of the People”, looked at the impacts of mining on affected communities, and their response. The dialog of faith groups with mining companies was also examined. Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI from the US JPIC Office, who has actively engaged a number of multinational mining companies, moderated one of the discussion panels. The symposium featured Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, author of A Theology of Liberation, as the Keynote speaker.
Official Program available here.
International OMI JPIC Representatives Meet in Rome November 9th, 2014
JPIC representatives from the various Oblate regions met in Rome last week to share about the work being done, and to strategize for the future. Fr. Kennedy Katongo, OMI, as the new international JPIC Director, planned and facilitated the meeting.
Kennedy Katongo, director of the General OMI JPIC Service, Kevin McLaughin, European Region, Miguel Fritz, General Councilor for Latin America and and Gilberto Pinon, 2nd Assistant, Mission Portfolio Holder
Felix Mushobozi, CPPS, Co-executive Secretary USG/UISG/JPIC Commission (Observer), Daniel LeBlanc, representing the Oblates at the United Nations
International, Miguel Pipolo, Latina America Region, Camille Piche, former director of the General JPIC Service, DIDIER Zanafradara, representing the Africa Madagascar Region and Bradly Rozairo, representing the Asia-Oceania Region
Pollinator Garden Planted at the Oblate Ecological Initiative November 2nd, 2014
Celebration once the planting was completed!
The Oblate Ecological Initiative recently held a Permaculture/Hugelkultur workshop to prepare for installation of a pollinator terrace garden. The pollinator garden was then installed using the concept of Hugelcultur. The Oblate novices helped in the digging and planting.
HUGELKULTUR: What is it?
Hugelkultur is a German word meaning “mound culture”. Hügelkultur replicates the natural process of decomposition that occurs on forest floors. Trees that fall in a forest often become like sponges, decaying and providing nutrients and water to seedlings. The water is slowly released back into the environment, benefiting nearby plants.
The process includes digging a trench, placing rotting logs and branches in it, and then topping it with organic matter found in your area, like branches, twigs, logs, decaying leaves, pine needles, straw, your own compost, and finally soil.
BENEFITS
There are many benefits to hugelkultur, making it a sustainable process. Since the mound provides water for the plants there is often no need to do any watering. The mound lasts for many years, and as the wood decomposes, it turns in humus and actually retains more water. These beds can also extend the growing season by a month or so, because the decomposition creates heat that keeps the bed warmer during colder months. Another benefit it that no materials need to be purchased, since the mounds can be created from natural materials found in your area. It is a useful way to dispose of unwanted woody organic matter. You can save energy that would be used in disposing of it.
Hugelkultur is an important part of sustainable, fertilizer-free agriculture.
Please see here for a full report on the workshop and planting.
