News Archives » Human Dignity
Reflecting on the One Year Anniversary of Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home June 17th, 2016
A year ago Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate joined the world in welcoming Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home. As we observe the encyclical’s one-year anniversary, we invite you to join us in reflecting on a few of the document’s themes. Please use this resource with your church groups and ministries to further conversation and share your faith. (Theme descriptions and reflection questions adapted from US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Laudato Si resources, 2015)
EXCERPT FROM LAUDATO SI (Spanish translation and photo by Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI)
San Francisco, fiel a la Escritura, nos propone reconocer la naturaleza como un espléndido libro en el cual Dios nos habla y nos refleja algo de su hermosura y de su bondad: «A través de la grandeza y de la belleza de las criaturas, se conoce por analogía al autor» (Sb 13,5), y «su eterna potencia y divinidad se hacen visibles para la inteligencia a través de sus obras desde la creación del mundo» (Rm 1,20). Laudato Si # 12
Photo courtesy of Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI
Join Oblate JPIC in Praying for Orlando Shooting Victims June 14th, 2016
The Missionary Oblates Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office stands in solidarity with the shooting victims, their families and friends in light of the horrible attack that took place at an LGBT night club in Orlando. We keep them in our prayers. We also unite our voice to those who work for peace and reject all kinds of violence against the human life.
‘Pope Francis decries Orlando massacre and prays for victims.’ Read Pope Francis statement on the massacre here.
Bishop John Noonan of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, FL released the following statement. “A sword has pierced the heart of our city. Since learning of the tragedy this morning, I have urged all to pray for the victims, the families and first responders.”
Read the full statement along with that of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.
Reflecting on the same tragedy Catholic Bishop Robert Lynch of St Petersburg in Florida lamented the role religion has played in propagating disapproval for the LGBT community and raised questions about gun laws in the United States.
Read the statement here.
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, Quoted in Wall Street Journal Article on Ethical Investing June 7th, 2016
Fr. Séamus Finn, Chief of Faith Consistent Investment at the OIP Investment Trust and Chairman of Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, says companies that obey the law, are transparent, treat their employees well and respect the environment and their communities are likely to be more sustainable in the long run.
Read the full Wall Street Journal article.
May 23 is National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea May 20th, 2016
Ninety percent of the world’s goods are transported by sea and the waterways. There are approximately 1.2 million seafarers worldwide in 10,000 commercial ships and maritime vessels.
The National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea will be celebrated on Monday, May 23. The day is observed in conjunction with National Maritime Day in the United States, which has been celebrated since 1933, to recognize merchant mariners and others in the maritime industry.
The US Bishop’s Conference is encouraging dioceses and other ministries to mark the national day by remembering the men and women of the sea in homilies and by including special petitions during Mass.
The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking has provided a resource on human trafficking in the Maritime Industry. Download the resource here.
Pope Francis’ recent homily at Vatican City reminded those present that the exploitation of laborers is mortal sin, citing the Apostle James: ““Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” The Holy Father went on to say that:
“When riches are created by exploiting the people, by those rich people who exploit [others], they take advantage of the work of the people, and those poor people become slaves. We think of the here and now, the same thing happens all over the world. “I want to work.” “Good, they’ll make you a contract, from September to June.” Without a pension, without health care… Then they suspend it, and in July and August they have to eat air. And in September, they laugh at you about it. Those who do that are true bloodsuckers, and they live by spilling the blood of the people who they make slaves of labor.”
Visit the Vatican Radio site to read about Pope Francis’ homily.
Laudato Si’ in Practice – Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, on Vatican Radio May 18th, 2016
Nearly a year after the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Devin Watkins of Vatican Radio spoke to Fr. Séamus Finn about how the Holy Father’s challenges to the global economy have been put into practice.
As Chair of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and Chief of Faith Consistent Investment at the Missionary Oblates, Fr. Seamus assists corporations and religious institutions in investing and operating in a faith-conscious manner. He said there are several projects, which aim at putting Pope Francis’ teachings into practice.
Listen to the interview and read the article here.
