News Archives » Human Dignity
2015 Labor Day Statement by U.S. Catholic Bishops:Importance Of Work In Building And Supporting Families. September 4th, 2015
“The continuing struggles of most families to make ends meet are on display before our eyes, both at home and abroad. This Labor Day, we have a tremendous opportunity to reflect on how dignified work with a living wage is critical to helping our families and our greater society thrive,” said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami Chairman Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development at USCCB. Archbishop Wenski addressed the issue in the 2015 Labor Day statement of the U.S Bishops statement, which focuses on focuses on the relationship between work and the family. Read the 2015 Labor Day statement here.
Vatican Radio interview Oblate representative at UN about Laudato Si’ July 31st, 2015
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he Vatican Radio has interviewed Fr. Daniel LeBlanc OMI,Missionary Oblates General Administration representative to the United Nations and VIVAT in New York about the impact of Pope Francis Encyclical Laudato Si’ on United Nations deliberations.
Listen to Fr Daniel interview here
Order to Release Immigrant Central American Families from Detention. July 28th, 2015
A federal judge in California has ruled that President Obama Administration policy of detention of immigrant mothers and children is a violation of an earlier court settlement and that the families should be released. These immigrant families were put in detention after being caught crossing the U.S/Mexico border illegally. Majority of these immigrant mothers and children are fleeing violence in Central America.
The Missionary Oblates JPIC applauds this decision. Other Faith, Immigrant Rights and Labor groups have welcomed the decision to release immigrant families from detention.
Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration said: “I welcome the ruling of the court and urge the administration to comply with it expeditiously.”
The Bishop added, “There are humane alternatives to detention which would ensure that families avail themselves of the court process but also are able to access legal and social service assistance.”
In March, Archbishop Gustavo Siller of San Antonio, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and Bishop James Tamayo of Laredo, Texas visited families at the detention center in Dilley, Texas. The Bishops called for an end to the detention of families and the use of alternative forms of detention.
Why Pope Francis Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ Should be on the Reading List of Every CEO. July 17th, 2015
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI has written a new article on Huffington Post called, Why ‘Laudato Si’ Should be on the Reading List of Every CEO.
“There will be many interpretations of this Encyclical. Even before its release, detractors denounced it as political and economic “meddling”, a “rehash”, and a full frontal assault on fossil fuels. But I remain hopeful that more forward-thinking CEOs will hear the deeper ideas he is proposing. Pope Francis is clearly extending an invitation to corporate leaders who authentically wish to be a part of the solution to help heal the world.”
Read the entire piece at Huffington Post
Missionary Oblates in Zimbabwe: “borehole for clean water” is a lifeline delivered. July 14th, 2015
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Fr. Charles Rensburg,OMI with Bhomela community leaders in Zimbabwe
Recently, a Catholic parish of St. Mary of Sorrows in Virginia,United States donated to the local community in Bhomela in Zimbabwe. This generous gift has enabled people of Bhomela to get a borehole for clean water supply and help in development of local farming initiatives during the prolonged dry season. Bhomela community is a mission church for the Zimbabwe Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
“Many children suffer from water-born diseases as well as malnutrition in Bhomela area. This borehole project will go a long way in alleviating these problems and developing ‘self-help’ initiatives in solving local problems,” says Zimbabwe Missionary Oblate, Fr. Charles Rensburg, OMI speaking on behalf of the local community.
“Words cannot begin to describe the community’s joy in having received a ‘life-line’ of water for the whole village. The borehole will be maintained by the local Catholic community whilst at the same time, complete access has been given to the whole village of over 3000 people.”
