News Archives » Human Dignity
Irish Priest Fights for Poor People and Death-Row Convicts in Indonesia August 17th, 2016
The locals in Central Java province’s Cilacap Regency know Charles Patrick Burrows, a Catholic priest from Ireland, by another name: Romo Carolus.
He landed in Indonesia in 1973 and has stayed on since, working to help alleviate poverty in the regency and, relatively recently, offering comfort to inmates on death row at nearby Nusakambangan prison and escorting some as they walked toward the firing lines.
Romo Carolus began by counseling Catholic inmates, but provides guidance for other inmates as well.
Read the full article at OMIUSA.org.
Read coverage in the New York Times:
Indonesia’s Push to Execute Drug Convicts Underlines Flaws in Justice System
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, Speaks on Theology and Liberation at 2016 World Social Forum August 17th, 2016
The World Forum on Theology and Liberation (WFTL) was one of several parallel forums at the 2016 World Social Forum, held in Montreal, Canada from August 9-14.
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, participated in a panel discussion on August 12 at the OMI Lacombe sponsored workshop: “Theology and Liberation: Sharing experiences of empowering the poor in Canada and beyond the borders.” The workshop explored how the Oblates of Mary Immaculate have been involved in empowering the poor throughout the world for the past 200 years.
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI (far right), along with other presenters at the OMI Lacombe sponsored workshop: “Theology and Liberation: Sharing experiences of empowering the poor in Canada and beyond the borders”
2016 World Social Forum Opens in Montreal, Canada August 10th, 2016
The forum kicked off on August 9 with several hundred people marching from La Fontaine Park to the streets of Montreal. Started in 2001 in Brazil, The World Social Forum (WSF) is the largest gathering of civil society to discuss and find solutions to current global problems. This year’s theme is: Another world is needed. Together, it is possible.
(From Left to right) Fr. J. Antonio Ponce, OMI, Oblate JPIC; Fr. Kennedy Katongo, OMI, JPIC General Services ; Fr. Warren Brown, OMI, General Services North American Region Representative
Frs. J. Antonio Ponce, OMI, Kennedy Katongo, OMI, and Warren Brown, OMI, march through Montreal with forum attendees.
Fr. Kennedy Katongo, OMI watching performances on opening day of 2016 World Social Forum.
Activists at 2016 World Social Forum
Fr. Antonio Ponce, OMI join other civil society participants at World Social Forum.
Dr. Victor Carmona Pens Article on Mercy for Immigrants and Refugees August 10th, 2016
By Dr. Victor Carmona, OMI JPIC Committee Member
As a Mexican American Catholic, I think asking whether the influx of immigrants and refugees is a threat or an opportunity is the wrong question; their presence is not merely a political, economic, cultural, or national security problem to be solved. Their presence among us is ultimately a reality that calls for mercy, not just for their sake but ours as well. Instead of those questions, many in our Hispanic communities are struggling with more basic ones, like how do we remain faithful and hopeful when so many of our country’s leaders toy with immigration issues for political gain. I have found some answers in unlikely places.
Read the full article at patheos.com.
Dr. Victor Carmona is professor of moral theology at Oblate School of Theology. Before becoming a moral theologian, he served migrants and urban communities with the Mexican Catholic Conference of Bishops and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is a current member of the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Committee at Missionary Oblates – US Province.
OMI JPIC Hosts Youth Group from Alaska and Bishop D’Cruze of Bangladesh August 9th, 2016
A youth group from St. Patrick’s Parish in Anchorage, Alaska visited JPIC offices on July 28.
Bishop Bejoy D’Cruze, OMI, of the Diocese of Sylhet, Bangladesh visited JPIC offices on July 29. (Left to right): Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, Sr. Nathanael Lee, LSHF, Rowena Gono, Bishop Bejoy D’Cruze, OMI, (Francis, a colleague of Bishop D’Cruze), George Ngolwe
