News Archives » Social Justice
Reflections on a Central American Pilgrimage March 30th, 2010
Warren Brown, OMI visited Central America in January of 2010 on a Maryknoll-sponsored pilgrimage. His moving description of the trip can be found here in its entirety. A shorter version was published in the spring issue of JPIC News.
Reflections on a Pilgrimage/Retreat to Central America (download PDF)
Human Trafficking and the World Cup March 26th, 2010
The World Cup is going to be held in South Africa June 11 – July 11, 2010. Many are concerned that these games will encourage an upsurge in human trafficking. Please see the links below for more information and to take action.
The South African Bishops’ Conference Anti-Trafficking World Cup Campaign :
“RED CARD CAMPAIGN, WORLD CUP 2010: DISQUALIFYING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AFRICA”.
Oblate Testifies on Conditions in Brazilian Prisons March 26th, 2010
Jose de Jesus Filho, OMI presenting before the Inter-American Human Rights Commission
On Friday, March 19, 2010 in Washington, DC, a group of petitioners, representing various organizations in Brazil, made their case to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission concerning the conditions of overcrowding and the practice of torture in the Brazilian prison system. Jose de Jesus Filho, OMI, represented the Prison Pastoral of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference and participated in the presentation at the hearing.
Faith Leaders Speak out at Immigration Reform Rally March 25th, 2010
Faith leaders and people of faith speak out persuasively for sensible immigration reform at the March 21 rally in Washington, DC. Hear Cardinal Mahoney and others in a short video taken during the rally. (click here to watch the video)
Faith Groups Join March for Immigration Reform March 23rd, 2010
Fr. Fernando Velazquez OMI from Houston and George K. Ngolwe, Oblate JPIC staff, march for immigration reform
On Sunday, March 22, over 200,000 people from around the country rallied on the National Mall in Washington, D.C to pressure the United State Congress and President Obama to work to reform the broken immigration system. The faith community was joined by tens of thousands of people from civil rights, immigrant, family and labor groups.
The March for America targeted the Democratic majority in Congress and the Obama Administration with a simple message saying that comprehensive immigration reform needs to be a priority now. “If it is not, don’t count on us to turn out for the November 2010 congressional elections,” warned the activists.
Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles Archdiocese told the crowd that the Catholic Church stands with immigrants and is in this fight until the end. Cardinal Mahony denounced the continuing immigration raids and decried the fact that children continue to be separated from their parents. He said the rally would force leaders in Congress to hear the stories of immigrants’ daily struggles.
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