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Obama Declares January 2013 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month January 25th, 2013
All over the country, coalitions, churches, religious orders and individuals are mobilizing their communities this month to be the voices for those who are trapped in modern-day slavery. Many communities are organizing film viewings or a speaker series. And others are taking a less traditional approach. Some of the most interesting stories include:
- Techies are competing for cash to come up with new technology to combat human trafficking.
- The Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi Heights are ruining people’s lunches. Go, Sisters!
- In Ohio, a coalition is setting up camp in Wal-Mart to provide education on the issue of human trafficking.
- One business in North Carolina is baking cupcakes to end slavery.
- A stay-at-home mom is taking advocacy to new heights by climbing Mt. Everest to raise awareness!
USCCB Anti-Trafficking Program Invited to White House to Contribute to National Strategic Action Plan
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Climate Change: A Priority for the Holy See January 24th, 2013
Since 2009, Pope Benedict XVI has explicitly supported the idea of an international treaty through the United Nations to address climate change. The Holy Father has offered this support in his 2009 Message to the Climate Change Summit, 2010 Message to the Diplomatic Corps, and his Angelus on November 27, 2011.
For 2013, it appears that United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will make an international agreement a top priority as well. According to the Associated Press, one of his chief concerns in 2013 will be securing a binding international agreement to address climate change: Climate change is fast happening – much, much faster than one would have expected [. . .] Climate and ecosystems are under growing strain [. . .] I will do my best to mobilise the political will and resources so that the member states can agree to a new legally binding global agreement on climate change.
Climate Change is a priority for the U.S. President as well…
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Lenten “Caring for Creation” Calendar January 23rd, 2013
“The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, n. 48)
The Archdiocese of Washington has developed a Lenten Caring for Creation calendar, a series of spiritual reflections and sacrificial actions everyone can consider during Lent. Please use these in your preparation for Easter, and share this useful resource with others.
Lenten “Caring for Creation” Calendar, Year of Faith 2013 (Download PDF)
March for Life 2013 January 18th, 2013
The March for life this year is on Friday, January 25th . March for Life is an annual march in Washington DC to protest the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
Big crowds for the annual March for Life protest are expected to hit Washington, as hundreds of thousands of pro-life supporters attend the 40th anniversary event.
Each year, Missionary Oblates in Washington, DC host seminarians attending the March to Life rally. We are looking forwarding to hosting a group of seminarians again in 2013.
Learn more at www.marchforlife.org/
Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence January 17th, 2013
On January 15, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a diverse coalition of organizations united by the call of faiths to confront America’s gun violence epidemic and to rally support for policies that reduce death and injury from gunfire, sent a letter to the 113th Congress. Religious leaders representing 40 different faiths signed the letter urging the President and Congress to urgently take action to respond to the gun violence crisis in the United States. The letter was released to the public during the press conference at the United Methodist Building in Washington DC.
To read the letter and learn more, visit www.faithsagainstgunviolence.org
