News Archives » oblates
Oblates Attend 2011 World Social Forum March 4th, 2011
Fr. Walter Butor OMI, Ms Patti Radle and Fr. Jose Ponce OMI represented the U.S. Oblate JPIC Committee at the recent World Social Forum (WSF) held in Dakar, Senegal, February 6-11. Oblates from other regions also attended. In a note from Ms Radle described her experience: “It is very emotional and encouraging to be around thousands and thousands of people who are so sincere about making a better world and seeing beyond borders.” The World Social Forum is an annual summit held by non-governmental organizations, civil society members and religious leaders working to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
Mass at the cathedral in Dakar. The Bishop of Senegal gave a blessing and prayers for those attending the World Social Forum.
Oblate JPIC General Service Director Fr. Camille Piché OMI hosted an informal inaugural gathering for Oblate participants to convey expectations and a debriefing session following the forum to share experiences. Oblates participate in the World Social Forum in order to express solidarity with the thousands of participants meeting to both share concerns and explore effective responses to a diversity of issues, from globalization, ecological sustainability and trafficking of women and children, to trade relations of nations, extractives industries and indigenous peoples’ issues. Thanks go to the Oblate Province in Senegal which provided hospitality to the Oblate participants.
Thanks to Patti Radle for the photographs.
"Another World is Possible"
NGO Proposal for UN Commission on Social Development February 27th, 2011
At the United Nations, members of Civil Society (CSO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) work hard to find better ways of promoting development, especially for those living in poverty. The OMI and Vivat International representatives are deeply involved in this process.
NGOs working at the UN have recently produced a document to tell governments of the world what they think does not work in their approach to development , as well as suggestions for what might promise much better results and help to eliminate extreme poverty in the world.
Read the NGO proposal developed for the 49th Session of the Commission for Social Development…
Background:
The Forty-Ninth session of the Commission for Social Development was held from Wednesday, 9, to Friday, 18 February 2011. Many Non-Governmental Organizations (including “OMI” and “VIVAT International”) are part of the Social Development Committee and the Sub-Committee on the Eradication of Poverty. The document referenced above was read by the Chairperson of the Committee at the opening session and has been officially received as a UN Document.
Immigration Rally in Oblate Parishes in Los Angeles February 15th, 2011
On January 29th, at least 2000 people took to the streets of Pacoima, CA, in an organized, peaceful march for the rights of the undocumented and all immigrants. They carried American flags and signs, such as “Stop Ripping Families Apart” and “No to Deportation, Yes to Legalization” and “Dreams not Nightmares”.
The March was led by young Hispanic US military veterans, and then by children waving small flags from many other nations, representing the contributions of immigrants to our nation. These were followed by Aztec dancers and drumming, representing the indigenous roots of many. Many marchers were high school and college-age students who came here as children and who dream of a future as citizens.
The participants were from Mary Immaculate and Santa Rosa parishes, as well as from other parishes and civic organizations. The two-mile long march ended at Mary Immaculate where there was a rally and messages of encouragement given by the organizers and some local politicians to all those who are advocating a sensible reform of the current immigration laws and system.
The Oblates who participated in the March and in the prior organization of the March were John Curran, Porfirio Garcia, Antonio Ponce, Stan Zowada and Bill Antone.
Missionary Oblates responding to the needs of the homeless in Chula Vista December 31st, 2010
Fr Ricardo Lopez OMI shares his experience of working with the homeless and migrants in Chula Vista, California in this recent video.
Fr. Seamus Finn Speaks on Need for Greater Corporate Transparency at Yale Conference December 14th, 2010
- Theodore Dwight Woolsey and Dwight Hall, Yale University
On December 7th and 8th The Global Financial Integrity Project convened a conference entitled “Socially Responsible Investing and Corporate Financial Reporting: The Need for Transparency” at Yale University. Fr. Seamus Finn from the OMI JPIC office participated and presented a paper on the work of the office in promoting greater transparency by corporations on tax and tariff payments made in different jurisdictions. His paper also discussed the efforts of faith communities to ensure that the US Congress adopts greater transparency standards for the financial industry.
