News Archives » oblates
Zambia: Oblate Bishop Paul Duffy Attacked for Speaking on Behalf of the Poor January 21st, 2010
Oblate Bishop Paul Duffy of Mongu diocese, who has been doing missionary work for the last 25 years in Zambia’s Western Province, called on the Government of Zambia to help the poor by fulfilling a campaign promise to rebuild the main road and provide more economic opportunities for local people.
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Victory after Long Fight to Save Bangladeshi Indigenous Villages and Forest January 20th, 2010
The indigenous Khasi people of Bangladesh have won a significant victory after a long struggle to protect the forest on which they depend for their survival. The indigenous community organized against rampant logging from a local tea estate owner who had secured permission to log the forest allegedly through his political connections. Thousands of trees and many Khasi villages will be saved as a result.
The Oblates have been supportive of the efforts to protect the forest, with Fr. Joseph Gomes, OMI working closely with the Khasi people. APRA (Adibasi Poribesh Roskhya Andolon or Save Indigenous Environment Movement) of BAPA (Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon or Bangladesh Environment Movement). Fr. Gomes was joined by Sharif Jamil, National Coordinator, APRA, Joint Secretary, BAPA in successfully arguing on behalf of the Khasi people before a government panel charged with investigating the logging controversy.
The People of Haiti Need your Help January 14th, 2010
Port au Prince is Devastated; Food Supplies are threatened elsewhere in Haiti
Most Oblates are believed safe, but news is still minimal.
Relief aid is urgently needed. Donatations are being accepted by the US Oblates – click here.
While the US is responding vigorously, policy changes are still needed.
– Official assistance needs to be in the form of grants, NOT loans.
– All of Haiti’s debts need to be cancelled;
– Temporary Protective Status (TPS)should be granted to undocumented Haitians in the US.
Learn more – Read our Action Alert on Haiti for more information and suggested action.
Port au Prince Archbishop Killed in Earthquake – Thousands Dead in Destruction of Haitian Capital January 13th, 2010
Thousands are dead in the violent earthquake that devastated Haiti yesterday. News is difficult to come by, but it has been reported that the archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, has died in the Haiti earthquake. His body was found by fellow missionaries in the ruins of the archdiocesan office.
Frs. Fred Charpentier and Adrien Difficile, communicating via email, have reported that the main building of the Provincial House in Port au Prince remains standing but an addition built about nine years ago has totally crumbled. An Oblate, who was inside when the tremors were first felt, managed to leave safely before the building collapsed. The Theology residence in Turgeau, close to Port-au-Prince, has also been totally destroyed.
Les Cayes, located on the southwest coast, also experienced the tremors but apparently suffered little or no destruction. That area on Wednesday had electricity but no phones and again, communication was by e-mail.
This statement on Haiti was released by the Oblate Central Administration:
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Carl Kabat, OMI interviewed on St Louis TV Station January 11th, 2010
Carl Kabat, OMI – jailed for an anti-nuclear protest and released just before Christmas – was interviewed by a St. Louis TV station on December 30th. Fr. Kabat, 76 years old, has spent a total of 18 years behind bars off and on throughout his life. He has been breaking into nuclear weapons facilities since the 1970’s, trying to send a message of peace.
“You have to put yourself where your words are – otherwise you’re just kind of like flapping your jaws…,” said Kabat.
When he’s not behind bars, Father Kabat spends most of his time in the North St. Louis community doing outreach ministry to the poor.
