JPIC Office Blog April 21, 2008 BY ANN PIASECKI
Kenyans spared militia violence WHEATON—An April 17 telephone communication from Sr. Florence Muia, ASN, administrator and founder of a project that provides support and services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, was steeped in sadness. The Sisters and staff at healthcare project called Upendo Village in Naivasha, in the country’s Rift Valley—the site of heavy violence in the aftermath of post-election uprisings earlier this year—feared the onslaught of yet another wave of violent extremism by members of an outlawed militia. Sr. Florence said she feared for the well-being of the people and the stability in the fragile community. A request by Sr. Florence for prayers from her friends and committed partners, the Wheaton Franciscans who had gathered at the Our Lady of the Angels Motherhouse this week as a community to renew their faith and identify their focus for the next four years, was apparently successful. In an April 18 follow-up conversation between Sr. Florence and Sr. Bea Hernandez, OSF, and director of Upendo Village, the two praised the Lord for heading off the anticipated violence. The threats failed to materialize after the Kenyan government publicly announced plans to halt the militia. Additional troops have been sent to the area, and police have upped their presence in the town as well, according to Sr. Florence. Sr. Bea said she learned from Sr. Florence that “an outlawed militia was threatening demonstrations and possible violence” in Naivasha, which is home to the maximum security prison that holds the group’s leader as he serves a five year sentence for an illegal weapons conviction. Stoking the menacing posture was the kidnap and murder earlier in the week of the militia leader’s wife and driver. The militia had blamed the police for the crime, and spread the news byway of opinionated information leaflets distributed throughout the region, according to Sr. Florence. It seems that “relative calm has returned,” said Sr. Bea. In an effort to keep order and security in the region, Sr. Florence said, the Kenyan government announced that representatives are slated to meet with rivial forces in a dialogue session to listen to and address their grievances. “Sr. Florence expressed many thanks to
all those who continue to pray with and for the people of Kenya,”
added Sr. Bea. For more information about Upendo Village,
visit http://www.upendovillage.org/ . Jubilee Act clears the U.S. House WHEATON—Thanks to the advocacy and bi-partisan champions in Congress, the Jubilee Act (HR 2634) passed the U.S. House of Representatives April 16 by a vote of 285-132. Representatives from the DuPage Country region, including Willowbrook’s Rep. Judy Biggert, a co-sponsor of the legislation to cancel the debt for highly impoverished nations around the globe, along with Rep. Peter Roskam, Wheaton, and Bill Foster, Geneva, each voted in favor of the bill. Click here to see how each representative voted on the measure. Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, leader of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office of the Wheaton Franciscans together with the members of the DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network (DGAAN) agreed that they were “proud” of their representatives, “especially Judy Biggert,” for acting on a bill that helps lift the burden of “unjust debt” off the shoulders of people in highly impoverished nations. Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of 80 organizations that has been leading the advocacy for the legislation that calls on the U.S. Treasury Department to negotiate a multilateral agreement for debt cancellation for up to 24 additional poor countries that need cancellation to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, chairman of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, highlighted in a statement that the passage of the bill was especially significant, citing this current visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. “It is fitting that Congress show support for the important initiative that would help alleviate the debt burden of some of our poorest brothers and sisters around the world,” said Bishop Wenski. While supporters of the Jubilee Act are optimistic, social justice enthusiasts are encouraged not to sit back on their laurels. The bill still needs to pass the Senate. Both Illinois Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama have expressed support for responsible lending and expanded debt cancellation. The matter is slated to come before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing at 2 p.m. April 24, where Obama sits. His presence during the meeting “would send a strong message about the importance of the debt issue and the Jubilee Act,” said Danielle Pals, spokesperson for Jubilee USA. She urged voters to call Obama’s office (202-224-2854), seeking both his presence at the meeting and his leadership on the matter, which is referred to as S 2166 in the Senate. For more information, visit http://www.jubileeusa.org/.Cover the Uninsured Week WHEATON—As a leader in healthcare in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana, the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (WFH) strongly supports Congressional efforts to provide adequate insurance for all people living in the United States. Advocates for affordable insurance have designated April 27-May 3 as Cover the Uninsured Week. John Olivero, CEO for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, explained in an April 16 interview with the JPIC that the problem continues to burden people. Despite significant attention drawn to the matter over the past several years, there is no federal backed plan to grapple effectively with the issue. Several states have attempted various formulas for families with children, but still childless adults have less opportunity to buy affordable health insurance. According to a press release by the Robert Woods Foundation, “47 million Americans, including more than 9 million children, are living without health care coverage. Olivero said he sees the matter as one that needs to rise to the top of the priority list for presidential candidates. “The candidates have healthcare plans, but we need to provide access to basic care. The issue of the uninsured needs to become a core element in healthcare reform. A plan that has attracted support from healthcare officials is one underway in Wisconsin; it covers childless adults, added Olivero. “We’re support the Wisconsin plan because it provides insurance for 98 percent of the population.” For more information on the uninsured, visit http://covertheuninsured.org/.
April 10, 2008 Jubilee Act clears committee, heads to full House WHEATON—Just in time to celebrate the Jubilee Act’s passage out of the House Financial Services Committee is the first ever Jubilee Sunday on April 13. This coincides with the simultaneous meeting in Washington, D.C. of officials for the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. As part of the outreach campaign, Christian communities are asked to reflect on Acts 2:42-47, a description of the early church’s attempts to recreate the justice and equality of the ancient Jubilee. The proposed Jubilee Act to expand debt cancellation to poor countries cleared the House Financial Services Committee April 3. U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, Willowbrook, not only by signing on as a co-sponsor but also adopted a leading role in helping to move the bipartisan bill forward. So far, the bill has a total of 101 cosponsors; its sponsor is U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California and its chief proponents include U.S. Reps. Spencer Bachus of Alabama and Barney Frank of Massachusetts. The Jubilee Act, HR 2634, is expected to be heard and voted on the full House later this month, and possibly as early as the second week of April. Biggert’s action in favor of the bill came on the heels of a visit in February by a coalition of district representatives from St. Joan of Arc Parish in Lisle along with members from the DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network (DGAAN) and the ONE Campaign to fight global poverty. During the visit, she pressed for a stricter process to maintain an assurance of transparent financial accountability. She outlined her accountability concerns in an amendment to the bill. Also, in an effort to prevent so called “vulture” profiteers from entangling vulnerable, financially-strapped governments in developing countries, committee members agreed to work toward financially secure measures, which would be reviewed separately by the House Judiciary Committee. Meanwhile, the Senate version of the Jubilee Act proposal has been set for a hearing on April 24. Its numerous sponsors include both Illinois senators, Richard Durbin and Barack Obama. Please contact your congressional leaders at 202.224.3121 and urge their support of this legislation. Neil Watkins, national coordinator of Jubilee USA Network, described the passage of the bill out of committee as “forward-looking.” It is intended to help “ease the unjust burden of debt on some of the world’s most impoverished nations. … The bill urges greater responsibility in lending and borrowing.” In consideration of President Bush’s
support of global poverty measures in the past, Leader of the JPIC
Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, said she is hopeful that the bill could
become law later this year. For information, visit http://www.jubileeusa.org/. PEPFAR gets the go-ahead from the U.S. House WHEATON—On April 2, the U.S. House passed HR 5501, authorizing appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The vote, 308-to-116, favored a multifaceted approach to combating the disease around the world. Called the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR/Emergency Plan), it is the largest commitment every by a nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease. The initiative was launched in 2003 under a piece of legislation first sponsored by the late U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois and U.S. Rep. Tom of California. The reauthorization increases current funding for PEPFAR to $50 billion over fiver years. Along with countries in Africa, the bill provides assistance to additional countries in the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe. The initiative has worked to rid costly administrative fees associated with the distribution of anti-retroviral drugs used to help keep healthy clients of Upendo Village, a Wheaton Franciscan collaboration with the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi in Kenya, among a host of other projects.Through the plan, the U.S. government is working with international, national and local leaders worldwide to support integrated prevention, treatment and care programs. For information, visit the PEPFAR web page at http://www.pepfar.gov/about/ or allAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/. Bishop Wenski of the USCCB lauded Congress on
its recent reauthorization of the bill, designed to strengthen
HIV/AIDS programs. According to an April 2 statement, the bishop
offered praise to members of Congress for “increasing nutrition
resources needed for effective treatment” and for boosting the
health care capacity of “host governments.” Ken Hackett, president
of CRS, the U.S. Bishops’ Relief and Development Agency pointed out
that the bill enables the efforts of Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
and other private voluntary and faith-based organizations in
assisting with lifesaving work. Human Trafficking demands outreach and awareness WHEATON—Catholic Charities USA along with several faith-based and non-profit organizations in Illinois are taking to heart the matter of combating the scourge of human trafficking, working to aid victims and thwart the plethora of unethical practices. In an effort to raise awareness, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) office of the Wheaton Franciscans is committed to recognizing April 26 as a day of Outreach, highlighting the enforcement, social service, healthcare and advocacy organizations across the state in their efforts to stamp out modern day slavery. The JPIC also highlights the work of members of Project Irene Project, an organization supported by women religious to lobby Illinois lawmakers to move social justice issues to the forefront, particularly those that benefit women and children. Project Irene worked enthusiastically to make Illinois lawmakers aware of the issue of human trafficking, prompting efforts aimed at assisting victims of human trafficking. Outreach Day serves to demonstrate society’s outrage over the crime of human trafficking and the suffering endured by victims who are manipulated and forced into labor and/or sex for peonage forced labor and sex trafficking. The state of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Justice, as well, has joined in the effort to raise awareness of the issue on April 26. For more information go the Stop Trafficking Newsletter at http://www.humantrafficking.org/publication/. Earth Summit shaping up on Wheaton Franciscan Campus WHEATON—The first
leadership gathering for this fall’s Earth Summit on the 60-acre
campus of the Wheaton Franciscans resulted in the establishment of
nearly 20 committees. The Earth Summit is part of a campaign to
create awareness about the Earth and humanity’s interdependence and
the need to preserve this planet for all of creation. The
12-hourlong event on Oct. 11 is planned in conjunction with the
United Nations’ Earth Charter committee. As one of only 100 Earth
Summit sites around the globe, the Community of Sisters is
coordinating the day to promote and publicly declare a commitment to
protect the Earth’s resources for future generations. Let us celebrate On Earth Day, April 22, the gains we have made to protect the environment and create new visions to care for Earth. It’s a time for us to unite with others around the globe for the benefit of Earth http://www.earthday.org/. Immigration injustices find challenges WHEATON—Considering the
growing number of undocumented residents living in detention
facilities around the state of Illinois who are awaiting deportation
hearings and decisions, ministerial leaders have pressed for more
opportunities to tend to the spiritual needs of the faithful behind
bars. Meanwhile, a move in support of additional security measures taken against the immigrant population is moving its way through the House of Representatives. An amendment submitted earlier this winter to the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee demands a focus be put on suspected “aliens,” if and when a person is committed to a jail or prison in this state. The stipulation does not make a distinction between adults or juveniles. Members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) within the Joliet Diocesan legislative advocacy branch have dubbed the proposal—the minutemen bill. Ashley Moy-Wooten of the ICIRR describes the proposed amendment as “racial profiling,” because it gives corrections official’s permission to report people they merely suspect as being undocumented residents. For information, visit http://www.paxjoliet.org/advocacy/2008/immigrant_rights_hb5756_040208.htm.As always thank you for reading our blog, for your prayerful support and for your part to make this world a better place.
Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF
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