JPIC Office 2009
Petitions JPIC Office Blog April 3, 2009 During this Lenten/Easter season we ask to be open to God’s call, to ponder and experience for our time the Gospel message of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Encouraged by these stories in scripture, we seek his guidance to enlighten our minds and hearts to discern what is ours to do with the social justice concerns of our day. Through prayer and reflection the Wheaton Franciscans ground our actions. Since, the JPIC Office follows a number of issues, this blog updates what is happening as well as forecasts anticipated actions during the month of April.
Stories in the April 2009 JPIC Blog: Economy Economy The economy continues to dominate the media highlighting areas of financial downturn, offering some examples of hopeful changes and commentaries on the proposed budgets. The leaders of the historic G-20 Summit in London also promised to address global concerns related to the economy. The JPIC office particularly monitors the effects legislative actions could have on the poor and the vulnerable in the U.S. and around the globe. Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services maintain up to date information to guide our advocacy efforts. For more resources please go to http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1174 and to www.crs.org/globalpoverty to sign-up and add your name to one million persons committed to combating global poverty. War/Conflicts Since the International Criminal Court has issued the arrest warrant for President Bashir of Sudan, he has demanded that all persons associated with humanitarian aid leave Darfur. This has necessarily exacerbated the crisis and the deplorable living situation. 300,000 have died since the beginning of this conflict. The United Nations provides guidance as to how to best address this tragic situation. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/world/africa/25sudan.html?ref=world or http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/world/africa/21nations.html Franciscans International has been working with the country of Sri Lanka regarding human rights issues for a number of years and now feels that more progress can be made if country leaders put pressure on the Sri Lanka government. FI now urges all parties in the conflict to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of the civilians and respect the safety zone. Attached is a letter to President Obama composed by Sr. Denise Boyle, Executive Director of FI, which can be mailed to President Obama. To read a recent article on this situation visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/srilanka-tigers-humanitarian-crisis and also the Franciscans International website at http://www.franciscansinternational.org/news/article.php?id=1576 You can also email your message on the White House comment line by going to http://www.whitehouse.gov/ and click on contact us. Immigration Reform There is good news to share. As a result of the advocacy efforts of so many faith-based churches and organizations, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, said that she will delay a series of proposed immigration RAIDS. Instead the department will focus on businesses and executives instead of ordinary workers. Secretary Napolitano will study the situation carefully before determining future action. For full story visit http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/03/29/20090329immig0329.html. Senator Richard Durbin (IL) and Senator Dick Lugar (IN) have introduced the bi-partisan Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act). Such legislation would permit undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. citizens have good moral character, and attend college or enlist in the military for two years. To read Senator Durbin’s statement visit http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/Durbin-press-statement-2009-03-26.pdf.To advocate go to http://icirr.e-actionmax.com/tf.asp?aacwc=363233423560676646318289 The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), has now requested that Kroger Company join McDonalds, Burger King and Whole Foods, in paying their employees one penny more a pound for picked tomatoes. The CIW is also asking for a safer work environment for its employees. The Wheaton Franciscans have been supportive of the CIW struggle for a number of years. Post cards can be signed and sent to the CEO Mr. David Dillon of the Kroger Company. To learn more about the Immokalee workers visit http://www.ciw-online.org/index.html Healthcare Thanks to all of you for your observance of Cover the Uninsured Week. Your prayers and messages to Congress are highlighting the critical need for health care reform in the U.S. 47 million uninsured and the millions more underinsured. We expect that the major mark-ups on healthcare will not come until June. Catholic Healthcare Association continues to be in dialogue with the Obama administration on the essential Catholic life issues and the needs of health care coverage. The JPIC Office follows the lead of CHA in these areas because of the careful research and the knowledge that CHA has of the impact any life legislation would have on our Catholic hospitals. http://www.chausa.org/. Through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation, signed by President Obama, children of immigrants who are under the age or twenty one and legal U.S citizens are eligible to receive healthcare coverage in a year rather than waiting for 5 years before they can access healthcare. Thanks for your efforts to pass that legislation. Environment Mountain Top Mining Removal
has been suspended by the Obama administration. President Obama. The
Environmental Protection Agency is putting on hold hundreds of
mountaintop coal-mining permits until it can evaluate the projects'
impacts on streams and wetlands. Thanks to all of you who have
supported the need to halt this disastrous mining of the land and
the consequent pollution of the environment. Although many of us do
not live in Appalachia, our electricity can be produced from the
coal mined under such conditions. The Wheaton Franciscans know that
some of our electricity results from such practices. To learn more
about the mountain top removal visit http://www.ilovemountains.org/. Also you can visit http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-03-24-mountaintop-mining-epa_N.htm
to read about The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) putting mountaintop coal mining on hold for
review. The Ecumenical Advocacy Days-(EAD), Enough for All of Creation, March 13-16 in Washington, D. C. focused on the environmental issues. Nearly 900 persons gathered from many church denominations to work together on social justice. The days were rich with input on the concerns for the environmental devastations in the developing countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa as well as in the United States and the developed world. Many issues were interwoven with such areas as the economy, conflicts, climate change, trade agreements, and debts, to name a few. Attached is the document that was left with the various legislator offices and some talking points for the Capitol Hill visits. (Here are some pictures of the days) Please note this information for April 22, Earth Day will be observed with the promotion of the Climate Change Covenant with the St. Francis Pledge. The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change is launching a unique and unprecedented initiative to demonstrate a commitment to care for God’s creation and to stand with the poor and vulnerable. For more information please go to http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org. Franciscan Action Network The Franciscan Action Network was a major sponsor of
EAD and celebrated our first year anniversary as an organization to
the applause of so many people. The Dinner & Dialogue series will highlight diversity in our culture and the St. Francis pledge to care for creation and the poor. The first session will be on May 18th. Please continue to check the Social Justice Actions above which are updated on Fridays. As the JPIC Office responds to a number of advocacy opportunities, we invite you to consider these as well. As always your prayerful support is much appreciated. Thanks again for your prayerful support and all that you do to make this world a better place. Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF
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