JPIC Office Blog December 9 , 2008 During this Advent/Christmas Season we often read the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. In it, we are called to envision creatively the holy mountain of peace, as it is described by Isaiah. On this mountain, we find the place where the hungry are fed; the thirsty are quenched; the stranger is welcomed; the naked are clothed; the sick are healed; and the prisoner is visited. The reality of this holy place is revealed each time we reach out compassionately to our brothers and sisters in need. Indeed, Christ assures us that when we are attentive to our family both locally and globally, we are also gifted with his presence. In this spirit, please read this blog as providing many opportunities for creating this vision of peace.
BY ANN PIASECKI Stories in the December 2008 JPIC Blog: Nun captures human rights accolades from UN Nun captures human rights accolades from UN
Franciscan Day of Prayer and Fasting WHEATON—The first few years after the end of World War II saw a new dream rising out of the dust and debris of bombed out buildings and remains of shattered lives. And in 1948, on the heels of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the establishment of the nation of Israel and the debut of the World Health Organization, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was penned by the General Assembly of the United Nations. On Dec. 10, 1948, the 60th anniversary of this global commitment to human rights is once again given the spotlight. Franciscan International has designated the date as a Franciscan Day of Prayer in Fasting. This spiritual endeavor is intended as a way to join in solidarity with victims of human rights abuse around the world. Social justice advocates from Franciscan International New York addressed in a statement the continuing need to apply moral and ethical decisions in the promotion of dignity and sustainable development. As the new Obama administration prepares to tackle the economic crisis, the FINY Team noted how human dignity is both a tangible and intangible commodity—it crosses all borders. The statement led with the notion of respect: “Be in Solidarity with Our Sisters and Brothers…In the DR Congo; Palestine and Israel; India and wherever people are suffering violence. Let us use “The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis” and/or “The Canticle of Creatures” to unite our voices in a cry for world peace with universal justice and respect, for all of God’s creatures.” Elias Mallon, SA, FINY Team coordinator, and Kathie Uhler OSF Advocacy Officer for the FI Team at the NY office, have urged all people to join in solidarity with Franciscans around the world in this special commemoration. For more information go to the FI Web site at http://www.franciscansinternational.org/ or the United Nations’ Web site at http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/udhr60/.Speaking of the human rights declaration, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon stated, “It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality—that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the declaration exists—and that it exists for them.”
Franciscan Action Network updates Meanwhile, Franciscan Action Network (FAN), which was organized a year ago, has set a focus on U.S. legislative policies and how they impact the world. Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF and Leader of the JPIC Office, is one of the founding members of FAN. The issues put on the agenda for commission action, includes authentic peacemaking, immigration matters and the environment. The current drive is to attract new members to support FAN initiatives. Sr. Sheila said, “I am very proud of the work of FAN. Please consider and individual membership.” The Wheaton Franciscans has already stepped up to the plate; they are a sponsoring community. For updates on alerts and advocacy information, visit the FAN Web site at http://www.franciscanaction.org/.
WHEATON—Just in time to mark the Advent Season, on Dec. 2 in Immokalee, Fla., representatives from the Subway restaurant chain, the third largest fast food buyers of Florida tomatoes in the world, agreed to demands expressly sought by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW)--improved wages and better working conditions for tomato pickers. The workers are on track to receive an additional one penny per pound of tomatoes picked. The demand for a bigger slice of the American dollar and a dab of dignity in the workplace has been underway for four years. And CIW representatives and its 4,000-plus membership have been building a consensus one sandwich chain at a time. Subway joins the ranks of fast-food giants, McDonald’s and Burger King along with grocery store chains, Whole Foods and Yum Brands in moving labor reforms with the agricultural industry. The issue comes under the banner of fair food. Companies that agree with CIW terms have adopted an ethical stance that recognizes the basic rights of the laborer and incorporates that attitude into its business practices. For the companies that have joined hands with the Florida union, the move is seen as having stood up for an ethical stance on human rights. As a result, these companies have gained loyalty and profits from many within the larger consumer population around the world. While support grows for CIW demands,
companies such as Subway are gaining steam in a collaborative appeal
to monitor compliance and to petition for strict “zero tolerance”
guidelines for the agricultural industry as a whole. Jubilee Act proponents seek slot on Obama agenda WHEATON—Although Jubilee Act, S 2166/HR 2634, has cleared numerous hurdles since its inception four years ago to provided immediate debt cancellation for developing nations, it has yet to go up for a vote before the full U.S. Senate. The bill, which urges Congress to authorize a plan to provide for grater responsibility in lending and expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the international financial institutions by low-income countries, was amended in August 2008 to reflect a desire among its bipartisan supporters on Capitol Hill. In November, Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF and Leader of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office of the Wheaton Franciscans, participated in an information update session on the state of achieving Jubilee Act justice. The Jubilee USA Network organized a three-day meeting beginning Nov. 17 in Washington, D.C. Members of the Jubilee USA Network reflected and reviewed emerging issues in relation to Jubilee work and efforts to pass the legislation. They planned strategy for next four years, beginning in January 2009. The Jubilee USA Network agreed to focus on measures that would eradicate global poverty and promote sustainable development by building a strong movement and political will for the cancellation of unjust debt for countries of the global south. In addition, the group took a stand against inappropriate development—development programs must be viable without causing harm to current economic conditions in those countries. Neil Watkins, national coordinator for Jubilee USA, updated participants on a variety of related matters. Speakers discussed in a series of breakout sessions the topic of illegitimate debt and responsible financing, climate justice and debt and International Monetary Fund reform measures in light of the global financial crises. Meanwhile, Jubilee USA campaigners presented their overarching plants to adapt to the style that best suits the new administration in Washington. Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF and Leader of the JPIC Office, spoke at the conference. She spoke about the efforts of the Wheaton Franciscans and the DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network (DGAAN), which is an advocacy group organized for the purpose of gaining nonpartisan support for issues that impact the poor and marginalizes, including people living with HIV/AIDS. DGAAN members, including Sr. Sheila, and Jubilee Act campaigners, Ron Durbin and Dan Driscoll Shaw, were mentioned for their achievement in gaining Congressional support for future Jubilee legislation. U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale along with 15 other Illinois congressmen were convinced of the merits and appropriate administration of the Jubilee legislation after a groups of DGAAN and ONE Campaign members approached them for their support. The groups were lauded at the Jubilee Network conference for their compassionate persistence in promoting debt cancellation. Top on the list is a campaign by Jubilee USA to alert the newly designated US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner about the issues as they relate to cancellation of the debt. The newest campaign is called “What’s on Your Heart?” It highlights six objectives:
For information on the “What’s on Your Heart?” campaign, visit the Jubilee USA Web site at: http://www.jubileeusa.org/heartcampaign. The site offers detail about the promotion process. It relies on a Valentine’s Day theme and calls for homemade heart-shaped cards adorned with messages promoting any one of the six key points presently highlighted by Jubilee USA. Campaigners suggest that each card be signed and include the sender’s address, phone number and e-mail address. They should be mailed to Jubilee USA Network, 212 E. Capitol St. NE, Washington, DC 20003. Advocates can also send a supportive online message to www.jubileeusa.org/heartcampaign.They will be gathered by campaigners and used to demonstrate tangible support for Jubilee justice. Finally, advocates can order postcards with pre-written messages directly from Jubilee USA at carly@jubileeusa.org or by calling 202-546-4470. All messages will be delivered directly to the new Treasury Secretary after the Jan. 20, 2009, Inauguration. Thank you to those advocates who already have demonstrated their support for Jubilee justice, and specifically, for those whose involvement includes the most recent heart campaign. World AIDS Day commemoration brings message of hope WHEATON—The Wheaton Franciscan-supported Canticle Ministries hosted an evening prayer service on Dec. 1, the date declared as World AIDS Day, in the chapel at Our Lady of the Angels Motherhouse along Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. The crowd was comprised of justice-minded advocates for those living with HIV/AIDS, representatives from the DuPage County Public Health Department, counselors, social workers and, of course, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, family members and friends. For information about the plethora of ways that Canticle Ministries works to assist with human and community development, while focusing on helping people living with the virus HIV/AIDS and their families grapple with its toll, visit their Web site at http://www.canticleministries.org/. Earlier in the day, the grassroots organization Mosaic Initiative, sponsored a morning breakfast in Wheaton and series of presentations and reflections by college students, who shared stories of personal growth and commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS. In addition, Brad Ogilvie, Mosaic Initiative founder, addressed the need for testing and for putting an end to the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. For more information about testing, visit the organization’s Web site at http://www.mosaicinitiative.org/. Members and supporters of the DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network (DGAAN), met Dec. 6 at Wheaton College to address the focus of this year’s agenda as it concerns the promotion of legislative and policy matters on a local, regional, state, national and global level. For more information about DGAAN, visit the Web site at http://www.dgaan.org/. Thanks for all that you do to make this world a better place. Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF
For an updated information on The JPIC Office Advocacy alerts visit http://www.wheatonfranciscan-jpic.org/currentactionalerts.html. Blog Archives
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