*(Please continue to check the Social
Justice Actions which are updated on Fridays) Our petition corner is
now located http://www.wheatonfranciscan-jpic.org/currentactionalerts.html JPIC Office Blog July 1, 2009 Dear Friends,
Stories in the July 2009 JPIC Blog: Economy Economy The rate of new jobless
joining the unemployment rolls is decreasing. However, the number of
unemployed continues to increase. In striving to correct the economy
and stabilize employment, Catholic Charities urges the government to
not unduly burden the poor: Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic
Charities USA, stated, “I call on all government officials at every
level to make prudent decisions that will minimize adverse effects
on those who have the least in our society.” In a public statement
issued to elected officials Father Snyder went on to acknowledge
that all Americans must share part of the burden of this economic
crisis, but the poor and vulnerable must not bear a disproportionate
share. http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1737 Charitable giving by Americans fell by 2 percent in 2008 as the recession took root, only the second year-to-year decline in more than a half-century, according to an authoritative annual survey released Wednesday. Particularly hard hit were social-service charities, which suffered a 12.7 percent drop in donations at a time when most of them were reporting increased demand for their services. (Source: Catholic Charities).
Povety/Environment
How are local Catholic Charities responding and going green?Catholic Social Services in the
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux provides succinct and compelling reasons
for Catholics to be involved in climate change
issues.
Africa During the month of June Sr. Sheila
Kinsey facilitated a seminar in Langata, Kenya for 25 friars and
sisters around the topics of Justice, Peace and Integrity of
Creation. The Power Point slides highlight the seminar
experience as well as the visits she made to projects supported by
the Wheaton Franciscans.
Debt Cancellation On June 18th, Representatives re-introduced
the Stop VULTURE Funds Act (HR 2932), a bill in the
House of Representatives that would prevent vulture funds from
making excessive profit off the debt of the world's poorest
nations. It is a great pleasure to announce that Haiti has achieved completion point in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries program. This means that $1.2 billion in debt claimed from Haiti by creditors including the World Bank, InterAmerican Development Bank and the United States has been finally and permanently cancelled. This is a tremendous victory for which the people of Haiti have waited, worked and suffered for far too long. Congratulations and thanks to all of you for years of advocacy and activism in solidarity with Haiti and in partnership with campaigners around the world which helped to bring about the June 30th announcement.
Immigration Let’s try to fix our broken immigration system. Every time you, your family or your friends send a message to your congressional representatives asking them to fix our broken immigration system, you help increase the strength of our voice to improve U.S. policies and change lives. Urge Congress to address the root causes of migration, secure our borders, restore the rule of law and resolve the status of immigrants in this country in a humanitarian way. Send a message to your Members of Congress now For an action alert go to the USCCB website http://justiceforimmigrants.org/
War/Conflicts Advocate for peace in the Middle East Support bold action for peace in the Holy
Land:sign an ecumenical letter to President Obama urging strong
U.S. peacemaking efforts now from the Churches for Middle East Peace
http://www.cmep.org/
Healthcare Healthcare reform will only happen when
the American people clearly state this as a top priority. Here are
some suggestions to promote healthcare reform as an urgent need.
Contact your elected officials (e-Advocacy) and encourage them to prioritize
health care reform. Raise the issue for discussion within the
social, political and community organizations in which you are
involved. Use the CHA Vision for U.S. Health Care to assess reform proposals and evaluate pending
legislation.
Thanks for whatever you are able to do to promote justice, peace and care for creation. Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF
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