The National Catholic Weekly Oct. 5, 2009

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The National Catholic Weekly Oct. 5, 2009 THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY OCT. 5, 2009 $3.50 OF MANY THINGS PUBLISHED BY JESUITS OF THE UNITED STATES eople with what is sometimes infections that shortened their lives called a late vocation are a curi- along with the lives of their children,” EDITOR IN CHIEF Pous lot. Being one myself, I he said. Drew Christiansen, S.J. sometimes compare notes with others Finally, Bryan was assigned to work who come my way. The most recent with J.R.S. in East Africa, training EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT was Bryan Pipins, an energetic adults as teachers of basic literacy skills MANAGING EDITOR Australian Jesuit who walked about who could carry on the work after Robert C. Collins, S.J. New York last winter in sockless, san- J.R.S. moved on. “When I first visited, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR daled feet while ministering at a local after the program had already begun, I Karen Sue Smith parish. His tough constitution, tested found over 50 people in one small room ONLINE EDITOR by 13 years in the Australian army and waiting for lessons. ‘There are too Maurice Timothy Reidy several more with the Jesuit Refugee many people here!’ I said, but they CULTURE EDITOR Service in Africa, has seen him through insisted, ‘We want to learn!’ One James Martin, S.J. challenging situations on three conti- woman cried out; ‘Why do I have to LITERARY EDITOR nents. The idea of religious life crossed wait till I’m 75 to learn to read and Patricia A. Kossmann his mind even in primary school. A write?’” And learn they joyfully did, he friend of his father’s, however, advised said. POETRY EDITOR James S. Torrens, S.J. him to work after high school before J.R.S. next sent him to northern applying to enter, “to see if I really had a Uganda for further refugee involve- ASSOCIATE EDITORS call,” as Bryan put it. Odd jobs eventu- ment. Did he ever have a day off? No, George M. Anderson, S.J. ally led him to the Australian army and he replied, “but I was doing so many Peter Schineller, S.J. Kevin Clarke a three-year enrollment. The life suited different things that each task meant him and he re-enlisted. tapping into a different source of ener- ASSISTANT EDITOR But throughout Bryan’s military gy.” Five days a week he was a school Francis W. Turnbull, S.J. years, vocation thoughts remained, so a administrator, but weekends saw him as VISITING EDITOR Jesuit pastor put him in touch with the a priest in various parts of the huge Thomas Massaro, S.J. order’s vocation director. By then Bryan camp with tens of thousands of DESIGN AND PRODUCTION was in his 30s. His novice director sent refugees. Many died of cholera, he Stephanie Ratcliffe him to a l’Arche community of adults explained, partly because as rural peo- with Down syndrome, and from there ple they were not accustomed to living BUSINESS DEPARTMENT to a remote aboriginal community. In in close quarters, where sanitary pre- PUBLISHER 1999 everything changed abruptly cautions became essential. Jan Attridge when East Timor “exploded” during its Thus far Bryan had enjoyed good CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER fight for independence. The resulting health, but then he himself fell ill with Lisa Pope refugee situation led Bryan to ask and typhoid. Now back in Australia, he is MARKETING receive permission to work there with serving in a rural Jesuit parish founded Eryk Krysztofiak the Jesuit Refugee Service. for Catholics fleeing persecution in ADVERTISING After Bryan’s ordination, his Germany during the 1840s. Two Jesuits Julia Sosa provincial sent him to teach English as accompanied these early religious a second language in the Philippines. refugees, so Bryan continues to serve, if 106 West 56th Street But given his instinctive desire for con- not refugees, at least their Australian New York, NY 10019-3803 tact with the materially poor (an descendants. Ph: 212-581-4640; Fax: 212-399-3596 instinct he and I share), he also spent Our stories are vastly different, but E-mail: [email protected]; time as a parish priest, attending to we both learned that God’s call can [email protected] people in Manila’s huge garbage dump, never come too late, whether to reli- Web site: www.americamagazine.org. which is home to 70,000 of the coun- gious life—or to lay people who may Customer Service: 1-800-627-9533 try’s poorest. Picking through the also be searching to respond to a call of © 2009 America Press, Inc. dump, they scratched out a precarious their own. Each person has a vocation. existence. “The people were mostly The challenge is to discover what it is Cover: Inspired by the Time maga- from rural areas, and living in the and then to live it out. zine cover “Is God Dead?” of April 8, dump they suffered from respiratory GEORGE M. ANDERSON, S.J. 1966. CONTENTS www.americamagazine.org VOL. 201 NO.8, WHOLE NO. 4867 OCTOBER 5, 2009 ARTICLES 11 GOD MAKES A COMEBACK John Micklethwait on the persistence of belief in a secular age Austen Ivereigh 15 A FIERY GIFT A spiritual case for natural childbirth Susan Windley-Daoust 20 LOOKING FOR LOVE Encountering the problem of pain M. M. Hubele COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS 11 4 Current Comment 5 Editorial Siege Mentality 6 Signs of the Times 10 Column Classrooms for Peace Maryann Cusimano Love 22 Faith in Focus A Life Freely Given Patricia Talone 33 Poem Mary’s Cat Ethel Pochocki 43 Letters 47 The Word Just One Thing Barbara E. Reid 22 BOOKS & CULTURE 28 FALL BOOKS I Fires of Faith; The Case for God; Neither Beast Nor God; News of the World; A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church; Closing Time; Strength in What Remains TELEVISION “Mad Men” and the shock of recognition ON THE WEB ON THE WEB Rev. Robert E. Lauder compares Alice McDermott (right) to Graham Greene, and Susan Windley-Daoust reflects on birth and the spiritual life on our podcast. Plus, Rev. Stephen Joseph Fichter on priests who leave the church for Protestant ministry. All at americamagazine.org. 3528 CURRENT COMMENT age result from large-scale irrigation and the overuse of fer- Natural Treasures at Risk tilizer and pesticides. Worth considering, too, has been the Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity is suffering impact on farmers, the foot soldiers of this revolution, and increased assaults because of a political power vacuum. their families and communities. We are only now attempt- Last March the millionaire mayor of the country’s capital, ing to gauge the effect of persistent exposure to pesticides Antananarivo, with the support of the military, overthrew on agricultural communities. The toll may be high. Madagascar’s president, Marc Ravalomanana. Many of Borlaug’s goal, to rid the world permanently of the mis- the country’s plant and animal species exist nowhere else ery of widespread hunger, has not been achieved. Hunger in the world. There is now little protection in areas persists, even in the world of food plenty that Borlaug where some species now face extinction. Political turmoil helped to create. Thanks to Borlaug’s genius and inspira- has especially jeopardized the island’s lemurs, small mon- tion, there is more food, but people remain too poor to key-like animals with large eyes. Unimpeded, poachers buy it. Across Africa and Central America, in wealthy and now trap and slaughter them as “bushmeat” for luxury poor societies alike, people are hungry—not because of restaurants. drought but because of indifference, a famine of solidarity. Illegal logging, along with slash-and-burn agriculture by As brilliant as he was, Norman Borlaug probably had no subsistence farmers, has already damaged much of idea how to respond to that particularly human calamity. Madagascar’s unique environment. Mining brings another form of environmental degradation, as foreign companies dig up forests for the mineral ilmenite, which is valuable Master of None for the production of titanium dioxide, a white pigment Most people would agree that motorists and train opera- used in paper, paint and plastics. Since Madagascar relies tors should not use cellphones or send text messages while heavily on ecotourism, some commentators regard the eco- driving. Such multitasking has resulted in crashes and logical losses as killing the goose that lays the golden egg. deaths. But the environmental losses also make clear what can But what about other kinds of multitasking? Can peo- happen when political chaos reduces a country’s ability to ple do several things at once and do them well? An expec- protect its most fragile natural treasures. Efforts are under- tation that they can and should underlies the help-wanted way to reach a power-sharing agreement between ads that specify “must be able to multitask.” Multitasking Madagascar’s ousted elected president and the upstart has become something of an ideal in our fast-paced soci- media magnate Andry Rajoelina. In the meantime, howev- ety—a model of success and efficiency often aided by tech- er, environmental destruction of the island’s rare flora and nology and sleek electronic gadgets. fauna continues. It turns out, however, that the “competent multitasker” may be more fable than fact. In August researchers at The Passing Stanford University reported results of a study of media multitasking in The Proceedings of the National Academy Of the Green Revolution of Sciences. After testing 100 college students, researchers The father of the Green Revolution, Norman E. Borlaug, found that on virtually every measure the students most died on Sept. 12. Borlaug, an Iowan, was a plant scientist persistent at multitasking performed worse than those who whose tireless work has been credited with saving hun- seldom attempted more than one task at a time.
Recommended publications
  • Diplomarbeit
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by OTHES DIPLOMARBEIT Titel der Diplomarbeit „American Firefighters. Aufstieg und Fall der Helden von 9/11 in den US- Medien“ Verfasserin Sandra Schabauer angestrebter akademischer Grad Magistra der Philosophie (Mag. phil.) Wien, 2011 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 317 Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt: Theater-, Film- und Medienwissenschaft Betreuerin / Betreuer: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Gissenwehrer 2 Inhaltsverzeichnis 1. Einleitung ......................................................................................................................7 2. Helden............................................................................................................................9 2.1 Helden im Wandel der Zeit ..............................................................................................9 2.2 Der Held im Mythos.......................................................................................................13 2.3 Der Monomythos als filmische Erzählstruktur...............................................................20 2.4 Kulturelle, historische und politische Aspekte der USA................................................24 2.5 Entstehung und Entwicklung des Heldenmythos in den USA.......................................27 2.6 Heldenmythos und Religion...........................................................................................31 2.7 Paradoxe des Heldenmythos ..........................................................................................31
    [Show full text]
  • Le Persone E Il Pianeta Al Primo Posto: L’Imperativo Di Cambiare Rotta” (Roma, 2-3 Luglio 2015)
    N. 0525 Mercoledì 01.07.2015 Conferenza Stampa per presentare la Conferenza di alto livello “Le persone e il pianeta al primo posto: l’imperativo di cambiare rotta” (Roma, 2-3 luglio 2015) Intervento del Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson Intervento della Sig.ra Naomi Klein Intervento del Prof. Ottmar Edenhofer Intervento del Sig. Bernd Nilles Campagna su un nuovo stile di vita sostenibile: “Change for the Planet - Care for the People” Scheda Informativa sulla CIDSE Alle ore 11.30 di questa mattina, nell’Aula Giovanni Paolo II della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede si tiene una Conferenza stampa per presentare la Conferenza di alto livello “Le persone e il pianeta al primo posto: l’imperativo di cambiare rotta”, che terrà i suoi lavori domani e dopodomani all’Augustinianum (Roma), organizzata dal Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace e dalla CIDSE (rete internazionale di Ong cattoliche per lo Sviluppo). Intervengono alla Conferenza stampa: la Sig.ra Naomi Klein, Scrittrice; il Prof. Ottmar Edenhofer, Co-Chair del Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); il Sig. Bernd Nilles, Segretario Generale della International Alliance of Catholic Development Organisations (CIDSE). L’intervento del Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace, non presente alla conferenza stampa, è letto dalla Dott.ssa Flaminia Giovanelli, Sotto-Segretario del medesimo Dicastero. Pubblichiamo di seguito gli interventi dei conferenzieri, un testo sulla Campagna della CIDSE su un nuovo stile 2 di vita sostenibile e una scheda informativa sulla CIDSE: Intervento del Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is happy to join CIDSE, the international alliance of 17 Catholic Development Organisations, in hosting the international conference “People and Planet First: the Imperative to Change Course” here in Rome, 2-3 July 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • To All Superiors General T O a L L D E L E G a T E S F O R SEDOS To
    Mil - Zi, 71/31 Eome, 15 October" 1971 To all Superiors General To all delegates for SEDOS To all members of the SEDOS Group A tous les Superieurs Gen^raux A tous les d^legu^s de SEDOS A tous les membres de SEDOS This week! Cette semaines 1 , HEWS FEOM AND FOR THE GENERALATES NOUVELLES DES ET POUR LES GENER, 658 2o DOCUMENTS OF SPECIAL INTEREST DOCUMENTS D'INTERET SPECIAL 659 3o HEALTH GROUP - TASK FORCE MEETING REUNION DU GRo MEDICAL "TASK FORCE" 661 4o LISTS OF PERIODICALS RECEIVED LISTES DES DOCUMENTS RECUS 663 5. THE SITUATION - WORLD COUNCIL OF CHJECHES LA SITUATIONS- LE COINISEIL OSCUM. 666 CoVoM.E, COMMITTEE - Montreux 1971 D«M,Eo - ^fontreux 1971 6. DIARY CHEONIQUE 674 Yours S incerely Fro Leonzio Bano, fscj SEDOS 71/658 NEWS FROM AND FOR THE GENERALATES ) 0° Carmelites - The General Chapter being held in Rome elected the new General Coxincil. Superior General; Fro Falco Thuis, 0, Carmo Councillors: Fr* S. Possanzini Fr* Sean Coughlan Fro Vo Brig Fr. Go Cardoso 2) Xaverian Missionaries - The General Chapter of the Xaverian Missionaries at Parma renewed their General Coimcilo Superior General; Mgr* Giovanni Gazza Coimcillors: Fr. Po Robert Maloney, Vicar General Fr. Go Ferrari, Missions Secretary Fro A. Paolucci, Bursar General Fr. L. Piacere, Formation Secretary 3) Broo H« Boyle CFX, Superior General of the Xaverian Brothers, is leaving for a two month visit to the United States. 4) INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION - Vienna Another expert available through the Vienna organisation for service in a develop­ ing country: (Bull. No. 71/29 p.61 7): Miss MARIE CERVIHOVA, 36, Czech Agricultural University, Plant Production.
    [Show full text]
  • The Work of the Critic
    CHAPTER 1 The Work of the Critic Oh, gentle lady, do not put me to’t. For I am nothing if not critical. —Iago to Desdemona (Shakespeare, Othello, Act 2, Scene I) INTRODUCTION What is the advantage of knowing how to perform television criticism if you are not going to be a professional television critic? The advantage to you as a television viewer is that you will not only be able to make informed judgment about the television programs you watch, but also you will better understand your reaction and the reactions of others who share the experience of watching. Critical acuity enables you to move from casual enjoyment of a television program to a fuller and richer understanding. A viewer who does not possess critical viewing skills may enjoy watching a television program and experience various responses to it, such as laughter, relief, fright, shock, tension, or relaxation. These are fun- damental sensations that people may get from watching television, and, for the most part, viewers who are not critics remain at this level. Critical awareness, however, enables you to move to a higher level that illuminates production practices and enhances your under- standing of culture, human nature, and interpretation. Students studying television production with ambitions to write, direct, edit, produce, and/or become camera operators will find knowledge of television criticism necessary and useful as well. Television criticism is about the evaluation of content, its context, organiza- tion, story and characterization, style, genre, and audience desire. Knowledge of these concepts is the foundation of successful production. THE ENDS OF CRITICISM Just as critics of books evaluate works of fiction and nonfiction by holding them to estab- lished standards, television critics utilize methodology and theory to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and evaluate television programs.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Initiative Sought for Protection of Christians
    OF MANY THINGS he work of John Courtney “Unfortunately, this instrument has 106 West 56th Street New York, NY 10019-3803 Murray, S.J., once an associate become blunt,” he has said. Benedict Ph: 212-581-4640; Fax: 212-399-3596 editor of this review, continues believes that when considering the Subscriptions: 1-800-627-9533 T www.americamagazine.org to dominate political theology in the natural law tradition in a political facebook.com/americamag United States. Most students of Father context, one must account for the fact twitter.com/americamag Murray turn first toWe Hold These that, among modern thinkers, it is an , Murray’s most accomplished open question whether “there might PRESIDENT AND EDITOR IN CHIEF Truths Matt Malone, S.J. and well-known articulation of his exist a rationality of nature and, hence, a EXECUTIVE EDITORS principal thesis: that Catholicism and rational law for man and for his existence Robert C. Collins, S.J., Maurice Timothy Reidy American democracy are essentially in the world.” MANAGING EDITOR Kerry Weber compatible “because the contents of [the I would add that part of the reason LITERARY EDITOR Raymond A. Schroth, S.J. American public] consensus—the ethical why natural law theory is effectively SENIOR EDITOR AND CHIEF CORRESPONDENT and political principles drawn from a “blunt instrument” is that it has Kevin Clarke the tradition of natural law—approve been detached from its theological EDITOR AT LARGE James Martin, S.J. themselves to the Catholic intelligence presuppositions in the misguided and EXECUTIVE EDITOR, AMERICA FIlmS Jeremy Zipple, S.J. and conscience.” vain hope of rendering it more “credible” POETRY EDITOR Joseph Hoover, S.J.
    [Show full text]
  • CIDSE / CI – Submission to World Bank / IMF 2005 PRS Review
    CIDSE / Caritas Internationalis (CI) Submission1 to World Bank / IMF 2005 PRS Review April 2005 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ CIDSE- International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity - is a network that brings together 15 Catholic development organizations from Europe and North America. Rue Stévin 16, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium - Tel (32)-2 230 77 22 – Fax 230 70 82 Email [email protected] – http://www.cidse.org Caritas Internationalis is a network of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations present in 201 states and territories throughout the world. Piazza San Calisto 16, V-00120 Vatican City Tel (39) 06 698 797 99 – Fax 698 872 37 – Email [email protected] – http://www.caritas.org 1 This document was prepared by Caoimhe de Barra/Trocaire and includes contributions from members of the CIDSE/Caritas Internationalis Working Group on Resources for Development. It is a background paper. The analysis and proposals presented in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of all CIDSE members. CONTENT 1. INTRODUCTION 2. KEY ISSUES: 2.1 Strengthening the medium-term orientation of the PRS 2.2 Utilising the PRS as a mutual accountability framework between countries and donors 2.3 Broadening and deepening meaningful participation 2.4 Enhancing linkages between the PRS, the MTEF and budgets 3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES BOXES - Box 1: PRSP as theatre in Central America - Box 2: Risks inherent in the MDG framework - Box 3: Changes to PRS architecture & respect for domestic political processes 1 Changes to PRS architecture & respect for domestic political processes 1. INTRODUCTION There is widespread agreement on the relevance of the principles and concepts underpinning the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) approach.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Action Call
    Scientists say that we face a climate emergency. We need decisive action in the next 10 years to put us on a transformative pathway in line with the targets of the Paris Agreement, including efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. We must act immediately to get on track for a healthy, fair and liveable future. This will not only reduce devastating impacts of climate change but also bring major economic and social benefits, attract new investments, create new quality jobs and limit health damages. The European Parliament elections and subsequent changes in the leadership of the European Commission will shape the politics of the European Union for the next five years, a crucial period for climate action where emissions need to decline fast, targets need to be strengthened and ambitious action needs to be implemented. The new Parliament and the new Commission must address growing concerns about climate change and make climate action a top priority for Europe. Therefore, we call upon the new European Parliament, the new European Commission and all EU Member State governments to: 1. Commit to accelerate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions as soon as possible. The world is not on track to keep temperature rise to 1.5°C. We support the call from United Nations Secretary General ​António Guterres​, upon all leaders to come to his special UN Climate Summit in September with additional commitments that will lead to halving global emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. By the Summit, EU leaders ​should agree ​to reach climate neutrality in line with the EU’s fair share of the effort to achieve net zero global emissions by 2050.
    [Show full text]
  • A Call for a Month of Climate Action: the Faithful Respond to the Bishops' COP21 Appeal
    October 29, 2015 A Call for a Month of Climate Action: the Faithful Respond to the Bishops' COP21 Appeal As we announce the launch of the “Month of Climate Action," ​ the 200 member organizations of the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) thank and support the Bishops of the Church for their COP21 Appeal. "Our common home is being pillaged, laid waste and harmed with impunity. Cowardice in defending it is a grave sin ... People and their movements are called to cry out, to mobilize and to demand—peacefully, but firmly—that appropriate and urgently­needed measures be taken. I ​ ​ ​ ​ ask you, in the name of God, to defend Mother Earth." Pope Francis, Speech at World Meeting of Popular Movements, 9.07.2015. “We, Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops ... call on COP 21 to forge an international agreement to limit a global temperature increase to within those parameters currently suggested from within the global scientific community to avoid catastrophic climatic impacts, especially on the poorest and most vulnerable communities...” Bishops’ Appeal to COP21 Negotiating Parties. In one month, international leaders will gather in Paris for the 21st Session of the Conference of ​ Parties (COP21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. They will once again ​ debate responses to the crises and causes of climate change. And we will be expecting and demanding appropriate action. On the eve of this critical moment in history, the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) announces its “Month of Climate Action” We unite in prayer and activism with all Catholics who ​ ​ insist that COP21 produce sound climate policies—ones that encourage lifestyles rooted in solidarity, charity, and justice, the natural limits of our common home, and acknowledgement of the need to protect shared resources crucial for life.
    [Show full text]
  • «The Time for Conversion Is Now...»
    World peace cannot be safeguarded without the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences making of creative efforts proportionate to the of the European Community dangers which threaten it. The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a united Europe, France- has always had as her essential aim the service of peace. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war. Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which �irst create a de facto solidarity. The coming together of the nations of Europe - requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Any action taken must in the �irst place concern these two countries. With this aim in view, the French Government proposes that action be taken immediately on one limited but decisive point. It proposes that Franco-German produc tion of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of the other countries of Europe. The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic deve lopment as a �irst step in the federation of Europe, and will change the destinies of those regions which have long been devoted to the manufacture of munitions of war, of which they have been the most - constant victims.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018 CONTENTS
    Annual Report 2018 CONTENTS FOREWORD FROM THE PRESIDENT 3 TIMELINE 4 AREAS OF WORK 9 » Systemic change » Gender equality » Laudato Si’ » Business and human rights » Alternatives to extractives » Land rights » Israel & the occupied Palestinian territory » Resilient food systems » COP24 » Energy » Change for the Planet – Care for the People COMING UP 21 GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES AND FINANCE 22 ABOUT CIDSE 26 Cover page photo © Schröder - MISEREOR FOREWORD FROM THE PRESIDENT In 2018, the president All our priorities ran of CIDSE was my at full speed ahead: we predecessor Eamonn launched a multimedia © len project on agroecology, Meehan who led Broederlijk De our organisation for an carried out a directors’ exciting year full of activities visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. We continued to but marked specially by COP24 in develop our approach to gender equality, Katowice, Poland. and to put forward innovative proposals It was a big moment for our sustainable for addressing energy poverty and climate lifestyles campaign “Change for The mitigation and resilience. Planet – Care for the People” as a unique With our strong presence and engagement time and place in which to unite our at the World Social Forum and the volunteers. Thematic Social Forum on mining and extractives, we continued to explore Many of them spoke later of their time with social movements how we can best in Katowice as a turning point for them support and amplify their inspiring work. – how it was the first time they attended a political demonstration for climate, or Our advocacy work in the field of business they heard a moving story that opened and human rights continued to rely on them to a new perspective on the issue.
    [Show full text]
  • PRESS RELEASE Amazon Synod Is a Providential Opportunity To
    PRESS RELEASE Amazon Synod is a providential opportunity to denounce oppressive global structures, inequalities, and the climate emergency • CIDSE member organisations have worked in the Amazon for decades and see in this part of the world a clear case for systemic change and toward integral ecology, because this area has suffered all of the most common patterns of social and environmental injustice. The whole world is connected to the Amazon, hopefully the first of other biomes in Africa and Asia to be recognised for special protection from destruction. • The Catholic community is alarmed over rising deforestation, extractivism and the plight of the Amazon’s Indigenous people and their territories and sees the Synod as a prophetic summit about the future of these communities and the future of the whole planet. • Among the special guests inside the Synod, Josianne Gauthier, Secretary General of CIDSE is one of the few women to be present in the Assembly, along with Msrg. Pirmin Spiegel, Director General of MISEREOR, CIDSE’s German member. Brussels, 1 October 2019. CIDSE and its member organisations (MOs), present and active in the Amazon region for decades with longstanding collaboration with allies and partners in all nine countries of the region, working with hundreds of projects in solidarity with the most vulnerable communities, welcome the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region: New Paths for the Church and an Integral Ecology (Rome, 6-27 October 2019). This important gathering aims to put at the centre of the Church’s reflection the lives of 34 million people, as well as the protection of all forms of life in this region and its biodiversity, as a key contribution to the care of our common home.
    [Show full text]
  • Holy See Representative Reminds COP19 Climate Negotiators That Human Survival Is at Stake, Commissioner Hedegaard Warns of “Business As Usual”
    CIDSE press release, Warsaw, 19 November 2013 Holy See representative reminds COP19 climate negotiators that human survival is at stake, Commissioner Hedegaard warns of “business as usual” CIDSE, an international alliance of Catholic development organisations, heard dire warnings of climate change at a Warsaw conference with top-level speakers, including European Commissioner Hedegaard, Head of Holy See Delegation and Nuncio to Poland Archbishop Migliore, Scottish Minister of Environment and Climate Change Wheelhouse and Bangladeshi Bishop Gomes. The conference, co-organised with Caritas Poland and the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, gathered faith-actors, civil society actors, politicians and climate scientists to work together towards climate justice on the occasion of the COP19 climate negotiations. The Holy See representative to Poland, Head of the Holy See Delegation to the COP19, Nuncio and Archbishop Celestino Migliore, opened the conference with an inspired plea. “Climate change is an ethical challenge for our civilization, asking us what changes we need to affect in our economic life, in the structures of our society and in the way we consume.” Recent polls conducted in Poland (by Public Opinion Research Center CBOS) show 89 % support for expanding renewable energy, with minority support for coal and lignite. A coal summit with backing from the Polish government in parallel to the COP19 negotiations and at the same time as the CIDSE conference, where Church representatives present spoke strongly of their concern for the poor and vulnerable in the world suffering most from climate change and called on governments to reduce radically exploitation of coal, oil and other fossil resources. Mr Andrzej Kassenberg of the Institute for Sustainable Development presented a study of the costs of “business as usual” for Poland and highlighted how the economy and to employment would benefit from shifting to renewable energy.
    [Show full text]