The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation commission of the Major Superiors of Religious congregation of men and women (USG / UISG) organised a seminar on November 12, 2010 with the theme: "Instruments of Peace: Creating a World Without Nuclear Weapons". The following the the press release.
A world without nuclear weapons is something to strive for, was the common denominator that seems to have been agreed upon by all those who participated in Saturday’s JPIC seminar, entitled: “Instruments of Peace: Creating a World Without Nuclear Weapons”, sponsored by the JPIC Commission of the two Unions of Superior Generals at the Generalate of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, but how and how quickly to achieve that goal was the lingering question at the day’s end. His Excellency Dr. Miguel Diaz, the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, spoke about The Audacity to Hope in a World Without Nuclear Weapons and Cardinal Peter K. Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council Iustitia et Pax spoke to the topic as well.
In his address the Ambassador pointed out the shared positions of the Obama government and the Holy See, mainly that nonproliferation is good and that the development and production of arms ties up resources that could be used in development. He then explained the U.S. government’s efforts at Nuclear Non-Proliferation, supporting peaceful uses of nuclear technology – such as nuclear power, food security, water management and promoting global health – transparency about nuclear stockpiles and the new START treaty. “A world with nuclear weapons is unacceptable. We must be steadfast in stating and restating this declaration. “A world with nuclear weapons is unacceptable.”
Cardinal Turkson outlined the Church’s position on the use of nuclear weapons and the policy of nuclear deterrence since Vatican II. He noted that during the Cold War deterrence was based on two suppositions: 1. The existence of ideological blocs; 2. The assumption of a rational behavior that would prevent either bloc from a first strike because of the fear of escalation and mutual destruction. He then analyzed society’s positions on the threat of the use of nuclear arms from the legal, strategic, moral and economic aspects. He too ended his talk with a challenge for all to work for the elimination of nuclear weapons by decreasing demand for them, and ultimately by following the call to be instruments of peace.
During several question and answer sessions the speakers responded to remarks or questions about the policies of the U.S. government and/or the Holy See regarding disarmament and other policies. The discussion was lively and reflected the passionate interest of all involved.
In a prepared response to the presentations, Mercedarian Sister Filo Hirota noted that if we want to be proactive for nuclear disarmament, our action must be well grounded with a deeply ethical and spiritual motivation to deny any will to kill. She also noted the importance of working towards a nuclear weapons convention and asked all the participants to become familiar with various actions for nuclear disarmament. She concluded by reading a message from Archbishop Joseph Takami of Nagasaki, Japan, who stated that “Any weapon, let alone nuclear weapons, destroys the dignity of a person and should never be manufactured. Total abolition of nuclear weapons is an indispensable condition for world peace.”
domenica 21 novembre 2010
venerdì 1 ottobre 2010
International Day of Nonviolence 2010
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON VIOLENCE
October 2nd is the date that the UN has marked as the International Day dedicated to nonviolence. What does it say to us? Is it an anniversary to remember rituals, such as the anniversary of the dead, or rather as the date that calls on our consciences and our bodies with all their sensitivity, to live differently? In the last century some prophets unveiled to the world the new name for peace: Nonviolence. For Tolstoy living the Christian law of love affirms the universal non-resistance to evil by violence and objection of conscience. That was his response to military spending and challenged the states and members of Churches to take an option to follow God’s command “Thou shalt not kill”. Then Gandhi stated that non-violence was as old as the mountains, showing that it declined in our time and assumed the power of God for the liberation of peoples for independence. He said that the policy of nonviolence was more effective and powerful than nuclear bomb. In Italy, the pedagogy of nonviolence was advocated by Capitini when he began to entrench democracy in the constitution and to enlarge it with the power of all. Only the daily practice of nonviolence in all areas: religious, economic, social and political arena may prevent dictatorships, he said. There have been other people in history who gave their testimony that nonviolence is the new name for peace. People like Martin Luther King Jr., Oscar Romero, Nelson Mandela and others.
We are motivated by the Blood of Christ shed on the cross to pray and work for a world free of violence. Jesus goes to his death rejecting violence, loving enemies, calling all who come to him to forgive their enemies, returning good for evil. The Eucharist is the sacrament of nonviolence and Christ offering his body and blood for our nourishment is the one who can show how we can build a society without shedding of blood.
October 2nd is the date that the UN has marked as the International Day dedicated to nonviolence. What does it say to us? Is it an anniversary to remember rituals, such as the anniversary of the dead, or rather as the date that calls on our consciences and our bodies with all their sensitivity, to live differently? In the last century some prophets unveiled to the world the new name for peace: Nonviolence. For Tolstoy living the Christian law of love affirms the universal non-resistance to evil by violence and objection of conscience. That was his response to military spending and challenged the states and members of Churches to take an option to follow God’s command “Thou shalt not kill”. Then Gandhi stated that non-violence was as old as the mountains, showing that it declined in our time and assumed the power of God for the liberation of peoples for independence. He said that the policy of nonviolence was more effective and powerful than nuclear bomb. In Italy, the pedagogy of nonviolence was advocated by Capitini when he began to entrench democracy in the constitution and to enlarge it with the power of all. Only the daily practice of nonviolence in all areas: religious, economic, social and political arena may prevent dictatorships, he said. There have been other people in history who gave their testimony that nonviolence is the new name for peace. People like Martin Luther King Jr., Oscar Romero, Nelson Mandela and others.
We are motivated by the Blood of Christ shed on the cross to pray and work for a world free of violence. Jesus goes to his death rejecting violence, loving enemies, calling all who come to him to forgive their enemies, returning good for evil. The Eucharist is the sacrament of nonviolence and Christ offering his body and blood for our nourishment is the one who can show how we can build a society without shedding of blood.
martedì 21 settembre 2010
Can Millenium Development Goals be met in this way?
What steps your Government has taken to meet with the Millennium Development goals?
Ten years have past since the world community of Nations committed itself to the eradication of extreme poverty; Achieve universal primary education; Promote gender equality and empower women; Reduce child mortality; Improve maternal health; Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases; Ensure environmental sustainability and Develop a Global Partnership for Development.
Word leaders have been summoned by the UN Secretary General to assess how far this aim is being achieved. Do you know the percentage your government devotes to this goal even after economic recession?
According to UN-WHO statistics , development nations are on track to meet the poverty target because of progress in China. But in Sub-Sahara African and Western Asia the proportion of hungry people has increased. Globally the number of hungry people rose from 842 million in 1990-92, to 1.02 billion people in 2009.
While countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen great improvements by abolishing school fees and offering free school lunches, the target is unlikely to be met. The drop-out rate is high, and although there has been some investment in teachers and classrooms, it is not enough.
Gender gaps in education have narrowed, but remain high at university (tertiary) level in some developing countries because of poverty. Employment for women has improved but there are still many more women than men in low-paid jobs. There have been small gains for women in political power.
Child deaths are falling but at the current rate are well short of the two-thirds target. They more than halved in Northern Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean but remain high in parts of Southern Asia. In Sub-Saharan Africa the absolute number of children who have died actually increased.
Although in all regions there are advances in providing pregnant women with antenatal care, the maternal mortality rate is unacceptably high, with progress well short of the decline needed to meet the target. Those at most risk are adolescent girls, yet funding on family planning is falling behind.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has stabilised in most regions, but new infections are rising in some areas and antiretroviral treatment has mushroomed. Global funding has helped control malaria but is still far short of what is needed. On current trends tuberculosis will have been halted and started to reverse.
The world will meet the drinking water target on current trends but half the population of developing regions still lacks basic sanitation. The 2010 target to slow decline in biodiversity has been missed. Improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers has been achieved but their actual numbers are rising.
Levels of aid continue to rise, but major donors are well below target. In terms of volume the USA, France, Germany, UK and Japan are the largest donors. G8 countries have failed to deliver on a promise to double aid to Africa. Debt burdens have been eased for developing countries.
What are you doing to lobby or influence your government to increase its contribution to speeding the fulfilment of the Millennium Development goals?
Ten years have past since the world community of Nations committed itself to the eradication of extreme poverty; Achieve universal primary education; Promote gender equality and empower women; Reduce child mortality; Improve maternal health; Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases; Ensure environmental sustainability and Develop a Global Partnership for Development.
Word leaders have been summoned by the UN Secretary General to assess how far this aim is being achieved. Do you know the percentage your government devotes to this goal even after economic recession?
According to UN-WHO statistics , development nations are on track to meet the poverty target because of progress in China. But in Sub-Sahara African and Western Asia the proportion of hungry people has increased. Globally the number of hungry people rose from 842 million in 1990-92, to 1.02 billion people in 2009.
While countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen great improvements by abolishing school fees and offering free school lunches, the target is unlikely to be met. The drop-out rate is high, and although there has been some investment in teachers and classrooms, it is not enough.
Gender gaps in education have narrowed, but remain high at university (tertiary) level in some developing countries because of poverty. Employment for women has improved but there are still many more women than men in low-paid jobs. There have been small gains for women in political power.
Child deaths are falling but at the current rate are well short of the two-thirds target. They more than halved in Northern Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean but remain high in parts of Southern Asia. In Sub-Saharan Africa the absolute number of children who have died actually increased.
Although in all regions there are advances in providing pregnant women with antenatal care, the maternal mortality rate is unacceptably high, with progress well short of the decline needed to meet the target. Those at most risk are adolescent girls, yet funding on family planning is falling behind.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has stabilised in most regions, but new infections are rising in some areas and antiretroviral treatment has mushroomed. Global funding has helped control malaria but is still far short of what is needed. On current trends tuberculosis will have been halted and started to reverse.
The world will meet the drinking water target on current trends but half the population of developing regions still lacks basic sanitation. The 2010 target to slow decline in biodiversity has been missed. Improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers has been achieved but their actual numbers are rising.
Levels of aid continue to rise, but major donors are well below target. In terms of volume the USA, France, Germany, UK and Japan are the largest donors. G8 countries have failed to deliver on a promise to double aid to Africa. Debt burdens have been eased for developing countries.
What are you doing to lobby or influence your government to increase its contribution to speeding the fulfilment of the Millennium Development goals?
giovedì 22 aprile 2010
INTERNATIONAL EARTH DAY 2010
10 Things You Can do to Care for the Earth
1. Plan car trips ahead of time
If you are like most people who live in their car, take
stock of the number of unnecessary trips you make in a
given week. Plan your errands, meetings, pick-ups and
routes ahead of time in order to cut back on your
contribution to CO2 car emissions and gas use.
Catholic Social teaching calls us to take responsibility for our use and care of the earth. The
decisions we make can make a positive difference by heeding the call to be better stewards and
care about our impact on the earth. Global climate change hasbeen a major topic in the public
spotlight these days. While everyone from scientists to politicians are joining forces to address
this reality, there are numerous simple things each one of us can do to make a difference.
4. Look for the Energy Star
When making purchases of new appliances, check to
see that they are carrying the Energy Star symbol
indicating that they are designed to be more energy
efficient than other models. Appliances with this label
not only use less power but can also greatly reduce
your energy bill.
2. Use Earth-friendly cleaners
The products that you use to clean your home may
actually be harmful for the earth, containing damaging
chemicals and upsetting the ecological balance. Seek
“green” cleaning products that are biodegradable and
designed with the earth in mind.
3. Use your bike
More and more cities are jumping on the bandwagon of
cutting gas emissions by promoting bike paths for
commuters. Consider using your bike to get to or from
work, or if that is impractical, consider increasing bike
use on the weekends to make those shorter trips to the
store, The earth will benefit and so will your overall
health.
5. Plant extra veggies
As the gardening season gets underway, consider
adding an extra plot of vegetables to provide fresh
produce for a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
The garden will be bountiful and others will reap what
you sow.
6. Conserve Water
Water tends to be something we take for granted, but it
is quickly becoming one of the precious resources of
the earth that needs our care and conservation. Be
more mindful of unnecessary water use and don’t leave
the faucet running.
7. Change your light bulbs
One significant place to curb energy use is in the light
bulb socket. Compact florescent light bulbs (CPL) are
the newest way a small purchase can make a big
change. These spiral shaped bulbs may cost more, but
they use one-fourth the energy and can be found
anywhere light bulbs are sold.
8. Hang a Clothes line
This may sound like a return to the 1950’s but using a
clothes line instead of your heated dryer can cut back
drastically on energy use. Additional benefits include
that fresh clothesline scent and a smaller electric bill.
9. Consume less, Share more
Unbridled consumption is part of the dynamic putting an
increased demand on the need for energy and fuels.
Assess your own buying habits and consumerist
tendencies cut back where you can, sharing unused or
unneeded items with others. As the saying goes, “Have
less, be more.”
10. Support a local farmer
Most of the food we eat travels hundreds and sometimes
even thousands of miles to reach our grocery
stores and markets. Do your part to reduce our dependency
on oil and fossil fuels and buy locally from a
farmer in your region. Find a farmers market in your
area through the internet or yellow pages
1. Plan car trips ahead of time
If you are like most people who live in their car, take
stock of the number of unnecessary trips you make in a
given week. Plan your errands, meetings, pick-ups and
routes ahead of time in order to cut back on your
contribution to CO2 car emissions and gas use.
Catholic Social teaching calls us to take responsibility for our use and care of the earth. The
decisions we make can make a positive difference by heeding the call to be better stewards and
care about our impact on the earth. Global climate change hasbeen a major topic in the public
spotlight these days. While everyone from scientists to politicians are joining forces to address
this reality, there are numerous simple things each one of us can do to make a difference.
4. Look for the Energy Star
When making purchases of new appliances, check to
see that they are carrying the Energy Star symbol
indicating that they are designed to be more energy
efficient than other models. Appliances with this label
not only use less power but can also greatly reduce
your energy bill.
2. Use Earth-friendly cleaners
The products that you use to clean your home may
actually be harmful for the earth, containing damaging
chemicals and upsetting the ecological balance. Seek
“green” cleaning products that are biodegradable and
designed with the earth in mind.
3. Use your bike
More and more cities are jumping on the bandwagon of
cutting gas emissions by promoting bike paths for
commuters. Consider using your bike to get to or from
work, or if that is impractical, consider increasing bike
use on the weekends to make those shorter trips to the
store, The earth will benefit and so will your overall
health.
5. Plant extra veggies
As the gardening season gets underway, consider
adding an extra plot of vegetables to provide fresh
produce for a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
The garden will be bountiful and others will reap what
you sow.
6. Conserve Water
Water tends to be something we take for granted, but it
is quickly becoming one of the precious resources of
the earth that needs our care and conservation. Be
more mindful of unnecessary water use and don’t leave
the faucet running.
7. Change your light bulbs
One significant place to curb energy use is in the light
bulb socket. Compact florescent light bulbs (CPL) are
the newest way a small purchase can make a big
change. These spiral shaped bulbs may cost more, but
they use one-fourth the energy and can be found
anywhere light bulbs are sold.
8. Hang a Clothes line
This may sound like a return to the 1950’s but using a
clothes line instead of your heated dryer can cut back
drastically on energy use. Additional benefits include
that fresh clothesline scent and a smaller electric bill.
9. Consume less, Share more
Unbridled consumption is part of the dynamic putting an
increased demand on the need for energy and fuels.
Assess your own buying habits and consumerist
tendencies cut back where you can, sharing unused or
unneeded items with others. As the saying goes, “Have
less, be more.”
10. Support a local farmer
Most of the food we eat travels hundreds and sometimes
even thousands of miles to reach our grocery
stores and markets. Do your part to reduce our dependency
on oil and fossil fuels and buy locally from a
farmer in your region. Find a farmers market in your
area through the internet or yellow pages
martedì 6 aprile 2010
Justice for a Roman Catholic nun who was raped
Do you remember the case reported by media two years ago of a nun who was forced to parade half naked and gang-raped by Hindu fundamentalist in Orissa India?
The High Court of Orissa decided to move an infamous case from a court in Phulbani, Kandhamal District, Orissa to the city of Cuttack. The transfer decision, given on March 30, 2010, has rekindled dwindling hope for justice for all victims of the unprecedented anti-Christian riots in 2008.
One of the lead lawyers in the case, Ms. Lansinglu Rongmei, said, "The best part is that the court instructed that all the witnesses who turned hostile should be recalled. This means the trial will essentially get a fresh start." Rongmei has a private practice based in Delhi but has also served as the National Legal Secretary for the All India Christian Council (aicc) since October 2008.
Let us hope and pray that those who committed the crime may be held accountable so that this can serve to the re-establishment of just relationship in that reagion.
Source: Fr. Amaladoss Mariasussai, CPPS
Sr. Kusumam, SAB
The Executive Secretary, KRCR
KRCR Secretariat
C/o. The Brother's of Holy Cross
# 47 St. Mark's Road
Bangalore - 560 001.
The High Court of Orissa decided to move an infamous case from a court in Phulbani, Kandhamal District, Orissa to the city of Cuttack. The transfer decision, given on March 30, 2010, has rekindled dwindling hope for justice for all victims of the unprecedented anti-Christian riots in 2008.
One of the lead lawyers in the case, Ms. Lansinglu Rongmei, said, "The best part is that the court instructed that all the witnesses who turned hostile should be recalled. This means the trial will essentially get a fresh start." Rongmei has a private practice based in Delhi but has also served as the National Legal Secretary for the All India Christian Council (aicc) since October 2008.
Let us hope and pray that those who committed the crime may be held accountable so that this can serve to the re-establishment of just relationship in that reagion.
Source: Fr. Amaladoss Mariasussai, CPPS
Sr. Kusumam, SAB
The Executive Secretary, KRCR
KRCR Secretariat
C/o. The Brother's of Holy Cross
# 47 St. Mark's Road
Bangalore - 560 001.
lunedì 5 aprile 2010
The International Year of Biodiversity
What are you doing in the year of Biodiversity?
The UN declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). Throughout the year countless initiatives will be organized to disseminate information, promote the protection of biodiversity and encourage organizations, institutions, companies and individuals to take direct action to reduce the constant loss of biological diversity worldwide.
Biodiversity is an all encompassing term to describe the variety of all life and natural processes on Earth. It is “the variability among living organisms from all sources [...] this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”. (Article 2, CBD).
Have you ever considered that the glass of clear, cold, clean water drawn from your faucet may have been purified for you by a wetland or perhaps the root system of an entire forest? Too often people take the availability of products and goods for granted. If we follow the chain of production for many products back to the source, more often than not we arrive back at biodiversity.
Continued loss of biodiversity will result in a rapid decline of the Earth’s natural wealth and a dramatic reduction of future ecosystem services. Agricultural production will dramatically decrease if bacteria and fungi, which make soil fertile and breakdown wastes disappear. The same will happen if insects, bats and birds – which ensure flower pollination – reduce in numbers. With 42% of anti-cancer drugs coming from natural sources, biodiversity loss will force us to face unprecedented challenges.
We are losing both the beauty and richness of our natural environment as well as destabilising the very ecological processes on which we depend. There can be no life on Earth without biodiversity.
To fight the continuous loss of biodiversity which is threatening the survival of the world as a whole, in 2002 world leaders committed to reduce this loss by 2010, following the pledge EU countries had already made in 2001. Find out more on the 2010 Biodiversity Target.
What you can do?
•Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity
•Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it
•Encourage organizations (and through them individuals) to take direct or indirect biodiversity conservation activities
•Celebrate the achievements of Countdown 2010 partners and other stakeholders
•Reporting on the possible failures for not achieving the Target
•Prepare the ground for communicating the post-2010 target(s)
For further information contact: Email: info [at] countdown2010.net
The UN declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). Throughout the year countless initiatives will be organized to disseminate information, promote the protection of biodiversity and encourage organizations, institutions, companies and individuals to take direct action to reduce the constant loss of biological diversity worldwide.
Biodiversity is an all encompassing term to describe the variety of all life and natural processes on Earth. It is “the variability among living organisms from all sources [...] this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”. (Article 2, CBD).
Have you ever considered that the glass of clear, cold, clean water drawn from your faucet may have been purified for you by a wetland or perhaps the root system of an entire forest? Too often people take the availability of products and goods for granted. If we follow the chain of production for many products back to the source, more often than not we arrive back at biodiversity.
Continued loss of biodiversity will result in a rapid decline of the Earth’s natural wealth and a dramatic reduction of future ecosystem services. Agricultural production will dramatically decrease if bacteria and fungi, which make soil fertile and breakdown wastes disappear. The same will happen if insects, bats and birds – which ensure flower pollination – reduce in numbers. With 42% of anti-cancer drugs coming from natural sources, biodiversity loss will force us to face unprecedented challenges.
We are losing both the beauty and richness of our natural environment as well as destabilising the very ecological processes on which we depend. There can be no life on Earth without biodiversity.
To fight the continuous loss of biodiversity which is threatening the survival of the world as a whole, in 2002 world leaders committed to reduce this loss by 2010, following the pledge EU countries had already made in 2001. Find out more on the 2010 Biodiversity Target.
What you can do?
•Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity
•Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it
•Encourage organizations (and through them individuals) to take direct or indirect biodiversity conservation activities
•Celebrate the achievements of Countdown 2010 partners and other stakeholders
•Reporting on the possible failures for not achieving the Target
•Prepare the ground for communicating the post-2010 target(s)
For further information contact: Email: info [at] countdown2010.net
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