Resources in NewsNotes Sept-Oct 2025
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The Struggle to Protect Farmers’ Seed Systems
The following is a summary of a policy brief by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy about the unhealthy control industrial agriculture has over family farming around the world.
Gaza: U.S. Christian Groups Oppose Israeli Military Plan
Twenty member organizations of Churches for Middle East Peace released the following joint statement on Aug. 26 calling for Israel to halt its planned military offensive in Gaza City.
Gaza: Orthodox Rabbis Call on Israel to Address Hunger
Eighty Orthodox rabbis signed the following open letter on August 20, 2025, demanding “moral clarity, responsibility, and a Jewish Orthodox response” to what they called a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Gaza: Greek and Latin Patriarchs Speak Against War
In reaction to the Israeli government’s announcement of a plan to take control of Gaza, the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem issued the following joint statement on Aug. 26 calling for an end to the war.
Haiti: Stop Illegal Weapons Trafficking from the U.S.
Ninety-six civil society organizations sent the following letter on August 26, 2025, to the leaders of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security asking for immediate action to stop the flow of illegal weapons from the United States to Haiti.
Haiti: A Perfect Storm of Suffering
As the violent crisis in Haiti deepens, Haitians in the United States are going to court to protect their right to Temporary Protected Status.
Global Plastics Treaty Setback
UN plastics treaty negotiations collapsed in August 2025 after countries failed to bridge fundamental divides, particularly regarding the contentious issue of whether to include limits on plastic production and restrict harmful chemicals.
Catholics Work Together to Defend Climate Rules in U.S.
Eight U.S. Catholic organizations are working together to keep U.S. regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from cars and power plants.
Global South Bishops Call for Climate Action at COP30
Catholic bishops from Africa, Asia and Latin America issued a joint statement to world leaders asking for transformative actions at the UN Climate Chance Conference COP30.
Maryknoll Lay Missioners at 50 are Hope in the Darkness
Lay Missioners joined with Maryknoll Sisters, Fathers & Brothers, and Affiliates for celebration and reflection on being missioners of hope in dark times.
Justice for Immigrants and Refugees Policy Brief
This is an excerpt from our two-page policy brief on U.S. immigration and refugee policy.
Maryknoll OGC Signs Letter to Congress Opposing Repeal of Clean Energy Tax Credits
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns co-signed a letter with 31 other faith-based groups urging each Senator and Representative to oppose repeal of clean energy tax credits in the upcoming reconciliation process.
Maryknoll OGC Speaks Out Against Invocation of Alien Enemies Act of 1798
President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 the weekend of March 15 and sent over 200 Venezuelan migrants to prison in El Salvador, despite a court order against it. The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns response to the concerning series of events is below.
Maryknoll OGC Joins Interfaith Letter to Congress on Sanctuary Cities
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined an interfaith letter in support of jurisdictions that support and protect immigrants. The letter was sent to members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ahead of hearings on sanctuary jurisdictions. It requests that Congress oppose policies that strip critical funding from communities through sweeping measures like H.R. 32, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act, which would indiscriminately cut off health, education, and infrastructure funds for everyone in a respective state or locality, including citizens.
Resources
Webinars, articles, guides, events and videos
Announcing U.S. Election Webinars
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns will hold webinars on policy issues relevant to the United States elections, which are only two months away.