Israel/Palestine: Fears of third intifada
Since the riots on the Temple Mount in mid-September, seemingly random street violence has spiked. Israeli forces have responded with harsh crackdowns.
Catholics tell Congress: Welcome Syrian refugees
On November 20, 14 Catholic organizations, including the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, sent a statement to members of Congress regarding the Syrian refugee crisis and the need to welcome Syrian refugees.
Guatemala: Former military officers arrested
In early January, Guatemalan police arrested 18 people on charges of crimes against humanity, as part of an ongoing investigation into forced disappearances that occurred between 1981 and 1988 against indigenous communities.
Brazil: TIAA-CREF and Land Grabbing
In November, a report was presented by the Social Network for Justice and Human Rights, a human rights organization in Brazil, and GRAIN, a food sovereignty NGO, about land grabbing in Brazil by TIAA-CREF, at the International Seminar on Land Grabbing, at City University of New York Graduate Center.
Brazil: Worst environmental disaster in history
Southeastern Brazil has been devastated by toxic mud due to a dam that burst at an iron-ore mine in November. Brazil is calling it the worst environmental disaster in its history.
Asia: Poor people bear brunt of climate change
The following is an excerpt from an article published by the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) on December 7 about a new report by the Asian Development Bank on the impact of climate change on poor communities.
Myanmar: Cardinal Bo’s concerns for peace
The following interview with Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the leader of the Catholic Church in Myanmar, was published by the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) on December 2.
Africa: Pope Francis and the Periphery
During his first visit to Africa, Pope Francis gave two important speeches to non-church groups that were remarkable in their global message about peace, poverty, and the environment.
Africa: Conference on land grabbing
Just prior to the arrival of Pope Francis for his first pastoral visit to Kenya, a network of Catholic justice and peace organizations met in Limura, Kenya, for a major conference on land grabbing and just governance in Africa.
COP21 and the Feast of the Epiphany
Maryknoll Sr. Rebecca Macugay was an official observer at the Paris Climate Summit (COP21) representing the Maryknoll Sisters. The following is her reflection on the talks.
COP21 Learnings
Maryknoll Sr. Marvie Misolas was an official observer at the Paris Climate Summit (COP21) representing the Maryknoll Sisters. The following is her reflection, written on the last day of the talks, before the release of the final agreement.
COP21: Climate change, development
Maryknoll Sr. Claris Zwareva writes about the intersection of climate change and the new sustainable development goals. Sr. Claris, who serves as Maryknoll’s representative at the United Nations where the Maryknoll Sisters and the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers have consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, attended the Paris Climate Summit (COP21).
COP21: Civil society groups protect our common home
Chloe Schwabe, the Faith-Economy-Ecology program director for the Maryland Office for Global Concerns writes about her experience as an official observer at the Paris Climate Summit (COP21).
A new year, an ever-increasing hope
Our message for the new year: As a people of faith we believe in love, not hate; we believe in the redemptive power of nonviolence and compassion; and we come together as children of God facing the new year in hope.
Historic Climate Deal a Step in the Right Direction
On December 12, world leaders concluded final negotiations of the climate agreement in Paris. Chloe Schwabe, Faith Economy Ecology Project Coordinator, was an official observer at the two-week conference. The following is her statement.
Seeds of the Church
Ten Maryknoll Sisters joined the SHARE Delegation to El Salvador for the 35th Anniversary of the martyrdom of the four churchwomen from November 28 – December 5, 2015.
Faith groups call on World Bank to protect forests
Faith groups call on the World Bank to announce a Zero Deforestation policy at the Paris Climate Summit (COP21).
Update from Paris: Mobilizing women for climate justice
December 8, 2015 was Gender Day at the Paris Climate Summit. Watch our video of one of the actions for gender justice that happened at the negotiations.