Guatemala: Election Landslide
A candidate running on an anti-corruption platform unexpectedly overtook the former first lady.
Maryknoll in Korea: A Life of Compassion, Risk
A new book is available about the life of Maryknoll Fr. Gerard Hammond, a missioner with more than 60 years in ministry on the Korean Peninsula.
Tanzania: Forceful Letter by Catholic Bishops
The thirty-seven Tanzanian bishops object to the government’s business dealings with the United Arab Emirates.
South Sudan: Local Church Responds to Refugees, Peace Efforts
The Catholic Church in South Sudan responds to the needs of refugees entering the country from Sudan while calling for greater efforts to maintain the peace process in South Sudan.
African Faith Leaders Call for Debt Relief
African religious leaders call for international debt relief to deal with climate, health, food and energy crises facing the continent. The following press release was published by Jubilee USA Network on Aug. 8. 2023.
Haiti: Illegal Flow of Guns from United States
Gang violence in Haiti is made possible by an illicit supply of arms the island nation does not have the capacity to prevent. Congress can address this with the U.S.-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2023.
U.S. Report on Trafficking In Persons
The annual report on human trafficking around the world honors eight heroes making a difference.
Catholics Stand in Solidarity with Migrants
Against the tide of an anti-immigrant culture, Catholics minister to migrants and face heavy criticism.
Tanzanian Bishops Release Statement
The document, signed by the 37 bishops of Tanzania, rebukes the government’s undemocratic deals with the United Arab Emirates for not considering the resulting harm to the people. In particular, it mentions the Maasai communities of Loliondo, “whose cultural and social rights have been violated.”
Maryknoll OGC Joins Letter Requesting TPS for South Sudan
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 131 other International, National, and Local NGO’s and Faith Based Organizations in asking President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and Secretary Blinken to Extend and Redesignate TPS for South Sudan. Temporary Protective Status (TPS) can save lives by preventing immigration enforcement from deporting South Sudanese people back to extremely dangerous conditions. South Sudan currently sees extreme violence, including targeted killings and Gender Based Violence. Only 41% of the population has access to clean water and 11% to sanitation facilities. Malaria, HIV/AIDS, COVID, Ebola, polio, and cholera are leading causes of death.
Maryknoll OGC Asks Congress for Climate Accountability in Defense Bill
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 26 other organizations in calling on Congress to reject language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would allow military contractors to skirt responsibility in reporting greenhouse gas emissions, or for the military to avoid greenhouse gas reduction initiatives altogether.
Maryknoll OGC Asks Biden to End the Transit Ban
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 203 civil, human rights, and immigrant rights organizations in asking the Biden Administration not to appeal a Federal Court decision that the transit ban is illegal.
Maryknoll OGC Carries REPAM Concerns to Secretary Blinken’s Attention
In a letter co-signed by 19 Catholic groups, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns brought to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s attention the proposals by the Catholic Church sponsored Panamazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) in advance of the Summit of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)
Faith Leaders Resound Pope Francis’ Call for the End to Russia-Ukraine War
Pax Christi released a Statement of Support signed by 218 Faith Leaders, including Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Sustainable Pathways to Peace senior program officer Dan Moriarty. In it, leaders reiterate Pope Francis’ message: “IT IS TIME TO STOP THE KILLING AND DEVASTATION IN UKRAINE. CEASEFIRE AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS NOW.”
Faith Groups Ask U.S. Amb. to Peru to Defend the Right to Peaceful Protest
Maryknoll joined ten other faith groups in a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Peru requesting the Ambassador’s support for the human rights of government protestors.
Maryknoll OGC Joins Letter Supporting Inclusion of Dreamers in the Affordable Care Act
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined a group of 90 organizations, including Harvard Medical School, calling for the end of exclusion of Dreamers (Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals) in the Affordable Care Act. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ proposed rule change which will do just that.
Maryknoll OGC Statement on Guatemalan Elections Crisis
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns stands with the Guatemalan people, condemning the Guatemalan Public Ministry’s judicial meddling in the country’s presidential elections.
Maryknoll Asks Congress for Robust Humanitarian Aid in the Fiscal Year 2024
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 51 other organizations in writing to the Senate Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations to request robust funding for the Fiscal Year 2024. A similar letter went to the House counterpart.