Upholding human rights enables a society to put people at the center of all policymaking – political, economic and social – thus protecting the life and dignity of the human person whatever its condition or stage of development. In the year 2020, the world entered into the novel coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented crisis that impacts all aspects of life and presents new threats to upholding human rights.
December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Join us in reciting this prayer by Rabbi Brant Rosen. Explore our Lenten Reflection Guide on human rights.
To understand what our faith teaches about human rights, see “Catholic Social Teaching and Human Rights.”
To learn about Maryknoll mission experience honoring and protecting human rights and the life and dignity of the human person, especially those who are poor and vulnerable, read Maryknoll’s 100 Years of Mission.
To learn about human rights advocacy, watch a 30-minute webinar, “Human Rights Advocacy and the Legacy of Sr. Dianna Ortiz.” You will also find a corresponding page of resources on current human rights issues.
To learn about new threats to human rights, see our articles featured in Maryknoll Magazine:
Upholding Human Rights During the Pandemic
A “David and Goliath” Story of Water Defenders
After nearly 30 years, Efrain Ríos Montt finally will face trial for genocide and crimes against humanity. Ríos Montt was Guatemala’s president for 17 months during 1982 to 1983, when at least 1,771 people were killed, 1,445 raped and nearly 30,000 displaced, the bloodiest period of the country’s brutal 36-year civil war. The following article was published in the March-April 2012 NewsNotes.
The following piece, published in the July-August 2012 NewsNotes, is an update from an article by Sarah Anderson with the Institute for Policy Studies, published in the March-April 2012 NewsNotes.
The following article was published in the July-August 2012 NewsNotes.
During their meetings in May at Camp David and in Chicago, the Group of Eight and NATO leaders highlighted women’s rights on their discussion agenda. The following article was published in the July-August 2012 NewsNotes.
Thursday, Nov. 1 is the feast of All Saints; Sr. Ann Hayden writes the reflection for that day’s readings.
Fr. Ken Thesing spent many years as a missioner in East Africa, and now works in Rome. “Our scriptures often use contrasts – like the theme of darkness and light, or as we see in the readings for today’s liturgy, the theme of ‘blindness’ and ‘sight’ to show that process of growth in understanding for the disciples or for anyone who wants to follow Jesus … These are the people God brings back and restores – not just the strong, the gifted, and those who can pay for assistance but the frail and vulnerable – no one is left out.”
This Sunday’s reflection is written by Fr. Jim Kroeger, who has served as a missioner in Asia for many years.
Dave Kane, who recently left the Maryknoll lay missioners after many years (mostly in Brazil, followed by a stint at the Global Concerns office), wrote today’s reflection.
Lay missioner Liz Mach, who has lived and worked in Africa, writes today’s reflection.
This week’s reflection is written by Maryknoll Fr. Joe Veneroso: “Our life of prayers and good works comes in response to grace, not as its pre-requisite.”
Former lay missioner Phil Dah-Bredine writes this week’s reflection.
The Inclusive Prosperity Act, currently in draft form, will be introduced this Friday by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN). Please contact your member of Congress as soon as possible and ask him/her to sign on as an original cosponsor of the legislation.
Fr. Joe Towle writes this week’s reflection, and shares some memories from his time as a missioner in Latin America.
October 16 is World Food Day – an opportunity for Christians all over the world to act and speak out together on food justice issues.
The XIX International AIDS conference concluded on July 27 and revealed ways in which tides are turning in the fight against the global pandemic. Maryknollers from Peru, Guatemala, Namibia and Washington, D.C. attended many of the activities surrounding this year’s conference. The following article, published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes, is based on reports written by Sr. Veronica Schweyen, MM and Fr. Joseph Fedora, MM.
The following story was published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes.
Maryknoll Sister Pat Ryan on mission in Peru is a member of the NGO Human Rights and the Environment; she is the source of the information in this article regarding the community of Condoraque. The following article was published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes.
“Estamos hasta la madre! [We are fed up]” is the rallying cry of Mexican poet and author Javier Sicilia, who has mobilized people on both sides of the border to stop the bloodshed caused by drug violence. The following article was published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes.
