Mexico: Pope Francis calls for open hearts
In February, Pope Francis completed a six-day pastoral visit to Mexico. With five key moments, the pope addressed the full spectrum of Mexican society and delivered a clear moral message about corruption and poverty, violence, and migration that transcends national boundaries and speaks to the whole world.
Nuclear disarmament and the Francis factor
Since the beginning of his papacy three years ago, Pope Francis has repeatedly named nuclear disarmament as a major goal, alongside addressing climate change and welcoming migrants. All three issues are essential to Francis’ vision expressed in Laudato Si’, for a “culture of care which permeates all of society.”
Trade: WTO rules against climate action
The World Trade Organization ruled against India’s national solar mission, a major initiative to promote ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy security challenges.
Global migration crisis: Update from the UN
Maryknoll Sr. Claris Zwareva. Sr. Claris reports from the UN on the latest developments in addressing the needs of the approximately 60 million displaced people around the world.
Laudato Si’ – A prophetic challenge
On February 28, 2016, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns brought Columban Father Sean McDonagh to the Maryknoll Mission Center in New York, to speak at an event celebrating the release of Fr. McDonagh’s Orbis book, “On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si': The Encyclical of Pope Francis on the Environment.”
February 8: International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking
Find resources for prayer, study, and action.
Faith groups oppose the TPP trade agreement
Members of the Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment speak out against the Trans Pacific Partnership.
African civil society statement on Africa's energy needs
Just days before Congress votes on the Electrify Africa Act, 18 African civil society organizations issued a statement calling on African governments and public and private financiers to find socially and environmentally sustainable solutions to Africa's energy needs.
Resources from January-February 2016 NewsNotes
Read and share a new book about Catholic religious representatives at the United Nations, check out the 2016 schedule for the Maryknoll Mission Institute, watch video testimony by Honduran migrants, plan to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days, and more.
Food Security: U.S. trade policy and farmers
On December 11, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns was one of 17 faith-based and food security organizations who wrote to Michael Froman, the U.S. trade representative, calling for a change in the Obama administration’s trade policy, leading into the tenth ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Trade: TPP text finally released
Serious concerns mount after the text of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, which has the potential to affect the lives of millions of people in 12 countries, was released in November.
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.