Bolivia: Update on TIPNIS
The following article is written by Maryknoll Fr. Eugene Toland, who lives in Cochabamba, Bolivia. See related articles in the March-April 2012 and November-December 2011 issues of NewsNotes.
Guatemala: Protestors put down by police, military
The Pan American highway runs through a barren stretch of Guatemalan territory at kilometer 170. This cold and deserted place, known to the local population as the Alaskan Summit, was the site of Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina’s recent attempt to silence opposition resulting in the October 4 deadly clash between indigenous protestors and members of the Guatemalan military, a clash which resulted in at least eight deaths and several injuries.
Sudan/South Sudan: Step toward peace
The following article, contributed by Marie Dennis, explains how church leaders responded to the September 27 Cooperation Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan; the agreement covers a number of areas of vital importance, including oil, security arrangements, economic affairs, the status of nationals of the other states, a framework for cooperation on central banking, borders, trade, and other matters.
China, sustainability, peace: A missioner’s account
Maryknoll Sr. Marjorie Ann Bush returned to the U.S. on September 14 after making a short trip back to China where she worked in mission from 1999 until 2010. Sr. Ann Braudis interviewed Sr. Marjorie Ann regarding her sense of China’s movement toward sustainable development and whether or not a sense of peace is being strengthened through China’s development.
Philippines: Framework agreement on Bangsamoro
The following article is contributed by Fred Goddard, who recently moved to the Philippines after stepping down from his role as executive coordinator of the Maryknoll Affiliates.
Pacem in Terris and the new challenge of peace
Two notable characteristics of Pope John XXIII’s great encyclical, Pacem in Terris, written almost 50 years ago in 1963, were its scope and its optimism. The sweeping content of the document says relatively little directly about war, concentrating instead on describing the kind of political, social, economic and cultural conditions that generate peace/shalom on earth – right relationships based on justice, respect, love and solidarity – from the interpersonal to the national to the global. The following reflection is written by Marie Dennis.
Human trafficking
Trafficking, sexual slavery, child prostitution ... all are gross violations of human dignity and demand urgent attention.
U.S. elections 2012: Sustainable peace and security for all
The leadership of the three Maryknoll mission groups, recognizing the increased effect of globalization in all our lives, released the following statement calling on candidates for public office in the U.S. to remember to speak to critical international issues.
MOGC signs letter to Congress on U.S. military aid to Israel
In a recent letter to Congress, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) and 14 other Christian groups urged the U.S. to investigate possible human rights and weapon violations by the government of Israel.
New report shines light on power behind hunger
The following is taken from a press release from the Right to Food and Nutrition Watch Consortium.
Trading in justice: The local impact of global economic decisions
Maryknoll leadership approved the following statement on trade and investment in March 2002; it remains relevant today.
Guatemala: Ríos Montt faces trial for abuses
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.