2024 Global Policy Briefs

In a series of two-page briefs, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns addresses key global issues which are the focus of our work in Washington, DC, and at the UN. Inspired by the Gospel and Maryknoll missioners’ commitment to stand with vulnerable communities around the world, we offer these briefs as resources on the intersection…

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are several key themes in today’s Gospel that speak to the “signs of our times” and give us, in Jesus, an example of how we are to respond. Mark tells us of the crowd that was traveling with Jesus, and that Jesus “stood still” at the cry of Bartimaeus, a blind man. The scriptures…

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. James Kroeger, MM, who served in the Philippines, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books. The young mother’s face beamed as she held her week-old baby in her arms. It was clear that this was the joy of her life….

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Belgian theologian, Joseph Comblin, in his book, The Meaning of Mission, wrote, and I’m paraphrasing here, “If the Gospels do not cause raised eyebrows, then chances are the Gospels are being compromised.” Is there a Gospel text more uncomfortable, more eyebrow-raising, than today’s Gospel from Mark? Especially for Christians living in a rich country…

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Come and see justice growing, illuminating, and expanding. Come, God’s dominion is in our reach! I remember eagerly awaiting our mother’s return from the market as a child, hoping for a treat. She consistently brought back goods like doughnuts, nuts, or sweets, which were suitable gifts because of their rarity and their lessons in sharing….

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Joseph Veneroso, MM wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books. I had the good fortune to study Scripture with Rabbi Asher Finkel. What made his lectures intriguing was that his specialty was the New Testament, specifically the teachings of Jesus….

Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action

Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action

The 2024 Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action will take place September 21 (World Peace Day) to October 2 (International Day of Nonviolence). The theme this year is “Walking Together Builds Unity and Nonviolence.”  Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action are co-sponsored by Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative. The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative has achieved much since…

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we have a powerful gospel full of contrasts. We find Jesus taking advantage of being alone with the disciples as they travel through Galilee to share with them where things are heading. Jesus is aware that the powers that be are not accepting his message, and he sees clearly where things are leading. Yet…

U.S. Elections Webinar Series: Faith-based Migrant Justice

U.S. Elections Webinar Series: Faith-based Migrant Justice

In this webinar, presenters: Maryknoll Lay Missioner Heidi Cerneka, immigration lawyer in El Paso, Texas, Maryknoll Sister Susan Nchubiri, program associate at MOGC, and Iqbal Ahmad, Fellow of the University of Notre Dame Kroc Institute discuss the much needed immigration fixes in policy and what can be done to uphold the dignity of migrants. This…

U.S. Elections Webinar Series: Debt Relief in a Jubilee Year

U.S. Elections Webinar Series: Debt Relief in a Jubilee Year

Susan Gunn, director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns shares the need for debt relief to developing countries and the impact the United States elections can have on the issue. This webinar was recorded on Wednesday, October 16, as part of our webinar series in anticipation of the United States elections on November 5,…

U.S. Elections Webinar Series: Faithful Stewardship of Creation

U.S. Elections Webinar Series: Faithful Stewardship of Creation

Lisa Sullivan, Integral Ecology senior program officer, and Sara Kennel, climate advocacy intern, cover the environmental concerns the next U.S. President must confront. This webinar, held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 is part of our webinar series in anticipation of the United States 2024 elections. Check your voter registration at www.vote.gov See our policy brief,…

Election Series Webinar: Peace, War, and Human Rights

Election Series Webinar: Peace, War, and Human Rights

Dan Moriarty, Peace and Nonviolence senior program officer, addresses the global peace and nonviolence issues relevant to elections in 2024 and the Catholic social teachings that we hope all office-seeking candidates will conform to. Check your voter registration at www.vote.gov See our policy brief, Rethinking Security: No Justice, No Peace This webinar is part of…

Policy Brief – Biodiversity Loss

Policy Brief – Biodiversity Loss

September 2024 Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 23 other organizations in a policy brief on biodiversity: Protecting the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to Halt Biodiversity Loss. The policy brief notes the importance of addressing biodiversity loss while also emphasizing the role of Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ knowledge in protecting…