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Council on Global Solidarity
Catholic Relief Services
Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio
In Partnership with the Five Catholic Commissions and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development of the Secretariat for Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland
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Catholics Confront Global Poverty: News, Programs and Alerts |
July 2013 |
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Dear Friends,
Fair Trade is part of our CRS work in the diocese. Not only do we support the work of the Northeast Ohio Fair Trade Network with a sponsorship for the expo, we also are active members of the committee. Please save the date for our upcoming Fair Trade Expo on Saturday, October 12 at John Carroll's Dolan Science Center. We will have more details next month. Do pass on the information below.
In other news, Syria and the Holy Land are still much in our prayers and in our work. See below for details and updates. Use the following prayers that the area might find peace.
Prayer for Syria (especially since there has been new violence against insurgents):
God of Compassion, Hear the cries of the people of Syria,
Bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
Bring comfort to those mourning the dead,
Strengthen Syria's neighbors in their care and welcome for refugees,
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
And protect those committed to peace.
God of Hope, inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies,
Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,
And give us hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World, Amen.
Petition: For the people of Syria, that God may strengthen the resolve of leaders to end the fighting and choose a future of peace.
We pray to the Lord...
Prayer for the Holy Land:
"Lord God, we turn to you in these trying hours when conflict is a daily reality for our sisters and brothers in Israel and Palestine. We promise you to work to our utmost for peace and reconciliation in the region. But we know we cannot do it alone. We very much need the strength of your presence in our midst if we are to overcome the obstacles before us. So our prayer at this moment is that you add your support to our efforts, that you show yourself as a tower of strength in those moments when the barriers seem impassable. Together we can become beacons of hope for just and peaceful societies in the land so very dear to the peoples of your covenant. Amen."
-From "Voices for Peace in the Holy Land," A Parish Guide, by USCCB & CRS; written by Rev. John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
Also please pray for the peoples of Africa and all of those who are in need of food or other basic necessities as we focus on Congress and securing poverty focused international aid for those most in need in our world.
The Diocesan Social Action Staff: Kelly Ann Davis,
Sr. Kathleen Ryan, Karen Leith, Pat O'Bryan, Rachel Schmidt and Ann Coplan
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Raise your voice to help Syrian refugees today!
Urge your Members of Congress to work towards a political solution to end the violence in Syria and support vital humanitarian assistance
Background: The civil war in Syria rages on and more than 1.5 million refugees have fled the violent conflict to neighboring Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Each day, 6.8 million people affected by the conflict need shelter, food, water, and medical care. Thanks to CRS and our local partners, we're able to provide these critical services. More help is needed though as the situation in Syria and the region intensifies. Most of all peace is needed
Given the rising violence and growing instability, not only within Syria but in surrounding countries, Syria urgently needs a political solution that ends the fighting and creates a future for all Syrians. It's imperative that the United States work with other governments to contain the violence, restore stability in the region, provide humanitarian assistance, and encourage the building of an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens, including Christians and other minorities. Earlier this week, Bishop Richard E. Pates for USCCB and Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas for CRS shared a similar message in their letter to Secretary of State, John Kerry, calling on him to help work towards a political solution to end the violence and suffering in Syria.
Your voice is needed now! Tell your Representative and Senators that the U.S. needs to work to: achieve a ceasefire to end the violence and support a political solution that builds an inclusive democracy in Syria; support robust funding for the Syria crisis and humanitarian emergencies globally in FY 2014 appropriations; and, ensure access to humanitarian assistance with impartiality in Syria.
Take Action Now!
Or, call 1-702-577-2339 for talking points and to be connected to the CAPITOL
Bishop Pates and Bishop Kicanas urged Secretary of State Kerry to work with other governments to obtain a ceasefire in Syria, initiate negotiations, provide humanitarian assistance, and protect the rights of all citizens, including Christians and other minorities. They noted that Syrian needs a political solution, not more arms.Read more. |
Our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land have been waiting too long for peace.
Now is the time to act!
Urge Secretary of State Kerry to press for peace and justice for all in the Holy Land, including the Cremisan Valley community!
Message: I strongly support that the United States exercise strong, persistent leadership to reach a peace agreement and hold both sides accountable. For the Palestinians, this means improving security, blocking illegal arms, and improving governance. For the Israelis, it means freezing settlements, easing movement, and refraining from the use of disproportionate force. The Catholic Church stands ready to help advance a peaceful and just solution for all of our Jewish, Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters living in Israel and Palestine. In the meantime, I urge you to pressure the Israeli Government to reverse its plans for routing the separation barrier in the Cremisan Valley.
Cremisan Valley situation:
The Salesian Sisters' school in Cremisan near Beit Jala, next door to Bethlehem, will lose their sunlight, their fresh air and their hope for a joyful future. Four hundred students from kindergarten to fifth grade, including students with learning disabilities, will attend a school surrounded by a six meter high wall that blocks the view, the air and the sun, while creating a prison like atmosphere.
Any future expansion of the school or use of the land for educational activities will be impossible.
The sisters and their students aren't the only people whose future will be diminished. Fifty-eight families, mostly Christians, will have their access to their agricultural lands severely restricted.
Message: We want bridges that lead to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace and a halt to construction walls, and we want it now before even one more Palestinian or Israeli is injured or killed due to the violence perpetuated by our lack of will to do what is necessary for peace to begin. |
First Friday Club of Cleveland
September 5,2013
"Christians in the Holy Land:
Who they are, why they are leaving and how can we help"
Sir Jeffrey Abood, KHS
Sir Jeffrey Abood is a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre from our Diocese.The Knights are trying to educate and raise awareness of the situation for Christians, the forgotten group in the conflict. Jeff is also available for parish programs on the topic.
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Farm Bill International Food Aid
Now that the House has split the Farm Bill, we need more advocacy to feed hungry people both here and abroard. Follow the bishops' statements by clicking here.
Call on Congress to Protect Poverty-focused International Assistance Careless Cuts Will Cost Lives!
U.S. poverty-focused international assistance makes it possible for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to deliver food and care to these first grade children in Mali who would otherwise go hungry. Their community has learned new farming practices, helping them increase production, preserve their land and overcome droughts. Most importantly, more girls and boys are staying in school.
You can support these children and millions of our brothers and sisters around the world right now by raising your voice. Call on Congress to protect U.S. poverty-focused international assistance as they consider spending levels for FY 2014 budget. This aid is less than 1% of the federal budget, yet this little bit of funding saves millions of lives around the world. Cutting this assistance will not balance the federal budget, but it will cost lives.
Our nation's fiscal challenges are significant and reducing future unsustainable deficits is important; however, we must address these issues in morally responsible ways that give priority to poor and vulnerable people. As the Catholic bishops of the U.S. and CRS have repeatedly stated, our nation should resolve our fiscal crisis by considering all options, including increased revenue, cuts to unnecessary military and other spending, and just and fair entitlement reform.
Your vocal support for lifesaving international assistance over the last several years has prevented cuts and even restored funding. Your voice is now needed again. Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to support poverty-focused international assistance. |
Immigration Reform
House Leadership Seeks Immigration Compromise
During a caucus of the House majority, leadership in the House of Representatives sought to find consensus on a pathway forward for comprehensive immigration reform. Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, indicated that the bill passed by the Senate on a bipartisan vote would not be brought to the floor of the House due to a lack of support.
The major sticking-point in House negotiations remains a pathway to citizenship for the approximately 11 million individuals who came to this country without proper documentation. While included in the Senate bill, many House members have stated their opposition to this provision, while others would limit it to only those who came to America as minors.
It appears likely that the House will take up a series of legislative proposals related to immigration reform and border enforcement, rather than a single comprehensive bill such as the one passed by the Senate. This debate is occurring as new polls show a continued increase in the number of Americans who would like to see immigration increased.
Send a message to your House Representative with the message:
I am a concerned constituent and agree with the U.S.
Catholic bishops that the U.S. immigration system is
broken and is in need of repair.
I ask that this year you support immigration reform
legislation that keeps immigrant families together,
adopts smart and humane enforcement policies,
and ensures that immigrants without legal status
register with the government and begin a path toward
citizenship. Our families and communities cannot wait!
- See more at: http://www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/mailapp/#sthash.FxiM2iJB.dpuf. |
Do you have an interest in global issues?
Are you looking for new knowledge and
a new way to become more involved in peacemaking?
Join the Council on Global Solidarity!
Meet exciting people.
Make a difference.
Next meeting: Monday, Sept. 16 1:30 PM
Center for Pastoral Leadership
28700 Euclid Avenue
Wickliffe, OH 44092
For more information,email Kelly Davis at kdavis@clevelandcatholiccharities.org.
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