June kicks off summer for many in the Northern Hemisphere. The season brings increasingly hot temperatures, drought, and often fires, such as the Canadian wildfire that shrouded the east coast of the United States in smoke recently. These seemingly annual events serve as seasonal reminders of the importance of integral ecology and finding ways to combat climate change. On a positive note, summer is also often a time of reflection, and we invite you to take part in our JPIC webinar on restorative justice and investigate the WholeMakers curriculum (both linked below). | |
Webinar | Restorative Justice: Principles and Applications | |
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July 11, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET | Online
Join CMSM for an overview of restorative justice and its applications, especially in regard to the criminal justice system in the United States. Our three panelists - Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy of Catholic Mobilizing Network, Judge Tom Donnelly of the Catholic Criminal Justice Reform Network, and Fr. David Kelly, CPPS of the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation - will reflect on the symbiosis between restorative approaches/processes with Catholic Social Teaching, share some of its applications in their respective work, and reflect on the outcomes achieved by that approach.
Register here.
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WholeMakers Curriculum for Integral Ecology | |
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Wholemakers is a new integral ecology curriculum designed for young adults, blending climate science and Catholic teachings. It is comprised of 10 sessions that aim to empower participants to be catalysts for positive change as encouraged by Pope Francis. Created by and for young adults, the curriculum is adaptable for various settings including high schools, college campuses, and parish small groups, and may be of interest to religious communities working in these areas. It offers tracks centered on Spirituality & Ecology, Sustainability & Simple Living, and Social Action & Civic Love. This curriculum is sponsored by Catholic Climate Covenant and Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, with contributions from the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth and the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center in Seattle, WA.
Read more here.
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Protecting Children Online: USCCB and Stanford Study Urge Measures to Combat Exploitation | |
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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has written a letter to Congress emphasizing the importance of legislation and safeguards to protect children from the harmful effects of pornography and online exploitation. Their concerns align with the conclusions of a recent study from the Stanford Internet Observatory that highlights the causes and conditions contributing to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and calls for technical countermeasures, education, and support services to address this problem. Both the USCCB's letter and the study recognize that minors cannot meaningfully consent to their involvement in explicit material and stress the need to protect children from potential harm and exploitation online.
The Stanford study identifies major social media platforms as significant carriers of CSAM activity and calls for an industry-wide initiative involving social media platforms, file sharing services, merchants, and payment providers to limit the production, discovery, advertisement, and distribution of such material. The USCCB's letter echoes this call for collaboration and suggests that legislation should prevent abuse by predators and help provide parents with the ability to safeguard their children.
Both the study and the USCCB's letter raise concerns about the current enforcement regime regarding CSAM, highlighting weaknesses in the existing statutory and law enforcement framework. They emphasize the need for law enforcement agencies and child-serving professionals to have adequate resources to identify and remove child pornography from the internet. Furthermore, they call for greater attention and resources to combat CSAM, including proactive identification and triage of such material.
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1 Year Anniversary of Dobbs Decision
The Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v Wade will mark a 1-year anniversary on June 24. Bishop Michael Burbidge, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, released a statement emphasizing that more work needs to be done, including “radical solidarity with women facing an unexpected or challenging pregnancy.”
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Papal Envoy to Ukraine meets with President Zelenskyy, concludes 'intense' visit
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Pope Francis' envoy to Ukraine, concluded a two-day visit to Kyiv, which included a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussions focused on the suffering of the Ukrainian people due to the ongoing war. The visit aimed to assess humanitarian needs and explore paths towards a just and lasting peace. Cardinal Zuppi held a cordial meeting with President Zelenskyy, where they discussed the situation in Ukraine and the importance of joint efforts and diplomatic pressure on Russia for a peaceful resolution. Cardinal Zuppi has strong ties to the peace-building community Sant'Egidio and has been involved in peace negotiations in various countries. The visit also included visits to Bucha, where Zuppi prayed at the graves of civilians massacred by Russian troops, and discussions with the Ukrainian Parliament's human rights commissioner and representatives of religious organizations. The mission aims to create a favorable climate for mediation and contribute to a peaceful solution, according to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Read more here.
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Laudato Si' Week
The Nicaraguan dictatorship recently took control of a Catholic school in San Sebastián de Yalí. The St. Louise de Marillac Technical Institute, administered by the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Louise de Marillac, was occupied by police on May 29. The regime claimed that they needed to review the school's documentation as justification for the takeover. The small school, known for its long history and reputation, has around 100 enrolled students. The community residents spoke highly of the nuns, who have been supportive and dedicated to helping the poor. Unfortunately, three foreign nuns may face deportation soon. Nicaraguan lawyer Martha Patricia Molina warned that the seizure of the school is likely a precursor to its expropriation by the dictatorship. The report also highlights numerous attacks on the Church by the regime over the past five years, including the imprisonment of Bishop Rolando Álvarez and the expulsion of 32 nuns from the country, among other incidents.
Read more here.
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Pope Francis and Ukraine's President Zelensky Meet at Vatican
Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky visited the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Francis. The leaders discussed the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine due to the ongoing war. Pope Francis assured Zelensky of his prayers and emphasized the need for continued humanitarian aid and gestures of humanity towards the innocent victims of the conflict. They exchanged gifts, with the Pope giving Zelensky a bronze sculpture symbolizing peace and various books, while Zelensky presented a bulletproof plate artwork and a painting on the killing of children during conflict. After meeting with the Pope, Zelensky also had a meeting with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to discuss bilateral issues and the life of the Catholic Church in Ukraine. The Pope and the Ukrainian President have had several telephone calls since the start of the war, with the Pope expressing concern and sorrow for the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Read more here.
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Petition in Mexico Demands Religious Freedom, Protection of Priests and Church
Actívate, a Mexican platform, submitted 10,400 signatures to the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) urging the creation of a protocol to protect religious freedom and combat attacks on Catholic priests, laypeople, and churches. The petition specifically calls for guidelines on responding to acts of violence against churches and religious leaders. It also demands that authorities receive training on protecting this fundamental human right and that the protocol outline measures to address human rights violations. The CNDH is an independent public agency in Mexico tasked with defending and promoting human rights enshrined in the country's constitution and international treaties. Representatives from Actívate, Uriel Esqueda and Hugo Rico, called for improved efforts by authorities to safeguard citizens and religious leaders of all faiths, enabling them to worship and carry out their ministries without fear. Recent data reveals that 63 priests were murdered in Mexico between 1990 and 2022, with nine priests killed during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's current six-year term. Numerous churches have also faced theft, desecration, and assaults in different regions of the country.
Read more here.
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- Webinar Series – Root Causes of Migration
- June 28, 2:00 pm EA: “Make Peace, Not War: The Role of Conflict in Displacement”
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Read more here.
- July 26, 2:00 pm EA: “Why Migrate? The Underlying Economic Pushes and Pulls that Drive Migration”
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Read more here.
- Laudato Si Action Platform
- July 6, 8:00 am ET: “Care for Creation is Care for Human Health” (Webinar)
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Read More here.
- Restorative Justice Webinar
- July 11, 3:00 pm ET
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Register here.
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