WASHINGTON— Expressing concern over proposed federal budget cuts in the
Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, the heads of two
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committees and the president of
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) sent letters to Congress on February 14,
reminding elected officials that “decisions on how to allocate
opportunities and burdens in setting budget priorities are more than
economic policies — they are significant moral choices.”
On the international side, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, chairman of
the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Ken Hackett,
president Catholic Relief Services, said in a joint letter that
“[e]specially in a time of austerity and fiscal restraints, the poor have a
special moral claim on limited financial resources.” According to an
analysis by USCCB and CRS, the proposed Continuing Resolution makes over
26% in cuts for poverty-focused international assistance, but only 2.6% in
cuts overall.
“Shared sacrifice is one thing; it is another to make disproportionate cuts
in programs that serve the most vulnerable,” said Bishop Hubbard and
Hackett in the letter. “It is morally unacceptable for our nation to
balance its budget on the backs of the poor at home and abroad.”
The Church leaders said international assistance is an essential tool to
promote human life and dignity, advance solidarity with poorer nations, and
enhance security throughout the world. The letter warned that many of the
proposed funding reductions will disrupt existing programs mid-stream,
undermining their impact, the capacity of local partners, and ultimately
the moral credibility of United States. The letter also welcomed the
restoration of the Mexico City Policy that prohibits funding groups that
perform or promote abortion and the denial of funding to the U.N.
Population Fund which supports a program of coerced abortion and
involuntary sterilization in China, but noted that the Continuing
Resolution also makes dramatic cuts that are life-threatening.
In a separate letter, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California,
chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development,
called on Congress to place the needs of the poor, the unemployed, the
hungry, and other vulnerable people first, in setting priorities in the
Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, saying “[a] moral
measure of the budget is how it treats “the least of these” at all stages
of life from conception until natural death.”
Citing the call for major reductions in non-security related programs that
serve the poor and vulnerable, Bishop Blaire said, “In a time of economic
crisis, the poor and vulnerable are in greater need of assistance, not
less. Preserving the national security of the country is without doubt
imperative, but we cannot secure the nation while at the same time
furthering the insecurity of the poor and vulnerable in our midst.”
Bishop Blaire called for “reasonable solutions and strategies to address
the federal deficit that will ensure stability and security for future
generations” while advocating for “a balanced approach that is just and
works to preserve the well-being of poor and vulnerable people.” He also
said, “decisions should be made that not only reflect a commitment to
national and long term fiscal security but demonstrate justice, compassion
and fairness. Our plea, then, is simple: Put the poor and vulnerable first
as you consider how to spend limited federal resources.”
Among the main concerns highlighted by Bishop Blaire in his letter are the
proposed cuts to funding for Community Health Centers,affordable housing
programs, job training programs, and critical refugee funding. The letter
also welcomed the bill’s retention of all appropriations riders against
abortion funding, and its restoration of a consistent ban on such funding
in the District of Columbia.
More than 300 Catholic leaders, in Washington for the 2011 Catholic Social
Ministry Gathering (February 13-16), will take the bishops’ message to
Capitol Hill on February 15 in a day of visits to their U.S.
representatives and senators lifting up the needs of the poor and
vulnerable.
Full text of both letters follows.
February 14, 2011
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic
Relief Services (CRS), the relief and development agency of the Catholic
Church in the United States, urge you to preserve poverty-focused
development and humanitarian assistance. Especially in a time of austerity
and fiscal restraints, the poor have a special moral claim on limited
financial resources.
The proposed Continuing Resolution makes over 26% in cuts for
poverty-focused international assistance, but only 2.6% in cuts overall.
Shared sacrifice is one thing; it is another to make disproportionate cuts
in programs that serve the most vulnerable. It is morally unacceptable for
our nation to balance its budget on the backs of the poor at home and
abroad.
We need to give particular priority to programs that protect the poor, who
are the least able to cope with budget cuts. Priority poverty-focused
development and humanitarian assistance accounts in the FY 2011 President’s
request total $20.25 billion, only 0.6% of the federal budget and only
one-third of all U.S. international assistance to the developing world.
(See chart for detailed list of poverty-focused accounts supported by USCCB
and CRS.)
The Church views international assistance as an essential tool to promote
human life and dignity, advance solidarity with poorer nations, and enhance
security throughout the world. Foreign assistance is not simply an
optional commitment; it is a moral responsibility to assist “the least of
these.” For over 50 years, Catholic Relief Services has partnered with the
United States Government to implement some of these priority programs. CRS
knows from experience how effectively they can save lives and help the poor
achieve their human potential.
These priority programs support a wide range of life-saving and
dignity-preserving activities, including: agricultural assistance to poor
farmers; drugs for people living with HIV and tuberculosis; cost-effective
vaccines for preventable diseases; assistance to orphans and vulnerable
children; mosquito nets to prevent malaria; food aid for famines,
emergencies, and development; emergency health care, shelter, and
reconstruction in disaster-devastated places like Haiti; peacekeepers to
protect innocent civilians such as in Sudan and the Congo; assistance to
migrants and refugees fleeing conflict or persecution; and debt relief for
poor nations.
Cuts at the level being considered will result in the loss of innocent
lives: persons with HIV no longer able to access life-saving
anti-retroviral medications; refugees and victims of natural disaster
succumbing to starvation and hunger-related illnesses; and poor families
unable to grow what they need to survive. These funding reductions will
also disrupt existing programs mid-stream, which undermines the impact of
the program, the capacity of local partners, and ultimately the moral
credibility of United States.
Instead of these proposed cuts, we urge Congress to find resources
elsewhere, in programs that do not serve the poorest persons and
communities. Even within accounts not on the attached list, however, great
care to protect the poor must be taken. For example, in the Economic
Support Fund, assistance for Sudan and Haiti and other poverty-focused
programs must be retained. In addition, the civilian capacity at the U.S.
Agency for International Development requires the full support necessary to
effectively carry out these programs.
We do strongly approve of this bill’s restoration of the Mexico City Policy
against funding groups that perform or promote abortion, and its denial of
funding to the U.N. Population Fund which supports a program of coerced
abortion and involuntary sterilization in China. Unfortunately, the
Continuing Resolution also makes dramatic cuts that are life-threatening.
In times of fiscal restraint, shared sacrifice demands that the entire
budget be examined, including defense. As the bishops of the United States
said in 2011, “Maintaining a strong military is only one component of our
national security. A much broader, long-term understanding of security is
needed. In a world where one-fifth of the population survives on less than
$1 per day, where some twenty countries are involved in major armed
conflict, and where poverty, corruption, and repressive regimes bring
untold suffering to millions of people, we simply cannot remain
indifferent. … Our nation must join with others in addressing policies and
problems that provide fertile ground in which terrorism can thrive.”
At a minimum, we urge you to restore funding to the poverty-focused
development and humanitarian assistance accounts on the attached list back
to the FY 2011 request level. USCCB and CRS are committed to working with
the Congress to meet the U.S. imperative to preserve poverty-focused
international assistance to improve the lives of those in greatest need.
Our commitment to human life and dignity demands no less.
Sincerely yours,
Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard Ken Hackett
Bishop of Albany
President
Chairman,
Catholic Relief Services
Committee on International Justice and Peace
---
February 14, 2011
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we
call on Congress to place the needs of the poor, the unemployed, the
hungry, and other vulnerable people first, in setting priorities in the
Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Appropriations Resolution. Decisions on how to
allocate opportunities and burdens in setting budget priorities are more
than economic policies -- they are significant moral choices. Meeting
essential human needs is a compelling ethical and fiscal priority. The
health, stability and well being of our nation depend on these decisions. A
moral measure of the budget is how it treats “the least of these” at all
stages of life from conception until natural death.
Current proposals call for drastic reductions in non-security related
programs that serve the poor and vulnerable. In a time of economic crisis,
the poor and vulnerable are in greater need of assistance, not less.
Preserving the national security of the country is without doubt
imperative, but we cannot secure the nation while at the same time
furthering the insecurity of the poor and vulnerable in our midst.
We support reasonable solutions and strategies to address the federal
deficit that will ensure stability and security for future generations.
However, we advocate for a balanced approach that is just and works to
preserve the well-being of poor and vulnerable people. Congress should
adopt a spending plan for the remainder of FY 2011 that ensures adequate
funding for programs that offer opportunity and help to the poor, children,
seniors, and people with disabilities and other vulnerable persons.
Congress should help to alleviate the burden of the vulnerable, not make it
worse.
The need to protect life is clear in decisions on whether to use public
funds to attack innocent human life- and in this regard we welcome the
bill’s retention of all appropriations riders against abortion funding, and
its restoration of a consistent ban on such funding in the District of
Columbia.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference offers examples of possible considerations
that reflect some of our concerns with the proposed plan:
The USCCB calls on Congress to work to ensure adequate health care
coverage to those in need. The proposed $1 billion cut to Community
Health Centers will deny health care to nearly ten million poor and
vulnerable people including mothers and children at risk. These
centers are often the only access to health care for tens of millions
of people in our country.
The bishops affirm their long-standing position that safe, affordable
and decent housing is a human right. At a time of record
foreclosures, increasing homelessness and rising housing costs, the
proposed cut of $2.3 billion to affordable housing programs is not
justifiable in light of the housing crisis for low and moderate
income families.
Reducing job training programs by a proposed $1.75 billion does not
make sense at a time of high unemployment and low job creation.
Further, this will prolong the economic pain of the very people
seeking adequate training to re-enter the job market. Many of those
most affected by job loss are less-skilled workers who need
additional training and skill development to re-enter the workforce.
Congress must ensure funding for and support efforts to strengthen
and improve these quality training programs with successful outcomes.
We are deeply concerned by cuts in FY 2011 refugee funding that the
bill would make. More specifically, the bill would cut available
funding in FY 2011 for domestic refugee resettlement programs
operated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of
Refugee Resettlement (ORR) by $77 million, or 10.5 percent relative
to FY 2010 appropriations. And it would cut funding for refugee
admissions and overseas refugee assistance programs in the Migration
and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account that is operated by the
Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
(PRM) by $827 million, or 44.8 percent, relative to FY 2010
appropriations. USCCB believes that cuts to these accounts, which
have been historically under-funded, would have a devastating effect
on refugees, Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa recipients,
victims of torture and trafficking, unaccompanied alien children, and
other vulnerable populations served by PRM, ORR, and the communities
across the country that welcome these populations.
As you consider the FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Bill, we urge
you, at a minimum, to maintain the funding for the MRA and ORR
accounts at the FY 2010 total enacted level. To do otherwise would
have a devastating impact on those displaced persons around the world
who are almost entirely dependent on the international system for
life-saving assistance, as well as to those who we have offered the
life-saving assistance of admission to the United States.
The spending choices of Congress have clear moral and human dimensions;
they reflect our values as a people. We are not policy makers, but pastors
and teachers. But, we remind Congress that the poor and vulnerable have a
priority claim on our limited, although still substantive, financial
resources. In efforts to pass a responsible spending resolution for the
remainder of FY 2011, decisions should be made that not only reflect a
commitment to national and long term fiscal security but demonstrate
justice, compassion and fairness. Our plea, then, is simple: Put the poor
and vulnerable first as you consider how to spend limited federal
resources.
Sincerely,
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire
Diocese of Stockton
Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice
and Human Development
Showing posts with label CRS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CRS. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Caritas Aid Pours in to Haiti
Real Strength Is Network of Parishes, Says Director
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, JAN. 18, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- Aid from the Church continues pouring into Haiti, where rescue workers are still finding scattered survivors under the rubble from Tuesday's 7.0 earthquake.
As the catastrophe nears its week anniversary, the network of Caritas Internationalis has been able to begin meeting some of the vast needs. Rescuers from Caritas found three victims alive on Saturday, another three on Sunday.
The estimated number of casualties is now at 200,000, though the majority of victims' bodies are still trapped beneath the chaos of fallen buildings.
Caritas organizations are running two mobile operating rooms and working on six mobile clinics. They've sent thousands of blankets, tents, water cans and purification tablets. Twenty trucks of aid arrived in Port-au-Prince on Sunday.
An emergency clinic is being flown in from Holland, complete with a surgeon and six technical staff for installing water purifying installations and seven water purifying installations.
Thirty-four tons of aid will be flown into Haiti from Germany on Tuesday.
"The real strength of Caritas is its network of parishes that gives us direct contact with communities and a point from which we can provide help," said Alistair Dutton, Humanitarian Director for Caritas Internationalis, who is leading the international coordination of the Caritas aid agencies response from Port-au-Prince.
Distribution
But one problem is getting aid in; another is getting it into the hands of hungry, thirsty Haitians.
Up to three million people are in need of help.
Caritas communications officer Michelle Hough recorded in her blog from Haiti on Sunday the difficulties simply getting from one place to another.
"We travel with a Caritas assessment team to Petit Goave, a small town 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Port-au-Prince in the afternoon," she wrote. "It takes us over two hours. In some places the road has massive holes and cracks. It’s tough going in a jeep, I can’t imagine how aid trucks will manage."
Hough noted how the media have made much of insecurity on the island: "As for insecurity, apart from the gunshots last night there has been no indication of violence. Looking at the faces of the people in Port-au-Prince, they are in shock and haven’t even begun to come to terms with what has happened."
NOTE: Please visit Catholic Relief Services for more information
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, JAN. 18, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- Aid from the Church continues pouring into Haiti, where rescue workers are still finding scattered survivors under the rubble from Tuesday's 7.0 earthquake.
As the catastrophe nears its week anniversary, the network of Caritas Internationalis has been able to begin meeting some of the vast needs. Rescuers from Caritas found three victims alive on Saturday, another three on Sunday.
The estimated number of casualties is now at 200,000, though the majority of victims' bodies are still trapped beneath the chaos of fallen buildings.
Caritas organizations are running two mobile operating rooms and working on six mobile clinics. They've sent thousands of blankets, tents, water cans and purification tablets. Twenty trucks of aid arrived in Port-au-Prince on Sunday.
An emergency clinic is being flown in from Holland, complete with a surgeon and six technical staff for installing water purifying installations and seven water purifying installations.
Thirty-four tons of aid will be flown into Haiti from Germany on Tuesday.
"The real strength of Caritas is its network of parishes that gives us direct contact with communities and a point from which we can provide help," said Alistair Dutton, Humanitarian Director for Caritas Internationalis, who is leading the international coordination of the Caritas aid agencies response from Port-au-Prince.
Distribution
But one problem is getting aid in; another is getting it into the hands of hungry, thirsty Haitians.
Up to three million people are in need of help.
Caritas communications officer Michelle Hough recorded in her blog from Haiti on Sunday the difficulties simply getting from one place to another.
"We travel with a Caritas assessment team to Petit Goave, a small town 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Port-au-Prince in the afternoon," she wrote. "It takes us over two hours. In some places the road has massive holes and cracks. It’s tough going in a jeep, I can’t imagine how aid trucks will manage."
Hough noted how the media have made much of insecurity on the island: "As for insecurity, apart from the gunshots last night there has been no indication of violence. Looking at the faces of the people in Port-au-Prince, they are in shock and haven’t even begun to come to terms with what has happened."
NOTE: Please visit Catholic Relief Services for more information
COR UNUM: 12 Aid Centers in Haiti
COR UNUM: TWELVE AID CENTRES IN HAITI
VATICAN CITY , 19 JAN 2010 ( VIS ) - The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" released the following English-language communique late yesterday:
"In light of the request of the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' that Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian agency of the Bishops of the United States, co-ordinate the Church's relief efforts in Haiti at this stage, CRS has been holding on-site meetings with the Haitian Episcopal Conference, the apostolic nuncio and several foreign Catholic charitable agencies, now operating in Port-au-Prince, to asses and respond to the disaster.
"The group initiated immediately the provision of food, water, clothing, shelter and medical aid for the displaced survivors in informal camps. Twelve sites have now been jointly determined as distribution points for further provision with security and operational assessments already undertaken. Personnel and supplies from neighbouring Santo Domingo and other nations continue to arrive through a variety of Catholic aid organisations.
"As with previous disasters, the concrete generosity of Churches, institutions and individuals worldwide is again being manifested. The needs and challenges remain significant, particularly on the level of movement of goods and people and security, and are likely to grow as the effects of the earthquake in and beyond Port-au-Prince become increasingly evident".
CON-CU/EARTHQUAKE/HAITI VIS 100119 (210)
NOTE: If you would like to donate to assist Catholic Relief Services in their work, visit our website www.ccdoy.org for on line donation and more information. Thanks Brian
VATICAN CITY , 19 JAN 2010 ( VIS ) - The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" released the following English-language communique late yesterday:
"In light of the request of the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' that Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian agency of the Bishops of the United States, co-ordinate the Church's relief efforts in Haiti at this stage, CRS has been holding on-site meetings with the Haitian Episcopal Conference, the apostolic nuncio and several foreign Catholic charitable agencies, now operating in Port-au-Prince, to asses and respond to the disaster.
"The group initiated immediately the provision of food, water, clothing, shelter and medical aid for the displaced survivors in informal camps. Twelve sites have now been jointly determined as distribution points for further provision with security and operational assessments already undertaken. Personnel and supplies from neighbouring Santo Domingo and other nations continue to arrive through a variety of Catholic aid organisations.
"As with previous disasters, the concrete generosity of Churches, institutions and individuals worldwide is again being manifested. The needs and challenges remain significant, particularly on the level of movement of goods and people and security, and are likely to grow as the effects of the earthquake in and beyond Port-au-Prince become increasingly evident".
CON-CU/EARTHQUAKE/HAITI VIS 100119 (210)
NOTE: If you would like to donate to assist Catholic Relief Services in their work, visit our website www.ccdoy.org for on line donation and more information. Thanks Brian
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Interview with Vatican Official All Eyes on Haiti
All Eyes on Haiti
Interview With Cardinal Cordes of Cor Unum
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 16, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- As disaster strikes Haiti, the eyes of the world are being directed toward the poorest country of the Western world, whose long suffering has long been forgotten, says Cardinal Josef Cordes.
The president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum spoke with ZENIT about the aftermath of the 7.0-magnitude quake that hit the country Tuesday, and destroyed its capital of Port-au-Prince.
In this interview the cardinal discusses the damage done to the country, as well as what will be needed to help Haiti in the days, months and years ahead.
ZENIT: What do you know about the damage of the earthquake?
Cardinal Cordes: Initial communication was difficult, but we are beginning to receive reports from Catholic agencies working directly on the scene, such as Catholic Relief Services (the international relief and development agency of the U.S. bishops), national Caritas representatives being sent to Haiti by their bishops, Cross International Catholic Outreach, St. Vincent de Paul Confederation.
Certain facts are known through the media (loss of life, homes, etc). More specifically for us, it was the apostolic nuncio in Santo Domingo who had the first contact via e-mail with Archbishop Bernardito Auza, apostolic nuncio in Haiti. Archbishop Auza is informing us about the losses to the Church, both in terms of life and structural damage. The archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Joseph Serge-Miot, whom he described as "good" and "always smiling," was killed as he was thrown from his balcony by the force of the earthquake. Other priests, religious and at least nine seminarians have been buried under the rubble. The cathedral, chancery, and all of the parish churches have been destroyed. Archbishop Auza is visiting Catholic and other establishments, many of them ruined, to express the closeness of the Church and Holy Father.
ZENIT: What is the immediate need?
Cardinal Cordes: Every natural catastrophe is unique, but our long experience of previous disasters (e.g. Tsunami, Katrina) shows two distinct phases:
-- Short-term: manpower is needed to save lives, provide the basic necessities (water, food, shelter, prevention of disease), restore order;
-- Long-term: reconstruction, offering spiritual and psychological help, especially when media attention fades away.
Benedict XVI has called on all people of good will to be generous and concrete in their response in order to meet the immediate needs of our suffering brothers and sisters in Haiti (General Audience, Jan. 13, 2010). It is important that we are giving tangible help through the charitable agencies of the Catholic Church. Much is being organized and encouraged in this regard throughout the world.
For example, the episcopal conference of Italy has set Jan. 24 as a day of prayer and charity for the people of Haiti. The national embassies to the Holy See are organizing the sacrifice of the Holy Mass to be offered for our suffering brothers and sisters. We must remember to intercede through prayer and not only money for the suffering of Haiti.
ZENIT: What is being done concretely by the Holy See/Pontifical Council Cor Unum?
Cardinal Cordes: In his appeal for assistance, Benedict XVI asked specifically that the Catholic Church mobilize herself at once through her charitable institutions. Several Catholic organizations have already begun working, offering especially personnel with expertise at this stage (e.g. the national Caritas of Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Austria, the Order of Malta). Cross International Catholic Outreach is at work through its office in Port-au-Prince. We are receiving daily updates from them all.
Whenever a situation like this arises, it is the custom for one agency to coordinate relief efforts. To this end, in the hours following the earthquake, our Pontifical Council was in direct contact with Catholic Relief Services. We asked that it coordinate the response at this stage in view of the 300 plus staff it has in Haiti, its long history of over 50 years in the country, as well as its expertise in dealing with similar disasters worldwide and its resources. The President of CRS has assured us: "We stand committed and ready to inform and coordinate the response of the Church in whatever way possible so that her response may be an effective sign of God's love."
We know from the apostolic nuncio in Haiti that meetings are taking place with CRS and Caritas Haiti at the Nunciature in Port-au-Prince in order that the urgent local needs are addressed. It is essential that the local Church be heard. To this end, we are pleased that those Haitian bishops, who have been able to travel, have been present at these meetings.
ZENIT: How much does people's faith help them through a catastrophe such as this?
Cardinal Cordes: The faith of the people who have suffered in this disaster will play a critical role in not only bringing relief to their physical injuries and losses, but also in addressing the spiritual dimension and meaning to be found in such a catastrophe. In visiting disaster areas before and talking with survivors, many express their gratitude to God for sparing their lives and for the generous outpouring of assistance made available to them by family, friends, neighbors, and Churches worldwide. Because of the large Catholic population (80% of Haitians are Catholics), faith and the concrete presence/witness of the Church will have a very important role in the present tragedy.
Our Pontifical Council Cor Unum had already planned that the next meeting of the Populorum Progressio Foundation would take place in Santo Domingo this coming July. The foundation, established by Pope John Paul II, is to help the indigenous peoples of the Latin American and Caribbean countries. In the past, we have given much help to Haiti and we shall continue to do so. Of course, our spiritual closeness is of primary importance. We shall be certain to celebrate the Holy Eucharist on that occasion with bishops coming from different countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Without faith, this tragedy would turn into a complete disaster. That is why it will be essential for our brothers and sisters to pray together; experience Christians worldwide sharing their burdens as members of God's family; know the compassion of our Holy Father. All these become sources of hope and energy. In His first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," Pope Benedict invites us to recall "St. Augustine who gives us faith's answer to our sufferings: 'Si comprehendis, non est Deus' -- 'if you understand him, he is not God.'" The Holy Father adds: "Even in their bewilderment and failure to understand the world around them, Christians continue to believe in the 'goodness and loving kindness of God' (Titus 3:4)" (No. 38).
ZENIT: Will good come from this tragedy?
Cardinal Cordes: This is a disaster that has caused immense loss of life and suffering. Many years will be needed for the nation to be rebuilt physically and the people to recover in their spirits. For this reason, the Church must remain present even as others move away.
But already we see good rising from the ruins. The eyes of the world are being open to the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, whose long suffering was all but forgotten. This tragedy shows that we depend on each other and must care for our suffering brothers and sisters, just as we did during the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. So we must ensure that the necessary assistance now being shown to Haiti continues in the long-term, for example through setting up better local Caritas structures and links with government development ministries of wealthier countries and help agencies.
We are witnessing and hearing of many selfless and heroic acts made to save lives and to rescue those in danger. There are still thousands of others, who, coming from all over the world and without any accolades, are dedicating themselves to helping whoever is in need. People are being moved to give of themselves spiritually and materially to help the poor and suffering. In the coming days and weeks, I am convinced that we shall encounter in the midst of this catastrophe many examples of goodness.
Above all, it is with trustworthy hope in the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus that Christians face the present. In his encyclical "Spe Salvi," Pope Benedict speaks of the sufferings of this moment being borne through hope in the future. It is not that Christians know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness: "Only when the future is certain as a positive reality does it become possible to live the present as well" (Spe Salvi No. 2).
Interview With Cardinal Cordes of Cor Unum
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 16, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- As disaster strikes Haiti, the eyes of the world are being directed toward the poorest country of the Western world, whose long suffering has long been forgotten, says Cardinal Josef Cordes.
The president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum spoke with ZENIT about the aftermath of the 7.0-magnitude quake that hit the country Tuesday, and destroyed its capital of Port-au-Prince.
In this interview the cardinal discusses the damage done to the country, as well as what will be needed to help Haiti in the days, months and years ahead.
ZENIT: What do you know about the damage of the earthquake?
Cardinal Cordes: Initial communication was difficult, but we are beginning to receive reports from Catholic agencies working directly on the scene, such as Catholic Relief Services (the international relief and development agency of the U.S. bishops), national Caritas representatives being sent to Haiti by their bishops, Cross International Catholic Outreach, St. Vincent de Paul Confederation.
Certain facts are known through the media (loss of life, homes, etc). More specifically for us, it was the apostolic nuncio in Santo Domingo who had the first contact via e-mail with Archbishop Bernardito Auza, apostolic nuncio in Haiti. Archbishop Auza is informing us about the losses to the Church, both in terms of life and structural damage. The archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Joseph Serge-Miot, whom he described as "good" and "always smiling," was killed as he was thrown from his balcony by the force of the earthquake. Other priests, religious and at least nine seminarians have been buried under the rubble. The cathedral, chancery, and all of the parish churches have been destroyed. Archbishop Auza is visiting Catholic and other establishments, many of them ruined, to express the closeness of the Church and Holy Father.
ZENIT: What is the immediate need?
Cardinal Cordes: Every natural catastrophe is unique, but our long experience of previous disasters (e.g. Tsunami, Katrina) shows two distinct phases:
-- Short-term: manpower is needed to save lives, provide the basic necessities (water, food, shelter, prevention of disease), restore order;
-- Long-term: reconstruction, offering spiritual and psychological help, especially when media attention fades away.
Benedict XVI has called on all people of good will to be generous and concrete in their response in order to meet the immediate needs of our suffering brothers and sisters in Haiti (General Audience, Jan. 13, 2010). It is important that we are giving tangible help through the charitable agencies of the Catholic Church. Much is being organized and encouraged in this regard throughout the world.
For example, the episcopal conference of Italy has set Jan. 24 as a day of prayer and charity for the people of Haiti. The national embassies to the Holy See are organizing the sacrifice of the Holy Mass to be offered for our suffering brothers and sisters. We must remember to intercede through prayer and not only money for the suffering of Haiti.
ZENIT: What is being done concretely by the Holy See/Pontifical Council Cor Unum?
Cardinal Cordes: In his appeal for assistance, Benedict XVI asked specifically that the Catholic Church mobilize herself at once through her charitable institutions. Several Catholic organizations have already begun working, offering especially personnel with expertise at this stage (e.g. the national Caritas of Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Austria, the Order of Malta). Cross International Catholic Outreach is at work through its office in Port-au-Prince. We are receiving daily updates from them all.
Whenever a situation like this arises, it is the custom for one agency to coordinate relief efforts. To this end, in the hours following the earthquake, our Pontifical Council was in direct contact with Catholic Relief Services. We asked that it coordinate the response at this stage in view of the 300 plus staff it has in Haiti, its long history of over 50 years in the country, as well as its expertise in dealing with similar disasters worldwide and its resources. The President of CRS has assured us: "We stand committed and ready to inform and coordinate the response of the Church in whatever way possible so that her response may be an effective sign of God's love."
We know from the apostolic nuncio in Haiti that meetings are taking place with CRS and Caritas Haiti at the Nunciature in Port-au-Prince in order that the urgent local needs are addressed. It is essential that the local Church be heard. To this end, we are pleased that those Haitian bishops, who have been able to travel, have been present at these meetings.
ZENIT: How much does people's faith help them through a catastrophe such as this?
Cardinal Cordes: The faith of the people who have suffered in this disaster will play a critical role in not only bringing relief to their physical injuries and losses, but also in addressing the spiritual dimension and meaning to be found in such a catastrophe. In visiting disaster areas before and talking with survivors, many express their gratitude to God for sparing their lives and for the generous outpouring of assistance made available to them by family, friends, neighbors, and Churches worldwide. Because of the large Catholic population (80% of Haitians are Catholics), faith and the concrete presence/witness of the Church will have a very important role in the present tragedy.
Our Pontifical Council Cor Unum had already planned that the next meeting of the Populorum Progressio Foundation would take place in Santo Domingo this coming July. The foundation, established by Pope John Paul II, is to help the indigenous peoples of the Latin American and Caribbean countries. In the past, we have given much help to Haiti and we shall continue to do so. Of course, our spiritual closeness is of primary importance. We shall be certain to celebrate the Holy Eucharist on that occasion with bishops coming from different countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Without faith, this tragedy would turn into a complete disaster. That is why it will be essential for our brothers and sisters to pray together; experience Christians worldwide sharing their burdens as members of God's family; know the compassion of our Holy Father. All these become sources of hope and energy. In His first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," Pope Benedict invites us to recall "St. Augustine who gives us faith's answer to our sufferings: 'Si comprehendis, non est Deus' -- 'if you understand him, he is not God.'" The Holy Father adds: "Even in their bewilderment and failure to understand the world around them, Christians continue to believe in the 'goodness and loving kindness of God' (Titus 3:4)" (No. 38).
ZENIT: Will good come from this tragedy?
Cardinal Cordes: This is a disaster that has caused immense loss of life and suffering. Many years will be needed for the nation to be rebuilt physically and the people to recover in their spirits. For this reason, the Church must remain present even as others move away.
But already we see good rising from the ruins. The eyes of the world are being open to the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, whose long suffering was all but forgotten. This tragedy shows that we depend on each other and must care for our suffering brothers and sisters, just as we did during the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. So we must ensure that the necessary assistance now being shown to Haiti continues in the long-term, for example through setting up better local Caritas structures and links with government development ministries of wealthier countries and help agencies.
We are witnessing and hearing of many selfless and heroic acts made to save lives and to rescue those in danger. There are still thousands of others, who, coming from all over the world and without any accolades, are dedicating themselves to helping whoever is in need. People are being moved to give of themselves spiritually and materially to help the poor and suffering. In the coming days and weeks, I am convinced that we shall encounter in the midst of this catastrophe many examples of goodness.
Above all, it is with trustworthy hope in the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus that Christians face the present. In his encyclical "Spe Salvi," Pope Benedict speaks of the sufferings of this moment being borne through hope in the future. It is not that Christians know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness: "Only when the future is certain as a positive reality does it become possible to live the present as well" (Spe Salvi No. 2).
Monday, September 21, 2009
USCCB, CRS GLOBAL POVERTY INITIATIVE REACHES QUARTER MILLION CATHOLICS
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) announced that they have reached over 250,000 Catholics through their Catholics Confront Global Poverty initiative, a renewed nationwide effort to address the root causes of global poverty through education and advocacy. In less than seven months, they have reached one quarter of their goal to mobilize one million Catholics.
Launched in February 2009 on the heels of Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 World Day of Peace Message on “Fighting Poverty to Build Peace,” Catholics Confront Global Poverty calls on Catholics to learn about and share the stories of those struggling to rise above extreme poverty, to pray for the poorest members of our human family, and to advocate with policy makers on behalf of poor people worldwide.
“The global financial crisis is having a devastating impact on people here and the poor around the world, and the progress that has been made could be wiped out for decades to come,” said Ken Hackett, CRS President. “In a world where an estimated 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty, the message of the Church is clear. As Catholics, we are called to help our brothers and sisters in need.”
With the release of his latest Encyclical Letter, Caritas in Veritate , Pope Benedict XVI reiterated his plea for richer nations to stand with people living in poverty and take action, especially in light of the global financial crisis.
“Through support for economically poor countries by means of financial plans inspired by solidarity … not only can true economic growth be generated, but a contribution can be made towards sustaining the productive capacities of rich countries that risk being compromised by the crisis,” said Pope Benedict.
“Pope Benedict tells us that fighting global poverty and alleviating the financial crisis are not conflicting goals,” said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace. “In fact, by serving the world’s poor, we encourage human development and create a stronger foundation for the global economy. That is just one way Catholics can make a difference as part of this initiative.”
To date, more than 250,000 Catholic individuals in parishes, schools, religious communities of men and women, and universities have been connected to grassroots efforts to raise awareness of global poverty. In addition to social networking, presentations and prayer, many of them have sent messages to and visited with their elected officials regarding key legislative issues that require attention to fight global poverty.
This grassroots advocacy is already paying off. Last July, the tremendous response from U.S. Catholics to resist cuts to the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill helped to protect funding for poverty-focused initiatives.
“This is a great example of how our advocacy work benefits those we serve overseas while at the same time providing opportunities for Catholics to act on their faith and join in the work of CRS,” Hackett said.
For more information on Catholics Confront Global Poverty, visit www.usccb.org/globalpoverty or www.crs.org/globalpoverty .
Launched in February 2009 on the heels of Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 World Day of Peace Message on “Fighting Poverty to Build Peace,” Catholics Confront Global Poverty calls on Catholics to learn about and share the stories of those struggling to rise above extreme poverty, to pray for the poorest members of our human family, and to advocate with policy makers on behalf of poor people worldwide.
“The global financial crisis is having a devastating impact on people here and the poor around the world, and the progress that has been made could be wiped out for decades to come,” said Ken Hackett, CRS President. “In a world where an estimated 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty, the message of the Church is clear. As Catholics, we are called to help our brothers and sisters in need.”
With the release of his latest Encyclical Letter, Caritas in Veritate , Pope Benedict XVI reiterated his plea for richer nations to stand with people living in poverty and take action, especially in light of the global financial crisis.
“Through support for economically poor countries by means of financial plans inspired by solidarity … not only can true economic growth be generated, but a contribution can be made towards sustaining the productive capacities of rich countries that risk being compromised by the crisis,” said Pope Benedict.
“Pope Benedict tells us that fighting global poverty and alleviating the financial crisis are not conflicting goals,” said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace. “In fact, by serving the world’s poor, we encourage human development and create a stronger foundation for the global economy. That is just one way Catholics can make a difference as part of this initiative.”
To date, more than 250,000 Catholic individuals in parishes, schools, religious communities of men and women, and universities have been connected to grassroots efforts to raise awareness of global poverty. In addition to social networking, presentations and prayer, many of them have sent messages to and visited with their elected officials regarding key legislative issues that require attention to fight global poverty.
This grassroots advocacy is already paying off. Last July, the tremendous response from U.S. Catholics to resist cuts to the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill helped to protect funding for poverty-focused initiatives.
“This is a great example of how our advocacy work benefits those we serve overseas while at the same time providing opportunities for Catholics to act on their faith and join in the work of CRS,” Hackett said.
For more information on Catholics Confront Global Poverty, visit www.usccb.org/globalpoverty or www.crs.org/globalpoverty .
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Catholic Relief Services new book: peacebuilding case studies
Pursuing Just Peace: An Overview and Case Studies for Faith-Based Peacebuilders, edited by M. Rogers, T. Bamat and J. Ideh, 2008
Pursuing Just Peace is a practical resource for Catholic Relief Services staff and its church and secular partners. It also addresses a wider community of peacebuilding practitioners and those grappling with injustice and conflict. It delves into understanding and appreciation for faith-based peacebuilding.
See: http://crs.org/publications/showpdf.cfm?pdf_id=56
Pursuing Just Peace is a practical resource for Catholic Relief Services staff and its church and secular partners. It also addresses a wider community of peacebuilding practitioners and those grappling with injustice and conflict. It delves into understanding and appreciation for faith-based peacebuilding.
See: http://crs.org/publications/showpdf.cfm?pdf_id=56
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
