| |
World Refugee Day 2016
|
|
| |
To mark World Refugee Day, celebrated June 20, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, called upon Catholics to remember that there are many different types of refugees in the world. "It is crucial that we not forget the millions of other refugees and displaced persons all around the world who have been forced from their homes and been placed in precarious situations," Bishop Elizondo said.
Much of the world's attention in recent years has been drawn to the Syrian refugee crisis and its widespread impact on the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. However, Bishop Elizondo pointed out that the increase in migration from Central America of unaccompanied migrant children and families, many of whom would likely qualify as refugees, has been an ongoing concern for the Catholic Church for years. To further tell the refugee story, USCCB social media has been running a "Refugee Faces" feature on Facebook for the month of June at https://www.facebook.com/usccb. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
What if You were a Refugee?
|
|
| |
Where will you be in 17 years? In the last two decades, a refugee's waiting time to go home has doubled. And the hope of returning wanes as each year passes. Place yourself in a refugee's life for just a moment by watching this CRS video. Will you respond to the children, women and men who have suffered, fled and are now waiting to return home-or waiting for another place to call home.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
Vatican, Bishops on Orlando Tragedy
|
|
| |
In response to the horrific shooting in Orlando on June 12, Catholic leaders from throughout the country and the world offered prayer and support, including the following:
Vatican - "The terrible massacre that has taken place in Orlando, with its dreadfully high number of innocent victims, has caused in Pope Francis, and in all of us, the deepest feelings of horror and condemnation, of pain and turmoil before this new manifestation of homicidal folly and senseless hatred. Pope Francis joins the families of the victims and all of the injured in prayer and in compassion. Sharing in their indescribable suffering he entrusts them to the Lord so they may find comfort. We all hope that ways may be found, as soon as possible, to effectively identify and contrast the causes of such terrible and absurd violence which so deeply upsets the desire for peace of the American people and of the whole of humanity."
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, USCCB President - "Waking up to the unspeakable violence in Orlando reminds us of how precious human life is. Our prayers are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this terrible act. The merciful love of Christ calls us to solidarity with the suffering and to ever greater resolve in protecting the life and dignity of every person."
Bishop John Noonan, Bishop of Orlando - "A sword has pierced the heart of our city. ... I have urged all to pray for the victims, the families and first responders. I pray that the Lord's mercy will be upon us during this time of sadness, shock and confusion. ... Jesus calls us to remain fervent in our protection of life and human dignity and to pray unceasingly for peace in our world." On June 13, Bishop Noonan led a prayer service at St. James Cathedral, just blocks from where the shooting happened.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
USCCB Decries Failure to Protect Churches from California's Abortion Mandate
|
|
| |
"It is shocking that HHS has allowed the State of California to force all employers - even churches - to fund and facilitate elective abortions in their health insurance plans. Even those who disagree on the issue of life should be able to respect the conscience rights of those who wish not to be involved in supporting abortion," Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said in a statement. Cardinal Dolan is chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Archbishop Lori chairs the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty.
"This administrative ruling fails to respect not only the rights to life and religious freedom, but also the will of Congress and the rule of law," the chairmen added. "As a remedy to the Administration's unwillingness to fulfill its responsibilities, we urge Congress to pass the Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 4828, S. 2927) and stop further discrimination against people of faith and against all who respect unborn human life."
Several churches and other religious organizations had filed complaints with the HHS Office for Civil Rights asserting that California's reinterpretation of state law violated the federal Weldon Amendment prohibiting discrimination by states against health insurance plans that do not cover abortion. The Conscience Protection Act would provide specific relief for those who decline to participate in abortion rather than relying solely upon HHS to defend their rights. For the response of the California Catholic Conference to the HHS ruling, click here.
In Washington State, a Skagit County judge ruled June 20 that the state's third-largest public hospital district, Skagit Regional Health, and Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, must perform abortions on-site. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by ACLU. This ruling only applies to public hospitals, not private ones.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
Vatican Marks Laudato Si' Anniversary with New Website
|
|
| |
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical on integral ecology, the Vatican has launched a new web page. Among the many resources it offers are several videos about the encyclical, highlights of the press conference for the release of the document, and a useful thematic guide and summary of Laudato Si'. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Death Penalty "Unacceptable"
|
|
| |
The use of the death penalty is an "unacceptable" practice that sows vengeance and does not bring justice to the victims of crime, Pope Francis said. No matter how serious the crime, to kill a convicted person is "an offense to the inviolability of life and to the dignity of the human person," as well as a contradiction of God's plan and "his merciful justice," the pope said June 21 in a video message to participants at the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty. "It does not render justice to victims, but instead fosters vengeance. The commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' has absolute value and applies both to the innocent and to the guilty," the pope said in his message to the meeting in Oslo, Norway. Visit the Vatican's website for the complete text of the Pope's message. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
How to Deal with Others
|
|
| |
Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel, no. 271) - "It is true that in our dealings with the world, we are told to give reasons for our hope, but not as an enemy who critiques and condemns. We are told quite clearly: "do so with gentleness and reverence" (1 Pet 3:15) and "if possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all" (Rom 12:18). We are also told to overcome "evil with good" (Rom 12:21) and to "work for the good of all" (Gal 6:10). Far from trying to appear better than others, we should "in humility count others better" than ourselves (Phil 2:3). The Lord's apostles themselves enjoyed "favor with all the people" (Acts 2:47; 4:21, 33; 5:13). Clearly Jesus does not want us to be grandees who look down upon others, but men and women of the people. This is not an idea of the Pope, or one pastoral option among others; they are injunctions contained in the word of God which are so clear, direct and convincing that they need no interpretations which might diminish their power to challenge us. Let us live them sine glossa, without commentaries. By so doing we will know the missionary joy of sharing life with God's faithful people as we strive to light a fire in the heart of the world."
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Washington State. |
|
|
Top
|
|
|
