Our response to injustice calls us to personal and social transformation
We see spirituality and justice as one and commit ourselves to live this out in all our relationships. Systemic evils deprive people of their intrinsic rights and working to help restore these rights is the work of justice.
Information from the Office of Peace, Justice and
the Integrity of Creation
If you would like to receive the JPIC updates in email form from the Office of Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY, please click here to open the form. Or if you are interested in joining our Justice, Earth Matters, Racial Justice Working Group Committees or Non-Violence Reflection Group, contact S. Susan at jpic@csjbrentwood.org.
Laudato Si’ Week
May 17-23, 2021
Laudato Si’ Week began as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ world-changing papal encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home.” The General Program and events can be found here.
US Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph
Thursday May 13 6pm
Join the U.S. Federation and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) for a Teach-In on money, tomatoes, and power. Hear CIW talk about their long fight for Fair Food and how you can support them today. As some may recall, we have a long standing relationship with the CIW including their work being the center of our advocacy at Event 2016. We’re excited to continue our support of their important work. Register for the event here. The event is free but any donations we receive will go directly to the speakers and the CIW fund. This will directly go to programs that help workers during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, which has disproportionately affected the community.
The event will cover:
Historical conditions and abuse that farmworkers experienced in Immokalee, FL in the 1990s
Taking it to the growers, CIW pressures farm owners to end abuse in their farms
The Campaign for Fair Food: Taking it to the corporations. CIW pressures multi-billion dollar buyers by educating consumers on the abuses within corporate supply chains
The launch of the Fair Food Program
Where are we today? Their current campaign and what are the conditions for farmworkers today, outside of the Fair Food Program
Worker-Driven Social Responsibility Model: the most effective social responsibility program for eliminating abuse in corporate supply chains
Call to action: how can you support farmworker justice today?
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops-Justice For Immigrants
Update on Unaccompanied Children
Over the last few weeks, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported a significant drop in the number of unaccompanied children in its custody. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has also stated that the average time children are spending in CBP custody before being transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has gone from an average of 130 hours to 20. As of May 4, 2021, there are 22,174 unaccompanied children in HHS custody. This week, the agency announced that it would be evaluating the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, NC as a potential site for a new temporary influx facility.
U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Welcomes Revised Refugee Admissions Cap
On May 3, 2021, the Biden Administration announced that it will increase the number of refugees who can be resettled in the United States during the current fiscal year to 62,500. In response to the announcement, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a statement, saying, “The updated refugee admissions cap is a step in the right direction to help those who need it most.” Read the full statement here.
Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations
Bishop Dorsonville sent a letter to legislators on behalf of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, which outlines the Committee’s funding priorities for programs that are crucial for immigrants, refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, survivors of torture, and victims of human trafficking. This includes support for more immigration judges, increased funding for the Legal Orientation Program, and the establishment of a Refugee and Entrant Assistance (REA) Contingency Fund.
Infrastructure Package: American Jobs Plan
Bishop Dorsonville, along with the chairmen of other USCCB committees, sent a letter to members of Congress highlighting a variety of policies that could be included in legislation on infrastructure “…urges a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, undocumented essential workers, and unauthorized agricultural workers, among other requests.”
US House Resolution 6 and 1603
USCCB/MRS recently joined other organizations, including the National Immigration Forum and New American Economy, in a letter to senators on the need to pass legislation related to Dreamers, TPS holders, and agricultural workers. This follows bipartisan passage of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, and H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, by the House in March, both of which were endorsed by the USCCB.
Catholics Encouraged to Mark National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea on May 22
Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria, Texas, episcopal promoter of Stella Maris in the United States, is encouraging dioceses to mark the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea on May 22, 2021. The day is intended to remember the men and women seafarers.