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For you,
The Peace
Maker
because you care about peace and justice in our world
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Vol. 2, Issue 9 July 15, 2009
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BENEDICT ISSUES CARITAS IN VERITATE ON GLOBAL ECONOMY
Pope Benedict's new encyclical on the economy, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), "offers
something for both the political left and the right to cheer . . . and something to be grumpy
about," writes John Allen in National Catholic Reporter. Ross
Douthat, New York Times columnist, says that " For liberals and conservatives alike, Caritas
in Veritate is an invitation to think anew about their alliances and litmus tests."
It rejects a laissez-faire economic philosophy, says Allen, as well as the idea that the
economy needs a built-in "quota" of poverty and underdevelopment to function successfully. It calls for
robust government intervention in the economy and endorses labor unions. Not surprisingly,
he notes, Benedict re-states his "unyielding opposition to abortion, birth control and gay marriage",
seeing these as poor economic strategy as well as morally flawed. At the meeting between the
Pope and Barack Obama, the President reiterated his commitment to adopt polices to bring down the actual number of abortions.
After the meeting,the Pope was quoted by a Vatican spokesman as "very satisfied and content"
with how the meeting went. If you haven't yet had a chance to read the entire 30,000
word document, here are just a few additional highlights: - resist downsizing social
security systems;
- protect the earth's state of ecological health;
- lower
domestic energy consumption in developed nations;
- greater investment in education;
- more generous immigration policies;
- reform the UN and international
institutions of economics and finance to promote a true world political authority -- with real teeth.
REAL HEALTH
CARE REFORM THIS YEAR? YES WE CAN! A variety of efforts are being made to get word to the Congress
that a public option is a necessity for any effective health care reform.
Unions and professional
organizations and community groups throughout the country are travelling to Washington to talk to Congressmen
and Senators. MoveOn organized local rallies across the country. On Long Island such a rally was held at the Melville offices
of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to thank them for their support of real health care reform.
This weekend Organizing
For America has groups across the country (locally, in Long Beach) getting signatures on petitions. The
Long Island Progressive Coalition is participating in a nationwide day on July 28 organized by Health Care for America
Now. For information, contact jonathan@lipc.org Recently Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy testified before Congress: "The moral measure
of any health care reform proposal is whether it offers affordable and accessible health care to all, beginning with those
most in need." LONG ISLAND'S WORLD MARCH IS ON FACE BOOK; CHECK IT OUT!
Information on Long
Island participation in the World March for Peace and Non-Violence is now posted on Facebook. To see what local
groups are doing, go to http://tinyurl.com/marchfpn The World March will be in the
New York City area at the end of November. Plans are being made to go in to the city as a Long Island group.
During the weekends of October, local groups are participating by planning special activities -- or doing a usual activity
but tying it in to the World March.
ANOTHER TRIP TO PA. TO SHUT DOWN MALL MILITARY RECRUITING
Long Islanders are going again to Franklin Mills Mall, near
Philadelphia, to join in on-going protest against the Army Experience Center, an elaborate recruiting center in a shopping
mall. It features a Humvee, a tank, an Apache helicopter, and a chance for kids to play war "games"
with these as well as on computers. (To see the AEC, Google: The Army Experience.)
The protest will be September 12, at 2PM. (Leaving Long Island at 9AM, returning early evening.) For
information, or to join in, contact Suffolk Peace Network: 631-875-8647.
Franklin Mills Mall is operated by Simon Properties, which operates four malls on Long Island. To send
a message to Simon Properties not to bring such a center here, Veterans for Peace-LI is considering a demonstration at SmithHaven
Mall, August 2, noon to 2PM, on Route 25, outside the mall. For more information, contact 631-875-8647. CATHOLICS IN ALLIANCE FOUNDER NAMED FAITH-BASED DIRECTOR
Alexia Kelley, founding
Executive Director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, was named Director of Faith-Based and Neighborhood
Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She had co-founded Catholics in Alliance in 2005 to help
increase awareness of Catholic social teaching in the media and in the public square. College.
GOLDEN
JUBILEE CELEBRATION AUG 22 FOR SISTER JEANNE CLARK Dominican Sister Jeanne Clark, coordinator of Pax Christi Long Island,
celebrates a half century as a Sister at the Dominican Motherhouse in Amityville on August 22, 1PM-6PM. The event
will take place in Sofia Garden, which Sister Jeanne founded. PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR
Hiroshima Observance. August 6, 7PM, at Shelter Rock Unitarians. By Great Neck Sane/Peace
Action and LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Speakers on topic of "No Nukes! No Wars! Work for Peace!" For
information contact LIAPA 516-741-4360. The Fighting Sullivans. Wednesday,
July 29, 7:30PM. At Massapequa Library, Masspequa Park. Movie and speaker -- Jack Bilello, author of Band of Brothers. Among
the co-sponsors: Pax Christi, LIAPA, Veterans for Peace, LI Progressive Coalition, School of Americas Watch. Contact:
516-795-1085. Leadership Conference. All-day; September 26. Free. Training in useful organizational
skills. By Long Island Progressive Coalition. At Molloy College's Suffolk campus. For information: debbieann@lipc.org Pax Christi Retreat Day. Saturday, October 24. At Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Centerport.
Peace !
Nancy Dwyer njdwyer01@aol.com
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