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Pax Christi USA - PSA e-Bulletin
Pray-Study-Act: Human Rights are Holy |
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| Greetings!
"You
are living and you will die in mortal sin for the cruelty and tyranny done against these innocent people!" Four days
ago marked the 500th anniversary of Antonio Montesinos' famous sermon to the Spanish in what is now the Dominican Republic.
His totally unexpected championing of human rights in a small community had no immediate social effect. But by relying on
God's power to sustain human life in truth and fullness, he inspired at least one other Dominican friar, Bartolomé
de las Casas, to begin writing, traveling, and preaching in defense of the rights of indigenous peoples - and a direct line
can be drawn from las Casas' work on international law to our celebration of universal human rights every December 10th for
the last 61 years.
Who speaks like that today? Our recent
past is marred with so many human rights violations, even with the legalization and systematization of torture, discrimination
and poverty, that it is no wonder if we don't know where to begin, what audience to reach. Torturers go on book tours with
impunity, and there is a whole class of persons whom we have simply named "illegals." 
During Advent we look hard into every human being we meet, remembering God's promise that we would
find him in the lowly and neglected, hungry and thirsty, poor and enslaved. Human Rights Day is a good occasion for us to
recommit ourselves to protecting what God has called Holy: the dignity of the human person in all times, places, and circumstances. In
peace, Taylor Reese Program Associate |
PRAY: Humanity, Hospitality and Humility |
| I pray for the courage to let my life bear witness to the power of "we" - the people
of this nation and this earth. When I am afraid to speak or act for the benefit of all, show me the beauty and power of courage.
When I am tempted to abandon the common good for the glory and enrichment of myself, show me the virtue of selfless generosity
and hospitality. And when by sheer power or will I would claim the right to diminish the worth and dignity of others, grant
me the wisdom of humility.
-Taken from Be the Change,
a book of poems, prayers, and meditations by Stephen Shick. |
STUDY: The Human Rights Homily | | Fr. Jim Barnett, who spoke at Pax Christi's panel at SOA Watch in Georgia this November, delivered Montesinos'
homily with a historical commentary in Washington, D.C. on its 500th anniversary. Click here to read the entire address. |
ACT: Prepare for January 11th! |
| January 11th will mark 10 years since the opening of Guantánamo
Bay Detention Center. Pax Christi USA has partnered with Amnesty
International, Witness Against Torture (WAT), and many other organizations in planning and promoting an action for this anniversary
- and we need your help!
Click here for WAT's call to action page.
We ask you to join us in Washington, D.C.
on January 11th to form a human chain from the Capitol to the White House. We need at least 2,771 in attendance, to symbolize
the number of men unjustly detained at Guantánamo and Bagram.
1. If you, your local Pax Christi community, or other groups can join us in D.C., WAT has
provided organization info for you on their website.
Click here for information on buses and housing in D.C.
2. We would also greatly
appreciate it if you would plan a solidarity action in your town, if you can't come to D.C. See WAT's organizing website below,
and don't forget to let them know about your plans!
Click here for Solidarity Action info.
Whatever you do, please let us know your
plans by emailing me (taylor.pcusa@gmail.com). This Human Rights Day should be a strong kickoff to a powerful call for repentance for torturers and reconciliation
with justice for torture victims! |
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Pax Christi USA | 1225
Otis Street NE | Washington | DC | 20017 |
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