Statements

Maryknoll OGC Asks Congress to Avert a Government Shutdown

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns was one of 680 civic organizations and faith-based groups to write to Congress, House and Senate, to ask that they "fulfill Congress’ most basic duty: to keep the government running." This letter comes amid increasing likelihood of a government shutdown. The letter highlights the urgency of covering the functions of government that will be thrown into chaos with a shutdown.

Redesignate and Extend TPS for South Sudan

Maryknoll OGC Joins Letter Requesting TPS for South Sudan

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 131 other International, National, and Local NGO's and Faith Based Organizations in asking President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and Secretary Blinken to Extend and Redesignate TPS for South Sudan. Temporary Protective Status (TPS) can save lives by preventing immigration enforcement from deporting South Sudanese people back to extremely dangerous conditions. South Sudan currently sees extreme violence, including targeted killings and Gender Based Violence. Only 41% of the population has access to clean water and 11% to sanitation facilities. Malaria, HIV/AIDS, COVID, Ebola, polio, and cholera are leading causes of death.

Maryknoll OGC Asks Congress for Climate Accountability in Defense Bill

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 26 other organizations in calling on Congress to reject language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would allow military contractors to skirt responsibility in reporting greenhouse gas emissions, or for the military to avoid greenhouse gas reduction initiatives altogether.

Maryknoll OGC Asks Biden to End the Transit Ban

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 203 civil, human rights, and immigrant rights organizations in asking the Biden Administration not to appeal a Federal Court decision that the transit ban is illegal.

Maryknoll OGC Carries REPAM Concerns to Secretary Blinken's Attention

In a letter co-signed by 19 Catholic groups, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns brought to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken's attention the proposals by the Catholic Church sponsored Panamazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) in advance of the Summit of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

Support Pope Francis' Call for a Ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine War! How much blood must still flow tor us to realize that war is never a solution, only destruction? In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. Let there be a halt to arms, and let us seek the conditions tor negotiations.

Faith Leaders Resound Pope Francis' Call for the End to Russia-Ukraine War

Pax Christi released a Statement of Support signed by 218 Faith Leaders, including Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Sustainable Pathways to Peace senior program officer Dan Moriarty. In it, leaders reiterate Pope Francis' message: "IT IS TIME TO STOP THE KILLING AND DEVASTATION IN UKRAINE. CEASEFIRE AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS NOW."

"To protest is a right, not a crime." Graphic by Defensoras y Defensores del Perú

Faith Groups Ask U.S. Amb. to Peru to Defend the Right to Peaceful Protest

Maryknoll joined ten other faith groups in a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Peru requesting the Ambassador's support for the human rights of government protestors.

Maryknoll OGC Joins Letter Supporting Inclusion of Dreamers in the Affordable Care Act

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined a group of 90 organizations, including Harvard Medical School, calling for the end of exclusion of Dreamers (Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals) in the Affordable Care Act. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed rule change which will do just that.

Photo of the Guatemalan Embassy in Washington, DC

Maryknoll OGC Statement on Guatemalan Elections Crisis

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns stands with the Guatemalan people, condemning the Guatemalan Public Ministry’s judicial meddling in the country’s presidential elections.

Maryknoll Asks Congress for Robust Humanitarian Aid in the Fiscal Year 2024

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 51 other organizations in writing to the Senate Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations to request robust funding for the Fiscal Year 2024. A similar letter went to the House counterpart.

Maryknoll OGC Congress to Release Food Assistance Funds for Refugees

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 24 other civil society organizations in asking the Foreign Affairs/Relations Congressional committees to release food assistance funds to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians and Israelis alike will suffer if the UN Relief and Works Agency lacks the funds. Food brought by UNRWA accounts for 60% of food staples imports in Gaza.

Maryknoll OGC Asks House Judiciary to Oppose H.R. 2640

Maryknoll's Office for Global Concerns joined Catholic organizations in opposing the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023, which would, among other things, restart the Remain in Mexico program, require family detention, and subject unaccompanied children to expedited removal.