Israel/Palestine: Life in a Palestinian village
On February 23, the mayor of Wadi Foquin, a Palestinian village in the West Bank, spoke at a congressional briefing on the living conditions for the residents. He and other speakers appealed to the U.S. Congress to put pressure on Israel to halt the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Nepal: One year after the earthquake
The following article is an update on the work of Maryknoll Father Joe Thaler in Nepal, one year after a massive earthquake struck the country.
Philippines: First environment summit
The “First Philippine Environment Summit: Breakthroughs and Innovations toward Sustainable Development” was held in Manila in February to address environmental issues that impact sustainable development.
Honduras: ¡Berta Cáceres presente!
The following statement, published in the March-April 2016 issue of NewsNotes, is by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns on the assassination of Berta Cáceres in Honduras on March 3.
We are shocked and saddened to learn of the assassination of Honduran environmental activist and indigenous leader of the Lenca people, Berta Cáceres.
Brazil: Update on the mining dam disaster
The following article, published in the March-April 2016 issue of Newsnotes, is an update on the environmental crisis in Brazil caused by a dam that burst in November, killing 17 people, displacing thousands, and polluting the River Doce with toxic mud.
Bolivia: End of the Evo era
In February, voters in Bolivia rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed President Evo Morales to run for president for a third term. Maryknoll Fr. Gene Toland, director of the Maryknoll Center in Cochabamba, Bolivia, wrote the following reflection on this historic vote..
El Salvador: Breakthrough in case of Jesuit martyrs
After almost thirty years of impunity, there may finally be some measure of justice for the six Jesuit priests and two women murdered by the Salvadoran military in San Salvador in 1989.
Guatemala: Political transition and protests
Since his inauguration in January, former comedian and now President Jimmy Morales has faced an intense Congressional transition and renewal of mass protests in Guatemala.
Guatemala: Indigenous peoples’ rights
In February, Maryknoll Sister Ann Braudis joined fellow Maryknoll Sister Eva Canales in Guatemala to investigate human and land rights violations perpetrated against poor and indigenous people.
Mexico: Pope Francis calls for open hearts
In February, Pope Francis completed a six-day pastoral visit to Mexico. With five key moments, the pope addressed the full spectrum of Mexican society and delivered a clear moral message about corruption and poverty, violence, and migration that transcends national boundaries and speaks to the whole world.
Nuclear disarmament and the Francis factor
Since the beginning of his papacy three years ago, Pope Francis has repeatedly named nuclear disarmament as a major goal, alongside addressing climate change and welcoming migrants. All three issues are essential to Francis’ vision expressed in Laudato Si’, for a “culture of care which permeates all of society.”
Trade: WTO rules against climate action
The World Trade Organization ruled against India’s national solar mission, a major initiative to promote ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy security challenges.