Full Stories - February 2012

Understanding Islam – Tuesdays 7 to 9 pm, February 7-28, 2012

Clearly, Islam is an important religious and social phenomenon in our globalized world. But what do Muslims actually believe and practice? In this four-evening educational series at Scarboro Missions, important Muslim leaders and Islamic scholars will provide you with a basic introduction to Islam. The program will focus on the Prophet Muhammad, the origins of Islam, the Holy Qur'an, the Five Pillars and Islam as a way of life.

The Art of Compassion – Feb. 11 and June 8–10, 2012

Come and See Discernment Retreat – Friday, February 17th 6:30pm to Sunday, February 19th (lunch), 2012

Courage to Serve – Feb. 18 and June 23-24, 2012

Lecture Series – One Earth Many Religions – Saturday, March 24, 10:00am

Centering Prayer & the Spiritual Journey — every Thursday, 7 to 9 pm

John Main's Christian Meditation — every Friday, 11:00 to 12:00

LAY MISSION OFFICE NEWS

Academics Isn’t for Everyone in Malawi – A Success Story

By Sr. Ann MacDonald, csj
Scarboro Lay Missioner in Malawi

Vincent and Isaac are a couple of students who have been studying at my home since September 5, 2011. They have been preparing for a carpentry course beginning in the New Year at Padre Pio Secondary School that offers a technical component for students who complete their JCE (Malawi Junior Certificate Examination – Grade 10). The day the pictures were taken was interview day and I’m happy to say they passed with flying colours!!!

Vincent and Isaac have been studying basic Math and English every day for the past three months with Phillip Chisi - a former St Peter's Student. Mr. Katumbi, the Carpentry teacher at Padre Pio Secondary School who interviewed them commented on their English skills and encouraged them to keep working on speaking for the next month. Both boys decided that they will come three days a week for the next month to keep improving their reading and speaking skills in English.

This morning as they left my place for school on their bikes (since Malawi has no petrol right now), I felt like a Mother watching her kids leave for school on their first day. It will take them an hour to get to school on their bikes.

This is very encouraging for these two young men and gives them hope for their future. An academic course is not necessarily the best for everyone in Malawi, which is the case for Vincent and Isaac. They now have a chance to learn a skill to use to build their future.

I wish them all the best in their journey in life and feel Blessed for being part of it.

BRAZILIAN PILGRIMS IN GUYANA- They Wanted More!

by Beverly Trach,
Scarboro lay mission in Guyana

We do not doubt the need for prayer. The value of praying together as a family and as a community has given strength to people since the beginning of time: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). Our prayer comes from a deeper place within us than discussions about the recent news of who won the soccer game or who is dating whom in the world of the rich and famous. That place of prayer within me is where I come to know that I am a child of God and where I hear God’s voice and what God is asking of me. To pray with others gives us a greater understanding of who God is and how God is present to us in the world. Praying with others also reinforces how much God loves us. We feel the connectedness to God and to one another as we gather to celebrate the Eucharist.

So what happens when people move to a new country where a different language is spoken? God is there and people feel an even stronger need to be connected with God because of the challenges of being in a new land and culture. The desire to connect with the community is also great. For many Brazilians in Guyana attending mass in English does not inspire as much as remind them that they are foreigners here. The chance to celebrate and pray in their own language is very important. I may be comfortable using my hands to gesture to the local merchant to ask how much something costs or I may have learned to say, “My name is Beverly. I have two brothers and one sister. I am a Canadian.” However, that form of communication is a long way from sharing who God is for me and how I see God working in my life.

Brazil is one of Guyana’s neighbours. The areas near the border have always had movement of people back and forth. Over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of Brazilians who have come to live in the cities of Guyana, especially Bartica and Georgetown. Involvement in the mining industry is one of the main reasons.

Within the city of Georgetown, you can go to a Brazilian hairdresser, shop at a Brazilian grocery store, buy your clothes at a Brazilian owned store, or eat in about 10 different Brazilian restaurants. Many of the Brazilians function quite well without learning English. They may learn some basic phrases, but most of their activities are carried out in Portuguese and it works well for them.

Bishop Francis Alleyne had become aware of the need for the Brazilians in Guyana to come together for prayer and to celebrate the Eucharist. Jesuit Father Epifano worked with the Brazilians in 2009 and 2010 and it enforced the need for this community to gather on a regular basis. Some of the Brazilian people in Georgetown met with the Bishop and confirmed their need and their support for a Brazilian faith community. At the end of January, Fr. Chris, a Jesuit from the Northeast of Brazil, arrived in Georgetown to lead this faith community through prayer and the celebration of the sacraments.

Paula, Leonie, Juliana, Fr. Chris and I began meeting on Saturdays to plan the first celebration of the Eucharist in Portuguese to take place on February 13, 2011, at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Notices were put up in various locations and close to 50 people gathered for the mass despite the pouring rain. Songs, prayers, and moments of silent reflection resulted in a joyous celebration. After mass we shared snacks and discussed our hopes and expectations for future celebrations. People volunteered to participate as lecturers and to bring snacks for the social time.

The following Sunday Our Lady of Fatima church once again welcomed the Brazilian community for a Eucharistic celebration in Portuguese. Before the celebration began, there was a chance to collect the prayers of the community, which we would offer at mass. To pray, to sing and to be together as a community was inspiring. And once again the sharing of food and stories completed the evening.

These Sunday Eucharists for Portuguese speaking Brazilians in Georgetown, Guyana, have continued at Our Lady of Fatima church. Since then, a few Guyanese people from the larger parish have become part of the small community as well. Yet, despite their success, the little group wanted more.

On Thursday evenings, the group gathered to pray, reflect and share their stories with the people who became their church family. These gatherings were a chance to grow as a community and to grow in faith. The Internet provided resources and the family homes provided a warm atmosphere for the meetings. But still, the group wanted more.

Knowing that faith is accompanied by action, the group readily accepted to join with the larger parish community for the parish fair. Food was prepared, volunteers came forward to sell snacks and everyone felt a great spirit of cooperation. The money raised went towards a new electrical system and a fresh coat of paint for the church. The parish fair reminded the Brazilian group that even though there is not a large crowd at the Portuguese masses, we are part of a larger parish, a diocese and the universal church. But there was still a desire for more.

Jesuit Father Chris Primo from Northeast Brazil, who accompanies the Brazilian community in Guyana, suggested changing the structure of our Thursday evening gatherings to provide a scripture based sharing. In the style of Lectio Divina (prayer and scriptural reading), we listen to the reading, spend time in silent reflection to hear and better understand God’s word, listening to what God has whispered, or shouted, in our hearts. The sharing that follows helps the group to grow in our trust of God and each other.

What brings this Brazilian community together is a need to share and express their connection to God and to the church. What keeps them together is a common faith, language and culture, and an assurance that God is with them on this journey. Many songs and stories have been written to try and explain the value of gathering as a faith community.

After seven years as a missioner in Brazil, I am happy that I am able to continue my journey with Brazilian people here in Guyana. We are in the process of experiencing our faith community in a special way as we journey together as pilgrims.

Where One Journey Ends, Another Begins

by Mary Olenick
Coordinator
Lay Mission Office – Scarboro Missions

I met Edmond Nyoka and taught his class English and Life Skills at the Formation Centre in Rumphi in 2003 – 2004. I knew Edmond to be a very quiet, humble young man. I returned to Canada in 2007 but have stayed in touch with him over the years and am very proud and happy for him that he has completed this part of his journey and was ordained a priest on July 16th, 2011. I wish him much happiness and my prayers go with him and his colleagues as they embark on a new journey as priests in Malawi.

by Fr. Edmond Nyoka
ordained a priest in the Mzuzu Diocese
Malawi, Central Africa

What began as a discernment process in 2003 has ended up with the ordination to priesthood on July 16, 2011. It has been a nine year long journey. It became very clear to me that one needs to accept and commit oneself to the long journey. At times I could see the road ending in abyss. At other times I was filled with all the hope and the joy of being at the peak of the mountain I was climbing. Whatever gave me that hope remains a mystery even to me. I know God knows the reason well.

It is true that an athlete is never crowned unless he or she completes the race according to the rules. An athlete knows very well what it means to triumph after sweating and stretching one’s muscles. I am definitely happy after completing the formation and being ‘crowned’ priest on 16th July, 2011. This has been another mystery that is clearer to me now; I rarely remember the sweat and the pain of the journey thatI have experienced. It is all covered up in the joy of the ordination. I knew that I had finished my studies and that the whole group of family, friends, neighbors and even people I didn’t personally know came to witness the event. But it was not easy to believe. I weighed myself against the group and all the preparations for the liturgy, and the banquet and I saw myself not fit to gather all those people.

There was jubilation around me, while I was deep in thought about the entire event that was about to take place. But whe n the stole and the chasuble were placed over me I knew I was a different person – a priest. When I looked at my fellow, ne wly ordained priests, Father Peter Ndolo and Father Yotam Msumba, I knew it was real. The song ‘Mwatowa’ (you look nice) and the smiles on the faces of the people made me feel great. I thought to myself, “I made the right choice in my voca tion – God has called me to be a priest”. What surprised me most is that other people seemed to be happier for me than I wa s for myself or maybe the full impact of what had just taken place hadn’t hit me yet.

Ordination to the priesthood has been a very special moment in my life and I will always remember that day – the great feast and all the celebrations but it is only the beginning of my priestly life. I now enter another journey in which I need your prayers!

Malawi Ordination - Flash Player Required

Fr. Edmond holding basket and Bishop Zuza on his right.

Fr. Edmond (on right) being congratulated by people.

Are you interested in becoming a Scarboro Missioner?

Lay Mission work in December 2007 Magazine Issue

To read about the current Lay Mission work in the latest magazine issue, click here

INTERFAITH DESK NEWS

A Summary Table of World Religions

This summary table of world religions is an excellent resource for doing world religions education in schools, youth groups and adult programs. The summary table examines nine religions through the prism of 30 categories including pilgrimages, afterlife, rites of passage, dress, calendar, place of worship, place of origin, scriptures and key symbol. To view or download free of charge, click here

Interfaith – Engaging the World Series (held Oct. 13 - Nov. 17, 2011)

Who in the world is calling you?

In a collaborative series, between the University of Toronto’s Multi-Faith Centre and the Interfaith Department of Scarboro Missions, various organizations (religious and otherwise) were invited together in order to reflect upon how our human condition, common to all faiths, is also a call to joint action due to this very commonality. We all need water, we all need food and we all need love and care. The following is a brief reflection expressing one person’s impressions about the series. As the title of the series was “Engaging the World”, we wish for the process to continue through internet and therefore are including a list of the topics with contact information.

Who knows, maybe the world is engaging you?

Engaging the World
Anna Siu

The Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Toronto and Scarboro Missions collaborated in bringing together a six-week series called Engaging the World. Insightful individuals ranging from students to executive directors of NGO’s shared their experiences and knowledge obtained in their life journeys to inspire the community to reflect upon the power of faith and the role it has in our world.

Faith need not be a private identity that is left behind at our front doors when we leave the house; faith needs to be embraced by the individual and the world as it shapes one’s identity, value and action. Evidently these speakers wrestled with questions like “What does religion mean to me and what role does it play? and “What now?” We can reflect and obtain all the knowledge there is about this world but if we remain unchanged, or if we do not do anything about what we know, then all of it is meaningless.

“Tikun Olam” means repairing the world—a great motto from the Canadian humanitarian and relief organization, Ve’ahavta. This alludes to the fact that we know that this world is not what it should be and that this world can be better. Through this series, I’m encouraged to see people, young and old, building bridges, mending wounds and changing the world according to what they know, where they are and who they are.

What is your part in this journey?

Engaging the World
(took place each Thursday from October 13th through to November 17th, 2011)

Week 1: Overseas Programs and Opportunities

Contacts:

Holly Luffman
(University of Toronto Centre for International Experience)
holly.luffman@utoronto.ca

Mateen Khalid
(Global Youth Network)
mateen.k@hotmail.com

Websites:

University of Toronto Centre for International Experience
http://cie.utoronto.ca/

Global Youth Network
http://gyvn.ca/

Week 2: Ecological-Spirituality

Contacts:

Noreen Allossery-Walsh
awnora@hotmail.com

Donna Lang
dlang@faith-commongood.net

Sawitri Mardyani
mardyani@gmail.com

Websites:

Greening Sacred Spaces
http://www.greeningsacredspaces.net/

Scarboro Missions
http://www.scarboromissions.ca/

Week 3: Aboriginal Spirituality

Contacts:

First Nations House - University of Toronto
fnh.info@utoronto.ca

Karen Van Loon
(Scarboro Missions)
jpo@scarboromissions.ca

Websites:

First Nations House
http://www.fnh.utoronto.ca

Scarboro Missions
http://www.scarboromissions.ca/

Week 4: March of Remembrance and Hope (Holocaust Awareness)

Contacts:

Rabbi Aaron Katchen
aaron.katchen@hilleltoronto.org

Davina Finn
davina.finn@utoronto.ca

Areeba Jawaid
areeba.jawaid@gmail.com

Websites:

March of Remembrance and Hope
http://www.remembranceandhope.com/

Week 5: Tzedaka-Sadaqah Project (Jewish and Muslin Students together)

Contacts:

Avi Shack
avi.shack@gmail.com

Ishraq Alim
ishraq.alim@gmail.com

Websites:

Tzedaka-Sadaqah Project
http://tzedakasadaqah.ca/

Week 6: Development and Relief Organizations

Contacts:

Mona El Sayeh
(International Development and Relief Foundation)
MElSayeh@idrf.ca

Avrum Rosensweig
(Ve'ahavta)
avrum.rosensweig@veahavta.org

Websites:

Ve'ahavta
http://www.veahavta.org/

IDRF
http://www.idrf.ca/

Panorama shot of the audience

Major contributors to this event (from Left to right)
Sister Noreen Allossery-Walsh, osu, Sister Lucy Thorson, nds, and Richard Chambers (Director of the U of T Multi-Faith Centre Multi-Faith Centre)
They are beside the Golden Rule Poster,
symbol of humanity’s common goal = “other”

Golden Rule Art Exercise & Lesson Plan

What would the world be like if every person lived according to the Golden Rule? In this art exercise, young people are invited to envision a world in which every person lives according to the Golden Rule. Next, they are asked to depict what they have imagined or envisioned by creating a piece of art. We at Scarboro Missions have found this exercise to be very helpful in supporting young people to imagine and create a world characterized by cooperation, social justice, non-violence and a sustainable environment.

Proceed to the Lesson Plan

Catholicism and Other Faiths

International Conference of Muslims, Christians and Jews in Turkey

In this article, Canadian multifaith educator, JW Windland, argues that a sensitive use of interfaith language expresses our common humanity, builds relationships of respect and trust, and pursues peace. Click here to read article...

Golden Rule curriculum for schools and youth groups

Scarboro Missions is proud to announce the publication of this comprehensive Golden Rule curriculum. This version complements another curriculum on our website, authored by two Chicago teachers in 2005. Using the logic of circles, rules, moral modeling and the Golden Rule, this newly-published curriculum unit inspires young people to become global citizens. The students' learning experience is enriched through drama, art, music, group reflection, journaling and rap. The curriculum can be used in public schools, religious schools and youth organizations. To view or download the new curriculum, click here…

Milestones in Recent Catholic-Jewish Relations in English, French and Hebrew

This document chronicles, on a year-by-year basis, the dramatic advances in Catholic-Jewish dialogue since the Second Vatican Council. This detailed profile of significant changes and developments in Catholic-Jewish relations will be very useful to teachers, students, researchers, historians, interfaith practicioners and others. This document can be downloaded free of charge and is available in English and French. Connection is also available to a Hebrew Version.

JUSTICE AND PEACE OFFICE NEWS

Pope Benedict XVI delivers ‘State of the World’ address

KAIROS News: Fundamental Justice Issues at Stake in Gateway Pipeline Debate

Urgent Action: Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley, in Amazonas State, Brazil, at risk of extinction due to high incidence of disease

Scarboro Missions is promoting this urgent action request from indigenous organizations of the Javari Valley in Brazil and their supporters. They are calling on the Brazilian government to take urgent measures to address a high incidence of diseases such as malaria and hepatitis among Indigenous peoples in the area, which is putting them at risk of extinction. The Missionary Council for Indigenous Peoples, an organization of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Brazil, is collaborating in the development and promotion of this campaign. After the background information below, instructions are provided for individuals or groups who wish to participate in this urgent action through a letter or petition.

Background for the Campaign
“Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley: United for Health and for Life”

Where is the Javari Valley?

The indigenous reserve of the Javari Valley is located in the western part of Amazonas State, Brazil, on the border with Peru. It is the second largest indigenous reserve in Brazil, with an area of 8.5 million square kilometres.

Who lives there?

The Marubo, Matis, Mayoruna, Kanamari, Kulina and Korubo peoples live in the Javari Valley. There are eight confirmed groups of “isolated peoples” – those who have no contact with outside groups. The Javari Valley comprises the greatest concentration of “isolated” indigenous peoples in South America. The total known population of the Javari Valley is around 4,900 persons.

Threat to the Indigenous Peoples

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in diseases such as malaria and hepatitis A, B, C and Delta, and especially of Hepatitis B which has no cure. Serological testing, carried out in 2008 by Brazil’s National Health Foundation, showed the following results, based on 2,660 Indigenous from several of the Javari Valley’s peoples:

• 87.7% are carriers of Hepatitis A
• 68.9% (1,832 persons) are carriers of Hepatitis B
• 17.8% (197 persons) are carriers of Hepatitis B and D
• 5.3% (150 persons) are carriers of Hepatitis C
• Children between the ages of 0 and 14 years are the most numerous victims, making up about 50% of the cases

These diseases have caused the death of more than 300 individuals in the last ten years. In 2003, the first major crisis happened, with the death of 17 Indigenous people in several villages. In 2010, just among the Kanamari, 12 deaths occurred.

“In the Javari Valley in 2007, 123 infants died for every 1,000 born, a rate similar to those of Afghanistan and the poorer countries of Africa. The numbers from the Javari Valley are higher than those of countries like Mozambique which are facing an AIDS epidemic with a death rate of 81 children for every 1,000 born. The infant death rate in the Javari Valley is 5 times greater than the national average for non-indigenous (22.6 per 1,000 in 2006) and 2.5 times greater than the national indigenous average,” reported the newspaper “O Estado de São Paulo” on May 25, 2008.

The deaths have occurred in all the indigenous communities. Some of the many consequences include a large number of mothers without husbands or means to support themselves; orphaned children sick with Hepatitis B; and low self-esteem of the Indigenous people who, because of their grieving, have stopped practicing their rituals and celebrations.

The high incidence of infection has affected the indigenous communities of the Javari Valley in all aspects. Now, the Indigenous people are reacting and seeking to recuperate their self-esteem and their normal lifestyle.

Please support this cause!!

This campaign – “Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley: United for Health and for Life” – is an initiative of the Union of Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley (Univaja) and other indigenous organizations of the region. The objective is to mobilize students, professionals, faith groups, human rights organizations, and other concerned individuals or organizations to support the resistance of the Indigenous peoples against all threats to their life.

Together with other segments of society, the indigenous organizations intend to take their appeal to all levels of government in Brazil, seeking concrete, practical and efficient initiatives to contain the impact on indigenous life caused by the epidemics.

It is the responsibility of the Federal Government of Brazil to urgently adopt the necessary measures to avoid the extinction of these peoples. It is up to each one of us to call attention to and pressure the Brazilian authorities on behalf of the health and the life of the Indigenous peoples of the Javari Valley, Amazonas State, Brazil.

Instructions for Participating in the Urgent Action

If you would like to support this urgent action there are two possibilities:

1. Petition: There is a pdf document of a petition which may be printed out and completed. In Canada please mail completed petitions to the Justice and Peace Office of Scarboro Missions. We will forward them to CIMI, the Missionary Council for Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, which is collecting petitions as part of the international campaign. Please return petitions to:
   
   Scarboro Missions
   Justice and Peace Office
   2685 Kingston Road
   Scarborough, Ontario M1M 1M4
   

   Other countries, please return completed petitions to CIMI:

   Cimi Regional Norte I
   Rua Lagamar, 36
   Conjunto Habitacional de Flores
   Bairro Flores, Manaus
   Amazonas CEP 69.058-801
   Brazil
   

   Open pdf document of petition here…

2. Solidarity Letter: Alternatively, individuals or organizations may send a letter to the President of Brazil. Below is an English translation of the letter, followed by the letter in Portuguese for copying and pasting to form a solidarity letter. The letter needs to be signed including complete name, city and country, and then sent to the President of Brazil with copies to other government officials whose contact information has been provided at the end. A pdf version of the letter in Portuguese is also provided which may be printed out, signed including complete name, city and country, and then sent as above.
   
   

   Open pdf document of the letter in Portuguese here…

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF SOLIDARITY LETTER

Most Excellent
DILMA ROUSSEF
President of Brazil
Palácio do Planalto
Praça dos 3 Poderes
Brasília - DF / 70150-900
Brazil

Mrs. President,

We have become aware of the dramatic situation faced by the Indigenous peoples in the region of the Javari Valley, in the State of Amazonas. It has become apparent that the Kanamari, Kulina, Korubo, Mayoruna, Matis and Marubo peoples are at risk of disappearing due to endemic diseases, like malaria and hepatitis. We have been informed that there are communities in the region in which more than 80% of the inhabitants have been infected by Hepatitis B, which is recognized as an incurable disease. We have also found out that the Brazilian Government’s presence in the region is precarious, and that the necessary measures to prevent and treat the diseases have not been taken.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, and hoping that this painful reality of the Indigenous peoples can be changed for the better, we call for the implementation of the following measures which will allow the Indigenous peoples to better their quality of life:

• Presence of a permanent, multi-discipline health team in the area (doctors, nurses, dentists, infectologist);
• Construction of basic clinics and basic infra-structure for the preservation of vaccines;
• Serological testing of all the Indigenous peoples of the Javari Valley;
• Acquisition of well-equipped and rapid boats for attending and transporting sick people;
• Basic sanitation services;
• Construction of landing strips and small plane flight hours which are guaranteed in the health budget;
• Formation of health agents and midwives;
• Prevention and control of malaria;
• Short-term urgency: the construction of a new building for the “House of Indigenous Health” hospital in the town of Atalaia do Norte, and the construction of a guest-house for patients who are carriers of endemic diseases.

Assured of your immediate attention, we thank you,

Sincerely,

____________________
Signature
COMPLETE NAME
City, Country

 

SOLIDARITY LETTER IN PORTUGUESE:

Excelentíssima Senhora
DILMA ROUSSEF
Presidenta da República
Palácio do Planalto
Praça dos 3 Poderes
Brasília - DF / 70150-900
Brasil

Senhora Presidenta,

Tomamos conhecimento da realidade dramática enfrentada pelos povos indígenas da região do Vale do Javari, no estado do Amazonas. Consta-nos que os povos Kanamari, Kulina, Korubo, Mayoruna, Matis e Marubo estão sob risco de desaparecer devido a contaminação por doenças endêmicas, como malária e hepatites. Fomos informados que ali existem comunidades onde mais de 80% dos moradores estão contaminados por hepatite do tipo “B” – reconhecidamente uma doença sem cura. Soubemos ainda que o Estado Brasileiro se faz presente na região de forma bastante precária, sem adotar as medidas necessárias para prevenir e curar as doenças.

Em vista da gravidade da situação e com desejo de reverter esse quadro doloroso para os povos indígenas, solicitamos a adoção das providências que os próprios indígenas assumem como condição indispensável para melhorar sua qualidade de vida, quais sejam:

• Presença de equipe multidisciplinar permanente na área (médicos, enfermeiros, dentistas, infectologista);
• Construção de pólos bases e infra-estrutura básica para a conservação de vacinas;
• Realização de sorologia em todos os indígenas da terra indígena Vale do Javari;
• Aquisição de barcos equipados e rápidos para atendimento e remoção de doentes;
• Medicamentos em quantidade suficiente para atendimento aos doentes;
• Saneamento básico;
• Construção de pistas de pouso e horas de vôo asseguradas em orçamento;
• Capacitação de agentes de saúde e parteiras;
• Prevenção e controle da malária.
• A médio prazo: nova estrutura para a Casa de Saúde do Índio – Casai, de Atalaia do Norte; Construção de uma casa de apoio para pacientes portadores de endemias.

Certos da Vossa pronta atenção, agradecemos,

Atenciosamente,

Please add signature
COMPLETE NAME
City, Country

 

Please mail the signed and completed letter in Portuguese to the President of Brazil, with copies by email or regular mail, to the following addresses:

Ministry of Justice	Ministério da Justiça Exmo. Sr. José Eduardo Martins Cardozo Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco "T" 70.712-902 - Brasília/DF Brazil Fax: 00 55 (61) 2025-7803 E-mail: acs@mj.gov.br
Secretary of Human Rights	Secretaria de Direitos Humanos Exma. Sra. Ministra Maria do Rosário Setor Comercial Sul - B, Quadra 9, Lote C Edifício Parque Cidade Corporate, Torre "A", 10º andar, CEP 70.308-200 – Brasília - DF Brazil Fax: 55 61 2025-9414 E-mail: direitoshumanos@sdh.gov.br
Ministry of Health	Ministério da Saúde Exmo. Sr. Ministro Alexandre Padilha Esplanada dos Ministérios Bloco G Ed. Anexo, Ala A 2° andar, sala 243. Brasília-DF / CEP: 70058-900 Brazil E-mail: alexandre.padilha@saude.gov.br
Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic	Casa Civil da Presidência da República Exma. Sra. Ministra Gleisi Hoffmann Casa Civil da Presidência da República Palácio do Planalto - 4º Andar 70150-900 - Brasília - DF. Brazil E-mail: casacivil@planalto.gov.br
Missionary Council for Indigenous Peoples	Cimi Regional Norte I Rua Lagamar, 36 Conjunto Habitacional de Flores Bairro Flores, Manaus, Amazonas CEP 69.058-801 Brazil E-mail: ciminorte@cimi.org.br

Pope Benedict XVI's Message for 2012 World Day of Peace: Educating Young People in Justice and Peace

KAIROS News: Kyoto Withdrawal Diminishes Canada

KAIROS News: Durban COP 17—Too Little, Too Late

Development and Peace fall campaign focuses on Ecological Justice and Climate Change