Full Stories - November 2008

Scarboro Missions celebrates 90th Anniversary with mass and luncheon (Nov. 9, 2008)

2009 Magazine Calendar Now Available

Two new Posters to celebrate 90th Anniversary

On November 9th this year, Scarboro Missions celebrates its 90th year of service to God's mission. Scarboro is so very grateful to the Church in Canada and the thousands of benefactors who have been so generous in their support of our work over the years - all of whom are remembered in our daily prayer and Eucharist.

To assist in the animation of the Church in Canada in its commitment to global mission, Scarboro is issuing two new posters (attached) that reflect two areas of concern for Scarboro and its outreach.

1. Catholic Milestones in Interfaith Dialogue: this poster is intended to help members of the Church in Canada appreciate the wonderful leadership and initiative of the Popes and the Vatican in the area of interreligious dialogue since the 1960's. Click here to see poster

2. Catholic Social Thought: this second poster is based on the rich tradition of the Social Teaching of the Church and highlights the key principles in this area. Click here to see poster. For Catholic Social Teaching documents, go to the Justice & Peace Section.

Scarboro Missions Lecture by Bishop Claude Champagne on November 22

Advent 2008 Christian meditation series (Nov. 26 - Dec. 17, Wednesday's 7:30 pm)

LAY MISSION OFFICE NEWS

Listen, Learn and Proclaim

by Kate O'Donnell
Lay Mission Office

It was a joy and a privilege to attend the CAM3 Congress held in Quito, Ecuador, August 2008. Five of us attended this congress as Scarboro delegates, namely, Kathy Murtha, Fr. Terry Gallagher, Julia Duarte-Walsh, Peter Bagnall and Kate O'Donnell. We stayed with local families, which was indeed an interesting experience and it helped us with the language and the culture.

The congress was attended by about three thousand delegates from the Americas with the majority of people coming from Latin and South America. It was indeed an uplifting and energizing experience to be with so many missioners and the presence of the Holy Spirit was very evident as we prayed, sang and danced in unity.

The theme for the congress was; Listen, Learn and Proclaim. The speakers were energizing as they encouraged us to be missioners proclaiming the love of God for all people.

We attended the congress for three days and spent a day with our host families visiting various areas of Quito. We spent a day and a half with Fr. Charlie Gervais who continues to mission in Riobamba. He took us to San Paulo to meet the Indigenous people that Scarboro Missions has worked with for many years. It was a pleasure to visit with these wonderful people who made us feel very welcome and proudly showed us around their village. It is good to see that the work Scarboro started continues with much enthusiasm. We also had a chance to visit the seminary in Chambo; this project was built under the guidance of Fr. Frank Hegel. Everyone we met spoke very highly of all the Scarboro missioners that have worked in the area. For me personally this visit to Riobamba was the highlight of our trip. It was indeed a privilege as well as a humbling experience to be so warmly embraced by such a loving community.

We returned to Quito to attend the closing mass of the congress. It was held at the Super Dome in Quito and about 25,000 people were in attendance. This mass was lively and energizing. Unfortunately we did not have translators so we were unable to understand the homily but the feeling of love and unity was very evident.

New Dormitories and Refectory

Glenn Harty
Scarboro Lay Missioners in Thailand

Glenn (and his wife Ann) were missioned to Thailand in 2006. They are both involved in teaching English. Glenn also oversees the construction of multiple building projects, one of them being the new dormitories.

Our previous Priest and Head Administrator of Nuchanat Anusorn School, Father Komkrit had a dream to educate and prepare the children of the Wiang Pa Pao area to become morally responsible adults and leaders of Thailand. As of this year, we have complete classes, from kindergarten through to grade twelve, making a total of nineteen hundred students.

It was also Father Komkrit's plan to build two dormitories, one for the girls and one for the boys along with another building to house a kitchen and dining area, all to be used by the grade twelve students. He, along with his right hand person, Sister Bene, were successful in raising enough funds for the two dormitories. The types of dwellings and living conditions that many of our students come from vary greatly from those in larger centers where universities, colleges, and vocational centers are located. It was because of this knowledge Father Komkrit wanted the grade twelve students to experience future living conditions and gain life skills before venturing out on their own.

The plans were drawn up, the location picked out and the contractor had been chosen. Then the unthinkable happened, Father Komkrit was in an automobile accident and died instantly on June 21 2007. That left the entire Catholic Mission in Wiang Pa Pao in shock and chaos. Thank God for the many Sisters, who were able to hold the community together, as well as the dream of Father Komkrit. Sister Bene became even more earnest to have the dormitories built. However, because of the delay, prices had increased substantially, and Sister Bene fell short of raising enough money to complete the refectory but managed to raise enough to receive permission from the Bishop to begin construction on the dormitories, which began on Dec 30 2007. We, at the Catholic Mission are most grateful to all the benefactors both from Thailand and abroad who have been so generous to date.

These buildings are to house some of the grade twelve students who along with their parents or sponsors would have to agree to a very disciplined lifestyle with the purpose of gaining expected life skills. Some of our students are very bright and show much promise but unless there are different avenues and opportunities, it is all too easy to end their education here at Nuchanat Anusorn School. As mentioned, it will be a highly disciplined atmosphere where the students will be expected to make wise choices about their behavior, if, they want to remain a part of the program. They will also be in charge of regular house keeping chores, along with preparing a certain amount of their own meals. Their lunch will be made for them while they are at school but the other meals including food purchasing and preparation will be their responsibility. It is hoped that the students will develop time management skills as well as learning how to maintain a food budget. Laundry and ironing will be each student's responsibility. They will need to understand that a certain level in their academic studies will have to be maintained. At this time it is expected that the students who live close to the school will be able to go home one weekend per month, the others, as reason permits.

With Father Komkrit deceased and no permanent replacement for him, Sister Bene asked me if I would like to become involved with the dormitory project and be the building supervisor during construction as well as the liaison between the contractor and the school. It has been a privilege for me to assist in making Father Komkrit's dream become a reality. I work closely with the construction foreman, Mr. Mack, to make sure the building is structurally sound, using local labor and methods that are quite different from the ones used in Canada. We have had our struggles but I think we have learned from each other and due to mutual respect, we have a very good working relationship.

It was my hope from the beginning that all the employees would take pride in their work and the buildings, and have come to realize that they do indeed have that pride and I don't ask for anything more.

Careful where you set your Foot!

Susan Keays
Scarboro Lay Missioner in Thailand

Susan Keays was missioned to Thailand in 2002 and is presently working with Wildflower Home which assists young mothers in crisis and their children. The young mothers include refugee women from Laos and Myanmar, women from several different tribes, and also some Thai women. WFH (Wildflower Home House) offers them safe shelter, counseling, medical care, literacy and vocational training ... in short, whatever it is that a woman might need to help her become self-sufficient and able to support herself and her children.

My guardian angel was really looking out for me recently. I was very upset about something ... one of our babies had taken a serious fall ... and after he left for the hospital I went out to "walk it off" (incidentally the baby turned out to be fine – no serious injuries). As I walked I was pretty distracted but just before I put my foot down on what looked like a lime green leaf stem it registered somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain that it was an awfully long leaf stem, so I thrust my foot forward an extra inch or two to avoid tromping on it. Then I turned around and looked at it more closely and saw that the other end of "the stem" was a snake with its head raised up in strike position! I was so stunned I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing, so there I stood for a minute try to absorb things and get a closer look to verify that I was seeing what I was seeing. Then it dawned on me that I was a little too close for comfort and that I was only wearing rubber flip flops so I high-tailed it out of there.

I've heard that if a snake slithers away it's likely a harmless one but that if it holds its ground, it's because it's got some pretty potent weapons at its disposal. I checked it out on the internet and found my snake alright. The headline read, "The most dreaded snake in all of Asia"!

Are you interested in becoming a Scarboro Missioner?

Lay Mission work in October 2006 Magazine Issue

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

INTERFAITH DESK NEWS

Oct-Nov 2008 Interfaith Education Series

Guidelines for group visits to Houses of Worship

Visiting houses of worship of other faith traditions is one of the most effective ways to learn about other religions. This set of comprehensive guidelines provides all the necessary information for making such a group visit a wonderful cultural, religious and educational experience. The guidelines were written by JW Windland, a highly respected multifaith educator with 40 years of experience in visiting houses of worship. Read more ...

Scarboro Missions honoured by the North American Interfaith Network

The Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department has been chosen as one of eight interfaith organizations to be profiled at the 20th anniversary conference of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) www.nain.org. It will be held at the University of San Francisco in July of this year, sponsored by the Interfaith Center at the Presidio.

Planners thought that during this retrospective celebration of the past 20 years of grassroots interfaith dialogue, they would do well to hold up good examples of the various new ways interreligious bridge-building is being done. When they asked people to suggest exemplary groups to profile, Scarboro Missions was nominated. Here is the criteria the planning committee worked from:

"Vital, successful organizations developing new approaches to multifaith relationship-building"

In the 20 years since the North America Interfaith Network started, thousands of local grassroots groups have organized across the continent. NAIN 2008 will profile eight from among the thousands, not because they are biggest or best, but because they seem to be doing exemplary work in new ways and we know about them. Had we more time at the conference, the list could have been much longer.

At the conference, Scarboro Missions will be invited to make a presentation of its work to a plenary audience of 200 people.

Building a Global Interfaith Community – Jan-Feb 2007 issue

This special edition of Scarboro magazine reports on the international interfaith activity of the Catholic Church. The reader is taken on a journey from Egypt to Rome, Canada, Guyana, the United States and to Africa and across Asia. With inspiration from the last four Popes, Catholics around the globe are embracing interfaith dialogue and often in leadership roles. Read articles from this Jan-Feb 2007 issue.

Learn more about Interfaith Resources

There is a wealth of information about Interfaith Dialogue (e.g., Golden Rule, Teaching Models, Guidelines for Dialogue) on this web site. Read more...

JUSTICE AND PEACE OFFICE NEWS

Scarboro Missions Stands Up Against Poverty with almost 117 million people worldwide

Almost 117 million people – nearly two percent of the world population - participated at events in 131 countries on October 17-19 as part of STAND UP and TAKE ACTION Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This global movement led by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign sent a clear message to world leaders that citizens will not stay seated while promises to end poverty remain unfulfilled. Guinness ratified that this mass mobilization broke the world record set last year when 43.7 million people participated.

"In what was undoubtedly the largest global mobilization against poverty in living memory, citizens around the globe put their leaders at the national and global level on notice that their commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 have to be met – no more delays or excuses are acceptable," said Salil Shetty of the United Nations Millennium Campaign. "Already, world leaders are responding. Mass mobilizations have the power to change the course of history, and we will not stop mobilizing and advocating for action until the Millennium Development Goals are achieved for the poorest people in the world."

"This is a wonderful statement of global determination and commitment to end the injustice of extreme poverty," said Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town. "116 million people demand the right to food, water, health care, education and a life of dignified work for all. 116 million people have stood together to say end extreme poverty. This message must be heard by leaders everywhere – it cannot be ignored."

Some key moments from around the world included more than 35 million people in the Philippines – 1/3 of the population – Stood Against Poverty at events organized through the Department of Education, universities, local municipalities and government ministries. In Malawi, over 600,000 people were mobilized under the Micah Challenge umbrella. Catholic churches and ecumenical churches there joined to demand greater transparency and accountability from their leaders.

Regional overview of people who participated in the 2008 Stand Up: Africa: 24,496,151
Arab States: 17,847,870
Asia: 73,151,847
Europe: 951,788
Latin America: 211,250
North America: 123,920
Oceania: 210,803

Total: 116,993,629

Make Poverty History Canada reported that 75,814 people in Canada participated in this global action. On October 17th, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 34 Scarboro missioners, staff and guests stood up against poverty by participating in a Make Poverty History Canada campaign calling for Canada to get to the point – to reach within 10 years the UN target of giving 0.7% of our national income in foreign aid. Five other countries have already reached or exceeded this 0.7% target and several others have committed to a timetable to reach it. Canada has several times promised to increase aid but in 2007, as a percentage of income, it fell to around .28%.

Scarboro Missions participates in Stand Up and Take Action, calling for Canada to reach within ten years the UN target of giving 0.7% of our national income in foreign aid.

In September 2008 the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that rising food, fuel and fertilizer prices plunged 75 million more people below the hunger threshold, bringing the estimated number of undernourished people worldwide to 923 million. In October the World Bank predicted this number could rise to 967 million by end 2008. World Bank President Robert Zoellick stated "While people in the developed world are focused on the financial crisis, many forget that a human crisis is rapidly unfolding in developing countries. It is pushing poor people to the brink of survival." Recent financial events could be a "tipping point for many developing countries".

United Nations officials have called on all States to reaffirm their commitments to grant official development assistance and to not let the financial crisis deflect attention from dealing with other challenges such as climate change and the Millennium Development Goals. On October 17th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated "Rising food and fuel prices, and the global financial crisis, are threatening to negate the progress made to reduce poverty and hunger in many parts of the world... If we fail to keep our promise on the MDGs, we create the conditions for greater human misery and global insecurity."

Go here to read the STAND UP news release and see photos from around the world...

Go here to read the message Scarboro Missions sent to Prime Minister Harper...

Five reasons why we need to get to the point – increase our foreign aid to 0.7% of our national income. Visit Make Poverty History Canada to learn more...

Read United Nations October news:

"Less aid to poor nations amid financial crunch will worsen food crisis, warns UN"

"World Food Day reminder of daily crisis borne by millions, say UN officials"

KAIROS News: Christian Faith and the tar sands-add your voice

The Alberta tar sands are one focal point in KAIROS' Re-energize Campaign. KAIROS is organizing a delegation of Canadian church leaders to visit the tar sands in May 2009. In preparation for the forum and church delegation, they have produced a reflection paper on the tar sands.

KAIROS invites you to enter into the discussion about Christian faith and the tar sands. You may wish to do this in a small group in your church, a special study group or with friends. How do you respond to the ideas and questions put forward in the reflection paper? What do you agree with? Where do you disagree? What else do you think needs to be said about Christian faith and the tar sands? KAIROS invites you to provide your feedback, long or short. This feedback will help to shape KAIROS policies and actions, not only about the tar sands, but also about the whole issue of fossil fuels, climate change, human rights and other related justice issues. Please send your written comments to the KAIROS Ecological Justice Program Coordinator, Dorothy McDougall dmcdougall@kairoscanada.org.

Watch the Yasuní Green Gold Campaign Video

Ecuador: Save Yasuní National Park – Keep the oil underground

Yasuní National Park consists of nearly a million hectares of primary rainforest in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is one of the most bio-diverse places in the world with great genetic varieties of plants and animals. Only one hectare of the Yasuní contains the same number of native tree species as the whole of North America. Beneath the Yasuní lies almost a billion barrels of high sulphur oil.

The Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, has said that his government is prepared to not extract the oil if the international community could provide compensation for its loss of oil revenue – about $350 million per year for the next ten years. This could be a great model for tackling global warming, although there are various problems and pitfalls to work out yet in the proposal. The money must not simply go to the Ecuadorian government. Support must be given to local communities and Indigenous peoples to develop alternative economic activities and protect their rights to life and livelihood.

While a few governments have expressed interest and some organizations support the proposal, firm commitments for the full sum of money have yet to be reached. Although the June 2008 deadline for this proposal to save Yasuní has been extended, time is running out and the oil companies are bidding to drill.

The New Internationalist, as part of the international Yasuní Green Gold Campaign, has begun a campaign to convince wealthy countries to work in partnership with the Ecuadorian Government and local people to help keep the oil in the soil. Campaign supporters can help send a stunning photo book, Yasuní Green Gold, plus other campaign materials to these key decision makers.

Learn more by reading the online New Internationalist feature article on Yasuni...

Read other articles from the July 2008 New Internationalist issue Viva Yasuní.

Go here to find out how you can participate in the campaign to save Yasuní.

KAIROS News: Carbon Sabbath workshops in four communities this fall

Climate change is real and we need to do our part as people of faith. But it is hard to make the necessary changes alone. That's where the Carbon Sabbath Initiative comes in! In the fall KAIROS is hosting four one-day training workshops that will help you to form a carbon reduction group in your church or community. We will give you all the tools you need to make personal, community and global change! Come to the trainings in:

Fredericton, NB on October 25
Salmon Arm, BC on November 1
Saskatoon, SK on November 15
Arnprior, ON on November 29

For more information including on how to bring CSI KAIROS workshops to your community contact Ecological Justice Program Coordinator, Dorothy McDougall at 416-463-5312 or 1-877-403-8933 ext. 222 or at dmcdougall@kairoscanada.org.

Urgent Action request for support of traditional land rights from indigenous communities of Raposa Serra do Sol in Roraima, Brazil

The Indigenous communities and organizations of Raposa Serra do Sol in Roraima, Brazil are urgently seeking support email or fax letters at a critical moment in the struggle for their traditional land. The Supreme Court of Brazil has to soon make a decision regarding the legal status of their traditional land and the removal of non-indigenous people from the reserve. A decision in favour of the invaders would set a serious precedent in Brazilian legislation – all indigenous lands in Brazil, those already demarcated, legalized, and registered, could be contested and revised.

Background

Raposa Serra do Sol, located in the northern state of Roraima, is the traditional land for 18,992 Macuxi, Wapixana, Ingarikó, Taurepang and Patamona Indigenous people who have struggled for more than thirty years for its legal recognition. The many delays in this process left the Indigenous people more exposed to violence in a state where local politicians and landowners support agro-industrial development and other economic interests, and oppose indigenous land rights.

The Indigenous Council of Roraima has reported some of the history of violence within a prevailing atmosphere of impunity including armed attacks on indigenous communities; destruction of homes and property; burning of a school, clinic and mission; threats, beatings and 21 deaths. The Indigenous people have also denounced environmental damage to their traditional land from large rice plantations including deforestation, water pollution, and harmful aerial spraying of pesticides. Rice growers, who have Roraima state support, began expanding their plantations in Raposa Serra do Sol during the 1990s even as the Indigenous people were slowly moving through the various stages of gaining legal recognition of their land.

On April 15, 2005 President Lula of Brazil ratified the Raposa Serra do Sol Reserve which was considered a historic restitution of indigenous rights. All non-indigenous people had one year to leave the reserve and would be compensated. Many of the non-indigenous people left with compensation.

However, three years later, a number have remained including six rice growers. The rice growers lead the resistance to removal, including the use of violent and intimidating actions. The large majority of Indigenous people want the non-indigenous rice growers and ranchers to leave the reserve while a minority supports them and wants them to stay.

On March 27, 2008 the Brazilian federal government announced a Federal Police operation to remove the remaining non-indigenous people from Raposa Serra do Sol. Several hundred Federal Police arrived in Roraima to carry out the operation. The rice growers and their supporters then proceeded with 11 days of protest and terror which included burning bridges, blocking and destroying roads, using home made bombs and making threats. The Bishops of Brazil sent a letter declaring solidarity with the Indigenous people, supporting the federal government operation and expressing hope for a rapid and peaceful removal of non-indigenous people from the reserve, with the law to be respected by all.

However, on April 9th the Brazilian Supreme Court suspended the Federal Police operation so they were no longer authorized to remove the non-indigenous people. Instead, the Federal Police are to provide security in the area until the Supreme Court passes judgment on measures put forth by those protesting the 2005 ratification of the reserve.

The Indigenous communities and organizations of Raposa Serra do Sol are seeking support for their request to the Supreme Court of Brazil. Their campaign Our Land Our Mother is available in Portuguese on the Indigenous Council of Roraima website www.cir.org.br. They request supporters to urgently send a solidarity letter to members of the Supreme Court. Below is an English translation of the letter. It is followed by the solidarity letter in Portuguese which should be copied, signed and sent to the President of Brazil and members of the Supreme Court whose contact information has been provided at the end.

Many thanks if you decide to participate and send out further in your networks.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF SOLIDARITY LETTER

Dear Sir or Madam,

The indigenous communities of the Makuxi, Wapichana, Taurepang, Patamona and Ingarikó peoples are undergoing a time of affliction, with the announcement of a reduction of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol by the Federal Supreme Court, who approved a legal action suspending the removal of non-indigenous people from the reserve.

We understand that the ratification of the legalization decree of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol is essential for the indigenous peoples of Roraima and of Brazil, since several national public interests are in agreement. However, if the decision of the Federal Supreme Court goes in favour of the invaders, a serious precedent would be set in Brazilian legislation. All indigenous lands in Brazil, those already demarcated, legalized, and registered, could be contested and revised.

In 2005, the Indigenous Land Raposa/Serra do Sol was legalized and registered, in accordance with the Federal Constitution of Brazil and international law, ILO Convention 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All that remains is the removal of the invaders.

For this reason we request that the Federal Supreme court ratify the legalization decree of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol, removing the invaders and doing justice so long hoped for by the indigenous peoples in 34 years of struggle and suffering.

[signature of individuals and organizations]

SOLIDARITY LETTER IN PORTUGUESE:

Exmo. Senhor...

As comunidades indígenas Macuxi, Wapixana, Taurepang, Patamona e Ingarikó passam por momento de aflição, com anuncio de redução da terra indígena Raposa Serra do Sol, pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal, após de ter concedido a liminar que suspendeu a retirada dos não índios de sua terra.

Entendemos que a ratificação do decreto de homologação da Terra indígena Raposa Serra do Sol, é fundamental para os povos indígenas de Roraima e do Brasil, uma vez que já harmonizou vários interesses públicos nacionais. No entanto, se a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal for a favor dos invasores, abre-se um gravíssimo precedente na legislação brasileira. Todas as terras indígenas do Brasil, já demarcadas, homologadas e registradas, poderão ser contestadas e revisadas.

No ano 2005 a Terra Indígena Raposa Serra do Sol foi Homologada e Registrada, conforme a Constituição Federal do Brasil e o direito internacional, Convenção 169 da OIT e declaração da ONU sobre Direitos dos Povos Indígenas. Resta apenas a desintrusão dos invasores.

Por isso solicitamos ao Supremo Tribunal Federal, que ratifique o decreto de homologação da Terra Indígena Raposa Serra do Sol, retirando os invasores e fazendo assim a justiça esperada pelos povos indígenas há 34 anos de luta e de sofrimento.

[signature of individuals and organizations]

Please send preferably the Portuguese version of the letter to the following addresses:

PRESIDÊNCIA DA REPÚBLICA: (PRESIDENT OF BRASIL)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Fax: (61) 34112222
E-mail: gilcarvalho@planalto.gov.br

STF - SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL: (SUPREME COURT OF BRASIL)

Presidente
Ministro GILMAR MENDES
Fax: (61) 32174189
E-mail: mgilmar@stf.gov.br

Relator
Ministro CARLOS BRITTO
Fax: (61) 32174339
E-mail: gabcarlosbritto@stf.gov.br

MINISTRA ELLEN GRACIE
Fax: (61)32174249
E-mail: silvia.leticia@stf.gov.br

MINISTRO CELSO DE MELLO
Telefone: (61) 32174073

MINISTRO MARCO AURÉLIO
Fax: (61) 32174309
E-mail: marcoaurelio@stf.gov.br

MINISTRO CEZAR PELUSO
Fax: (61) 32174219
E-mail: mluciam@stf.gov.br

MINISTRO JOAQUIM BARBOSA
Fax: 61-32174159
E-mail: gabminjoaquim@stf.gov.br

MINISTRO EROS GRAU
Fax: 61-32174399
E-mail: alexandram@stf.gov.br

MINISTRO RICARDO LEWANDOWSKI
Fax: 61-32174279
E-mail: patriciaml@stf.gov.br

MINISTRA CÁRMEN LÚCIA
Fax: 61-32174355 / 61-32174369
E-mail: audienciacarmen@stf.gov.br

MINISTRO MENEZES DIREITO
Fax: 61-32174129
E-mail: gabmdireito@stf.gov.br