Daily Archives: October 1, 2008

Economic Justice

Economic Hemorrhage vs. Bailout Band-aid

Center of Concern

I’m having a difficult time deciding how I feel about the “bailout package.” I thought about what I would have done yesterday if I were a member of Congress. I decided I probably wouldn’t have voted for the bailout package either. To me it seems like a band-aid made for a paper cut that is trying to fit over a gaping wound that is a hundred times the size of a paper cut. Maybe this band-aid is the wrong shape and size. Maybe it’s not even a band-aid that we need.

By: Stephanie Heishman
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Church, Environment

Catholic Church in Liverpool hosts major presentation on environment

Independent Catholic News

The Catholic Church in Liverpool adds its voice to the environmental lobby this week. ‘Caring for God’s Creation’, a major presentation on the environment, is coming to Liverpool on Tuesday 30 September. Led by Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton, who speaks on environmental matters for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and natural history producer, Mary Colwell, the presentation will take place at 7.30 pm at the Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, on Croxteth Drive. Admission is free.

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Church, Economic Justice

Statement of US Catholic Bishops on Economic Crisis

United States Catholic Bishops Conference

Dear Secretary Paulson, Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner:

The economic crisis facing our nation is both terribly disturbing and enormously complicated. I write to offer the prayers of the U.S. Catholic Bishops and express the concerns of our Conference as you face difficult choices on how to limit the damage and move forward with prudence and justice. As pastors and teachers, my brother bishops and I do not bring technical expertise to these complicated matters.

However, we believe our faith and moral principles can help guide the search for just and effective responses to the economic turmoil threatening our people.

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Brazil, Environment

Brazilian government faces criminal charges over Amazon deforestation

Illegal logging increases sharply as rising food prices push soy farmers and cattle ranchers to clear more land
Angela Balakrishnan and agencies
guardian.co.uk,

Rodrigo Baleia/Greenpeace
Forests in Brazil have been cut down to make way for crops such as soya. Photographer: Rodrigo Baleia/Greenpeace

The Brazilian government faces criminal charges after a report found that the Amazon rainforest is being deforested three times faster than last year as rising food prices encourages more illegal logging.

A study by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research found that destruction of the Amazon had increased 228% in August compared with the same month a year ago.

Carlos Minc, the Brazilian environment minister, said the upcoming national elections were partly to blame, with mayors in the Amazon region ignoring illegal loggers in the hope of gaining votes locally. Continue reading Brazilian government faces criminal charges over Amazon deforestation →