Justpeace Front Page, Advent 1999

Welcome to the Justpeace Front Page

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Journeys of Justice and Peace through the Jubilee Holy Year 2000. "There should be no more postponement of the time when the poor Lazarus can sit beside the rich man to share the same banquet and be forced no more to feed on the scraps that fall from the table (cf. Lk 16:19-31). Extreme poverty is a source of violence, bitterness, and scandal; to eradicate it is the work of justice and therefore of peace." John Paul II, Bull of Indiction of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 (Incarnationis Mysterium)

Oscar Romero Icon by Robert Lentz, courtesy of Natural Bridges, used with permission.http://www.natural-bridges.com/

JUSTPEACE PATHWAYS +++ Bookmarks to the news and views departments on this page:

Crossroads

Featured news, connections, links. Solidarity, Orthopraxis, Community Development

Reports, news, views, links, resources, from and about them that's doin'.

World Bank/IMF/Corporate Welfare Watch

We keep our eye on these primary global structures of sin.

Spirituality

Source of orthopraxis.

Disasters and Emergency Relief

The primary sites are updated daily.

Y2K Watch

Keeping an eye on this developing worldwide crisis.

Living on the Earth as if people and other living things mattered.

Simple, prudent, and frugal living. On-going

stuff that usually doesn't change from issue to issue

Bookstore

justice, peace, prudent, frugal, and simple living, community, organizing.

Justpeace Crossroads TOP

Church offers true hope to modern man, address by Pope John Paul II to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, November 18, 1999.

Ecclesia in Asia, post-synodal exhortation of Pope John Paul II to the Bishops of Asia.

Jubilee calls for economic solidarity, General audience message of Pope John Paul II, November 3, 1999.

IN ALL THINGS CHARITY, A Pastoral Challenge for the New Millennium, issued by the US Catholic Bishops November 18, 1999. The U.S. Bishops have issued a new pastoral letter on justice and charity. They speak with increasing plainness about the situation we face in the world. In this, they echo the Holy Father, whose reflections on the social justice teachings of the Church are pointed and urgent and filled with compassion and concern. Is anybody listening?

Because God Loves You, a message from the US Catholic Bishops for the Jubilee Holy Year 2000. This is the "popular" version, which will appear as a series of full page ads in major media markets on Sunday, January 2, 2000. Full Text

Democracies paying the price, globalization survey reveals that US corporations prefer to invest in dictatorships, not democracies, from the Chicago Tribune. Follow the dollars! This story is based on a report from the New Economy Information Service : Dollars and Democracy. "As a group, the democratic countries in the developing world are losing ground to more authoritarian countries when it comes to competing for trade and investment dollars."

1999 Bribe Payers Index, and Corruption Perception Index, from Transparency International, indices ranking export countries most willing to pay bribes and perception of the willingness of authorities to ask for or accept bribes.

Special WTO Issue, from the National magazine. As this edition is being published, I am currently receiving 20 or so emails each day from various lists about the upcoming WTO meeting in Seattle. Victims of globalization are mobilizing to protest as the mandarins of trade gather. Morale in the organization is reported to be low, there've been lots of secret meetings to hammer out agendas, but countries that were excluded from the meetings are upset. World leaders have declined to attend.

Ten reasons to dismantle the WTO, from Focus on the Corporation.

Mobilization against corporation globalism, www.seattle99.org , information regularly updated about protests/activities scheduled in conjunction with the World Trade Organization talks in Seattle,

Development as Freedom, a review by James North of this book by Amartya Sen. The review itself is an excellent primer in Sen's thought about the deficiencies of modern economics. Why is it that there are 100 million missing women in certain parts of the world? Why do famines occur in the midst of plentiful supplies of food? Why did famines in India stop when the nation received its independence and gained control of its own government? Great tragedies that afflict the poor are not accidents, they are the deliberate and forseeable results of bad public policies.

Free Trade and the Common Good, by Jim Wallis of Sojourner Magazine. "Does anyone care about the world's poor?"

The multiple functions and benefits of small farms, debunks the "conventional wisdom" that large farms are more efficient.

Inequality by the numbers, documents the growing gap between the very rich and everybody else. The net worth of the top 1% of households is equal to the net worth of 95% of the rest of the population. With the top 1% of households taken out of the figures, the average net worth of American households declined 10% in the last ten years.

The End of Materialism. "When good times turn bad, faith comes to the rescue." Interesting and provocative essay about the limits of materialism. Echoes this page's thoughts about the coming collapse of the American Empire. "If something can't go on forever, it won't." Maybe a bang, maybe a whimper, but the essay suggests materialism is reaching its limits.

Socialaction.com, "an on-line Jewish magazine dedicated to pursuing justice, building community, and repairing the world."

Political Literacy Course, from Common Courage Press. I think this is a bookstore, but it is also a weekday email that is provocative. While I don't agree with everything I've read thus far, everything I have read has been challenging and interesting and worth reading. It's free, I've been reading it for a couple of months. Quotes a lot of Noam Chomsky. Archive

Electronic bracelets, anyone? A Focus on Corporation column examining the problem of corporate crime. Quotes my short essay on "measures necessary to curb corporate crime," which I originally posted in the Sojourner's email listserv, and later sent out on various lists.

Social Justice Documents, at the Office for Social Justice of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Has links for US Bishop's documents.

The crash of '99? More evidence regarding the growing gap between rich and poor in the world, and the problems that this disparity is creating that lead to instability.

Solidarity, Orthopraxis, Community Development TOP

Orthopraxis refers to practicing what you preach.

Documents of the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines, a visitor to these pages recommended this site. It is a truly rich treasury of the Church's social teaching. Some gems on the pages include: Life or death, "a primer calling for commitment to life and abolition of the death penalty," from the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines. Indigenous peoples and the Church journeying towards the Great Jubilee, pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines defending the indigenous peoples of their nation from the attacks of the powerful. Pastoral Exhortation on the Philippines Economy (short version), 1998, a strong critique of the situation in the nation.

El Salvador: Ten Years Later, articles from Company magazine on the Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter who were martyred by the government in 1989.

The Tenth Anniversary, "Remembering and celebrating -- renewing a commitment to justice," page on the Creighton University website commemorating the 1989 Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador.

Take time to give thanks to harvesters, from the LA Times, an update on the status of America's most marginalized workers: farm laborers, whose average annual income is $6500.

Statement on Iraq, November 15, 1999, from the Most Reverend Joseph Fiorenza, president, US Catholic Conference.

City of the Angels Kateri Circle, from Los Angeles, access and support for Native Americans, spirituality of the Blessed Kateri Tekawitha.

Inner City Press, electronically published from South Bronx, New York, news about community reinvestment, redlining, South Bronx and other inner city issues.

US Complicity in Timor, from the Nation, by Allan Nairn.

Losing ground bit by bit, shows how low income communities are falling behind in the Information Age, and gives some ideas for reversing the process.

A Challenge to Clinton and Gore, Senator Paul Wellstone questions the Administration's claims to "success" for welfare reform.

Waco on my mind. Distrust of federal law enforcement agencies is running strong and deep. After the bombing here in Oklahoma City, there was a veritable plethora of rumors and conspiracy theories that went about town. So many people were "talking" that the head of the ATF actually came to Oklahoma City to personally deny the accusations that ATF agents knew about the bombing in advance of the event. This article probes the on-going unravlement of the fed's politically correct position on the Waco siege. Since I watched that on the television, I have suspected that this event proved one of two things: (1) Our federal law enforcement agencies are hopelessly incompetent, or (2) a decision was made at a high level -- as in Clinton or Reno -- to incinerate those people rather than appear politically and practically "weak" on crime (or perhaps the answer is "both"). The Branch Davidians were as much victims of American partisan warfare as they were of their own leader's egotistic insanity.

The Life Research and Communications Institute, access to information in support of respecting the dignity of life from conception to natural death.

Is welfare reform sending more kids to foster care? Documents the destructive effects of welfare reform on the family integrity of low income families.

National Labor Committee Education Fund in support of worker rights in Central and South America. How much does the worker earn who made those toys being bought for kids this Advent? Not very much. Proposes vigils at Wal-Marts and malls on December 9th.

Spirituality TOP

A One Person Revolution in America, a tribute to Ammon Hennacy, who has been described as the original "pacifist, anarchist, christian, vegetarian, draft refuser in two world wars, tax resister, one-man revolution in America." Born in 1893, he was imprisoned many times for his work for justice, joined the Catholic Worker movement, and died in Utah in 1970.

From 1966, weekly Advent reflections by Dorothy Day: Week 1: Searching for Christ ... Week 2: The meaning of Poverty ... Week 3: Chastity ... Week 4: Obedience

Meditation on voluntary poverty and manual labor, On Pilgrimage column by Dorothy Day in a December issue of the Catholic Worker. Recommends decentralized living. Reflects on silence during Advent, a time to "see only what is loveable."

Farming Notes, observations on Catholic social teaching and history, distibutism, the Catholic Worker, by Joe Kelly, editor of the Universe.net, one of the leading Catholic websites in the United Kingdom.

Justice and peace meditations on the daily lectionary readings, by your Justpeace webservant, A Millennial Prayer,

Justice Jubilee Calendar, available from the Vincentian Center for Church and Society. Notes days important to Vincentians, and to the history of the social justice teachings of the Church.

Tools for prophets in the information age, web page of a workshop to be presented in January 2000 at the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. Johns U. in New York. Check their resources page for excellent Catholic links.

Catholic missionaries killed in 1998

The Worldwide Vincentian Family, access to all branches of the charism of St. Vincent de Paul.

The Sillon and the YCW, Peter Maurin came out of "Le Sillon" movement in France.

Distributism: Alternative to the brutal global market by Mark and Louise Zwick, of the Houston Catholic Worker.

In memoriam: Michael Kirwan, a tribute page to this Catholic Worker who died November 12th.

For each month's prayer intentions of the Holy Father, with complementary readings, see the Catholic Information Network's Apostleship of Prayer.

Virtual Rosary Online!

For the sake of profit many sin, and the struggle for wealth blinds the eyes. Sirach 27:1

World Bank/IMF Watch TOP Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31

Shakeup at the IMF, on November 9^th, Michael Camdessus, head of the International Monetary Fund, announced his resignation, effective February 2000. Rumors of scandals continue to mount about the bank, as does criticism of its harsh and wicked "structural adjustment" policies which always seem to work to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer, as though closing schools and hospitals could somehow make life better in a developing country. We may yet learn that the IMF funded the enrichment of the Russian Mafia and enabled it to get control of the Russian "gangster economy", which has not been a boon to the common good of that troubled and wounded nation.

Bishops announce a victory on HIPC Debts, this press release from the Social Development/World Peace department of the US Catholic Conference/National Conference of Catholic Bishops, reports a significant step forward in funding US participation in a $90 billion debt reduction program for the heavily-indebted poor countries. I hope they're right about this being a cause for joy, even though it announces an appropriation of only $110 million, and authorization for another $300 million, somehow this eventually ends up part of a $90 billion debt reductions program. But nobody's debts have actually been forgiven yet, and this $90 billion is only about $30 per poor person in a developing countries, or the equivalent of the price in a US supermarket of 50 pounds of rice. So forgive me if I seem to be raining on their parade, but I wonder if what is being offered is "too little, too late."

He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker. Proverbs 14:31a

Happy are those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked. Psalm 1:1a

TOP+++ Living on the Earth as if People and Other Living Things Mattered Department

"Solidarity with the poor becomes more credible if Christians themselves live simply, following the example of Jesus. Simplicity of life, deep faith and unfeigned love for all, especially the poor and the outcast, are luminous signs of the Gospel in action. The Synod Fathers called on Asian Catholics to adopt a lifestyle consonant with the teachings of the Gospel, so that they may better serve the Church's mission and so that the Church herself may become a Church of the poor and for the poor.' John Paul II, Ecclesia in Asia

This section now has its own internet publication: Better Times: the Webzine. A new issue is in preparation.

He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker. Proverbs 14:31a

Disasters and Emergency Relief TOP

They ask their mothers, "Where is the cereal?" -- in vain, as they faint away like the wounded in the streets of the city, and breathe their last in their mothers' arms. Lamentations 2:12Kosovo Regional Emergency, from Catholic Relief Services; the organization is currently assisting 200,000 refugees in the Balkans, their April 2^nd estimate is that 1 million people are now displaced in and around Yugoslavia. Kosovo Humanitarian Aid and Discussion links

ReliefWeb from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Complex Emergencies, information about on-going emergencies and various countries of concern to the humanitarian community. There isn't very much good news here. ReliefNet Home Page non-profit helping humanitarian organizations raise global awareness and encourage support for relief efforts via the Internet. AlertNet, a news and communications service from the Reuter Foundation for the emergency relief community, has press releases from leading relief agencies, expert analyses, reviews of key issues and events, jobs noticeboard. Has a focus page on Kosovo. Direct from the Field, reports from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the world's largest humanitarian network. DisasterRelief.Org, worldwide disaster aid and information via the internet. Some very sad and tragic stories here.

Y2K WATCH TOP

As of the last week of November 1999, 18 high impact federal programs remain non-y2k ready. Included in the list are the food stamp, Medicare, and Medicaid programs.

Letter to Second Harvest, from the Center for Y2k and Society, regarding vulnerabilities in the nation's food supply. Has some interesting information regarding efforts by the Center (and by Congress) to investigate the corporate food production system, and reports that such efforts have been stymied by resistence from the corporations. Y2k risks in the food chain + Y2k, the food supply, and federal support programs

Y2k, what's it to you? and Where are we now? A succinct statement of the pessimistic view on Y2k, by Lane Core.

G.K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936) on Y2k, before there were even computers (grin):

It is easy enough to say the cultured man should be the crowd's guide, philosopher and friend. Unfortunately, he has nearly always been a misguiding guide, a false friend and a very shallow philosopher. And the actual catastrophes we have suffered...have not in historical fact been due to the prosaic practical people who are supposed to know nothing, but almost invariably to the highly theoretical people who knew that they knew everything. The world may learn by its mistakes; but they are mostly the mistakes of the learned."

Happy are those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked. Psalm 1:1a

Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty; poverty and want in the day of wealth. Sirach 18:25 TOP

On-going. . . Subscribe to Catholic Information Network Mailing lists: CINJUSTANN, Catholic Justice and Peace Announcements, and CINJUST, Catholic Justice and Peace Discussion, both moderated by Robert Waldrop, Justpeace web servant. Click on the link and follow the instructions to subscribe. Offered through the facilities of the Catholic Information Network. A message archive is available at the CIN site: Catholic Information Network . Click on "mail lists" or "mail list archives".

Links to the writings of Dorothy Day on war and pacifism, collected by Jim Allaire.

Roots of the Catholic Worker Movement saints and philosophers who influenced Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin page at the site of Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker House in Houston, Texas.

Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice, a Pastoral Reflection on Lay Discipleship for Justice in a New Millennium, from the United States Catholic Bishops. Invites all Catholics to make a justice commitment for the new millennium.

Even to the death fight for truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you. Sirach 4:28

The VIEW from 21^st Street

Previous editorial comment by Robert Waldrop written from Oklahoma City

A Justice and Peace meditation for Independence Day

LET THEM EAT PORTABELLO QUESADILLAS, commentary on the events surrounding the 50^th anniversary of NATO.

The VIEW from OAKLEY STREET

Previous Editorial commentaries by Robert Waldrop written from Kansas City, Missouri

1999 Justpeace Easter Letter

WAR IS THE HEALTH OF THE STATE. Holy Week 1999: a Justpeace editorial on the occasion of the commencement of the United States war against Serbia.

WITH BURNING SORROW, a response to the statement of March 24^th of the Most Reverend Joseph Fiorenza, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, on the crisis in Kosovo.

The Epiphany View from Oakley Street

Election Day 1998 Special Edition

ALL SAINTS DAY Special Edition

A LAMENT Concerning the Foreign Policy of the U.S.A.

A LAMENT for the SUMMER of 1998

Congress, the Presidency, and the Culture of Death

President Clinton Should Resign,

Works of Justice and Peace

My son, rob not the poor man of his livelihood, force not the eyes of the needy to turn away.

A hungry man grieve not, a needy man anger not; do not exasperate the downtrodden;

delay not to give to the needy. A beggar in distress do not reject;

avert not your face from the poor. From the needy turn