Sacred Heart Justice & Peace Ministry

The Sacred Heart Ministry of Justice & Peace works in conjunction with the Human Concerns Board to foster the social mission of Sacred Heart parish. Its focus is parish education in relation to the Church‘s social teachings and promotion of social justice. Our work includes:

Developing programs that educate, support and assist the community in creating social justice.

Collaborating with parish staff, community leaders, community groups and volunteers in carrying out social programs.

Calling members of the parish to fully participate in their communities to work for the common social good.

Working to protect the dignity and value of life wherever it is threatened.

Reaching out to the ―strangers among us‖ to welcome them in solidarity.

Promoting stewardship of creation.

Working for non-violent conflict resolution in all life arenas.

Focus Areas:

Catholic Social Teaching

Communities of Salt & Light (social mission of the parish)

Faithful Citizenship (legislative issues participatory government)

Global Solidarity

Economic Concerns (fair trade / free trade / economic sanctions / workers’ rights)

Housing Issues (Homelessness / Affordable Housing)

Earth Stewardship & Environmental Concerns

Mobile Food Pantry

Peace

Catholic Social Teaching: Major Themes

The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. It offers moral principles and coherent values that are badly needed in our time. In this time of widespread violence and diminished respect for human life and dignity in our country and around the world, the Gospel of life and the biblical call to justice need to be proclaimed and shared with new clarity, urgency, and energy.

Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents that explore and express the social demands of our faith. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents, many of which are cited in the Report of the Content Subgroup (pp. xx-xx). In these brief reflections, we wish to highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition. We hope they will serve as a starting point for those interested in exploring the Catholic social tradition more fully.

Life and Dignity of the Human Person In a world warped by materialism and declining respect for human life, the Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and assisted suicide. The value of human life is being threatened by increasing use of the death penalty. The dignity of life is undermined when the creation of human life is reduced to the manufacture of a product, as in human cloning or proposals for genetic engineering to create "perfect" human beings. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation In a global culture driven by excessive individualism, our tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. The family is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. While our society often exalts individualism, the Catholic tradition teaches that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Our Church teaches that the role of government and other institutions is to protect human life and human dignity and promote the common good.

Rights and Responsibilities In a world where some speak mostly of "rights" and others mostly of "responsibilities," the Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy

community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. While public debate in our nation is often divided between those who focus on personal responsibility and those who focus on social responsibilities, our tradition insists that both are necessary.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable In a world characterized by growing prosperity for some and pervasive poverty for others, Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. Respecting these rights promotes an economy that protects human life, defends human rights, and advances the well-being of all.

Solidarity Our culture is tempted to turn inward, becoming indifferent and sometimes isolationist in the face of international responsibilities. Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning that "loving our neighbor" has global dimensions in an interdependent world. This virtue is described by John Paul II as "a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all" (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, no. 38).

Care for God's Creation On a planet conflicted over environmental issues, the Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

This teaching is a complex and nuanced tradition with many other important elements. Principles like "subsidiarity" and the "common good" outline the advantages and limitations of markets, the responsibilities and limits of government, and the essential roles of voluntary associations. These and other key principles are outlined in greater detail in the Catechism and in the attached Report of the Content Subgroup (see pp. xx-xx). These principles build on the foundation of Catholic social teaching: the dignity of human life. This central Catholic principle requires that we measure every policy, every institution, and every action by whether it protects human life and enhances human dignity, especially for the poor and vulnerable.

These moral values and others outlined in various papal and episcopal documents are part of a systematic moral framework and a precious intellectual heritage that we call Catholic social teaching. The Scriptures say, "Without a vision the people perish" (Prv 29:18). As Catholics, we have an inspiring vision in our social teaching. In a world that hungers for a sense of meaning and moral direction, this teaching offers ethical criteria for action. In a society of rapid change and often confused moral values, this teaching offers consistent moral guidance for the future. For Catholics, this social teaching is a central part of our identity. In the words of John Paul II, it is "genuine doctrine" (Centesimus Annus, no. 5).

There will be legitimate differences and debate over how these challenging moral principles are applied in concrete situations. Differing prudential judgments on specifics cannot be allowed, however, to obscure the need for every Catholic to know and apply these principles in family, economic, and community life.

Communities of Salt & Light

The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops has developed a reflection on the social mission of parishes in the U.S. Members of Sacred Heart‘s Justice & Peace Ministry have studied the document Communities of Salt & Light (excerpts follow).

The Church teaches that social justice is an integral part of evangelization, a constitutive dimension of preaching the gospel, and an essential part of the Church's mission. The links between justice and evangelization are strong and vital. We cannot proclaim a gospel we do not live, and we cannot carry out a real social ministry without knowing the Lord and hearing his call to justice and peace. Parish communities must show by their deeds of love and justice that the gospel they proclaim is fulfilled in their actions. This tradition is not empty theory; it challenges our priorities as a nation, our choices as a Church, our values as parishes. It has led the Church to stand with the poor and vulnerable against the strong and powerful. It brings occasional controversy and conflict, but it also brings life and vitality to the People of God. It is a sign of our faithfulness to the gospel.

The roots of this call to justice and charity are in the Scriptures, especially in the Hebrew prophets and the life and words of Jesus. Parish social ministry has clear biblical roots. In the gospel according to Luke, Jesus began his public life by reading a passage from Isaiah that introduced his ministry and the mission of every parish. The parish must proclaim the transcendent message of the gospel and help:

bring "good news to the poor" in a society where millions lack the necessities of life;

bring "liberty to captives" when so many are enslaved by poverty, addiction, ignorance, discrimination, violence, or disabling conditions;

bring "new sight to the blind" in a culture where the excessive pursuit of power or pleasure can spiritually blind us to the dignity and rights of others; and

"set the downtrodden free" in communities where crime, racism, family disintegration, and economic and moral forces leave people without real hope (cf. Lk 4:18).

Our parish communities are measured by how they serve "the least of these" in our parish and beyond its boundaries-the hungry, the homeless, the sick, those in prison, the stranger (cf. Mt 25:31). Our local families of faith are called to "hunger and thirst for justice" and to be "peacemakers" in our own communities (c£ Mt 5:6,9). A parish cannot really proclaim the gospel if its message is not reflected in its own community life. The biblical call to charity, justice, and peace claims not only each believer, but also each community where believers gather for worship, formation, and pastoral care.

The following are the focuses of Communities of Salt and Light:

Anchoring Social Ministry: Prayer and Worship Sharing the Message: Preaching and Education Supporting the "Salt of the Earth": Family, Work, Citizenship Serving the "Least of These": Outreach and Charity Advocating for Justice: Legislative Action Creating Community: Organizing for Justice Building Solidarity: Beyond Parish Boundaries

Faithful Citizenship (legislative issues participatory government)

Challenge of Faithful Citizenship (pdf file)

Family Guide to Faithful Citizenship (pdf file)

Global Solidarity

In our part of the globe, we are blessed beyond measure. We have opportunities to pray, to learn, to work, to feast! Hand in hand with this is recognizing that many other parts of the globe do not have these same opportunities. Global Solidarity Week provides prayer, learning, and action opportunities that will help wake us to what solidarity means.

―Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good….‖ These words from John Paul II (On Social Concern) are a clear guide. Looking beyond our own boundaries, serving those in need, and working for global justice and peace isn‘t a question of whether to do so or not; it is a question of how we will do so. How is the call to solidarity being answered in our diocese?

The Diocese of Madison as a whole is involved in a partnership with the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana, Africa. As a Diocese, we expand our understanding of the joys and struggles faced by our brothers and sisters in Ghana.

How can you respond to the call to global solidarity?

Recognize your connection to the rest of the world, and open your heart and mind to the Spirit of solidarity.

Global Solidarity: Visitors from Ghana In September of 2006, two members of a 13-person delegation from Ghana stayed in the Reedsburg area as part of a global solidarity project. The project was created to foster a relationship between the people of the Navronga-Bolgotanga region of northern Ghana, Africa, and those of the Madison, Wisconsin area. Rev. Augustine Ayaga (a pastor and member of the Development Council in his region) and Emelia Alhassan (a teacher and principal), stayed with members of Sacred Heart Church and toured the area in order to experience life in the Reedsburg area. They spent a morning in Sacred Heart school classrooms, speaking to the students about life in Africa and answering students‘ questions. They also visited local farms to learn agricultural techniques, toured the Reedsburg Area Medical Center, and were given an in-depth tour of the Reedsburg water treatment facility. While they were here, Rev. Ayaga and Mrs. Alhassan shared stories of their lives in Ghana, in which extended families live together to raise crops and share in community life. They live without many of the conveniences experienced by most people living in the U.S. Transportation is on foot or bicycle, water is carried from its source to homes,

firewood is used for cooking, crops are planted and harvested by hand, and classrooms have no supplies other than pads of paper and pencils. Several years ago, a delegation from Wisconsin spent time in Ghana, experiencing life in agricultural Africa, so both groups have begun to learn about each other‘s cultures and lifestyles. And the question that was raised when groups gathered to share their cultures was whether a better quality of life necessarily results from the acquisition of greater technological advances.

WE WELCOME OUR FRIENDS FROM GHANA TO SACRED HEART PARISH

Why have people come here from Ghana?

Because we have a special connection to them through our church.

We are PARTNERS with the people of one diocese. (We are in the Madison Diocese of Wisconsin. They are in the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of Ghana.)

We are getting to know our brothers and sisters in Africa. What can we do to build our relationship with the people in Ghana?

1. Pray with and for the people of Ghana 2. Get to know them through visits and letter-writing. 3. Learn about their culture 4. Make fair policies for all developing countries 5. Help raise money for the people in Ghana We are a very RICH country. Most countries in the world are much poorer than we are. Because we have so much, we need to share what we have with those who are poor. This is the RIGHT thing to do. It is what Jesus asks us to do as his followers.

Responding to the Call to Global Solidarity

How can I respond by learning?

► Learn about global solidarity and Catholic social teaching by visiting these websites:

Catholic Relief Services, the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community http://www.catholicrelief.org/

Bread for the World, a nationwide Christian citizens movement seeking justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers http://www.bread.org/

Maryknoll, a US based Catholic mission movement http://home.maryknoll.org/index.php?module=MKArticles

USCCB (united States Conference of Catholic Bishops), an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy who work together to unify, coordinate, promote, and carry on Catholic activities in the United States http://www.usccb.org/index.shtml

► Learn by experiencing what it‘s like to live in a third world country:

Don‘t turn on your lights tonight – imagine a home with no electricity

Spend only $1 on ―extras‖ for a day, or a week – many families around the world survive on $1 a day for everything

Keep your heat turned down low – most families around the world don‘t have the luxury of climate controlled homes

► Learn by attending events that your parish is offering during Global Solidarity Week How can I respond in prayer?

► Learn a prayer or song from another culture or in another language ► Pray the Partnership prayer developed by the dioceses of Madison and

Navrongo-Bolgatanga ► Pray in a special way for our global brothers and sisters each day ► Read messages from Pope John Paul II, given for World Days of Peace

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/peace/index.htm How can I respond in action?

► Find out what current issues need immediate responses by reading the ―Action Alerts‖ on the Maryknoll website (see address above); on the Network website, a national Catholic social justice lobby (http://networklobby.org/index.html); or at the CRS Advocacy page http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/index.cfm

► Purchase fair trade goods like coffee, and advocate for you parish to do so, too (Learn more about Fair Trade at www.crsfairtrade.org)

► Study a justice issue that interests you, and determine the action that you are called to take. How can I respond monetarily?

► Participate in Operation Rice Bowl during Lent ► Support the Donkey Project by sending a donation to Donkey Project; c/o Office

of Justice & Pastoral Outreach; PO Box 44983; Madison, WI 53744 ► Research and then support an international aid and development organization of

your choice.

Fair Trade

―A just wage is the legitimate fruit of work . . Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility toward those who are unable to ensure

the means of their development by themselves. . . .Its is an obligation in justice if the prosperity of the rich nations has come

from resources that have not been paid for fairly.” Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Even though we live in a country that provides us with material comforts to sustain us, we are not independent economically. We have to buy nearly everything we need from someone else. As a country, we have begun to depend consistently on other countries for products that we use on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many times we fail to fairly reimburse the people in those countries for their work. Fair trade is a concept that refers to providing fair wages and fair labor practices to those who do the work. One way to make a difference is to purchase from stores or catalogs that engage in fair trade.

12 Ways YOU Can Support Fair Trade!

VOTE. Every Fair Trade purchase you make is a vote for a better world. Vote with your dollar, look for the Fair Trade Certified label, and buy Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, rice, sugar and other products whenever you shop. Check our website to find out Where to Buy Fair Trade Certified products at over 40,000 retailers nationwide.

ASK.If you don't see Fair Trade products in your favorite coffee shop, restaurant or grocery store, ask for them! Fill out a comment card or talk to a store manager. Businesses respond well to consumer demand for sustainable goods. When you register to host an event, you‘ll receive handy business-size Action Cards and other tools you can use to promote Fair Trade in your community. HOST. Fair Trade House Parties, film screenings and product tastings are great ways to raise awareness and educate others in your community about the importance of Fair Trade. We offer tools and materials to help you host a successful and fun event! Be sure to register your event with us so we can support your efforts. Check out our Online Events Calendar to get involved with Fair Trade activities going on near you. JOIN. Sign up to join our online community! Keep abreast of new Fair Trade products, creative promotional campaigns, and Fair Trade's impact on farmers. Click here to subscribe. Also, we invite you to be our friend on MySpace or Facebook! CELEBRATE. October is Fair Trade Month, and World Fair Trade Day happens every 2nd Saturday in May. Join the Fair Trade movement and promote Fair Trade during these special times. We sponsor lots of fun activities, from art contests to coffee give-aways to school curriculums. You can apply for a mini-grant to support your organizing efforts.

LEARN. Read about why Fair Trade is needed and how Fair Trade impacts farmers, farm workers and the environment. On our website you'll find background information, media articles, fact sheets, and links to other great organizations. DONATE. We rely on your tax-deductible contributions to TransFair USA to be able to continue our work with farmers and farm workers in some of the poorest communities around the world. INTRODUCE. Bring Fair Trade to your high school or college campus! From hosting Fair Trade Fairs to gathering hundreds of petitions, students have been at the forefront of the Fair Trade movement, raising awareness and bringing Fair Trade to hundreds of schools across the country. Get involved at your school today! START. Get involved with a local Fair Trade group and work to make your community a Fair Trade Town! There be an active Fair Trade Group near you, but if one doesn't exist, it's not that hard to start one! Our website offers helpful contacts for groups from Brattle boro to the Bay Area and plenty of examples of how other people just like you have done it. FUNDRAISE. Sell Fair Trade products as a fundraiser for your school, church or community group. Contact us to learn about companies that offer special Fair Trade fundraising programs. GIVE. Fair Trade products - chocolate, handicrafts, and sports balls!-are a great way to give meaning to birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other gift-giving traditions.

"A just wage is the legitimate fruit of work. To refuse or withhold it is a grave injustice. Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility toward those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves or have been prevented from doing so by tragic historical events. It is a duty in solidarity and charity; it is also an obligation in justice if the prosperity of the rich nations has come from resources that have not been paid for fairly." Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fair trade refers not only to fair wages and fair labor practices for coffee growers but also for any employment situation. How can we, as Catholics, know whether the companies, from whom we purchase products, employ fair trade practices? One way to be sure that US-made clothes are sweatshop-free is to look for the Union label. Where we purchase our coffee, we could ask the store manager if Fair Trade coffee is one of the coffee options in the store. There are some stores in Reedsburg that do have Fair Trade coffee available. If you look closely, you may find some Fair Trade labels on some other products such as bananas, cocoa, oranges, orange juice, tea, etc.

A JUST WAGE

The federal government has determined that a family of 4 making $18, 810 per year is living in poverty. See the simple math problem below to learn how little this income really yields.

18,810.00 Housing -5,274.00

13,536.00 Utilities -2,350.00

11,186.00 Transportation -4,852

6,334.00 Food -4,815.00

1,519.00 Health Care (even with insurance) -793.00

726.00 Child Care -2,030.00

Deficit (and there are still things that you need, like clothing) $ -1,304.00

Housing Issues (Homelessness / Affordable Housing)

Sacred Heart Justice & Peace Study On Local Affordable Housing Issues

September 2004: Wisconsin Council of Churches sent a letter and booklet to Sacred Heart Church Justice & Peace Board describing a program (Opening Doors to Affordable Housing) and asking to send groups for facilitator training in Madison on two Saturdays in November. No one was able to participate; however the curriculum for creating an action group was given to Sacred Heart. The curriculum included a five-session lesson plan to educate congregation members on Good Samaritan principles of justice and compassion, housing statistics, creating needs assessments at the local level, and efforts to alleviate housing problems and shortages. The J & P Board decided to research housing issues and programs in the greater Reedsburg area to see what was needed. The following list is the result of their research. Subsidized Rental Programs (608-524-4900) 1. Rent-Reduced Program (all ages): Winfield Apartments (19th Street and H) run by

the Sauk County Housing Authority. Open to all ages. Reduced rent program based on income of client. Cornerstone Apartments, Village Green, Brewery, Woodridge have subsidized rents (Woodridge has market value rentals available).

2. Senior Citizens and Handicapped: Park Street Historic Apartments, Maple Ridge, Willow Heights, Wynn Apartments. Subsidized rents. Meridian Group, Inc. manages Village Green, Section 8-F and Willow Heights, Section 8-E and Park Street Apartments.

3. Developmentally Disabled: Babb Street Apartments. Partially non-profit. House

parent in the building keeps watch over the residents. Betheseda Group Home on Grove Street. Help with case management, cooking, dressing, medication, etc. Group home on 19th Street run by Impact. Similar to Betheseda.

Rental Assistance 1. Renters Resources: Wisconsin Apartment Association (920-230-9221) or visit their

web site to have your questions answered: http://www.waaonline.org (click on ―Renters‘ Resources‖)

2. Renewal Unlimited assists with security deposits, rentals, rental problems and home-buying loans.

3. St. Vincent de Paul, St. John’s Lutheran, and some other churches have limited funds to assist with rent on an emergency basis. Most organizations assist once per year or on a one-time allocation. Funds are available for most until gone.

4. Community Action operates a transitional housing program. There is scattered site placement into an apartment or house. Resident can live in the house up to 2 years. During that time the resident must participate in intensive case management. Community Action co-signs the lease. Anyone is eligible. After two years, if the program is successful, the resident is transitioned into permanent housing. Section 8 vouchers are used. The Federal government pays the difference in rent after the resident pays what s/he is able.

Home Buying & Building Assistance 1. Tax credit programs available but hard to get information concerning them.

Limited programs for first-time home buyers. Programs change frequently depending on availability of mortgage money. Research with banking institutions would have to be done to find out about availability of funds.

2. Renewal Unlimited assists with home-buying loans. 3. ―Self-help Building of Houses‖—Central Wisconsin Community Action has ten lots

north of Wisconsin Dells. Commitment of 20 hours per week from family and friends to build the houses. People are required to help each other.

4. Habitat for Humanity—has built one house in Baraboo, a couple in Lodi, and is

building one in Portage in 2009. There is a possibility that one will be built in Reedsburg yet in 2009. (608-644-0504)

HOMELESSNESS NATIONALLY & LOCALLY

The National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Low Income Housing Coalition

(2005 Statistics)

NATIONALLY. Homelessness is often assumed to be an urban phenomenon. However, rural homelessness is increasing as a result of poverty and lack of affordable housing. In the late ‗90s, the rural poverty rate (15.9%) was higher than the metropolitan rate (12.6%) and above the national rate (13.3%). People are homeless for many reasons: job loss, declining value of the minimum wage, decline in manufacturing jobs, globalization (sending work overseas), increased costs for housing, large medical bills, and family breakups. In 2004, 188 of 57,000 families in Sauk County were homeless. Most were women with children. They live with relatives, in their cars, under bridges or even in tree stands. Service Organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, many churches and the Community Action Council work to provide support for these families, but there is only one homeless shelter in the country (housing 10-15 families a year). The need for help is great.

Studies have shown that homeless people in rural areas are more likely to be white, female, married, currently working, homeless for the first time and homeless for a short period of time Single mothers and children make up the largest group of people who are homeless in rural areas. In our own area, these patterns are the same. Ending homelessness in our own community requires jobs that pay a living wage, adequate income supports for those who cannot work, affordable housing, and transportation.

STATE-WIDE: In Wisconsin, a household (earning $18,000 a year) can afford monthly rent of no more than $460. A minimum wage earner (earning $5.15 per hour) can afford monthly rent of no more than $268. An SSI recipient (receiving $564 monthly) can afford no more than $169. It is difficult, if not impossible, to find housing for this little—not to mention the need to pay for utilities, food, clothing, and transportation. The ―Housing Wage‖ in the state of Wisconsin is $12.12. This is the amount a full time (40 hrs. per week) worker must earn per hour in order to afford fair market rent. LOCALLY. The current Fair Market rent for a two-bedroom unit is $635. A person earning minimum wage would need to work 90 hours per week to afford that level of rent. Housing costs are generally budgeted at 30% of spendable income. The main reasons for homelessness are medical bills, split in relationships, lack of jobs, lack of health insurance and habitual destructive behaviors. Landlords do not have to rent to anyone evicted for two years after evictions.

Facts About Homelessness According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, up to 600,000 men, women and children go homeless every night in the United States alone. The figure world wide is magnitudes higher.

Homelessness and poverty are tightly linked. People who are living in poverty often must choose between food, shelter and other basic needs. Some very difficult choices must be made when limited resources can only go so far. All too many times, it is shelter, which usually absorbs the most money, that must be dropped for more immediate necessities such as food. For the poor, an accident, a medical crisis, a lost paycheck can all translate into not having a place to call home next week.

Contrary to popular belief, the homeless is not lazy and dependent exclusively on public welfare. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, on average in the United States, a single worker earning minimum wage would have to work 87 hours each week just to pay for a 2-bedroom apartment with 30% (Federal definition of affordable housing) of his or her income. The rest would be barely sufficient to acquire other necessities such as food and clothing. As a result of low wages, many impoverished workers are forced out of their homes when extenuating circumstances come into play. In fact, up to 40% of the homeless are employed and working.

Children who are homeless are one of the fastest growing segments of the general homeless population as for every four homeless persons, one of them will be a child. Families with children make up 37% of people without homes. When children become

homeless, they face additional setbacks such as in education. Requirements of legal guardianship, lack of a permanent address and immunization records often delay or prevent homeless children from enrolling in schools and receiving an adequate education. Without a chance to get an education, children who are homeless are often unable to acquire the necessary skills they will need to escape from the poverty that led to them to become homeless in the first place. Thus, a vicious cycle is set in motion where poverty results in homelessness and homelessness, through the obstruction of education, leads to future poverty for the children.

Homelessness also singles out other groups of people such as the sick. For example, the lack of affordable housing is a grave concern for people living with HIV/AIDS. Employers often unmercifully fire those carrying the dreaded disease and medication fees are expensive. As a result, it has been estimated that between 3% to up to 20% of homeless people are HIV positive. Many homeless youths, left with no other options, find that exchanging sex for food, shelter and clothing is their only chance for survival. As a result, homeless adolescents are at a greater risk of contracting AIDS compared to their peers with welcoming homes.

Another group singled out by homelessness is the elderly. A 1992 Urban Institute study indicated that up to 31% of homeless persons were over the age of 45 and this percentage is growing. With less income from work and more necessary expenditures such as medications, many elderly people are having to make a choice between food, shelter and medications.

It has been said that every human being has a primary and fundamental right to adequate food and shelter. Yet so many people in our world are deprived of this basic right. This right of feeling a warm bed at night, in a place called home.

HOMELESSNESS: Local Groups currently working on issues Extensive duplication of some services; omission of others. Sauk county Coalition of Initiatives is attempting to avoid unnecessary duplication and to fill in the gaps for missing services.

1. Community Action Council / Job Service: ―Project Chance: (Transitional Housing Program; Get Smart (Skills Enhancement Program) (608-254-8353)

2. Sauk County Human Services (extensive case management, ―Families

Come First Program,‖ Family Resources and other services) 9608-355-4200)

3. Shelters:

a. Reedsburg: Ozanam House on South Webb Avenue—purchased in December 2006. Run by an independent board of directors.

b. Portage: River Haven—being refurbished ; open 01-29-07 c. Sauk: St. Vincent, Sauk County & Lutheran Social

Services are working on building a new shelter in Sauk on land purchased from the sisters at Our Lady of the Valley monastery

d. Baraboo: Homeless Haven is a non-profit entity that is currently raising funds but has no shelter as of 1-01-07

e. No longer in service: Shelter for Homeless Men – Baraboo

f.

4. St. Vincent de Paul (Sauk City, Reedsburg & Baraboo)—motel vouchers, utility, gas assistance

5. Churches: a. Baraboo churches and other-agencies group: working on

shelter, housing, voucher study b. Reedsburg Churches (St. John‘s Lutheran, UMC, Church

of God, Trinity Baptist, Wonewoc UMC, Loganville St. Peter‘s Lutheran-- vouchers, referrals to S.V.d P)

6. Homeless Helpline: takes Homeless Helpline calls after 4:30 daily and on

weekends and holidays (888-472-8526) 7. Renewal Unlimited: Safe and Stable Families (888-356-3328)

8. UW-Extension: Susan Nagelkerk (Family Living Educator) training for

families / mentors

9. Interfaith Volunteer Network

10. Sauk County Democrats—petitioned Sauk County Board to designate funds for the homeless

11. Housing Mediation Service: Forest Clark already does this and it‘s

available through him in Baraboo at 356-3991 (can be used instead of Tenant Resource Center)

12. Hope House (domestic abuse shelter)

Earth Stewardship & Environmental Concerns

U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Call To Action On The Environment

Grateful for the gift of creation and contrite in the face of the deteriorating condition of the natural world, we invite Catholics and men and women of good will in every walk of life to consider with us the moral issues raised by the environmental crisis. We ask the Catholic community: How are we called to care for God's creation? How may we apply our social teaching, with its emphasis on the life and dignity of the human person, to the challenge of protecting the earth, our common home? What can we in the Catholic community offer to the environmental movement, and what can we learn from it? How can we encourage a serious dialogue in the Catholic community–in our parishes, schools, colleges, universities, and other settings–on the significant ethical dimensions of the environmental crisis? To other people of good will across this country, we say: How do we proceed to frame a common and workable environmental ethic? What steps can we take to devise a sustainable and just economy? What can we do to link more firmly in the public mind both the commitment to justice and duties to the environment? How can we recognize and confront the possible conflicts between environment and jobs, and work for the common good and solutions that value both people and the earth? How do we secure protection for all God's creatures, including the poor and the unborn? How can the United States, as a nation, act responsibly about this ever more global problem? And how, in working for a sustainable global economy, do we fulfill our obligations in justice to the poor of the Third World? These are matters of powerful urgency and major consequence. They constitute an exceptional call to conversion. As individuals, as institutions, as a people, we need a change of heart to preserve and protect the planet for our children and for generations yet unborn.

You Can Make a Difference: What You Can Do to Help the Environment

The following are suggestions from the U.S. Catholic Bishops:

1. Recycle newspaper, paper, cardboard, glass tin, and aluminum 2. Use low- or phosphate-free detergent 3. Wash clothes in cold water 4. Use old clothes and cloth (instead of paper towels) to wipe up spills and for

cleaning 5. Reuse paper grocery bags 6. Use reusable containers for sandwiches and leftovers instead of plastic wrap,

baggies, and foil 7. Install low-flow aerators on faucets and use water-saving showerheads. 8. Do not leave water running when showering, shaving, brushing your teeth,

washing dishes or your car.

9. Insulate water heaters and set them at 130 degrees (cool enough to save energy, but hot enough to kill bacteria).

10. Fix leaky pipes. 11. Place space-occupiers in toilet tanks (Do not use bricks or rocks; they can

damage pipes.) 12. Lower your thermostat one degree for every hour you will be away or asleep. 13. Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. 14. Donate unwanted clothing and household items to charity or to a thrift shop. 15. Plant a tree. 16. Use organic pesticides and fertilizers 17. Do not over-water your lawn or garden. 18. Use reusable shopping bags. 19. Return reusable items to merchants (e.g. plastic and rubbers pots to

nurseries; hangers to dry cleaners). 20. Avoid buying Styrofoam. 21. Reduce the use of disposable products. 22. Drive the speed limit, and accelerate and slow down gradually. 23. Carpool 24. Bike or walk for short trips. 25. Oppose toxic chemicals on fruits and vegetables. 26. Do not litter. 27. Monitor exposure to hazardous products and conditions 28. Participate in clean-air and clean-water programs. 29. Suggest and help organize an environmental awareness day 30. Air dry laundry whenever possible. 31. Collect rainwater and gray water (i.e. tub, sink, wash water) for use in

gardening 32. Explore alternative energy sources (e.g. solar, wind.) 33. Enjoy recreational activities that use renewable instead of nonrenewable

energy (biking, hiking, rowing or canoeing). 34. Buy products that will last, and rent items you do not use very often. 35. Educate children about sustainable-living practices. 36. Invest your money in environmentally and socially conscious businesses 37. Remove yourself from mailing lists you do not wish to be on by contacting the

organizations / companies. 38. Adopt a highway or waterway and clear it of debris. 39. Plan for a community garden next year. 40. Support efforts to preserve natural habitats 41. Encourage the U.S. to playa strong international role in researching and

preserving biodiversity worldwide 42. Support policies and programs that promote energy efficiency and renewable

energy (e.g. Reedsburg Utilities‘ option to purchase renewable energy sources).

43. Support efforts to address toxic pollution problems and to avoid receiving an unfair share of society‘s environmental hazards.

44. Support and work with national organizations that help local communities address toxic pollution and hazardous waste problems

45. the final outcome. Every voter makes a difference, and the issues of this campaign impact all of

You can make a difference: Composting

At its core, the environmental crisis is a moral challenge. It calls us to examine how we use and share the goods of the earth, what we pass on to future generations, and how we live in harmony with God‘s creation.‖ U.S. Catholic Bishops, Renewing the Earth

We often find ourselves inundated with garden, yard, and food ―leftovers.‖ Grass clippings, shrub trimmings, weeds, vegetable peels, and other plant debris are the most easily recycled materials. All you have to do is set aside a space in your yard—a small fenced-in area or a large container. Simply throw all of your vegetation into the bin. Once a week, water it and turn it with a shovel or pitchfork. If you have horses or cows or other vegetation-eating animals, you can add their manure periodically, but this isn‘t necessary. By the end of summer, you will have recycled hundreds of pounds of vegetable matter (which might normally be bagged and sent to dump sites). The compost turns into a rich, dark humus which can be worked into your flower and vegetable gardens to enrich the soil. Nothing will go to waste.

You Can Make a Difference: Purchasing Locally-grown, in-Season Foods

U.S. Catholic Bishops, Renewing the Earth

How can we eat healthfully, support local businesses, and help reduce energy consumption? One way is to increase the number of locally-grown, in-season foods that we eat. Foods that are locally grown utilize the soil, air and water from the bio-region in which we live. Locally-grown foods do not have to be transported great distances, saving fossil fuel consumption and decreasing air pollution. Local businesses and independent growers can benefit from our purchasing their products. Mid-summer is the perfect time to scout for foods that both nourish us and save our environment. In addition to finding these foods in our local supermarkets, we can also shop at local farmers‘ markets and produce stands in the area. ―We in the developed world . . . are obligated to address our own wasteful and destructive use of resources as a matter of top priority‖ ―A just and sustainable society and world are not an optional ideal, but a moral and practical necessity.‖ ―Without an ecologically responsible world economy, justice will be unachievable.‖ ―Nature is not, in Catholic teaching, merely a field to exploit at will ….. We are not gods, but stewards of the earth.‖ ―For believers, our faith is tested by our concern and care for creation.‖

TAKE ACTION on ENERGY: Things You Can Do

(for more details, go to www.climatecrisis.net)

REDUCE YOUR IMPACT AT HOME

Most emissions from homes are from the fossil fuels burned to generate electricity and heat. By using energy more efficiently at home, you can reduce your emissions and lower your energy bills by more than 30%.

In addition, since agriculture is responsible for about a fifth of the world‘s greenhouse gas emissions, you can reduce your emissions simply by watching what you eat.

Here‘s how:

Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl) CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. If every family in the U.S. made the switch, we‘d reduce carbon dioxide by more than 90 billion pounds! You can purchase CFLs online from the Energy Federation.

Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling.

Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Install a programmable thermostat Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill.

Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most efficient models. If each household in the U.S. replaced its existing appliances with the most efficient models available, we‘d eliminate 175 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year!

Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket You‘ll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save

another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use less hot water It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.

Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year. Turn off electronic devices you’re not using Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when you‘re not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Unplug electronics from the wall when you’re not using them Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. In fact, the energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working accounts for 5 percent of total domestic energy consumption and spews 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year!

Only run your dishwasher when there’s a full load and use the energy-saving setting You can save 100 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Insulate and weatherize your home Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can save 25% of your home heating bill and 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Caulking and weather-stripping can save another 1,700 pounds per year. The Consumer Federation of America has more information on how to better insulate your home.

Be sure you’re recycling at home You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area. Buy recycled paper products It takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide.

Plant a tree A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.

Get a home energy audit Many utilities offer free home energy audits to find where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. You can save up to 30% off your energy bill and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Energy Star can help you find an energy specialist.

Switch to green power In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what‘s available in your area.

Buy locally grown and produced foods The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community.

Buy fresh foods instead of frozen Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce.

Seek out and support local farmers markets They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. You can find a farmer‘s market in your area at the USDA website.

Buy organic foods as much as possible Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we‘d remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere!

Avoid heavily packaged products You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%.

Eat less meat Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath.

REDUCE YOUR IMPACT WHILE ON THE MOVE

Almost one third of the carbon dioxide produced in the United States comes from our cars, trucks and airplanes. Here are some simple, practical things you can do to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you produce while on the move.

Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Click here to find transit options in your area. Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide

emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers.

Keep your car tuned up Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere.

Check your tires weekly to make sure they’re properly inflated Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference

When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid! You can find information on fuel efficiency here and here.

Try car sharing Need a car but don‘t want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Many companies – such as Flexcar -- offer low emission or hybrid cars too! Also, see ZipCar.

Try telecommuting from home Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. For more information, check out the Telework Coalition.

Fly less Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can reduce your emissions significantly. You can also offset your air travel by investing in renewable energy projects.

STATEMENT BY THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ON ENERGY, SECURITY AND CLIMATE

Throughout human history, people and countries have fought over natural resources. From livestock, watering holes and fertile land, to trade routes, fish stocks and spices, sugar, oil, gold and other precious commodities, war has too often been the means to secure possession of scarce resources. Even today, the uninterrupted supply of fuel and minerals is a key element of geopolitical considerations. Things are easier at times of plenty, when all can share in the abundance, even if to different degrees. But when resources are scarce -- whether energy, water or arable land -- our fragile ecosystems become strained, as do the coping mechanisms of groups and individuals. This can lead to a breakdown of established codes of conduct, and even outright conflict. At the 2005 World Summit, Member States renewed their commitment to promoting a culture of prevention of armed conflict. They also pledged to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to this end. The Security Council adopted resolution 1625 on conflict prevention, particularly in Africa, and reaffirmed the need to address the root causes of conflict. In a series of reports on conflict prevention, my predecessor, Secretary-General Kofi Annan, pointed to the threats emanating from environmental degradation and resource scarcity. Let me quote from the latest of the reports: Environmental degradation has the potential to destabilize already conflict-prone regions, especially when compounded by inequitable access or politicization of access to scarce resources. I urge Member States to renew their efforts to agree on ways that allow all of us to live sustainable within the planet‘s means. Excellencies, allow me to renew and amplify this call. Compared to the cost of conflict and its consequences, the cost of prevention is far lower -- in financial terms but most importantly in human lives, and life quality. I firmly believe that today, all countries recognize that climate change, in particular, requires a long-term global response, in line with the latest scientific findings, and compatible with economic and social development. According to the most recent assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the planet‘s warming is unequivocal, its impact is clearly noticeable, and it is beyond doubt that human activities have been contributing considerably to it. Adverse effects are already felt in many areas, including agriculture and food security; oceans and coastal areas; biodiversity and ecosystems; water resources; human health; human settlements; energy, transport and industry; and extreme weather events. Projected changes in the earth‘s climate are thus not only an environmental concern. They can also have serious social and economic implications. And -- as the Council points up today -- issues of energy and climate change can have implications for peace

and security. This is especially true in vulnerable regions that face multiple stresses at the same time -- pre-existing conflict, poverty and unequal access to resources, weak institutions, food insecurity, and incidence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Consider the following scenarios -- all alarming, though not alarmist: -- The adverse effects of changing weather patterns, such as floods and droughts, and related economic costs, including compensation for lost land, could risk polarizing society and marginalizing communities. This, in turn, could weaken the institutional capacity of the State to resolve conflict through peaceful and democratic means, to ensure social cohesion, and to safeguard human rights. -- Extreme weather events and natural disasters, such as floods and drought, increase the risk of humanitarian emergencies, and thus the risk of instability and dislocation. -- Migration driven by factors, such as climate change could deepen tensions and conflicts, particularly in regions with large numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees. -- Scarce resources, especially water and food, could help transform peaceful competition into violence. -- Limited or threatened access to energy is already known to be a powerful driver of conflict. Our changing planet risk making it more so. -- And of course, the economic costs and losses of all these scenarios would impede the ability of countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals. These are, of course, only possible scenarios. But we cannot sit back and watch to see whether they turn into reality. The entire multilateral machinery needs to come together to prevent it from becoming so. *Happy Earth Day!!*

Mobile Food Pantry

Delivery: 4th Thursday of the month from April through October. Pickup for Clients: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Work Time for Volunteers: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

A Mobile Pantry is a way to quickly distribute perishable food to clients with a minimum of red tape and no need for refrigerated storage space. In 2006 Catholic Charities (Madison Diocese) granted funding for the operation of a monthly Food Pantry at Sacred Heart Church. The Parish Mobile Pantry Program is a collaboration between Catholic Charities, Second Harvest and parishes of the Madison Diocese. On the day of delivery, a Second Harvest truck comes to our school parking lot, where volunteers help to distribute food at no cost to clients. In a matter of t hours, a truckload of food can be distributed to needy families. The food available for Mobile Pantries is always changing and often includes fresh produce, bakery, dairy products and juice.

Peace

Catechism of the Catholic Church – Safeguarding Peace

Second Edition, 1997 Libreria Editrice Vaticana

III. Safeguarding Peace

2304 Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace can not be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is "the tranquility of order."98 Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity. 99

―The Human Person, the Heart of Peace‖ (Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the Celebration of World Day of Peace)

January 2007 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-

xvi_mes_20061208_xl-world-day-peace_en.html

Darfur

―Statement of the Occasion of the Save the Darfur Rally: (PDF file)

Toward a Responsible Transition in Iraq A Statement of Bishop Thomas G. Wenski

Bishop of Orlando Chairman, USCCB Committee on International Policy

January 12, 2006

The Challenge in Iraq

As we begin a new year and almost three years after the initiation of war, the situation in Iraq remains complex, uncertain, and dangerous—for the Iraqi people, for the region, for our nation, and for our military personnel. The war‘s toll is measured in lives lost and many more injured, in persistent violence and insurgency, and in the daily struggles of Iraqis to build a future for their torn nation. Our Conference of bishops mourns the

deaths of more than 2,100 of our nation‘s sons and daughters and of tens of thousands of Iraqis. We share the pain of the countless numbers of persons who have been injured and maimed and of those whose lives will never be the same. There have been achievements. A dictator has been deposed and elections have been held, but the human and social costs of these achievements must be recognized.

There is no simple or easy way forward. Stability remains elusive and rebuilding efforts are uneven, inadequate and frequently undermined by the lack of security. Our Conference is encouraged by the courage and determination of so many Iraqis who voted in the recent parliamentary elections. We hope these elections will be an important step forward, but everyone acknowledges that the elections represent just one step along a long road.

As bishops and pastors, we seek to offer some moral reflections to help guide our nation along the difficult road ahead. While we recognize that people of goodwill may disagree with specific prudential judgments that we offer, our religious tradition calls us to shine the light of faith and the Church‘s social teaching on the moral dimensions of the future choices that lie ahead. We hope our reflections will contribute to a serious and civil national dialogue to help our nation chart a way forward that responds to both the moral and human dimensions of the situation in Iraq.

The Challenge to Dialogue

Our bishops‘ Conference regrets that discussions regarding Iraq have too often led to unproductive debates that are marked by polarization and political posturing on many sides. It is important for all to recognize that addressing questions regarding the decisions that led us to war, and about the conduct of the war and its aftermath, is both necessary and patriotic. It is equally important that these questions be discussed with civility so that necessary reflection and careful deliberation are not lost in a barrage of attacks and counterattacks. Instead our nation needs serious and civil discussions of alternatives that emphasize planning for a responsible transition in Iraq. Our Conference hopes that this statement can help contribute to such dialogue.

Since so much is at stake for Iraq, for our nation, for the region and for our world, our nation cannot allow justifications of past positions and partisan attacks on others to replace real, sustained, serious and civil debate. Dialogue is not advanced by challenging the motives or integrity of others or by over-simplifying the challenges we face.

Today some see virtually no progress in Iraq and argue for rapid strategic withdrawal. Others see enormous progress and call for continued and steady engagement. Our Conference rejects any assessment of the reality that is either too pessimistic or too optimistic. Our nation cannot afford a shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to ―cut and run‖ versus ―stay the course.‖ Instead we need a forthright discussion that begins with an honest assessment of the situation in Iraq and acknowledges both the mistakes that have been made and the signs of hope that have appeared. Most importantly, an honest assessment of our moral responsibilities toward Iraq should commit our nation to a policy of responsible transition.

The Moral Challenge

It is well known that our bishops‘ Conference repeatedly expressed grave moral concerns about the military intervention in Iraq and the unpredictable and uncontrollable negative consequences of an invasion and occupation. Similar concerns were articulated powerfully by Pope John Paul II and the Holy See. The events of the past three years, the absence of evidence of weapons of mass destructions and the continuing violence and unrest in Iraq have reinforced those ethical concerns. In light of the moral criteria of the just war tradition, our Conference remains highly skeptical of the concept of ―preventive war.‖ As the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church states: ―[E]ngaging in a preventive war without clear proof that an attack is imminent cannot fail to raise serious moral and juridical questions.‖1

At the same time our nation cannot just look back. We must now look around and look ahead. The intervention in Iraq has brought with it a new set of moral responsibilities to help Iraqis secure and rebuild their country and to address the consequences of the war for the region and the world. The central moral question is not just the timing of U.S. withdrawal, but rather the nature and extent of U.S. and international engagement that allows for a responsible transition to security and stability for the Iraqi people. As the late Pope John Paul II said in the wake of the Iraq war:

The many attempts made by the Holy See to avoid the grievous war in Iraq are already known. Today what matters is that the international community help put the Iraqis, freed from an oppressive regime, in a condition to be able to take up their Country's reins again, consolidate its sovereignty and determine democratically a political and economic system that reflects their aspirations, so that Iraq may once again be a credible partner in the International Community.2 The Challenge of a Responsible Transition

Our nation‘s military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as it takes for a responsible transition, leaving sooner rather than later. We welcome recent news reports that suggest that troop levels will be reduced as Iraqis assume more responsibility for their own security. But it is important for the United States to send even clearer signals that the goals of U.S. policy are to help Iraqis assume full control of their governance and not to occupy the nation for an indeterminate period. As one example, our government should declare that the presence of U.S. military personnel and bases in Iraq must be an Iraqi decision that respects the needs and sovereignty of the Iraqi people.

Despite past missteps and current difficulties, our nation urgently needs to seek to broaden international support and participation in the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq. This task will be difficult; but it is still necessary. Securing wider and deeper international support will strengthen the legitimacy and effectiveness of our nation‘s efforts, but it will also require giving international partners and allies a real voice and real responsibilities. Transferring some responsibility and operational control of the stabilization and reconstruction process to a more accepted international entity, working

in partnership with Iraqis, will require that the United States both provide continued financial and military support and also yield some control to others.

As Pope John Paul II said to President Bush in 2004:

It is the evident desire of everyone that this situation now be normalized as quickly as possible with the active participation of the international community and, in particular, the United Nations Organization, in order to ensure a speedy return of Iraq‘s sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people.3 A responsible transition in Iraq means establishing a series of basic benchmarks, including:

achieving adequate levels of security; establishing the rule of law; promoting economic reconstruction to help create reasonable levels of

employment and economic opportunity; and supporting the development of political structures to advance stability, political

participation, and respect for religious freedom and basic human rights.

In Catholic social teaching, peace is more than the absence of war; it is built on the foundation of justice. Peace involves the defense of human rights, the pursuit of integral human development and the promotion of the common good.4 Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI recently wrote: Peace thus comes to be seen in a new light: not as the mere absence of war, but as a harmonious coexistence of individual citizens within a society governed by justice, one in which the good is also achieved, to the extent possible, for each of them.5 The Catholic Church has significant and growing experience in fostering post-conflict peace-building and reconciliation in various regions of the world, including in The Philippines, South Africa, Burundi, Mozambique, Guatemala, the Balkans and elsewhere. Church leaders and institutions have assisted many peoples as they walked the painstaking, but necessary, path to peace after war and violence. The experience of the Church and others can help inform the challenging work of building peace in the wake of war in Iraq.

Particular Challenges for a Responsible Transition

Our bishops‘ Conference believes that our nation and the Iraqi people face a number of particular challenges that arise from the complex, uncertain and dangerous situation in Iraq. These challenges include:

terrorism and our response to it; the violation of the human rights of persons in the custody of U.S. and Iraqi

forces; threats to religious liberty and religious minorities in Iraq; the plight of refugees; and meeting other responsibilities of our nation.

Violence and Terrorism: Our Conference unequivocally condemns all terrorist attacks, especially those that target civilians. We echo the teaching of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI: ―Nowadays, the truth of peace continues to be dramatically compromised and rejected by terrorism, whose criminal threats and attacks leave the world in a state of fear and insecurity.‖6 The use of force is never just when it fails to discriminate between combatants and non-combatants in a conflict.

At the same time our Conference reiterates that terrorism cannot be fought solely, or even principally, with military methods. As the USCCB Administrative Committee has warned in 2002:

This "war on terrorism" should be fought with the support of the international community and primarily by non-military means, denying terrorists resources, recruits, and opportunities for their evil acts. … As we confront evil acts, which no cause can justify, this "war on terrorism" must not deflect us from sustained commitment to overcome poverty, conflict and injustice, particularly in the Middle East and the developing world, which can provide fertile ground in which hopelessness and terrorism thrive.7 In the frustrating and dangerous task of confronting terrorists, now drawn to and active in Iraq, our nation must guard against overly aggressive and unwise military responses that endanger civilians and thereby undermine the winning of hearts and minds that is critical to the long term struggle with terrorists and insurgents. Our moral tradition insists that the use of military force must be proportional and discriminate. When tactical military responses are required, we must never forget that the wider struggle with terrorism, together with our basic moral commitments and legal obligations, demand respect for human rights.

We must heed the warning of Pope John Paul II in his 2002 World Day of Peace Message:

International cooperation in the fight against terrorist activities must also include a courageous and resolute political, diplomatic and economic commitment to relieving situations of oppression and marginalization which facilitate the designs of terrorists. The recruitment of terrorists in fact is easier in situations where rights are trampled upon and injustices tolerated over a long period of time.8 It is important to distinguish between the tactic of terrorist attacks that are never justifiable and the political concerns which feed the insurgency. In order to reduce popular support for the insurgency, it is critically important to help create viable political space for Sunni and minority participation in Iraq.

Human Rights: In light of deeply disturbing and continuing reports of persistent violations of the human rights of persons in the custody of U.S. military, and more recently of reports of similar abuses by the newly reconstituted Iraqi forces, our bishops‘ Conference once again urges immediate steps be taken to end these violations, to prevent future occurrences and to discover how they came about. The abuse and torture of detainees violate human rights. They simultaneously undermine both the struggle against terrorism and the prospects of a responsible transition in Iraq. Such abuse undercuts our nation‘s moral credibility and damages our nation‘s ability to win popular support in other countries where backing is needed for the struggles in Iraq and

against global terrorism. Defending the basic human rights of detainees can also strengthen our insistence on the humane treatment of our own military personnel who become captives.

Our nation simply must live up to our own Constitution‘s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984. As a world leader, our nation‘s adherence to international standards ought to be exemplary. For these reasons our Conference has supported Congressional efforts to prohibit cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment of persons and to provide uniform standards for the interrogation of persons under detention by the Department of Defense. Our Conference also supports a proposal to appoint a special human rights officer to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Recently Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the importance of international humanitarian law and called on all countries to obey its requirements. In his 2006 Peace Message the Holy Father declared:

The truth of peace must also let its beneficial light shine even amid the tragedy of war. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, pointed out that ―not everything automatically becomes permissible between hostile parties once war has regrettably commenced.‖ As a means of limiting the devastating consequences of war as much as possible, especially for civilians, the international community has created an international humanitarian law. In a variety of situations and in different settings, the Holy See has expressed its support for this humanitarian law, and has called for it to be respected and promptly implemented, out of the conviction that the truth of peace exists even in the midst of war.9 Religious Liberty: Our Conference has repeatedly called for the protection of religious liberty in Iraq and renews that call once again. The Catholic bishops in Iraq have expressed serious concerns regarding conflicting provisions in the proposed constitution of Iraq and are wary of its implementation. In light of these concerns, our Conference urges the active support of the U.S. to encourage clearer protection of religious freedom in both law and practice.

Religious freedom includes many rights; it cannot be limited to the freedom to practice religious rites or the freedom to worship. Religious liberty must include the right to practice religious beliefs alone or with others, in private or in public; to acquire and hold property; to educate children in their faith; and to establish religious institutions, such as schools, hospitals and charitable agencies. Religious freedom is also directly related to other freedoms, such as the freedom of speech and the freedom of association, so that people of faith can freely share ideas and act together in the public square. A truly democratic Iraq must continue to accommodate its religious, especially Christian, minorities.

Refugees: The war and ongoing instability in Iraq have resulted in a significant flow of refugees from Iraq, especially among Christians and other religious minorities who suffer attacks and discrimination. Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad has pleaded with Western governments to protect Iraqi refugees. He noted

that although he hoped that people would stay in Iraq, he understood that people fled when ―children get kidnapped or killed, when there's no security, no peace.‖10 Our Conference urges the United States and the international community to provide greater support and attention to the plight of Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers. We continue to believe that U.S. policy toward Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers is too restrictive.

Our Conference calls upon the U.S. to protect Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers, including the Christian and other religious minorities fleeing Iraq. In particular, we call on the government to (1) designate Iraqi religious minorities as a group of special concern for the purposes of determining refugee resettlement eligibility, (2) eliminate current restrictions on family reunification eligibility in the refugee admissions program, (3) provide for expeditious, emergent refugee processing directly from Iraq for cases of particular vulnerability, and (4) carefully consider Iraqi asylum seekers‘ claims, especially religious minorities and other vulnerable individuals, and not reject their asylum requests on the presumption that conditions allow for a safe return to Iraq.

Other U.S. Responsibilities: The very costly conflict in Iraq demands a major commitment of human and financial resources, but Iraq cannot become an excuse for ignoring other pressing needs at home and abroad, especially our moral responsibilities toward the poor in our own nation and in developing countries. Our Conference reiterates the need to protect the poor at home and abroad in setting our national priorities. As we noted in our Conference‘s February 2005 letter to Congress:

As pastors, we believe that a fundamental moral measure of our nation‘s budget policy is whether it enhances or undermines the lives and dignity of those most in need. Sadly, political pressure frequently has left poor children and families missing in the national debate and without a place at the table. Our nation needs a genuinely bipartisan commitment to focus on the common good of all and on the special needs of the poor and vulnerable in particular. These are tough times. There are few easy choices. But there are some ―right‖ choices. In a time of war, mounting deficits, and growing needs, our nation‘s leaders must ensure that there are adequate resources to protect people who are poor and vulnerable both at home and around the world.11 Pastoral Concern for U.S. Military Personnel

As bishops, we wish to speak special words of care and concern to the members of our military and their families who find themselves in the midst of this terrible conflict. We also affirm the extraordinarily important work of military chaplains. They serve in the name of the Church in a vital pastoral service. Pope Benedict XVI recently recalled the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that ―those who enter the military in service to their country should look upon themselves as guardians of the security and freedom‖ and as contributors to ―the establishment of peace.‖ He went on to ―encourage both the military Ordinaries and military chaplains to be, in every situation and context, faithful heralds of the truth of peace.‖12

Our Conference wants to be clear. Raising grave moral questions regarding the decision to invade Iraq is not to question the moral integrity of those serving in the military. Expressing moral questions regarding the treatment of U.S. prisoners and detainees is not to question the professional integrity of the vast majority of those on

deployment. In fact, asking difficult questions is a patriotic and moral duty that reflects our values and serves the bests interests of our nation and those who serve it with honor.

Caution and Hope

Our Conference has been in continuing dialogue with U.S. policy makers regarding Iraq. We have expressed grave moral concern regarding ―preventive war,‖ noted the new moral responsibilities that our nation has assumed in Iraq, worked to protect religious freedom in Iraq, supported efforts to address the abuse of prisoners and detainees, shared the moral elements of a ―responsible transition,‖ and sought to contribute to a serious and civil discussion regarding the way forward in Iraq.13 We know that statements are not enough. The time has come for public reflection that leads to action.

Our nation is at a crossroads in Iraq. We must avoid two directions that distort reality and limit appropriate responses. We must resist a pessimism that might move our nation to abandon the moral responsibilities it accepted in using force and might tempt us to withdraw prematurely from Iraq without regard for moral and human consequences. We must reject an optimism that fails to acknowledge clearly past mistakes, failed intelligence, and inadequate planning related to Iraq, and minimizes the serious challenges and human costs that lie ahead.

Instead our nation must act with a constructive and informed realism that helps us to learn from the past and to move forward. Our policy makers and citizens must be willing to ask difficult moral questions regarding preventive war and to learn from our experience in Iraq. More immediately, our nation must engage in serious and civil dialogue in order to walk a difficult path toward a responsible transition that seeks to help Iraqis take responsibility for building a better future for themselves—a future that contributes to peace in the region and beyond. This national dialogue must begin with a search for the ―truth‖ of where we find ourselves in Iraq and not with a search for political advantage or justifications for past positions.

By embracing the honesty that it takes for genuine dialogue that seeks a path to a just peace in Iraq, our nation would be striving to find ―in truth, peace.‖ Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, reflected on this theme in his 2006 World Day of Peace Message. ―In truth, peace‖ is a theme that ―expresses the conviction that wherever and whenever men and women are enlightened by the splendor of truth, they naturally set out on the path of peace.‖14

Notes

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2004), no. 501.

2. Pope John Paul II, Address to the Diplomatic Corps, January 12, 2004. 3. Pope John Paul II, Address to President Bush, June 4, 2004. 4. See the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, nos. 494-495. 5. Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message (January 1, 2006), no. 6.

6. Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message (January 1, 2006), no. 9. 7. Administrative Committee, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Statement on the

Anniversary of September 11th, September 10, 2002 8. John Paul II, 2002 World Day of Peace Message (January 1, 2002), no. 5. 9. Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message (January 1, 2006), no. 7. 10. Catholic News Service, "Chaldean patriarch says nations should not turn away fleeing Iraqis,"

October 17, 2005. 11. Bishop William S. Skylstad, Letter to Congress on FY 2006 Budget Priorities, February 15, 2005. 12. Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message (January 1, 2006), no. 8. 13. One example is the "Colloquium Ethics of War after 9/11 and Iraq" that was held on November

11, 2005 at Georgetown University. This Colloquium was cosponsored by the Committee on International Policy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in conjunction with the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, the Mortara Center for International Studies, and the Initiative on Religion, Politics and Peace at Georgetown University.

14. Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message (January 1, 2006), no. 3.

__________________________________ Office of Social Development & World Peace United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000

PEACE: OUT of the ORDINARY ―Ordinary Time . . . means something ordered, not just ordinary. This long stretch of time between the Easter and Advent seasons marches silently along, drawing no attention to itself, but quietly marking the hum of the cosmos, spinning under God‘s powerfully creative arms. Day by day this season celebrates the wonder of time and the hope of salvation. Ordinary Time gives us a chance to practice the virtues that order our lives and create space for peace in the world.‖ ―Summer and Fall Ordinary Time: the Meaning,‖ Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2003. ―We have dire need of peace. Superpowers with weapons of unimaginable destructiveness are only the outward manifestation of threatening chaos, because the forces which destroy peace are within our own hearts, and we can wreck our civilization unaided by giving them free play. They are greed and grabbing, ruthless consumerism where there should be reverence and stewardship, the habit of preferring our own short-term advantages to the common good for which society exists, a cleverness untempered by wisdom, a spiritual blindness and ubiquitous fear. We need a peace that will heal the divisions within us and exorcize the fear which looks to violence as the only way to maintain ourselves against the threats from without. Fear of death not only hangs over individuals; people are afraid there may be no peace for the generations to come.‖ Maria Boulding, The Coming of God, 3rd ed. Conception, Missouri: The Printery House, 2000, pp. 184-185.

Links:

US Council of Catholic Bishops

The USCCB is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy who work together to unify, coordinate, promote, and carry on Catholic activities in the United States; to organize and conduct religious, charitable, and social welfare work at home and abroad; to aid in education; and to care for immigrants. The bishops themselves constitute the membership of the Conference and are served by a staff of over 350 lay people, priests, deacons, and religious. It concerns itself with the following social issues: • Arms Control • Debt • Death Penalty • Domestic Issues • Environment • Faith-Based Initiative • Faithful Citizenship • Housing • Government Liaison • International Issues • Iraq • Labor Issues • Middle East • Migrants & Refugees • Nonviolence • Poverty • Social Development & World Peace • Social Security • Trafficking • Welfare http://www.usccb.org/index.shtml

8th Day Center for Justice

The Spirituality of justice calls the staff of the 8th Day Center to envision a world of right relationships in which all creation is seen as sacred and interconnected. In such a world all people are equal and free from oppression, have a right to a just distribution of resources, and to live in harmony with the cosmos. Impelled by the belief that all creation is sacred and inter-related; Imbued with the principles of nonviolence, mutuality and cooperation, the 8th Day Center for Justice, a coalition of Catholic, religious congregations, commits to act as a critical alternative voice to oppressive systems and to work actively to change those systems. http://www.8thdaycenter.org/aboutus/mission.html

Network (National Catholic Social Justice Lobby)

NETWORK is a progressive voice within the Catholic community that has been influencing Congress in favor of peace and justice for more than 30 years. Through lobbying and legislative advocacy, it strives to close the gap between rich and poor and to dismantle policies rooted in racism, greed and violence.

NETWORK‘s membership, which includes both individuals and organizations, represents more than 100,000 people. This vast constituency is committed and active. Its members affect legislation by calling, writing, emailing or visiting their Senators and Representatives, and by mobilizing others to take action as well.

Since its founding in 1971 by 47 Catholic sisters, NETWORK has been faithfully answering the Gospel call to act for justice. http://www.networklobby.org/

Congressional Record

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. GPO Access contains Congressional Record volumes from 140 (1994) to the present. At the back of each daily issue is the "Daily Digest," which summarizes the day's floor and committee activities. http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/index.html

Wisconsin Catholic Conference: Capitol Update

The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) was founded in 1969 by the Bishops of Wisconsin. The Conference seeks to fulfill the vision of Vatican Council II, which called upon the Church to be more involved in the world. With the message of the Gospel and the social teachings of the Church as its foundation, the WCC offers a specifically Catholic contribution to state and federal public policy debates. The Conference also offers a statewide response to issues common to its five dioceses. It achieves this in several ways:

Serves as an advocate on matters related to the interests and values of the Church;

Provides decision makers with studied positions on social and moral issues; Offers a forum for diocesan personnel to meet, exchange information, deliberate

and recommend policies or actions; Formulates and publishes opinions and positions on legislation and public policy.

http://www.wisconsin.nasccd.org/bins/wisconsin/templates/splash.asp?NC=5380X

Wisconsin State Legislature http://www.legis.state.wi.us/

Contact U.S. Senators

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=WI

Diocesan Office of Justice & Pastoral Outreach

The office develops and coordinates programs and services to further the social mission of the Church within the diocese. The office encourages and assists parishes in developing their own social mission in protecting life and human dignity, advocating for the poor and vulnerable. Assists parishes to evaluate, strengthen and expand their current social ministry efforts.

Phone: (608) 821-3086 Fax: (608) 821-3139

Director: Susanna D. Herro