BALTIMORE (CNS) --- The U.S. bishops began consideration Nov. 12 of a document that rejects politics based on "powerful interests, partisan attacks, sound bites and media hype" and calls instead for "a different kind of political engagement." That engagement must be "shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good and the protection of the weak and vulnerable," the document says. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, N.Y., introduced "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility From the Catholic Bishops of the United States" on the first day of the bishops' fall general meeting in Baltimore. Debate and a vote on the document were scheduled for Nov. 14. Bishop DiMarzio said he spoke not only as chairman of the bishops' Committee on Domestic Policy but as "the leader of an unprecedented, extensive and some would say endless consultation" among seven committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
As the water recedes, Mexican flood victims must rebuild their lives
VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico (CNS) --- Filthy water recedes from the city streets. Lights and telephones flash on. Globe-trotting TV crews fly on to the next story. But for many residents of flood-ravaged southeastern Mexico, their troubles are just beginning. As the pure shock of escaping danger fades away, they wake up to a new harsh reality. Crops of corn, bananas and beans have been ripped to pieces, robbing many of their only income; the decaying corpses of thousands of cows, pigs and chickens line fields; hundreds of thousands of homes are damaged or destroyed; water supplies to villages are polluted. "Now is the real test. This is a situation that is going to affect people for months or even years," said Eufemio Flores, emergency coordinator for Caritas Mexico, the local affiliate of the Catholic umbrella organization Caritas Internationalis. "The evacuation operation was good. But in the past, our government has been notorious for quickly forgetting about the long-term problems of people in disaster zones," he said.
Military archdiocese praises veterans for serving 'noble causes'
WASHINGTON (CNS) --- In a statement for Veterans Day, the U.S. military archdiocese paid tribute to "every man and woman who faithfully served in the noble causes of securing peace and freedom in the military service of our great nation." The statement, issued by Auxiliary Bishop Richard B. Higgins, archdiocesan administrator and vicar for veterans affairs of the Washington-based U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, said, "To our courageous and honorable veterans, we thank you. The archdiocese ... stands ready to serve your spiritual and pastoral needs wherever you find yourself in the journey of life." He said, "The same devoted spirit that drove our patriotic ancestors to fight alongside" Gen. George Washington in the Revolutionary War and Gen. George Patton in World War II "still rings true for those who fight alongside our current generals in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever American troops are deployed." The statement was released Nov. 9 to mark Veterans Day Nov. 11. The national holiday this year was Nov. 12. ---CNS |