FSPA congregational actions for peace and justice

 

by Paulynn Instenes, FSPA

In the name of the congregation we have been involved with several important issues of justice. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), of which we are a member, has adopted three important issues that affect all of us, and asked that each religious community become involved and take actions on them. The three issues are: Water and wetlands, debt reduction for Third World countries and climate change.

In each of these areas we have been involved with LCWR congregations in working toward a systemic change as well as at our own local level.

Water and Wetlands

Congregation: We gave our proxy vote to Corporate Accountability International to challenge the Pepsi Company at their annual meeting of stockholders in their use of public water for private company profits (bottled water) especially in Third World countries. Several Third World countries have sold their water rights to private companies who then sell the water back to the people. Needless to say the companies make the profit and the poor often go without water. In India some village water wells have been “dried” due to excess use by private companies. We also made a donation to Corporate Accountability International for their fight against bottled water.

Local: Our care of our wetlands is something that each FSPA property that has water in or around it is being cared for on the local level. (See Protecting and restoring our wetlands in March-May Insight) Many of our sisters are also involved with concerns regarding wetlands and bottled water.

 

A cucumber, ready for picking, soaks up sunshine at the Villa St. Joseph garden.

Debt Reduction

Congregation: The Jubilee Act is before the Senate now; the House has already passed the Jubilee Act which calls for debt reduction for Third World countries. LCWR has written letters and encouraged the Senate and House to pass this important legislation. Third World countries are overwhelmed paying interest on loans their countries took out decades ago. The interest has compounded to be two to three times the amount of the debt, which makes it an impossible situation for a country to pay back. We have also made a corporate donation to help the people who are lobbying for the passage of the Jubilee Act.

Local: Individual sisters have written their lawmakers to encourage the passage of the Jubilee Act.

Climate Change
Congregation: This summer LCWR will work with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men to pass a resolution on climate change to present to the U.S. Congress. This resolution will call for action to reduce the carbon footprint the USA produces through its industries, transportation system, energy production and private companies. This resolution will also call for religious communities to do their part to reduce the carbon footprint.

Local: Actions that our sisters are taking to help reduce the carbon footprints include: planting trees, buying hybrid cars, buying locally, planting food gardens (organic is best) and using alternative energy sources e.g., windmills, thermal energy and turbines to convert steam to electricity or solar panels.