As people of faith, we must stand up and act when our neighbors, the most vulnerable, and our common home are targeted. Together we can raise our voice and make a difference. Check out the latest ways you can take action and influence your members of Congress, the President, and other policy makers through our Action Alerts. Don’t miss any of our action alerts, sign up for them here.
Welcome to 2016! We are excited to begin a new year of advocating for justice, peace, and integrity of creation with all of you. Your support and commitment throughout the past year was inspirational and we invite you to continue your advocacy efforts in this extraordinary jubilee year, The Year of Mercy. To prepare for a year that calls us to practice radical and merciful love, we are celebrating the annual National Migration Week, sponsored by the U.S...
It has now been over two months since the President released the long-awaited text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In that time, both Congress and advocacy groups have prepared for the next steps. Due to the ratification of ‘fast-track’ authority last year, President Obama can sign the deal as early as February 4th, which seems increasingly likely. Once he signs the deal, the President must submit legislation to Congress to allow them to vote yes or no, without amendments. Take Action: Urge Your...
Last week we wrote to you in commemoration of this year’s National Migration Week: A Stranger and You Welcomed Me. This week we write with an opportunity to act on this crucial aspect of our faith. Beginning the first weekend of January, the Department of Homeland Security began carrying out immigration raids on Central American families and children who entered the United States seeking asylum and have had a final order of removal since January 1, 2014. This includes children and...
As we celebrate this season of joy and reflection, we wish to take a moment to thank you, Columban supporters, for your commitment to the Columban mission through your advocacy and solidarity. The work of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach would not be possible without your support. Here are the ways YOU helped us promote the Columban mission this year...
Over the past few weeks, we have been closely covering the Paris climate negotiations, or the 21st annual United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP21). After months of pre-planning by member nations and two weeks of intense talks between climate negotiators, the conference released the final agreement on Saturday. What does this mean? In the final agreement, countries agreed to increase their individual commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of keeping global...
We are now one week into the United Nations climate change summit. As negotiators from countries across the world meet in Paris to craft a hopefully binding agreement to keep the rise in global temperatures below 2° C, representatives from the Columbans are actively witnessing the proceedings. Join the voice of Columban witness today and call the White House to express your support for a legally binding, comprehensive climate change agreement! Father Charles Rue from...
Today is the opening of the 21st annual United Nations climate change conference! Referred to as the ‘Conference of the Parties’ (COP), this gathering of world leaders will take place during the next two weeks. Taking place in Paris, the city will welcome 50,000 participants and 25,000 official delegates today for this historic summit. For the first time, world leaders will attempt to craft a legally binding agreement to keep the rise in global temperatures below 2° Celsius, in an attempt to...
On Thursday, November 5, the text for the long-negotiated Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was finally released. On the same day, President Obama announced his intent to sign the agreement. Due to the ratification of ‘fast-track’ authority back in February, Congress now has 90 days to review the deal and decide yes or no. Take Action: Urge Your Member of Congress to Vote No on the TPP Now that the final text has been released, we know our deep concerns about the health, environmental...
Every day we witness more heartbreaking stories of refugees fleeing the Middle East and North Africa, especially Syria. These stories show that this refugee crisis is not going away and that the United States must respond with compassion and robust welcome. Back in September, we asked you to sign the petition urging President Obama to increase the number of Syrian refugees resettled in the United States. The President responded to your voices and announced an increase in the number of...
The countdown to the international climate negotiations in Paris, officially called the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), has begun. World leaders will gather in Paris from November 30th to December 11th to reach a universal agreement to reverse climate change. One of the topics of discussion will be the practice of fracking. Columbans in many areas of the world accompany poor communities that suffer from harmful mining practices...
