Honduras: The Sisters of Mercy speak out

If Jesus Christ is too communist for you please ignore the following. If you are a normal, adjusted person, please take action. TY reader DB for the headsup.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September28,2009

U.S. RELIGIOUS DELEGATION TO HONDURAS CALLS ON U.S. GOVERNMENT TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Stephanie Heiland

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

314.909.4633

As the crisis in Honduras explodes with last week's unexpected return of President Zelaya and now with the suspension of Hondurans' constitutional rights, the Sisters of Mercy Institute Justice Team is meeting with U.S. policy makers, including Administration and Congressional offices, urging them to speak out strongly and publicly in denouncing the excessive force and brutal human rights violations committed by the de facto Honduran government.

This call for immediate action to address the emergency situation in Honduras is included in a report issued by a U.S. religious delegation to Honduras which visited Honduras August 18-25, 2009. The delegation's report documents key findings following meetings with legal, government, church and humanitarian officials and agencies in Honduras, as well as on-site testimonials from dozens of Hondurans who reported horrific human rights violations.

Organized by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team with the support of Quixote Center/Quest for Peace, this U.S. religious delegation was in response to requests from religious partners and community organizations in Honduras for international accompaniment following the June 28, 2009 coup in Honduras.

Delegation members included Jean Stokan, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Director of the Institute Justice Team; Diane Guerin, RSM, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Mid-Atlantic Community Justice Coordinator; Edia Lopez, RSM, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Caribbean, Central America and South America Community; and Marie Dennis, Co-President of Pax Christi International.

"We urge the U.S. to be unequivocal in the signals it gives to the de facto Honduran government on the need to return to constitutional order," said Stokan. "The hope is that once constitutional order is restored, the challenges around addressing the deep polarization in society can be advanced. Too much is at stake not to proceed in this direction."

To access a summary report and full report from U.S. Religious Delegation to Honduras: Go to www.sistersofmercy.org

C'mon Aussie C'mon

Kevin Rudd: Decent guy, I say

A well-deserved shout out, applause and w00t coming up for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd right here and right now.

During the Peru APEC conference last week, Rudd slipped out the side door and went to visit three Sisters Of Mercy nuns that are helping to alleviate poverty in one of the many Lima shanty towns. You can read about his visit right here, or you can watch a one-minute news slot that played on Aussie TV by clicking this link.

While he was there, Rudd pledged $45,000 to buy a new X-ray machine for the local health centre. The Australian journalist who wrote the linked note sums it up very well.

Put $45,000 towards health or education in Australia and it would barely rate a mention. Yet here, a cheer went up when prime minister Kevin Rudd pledged to give the residents of this slum the sum for a simple X-ray machine.

As for Rudd, he had this to say for himself:

“At a time of a global financial crisis, it is easy for people to forget the poor, (But) none of us ever should forget the poor because we are all one human family. And wherever people are poor, those of us who are not poor have a responsibility. And that responsibility we see worked out in the lives of these wonderful Mercy Sisters here in Lima in Peru.”

Otto says: It may be part politics, but all the same good on you Kevin. Great to see a world leader that isn't just paying lip-service to social needs and doesn't simply expect the free market to provide. Warm applause from chez Otto, but red hot applause and deepest thanks to the nuns such as those visited by Rudd last week. It's good to be reminded that real people really care about other real people. Rudd has done us a double favour by bringing attention to the selfless givers of this world.

Finally, a big thank you to reader Alex who posted those links on this previous post. You paid it forward in style, mate.