JUST NEWS  August 2000

Office of  Justice and Peace Sowers of Justice   Catholic Diocese of Richmond

Focus on Ecology      & Creation In this issue: Mystical Roots: Our Story Featured Web Site ART of Justice & Peace A Pastoral Perspective Resources for Parishes Who's Polluting in YOUR Community? Sowers of Justice News Tidewater Jubilee & Ecology in Southwest Virginia More Reflections on Ecology & Creation Black Lung Disease: Leading Killer of Coal Miners Quote from At Home in the Web of Life Parish Garden Shares Its Bounty Filipino Bishops Ask U.S. to Remove Toxic Waste Death Penalty News & Action Organizing A Parish Moratorium Toll the Bells! "Unequal, Unfair, & Irreversible" B-2 Bomber Protest Living Wage Adopted New Diocesan Paper Recycling Policy Calendar OJP Staff  Sowers of Justice Contact Information

Mystical Roots: Our Story By Clare McBrien, RSHM Ecological Educator - Appalachian Office of Justice & Peace Joseph Campbell relates this Pygmy legend: While walking in the forest, a little boy heard a bird singing the most beautiful song.  The bird and he became friends and he brought the bird with the beautiful song home to his father.  He asked his father to bring food for the bird.  His father is angry.  He doesn't want to feed a mere bird, so he kills it.  And the legend says the man killed the bird, and with the bird he killed the song, and with the song, himself.  He dropped dead, completely dead, and was dead forever. Campbell says that is what we are doing to our environment.   Somehow the father was not aware that he lives in an intricate web of life where what is done in one place reverberates through the whole structure.  His actions bring death to beauty, to music and to himself, a very final and complete death. Megan McKenna, another storyteller, writes,  All stories are true.  Some of them actually happen.  And all stories are about you.  It's your own story. We know well what we are doing to our Planet Earth today.  As Sowers of Justice, we can take some inspiration from the little boy in the legend about choosing life and right relationship.  He went into the forest, an archetypal image for entering the womb.  We do this symbolically to be born again.  We need to be born again to the beauty of our home, to hear the song, to view and engage in the numinous qualities of nature.  We cannot damage or hurt that which we love.  All the scientific reports about ecology will not change our behavior, but engagement and intimacy with nature will. In the Book of Kings we are told that Solomon's temple was filled with depictions of nature -- gourds, pomegranates, lilies, palm trees, flowers, lions, bears and bulls.  A large portion of the temple contained a huge bronze sculpture depicting the ocean, including waves and sea creatures frolicking amid the metallic swells. Most of our churches today are cut off from creation in so many ways.  Liturgy rarely connects us to the wonders of nature.  Powerful words like water, sky, sun and rain are used — but in symbolic, rather than a literal sense.  However, there are signs of change.  Throughout the various bio-regions of the globe, Catholic bishops have been addressing ecological issues and their connection to our life and faith. In At Home in the Web of Life, the Catholic Bishops of Appalachia promote the concept of "sustainable communities" where people and the rest of nature can live together in harmony and not rob future generations. Last year seven bishops of Canada and the northwestern United States issued reflections on conditions in the Columbia River watershed. This preliminary document talks about the common good of the peoples of these neighboring countries as well as other members of the community of life, the totality of life in this rich bio-region. The bishops of this region are expected to issue a final Pastoral Letter in the fall of 2000. These are just two examples of the movement of the Spirit toward a more inclusive view of our place in the web of life.  As the bishops in At Home in the Web of Life write: … We are haunted by the message from God which Moses set before the children of Israel to choose life rather than death:  I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19) We live in a world that acts too much like the father in the Pygmy legend.  Our faith calls us to be as little children -- born again to wonder, joy, love and gratitude for the world that God has created for us. Ì

Featured Web Site: The Columbia River: Realities & Possibilities  http://www.columbiariver.org A Reflection by the Catholic Bishops of the Region Includes Scripture passages, photos, & working papers

A Pastoral Perspective:

The Ecological Crisis

Faced with widespread destruction of the environment, people are coming to understand that we cannot continue to use the goods of the earth as we have in the past … 

Often, the interests of production prevail over concern for the dignity of workers, while economic interests take priority over the good of individuals and even entire peoples ...   On another level, delicate ecological balances are upset by the uncontrolled destruction of animal and plant life or by a reckless exploitation of natural resources …. 

Today, the dramatic threat of ecological breakdown is teaching us the extent to which greed and selfishness -- both individual and collective -- are contrary to the order of creation, an order which is characterized by mutual interdependence ...

[T]he proper ecological balance will not be found without directly addressing the structural forms of poverty that exist throughout the world ...  [S]ome heavily indebted countries are destroying their natural heritage, at the price of irreparable ecological imbalances, in order to develop new products for export. 

[I]t would be wrong to assign the responsibility to the poor alone for the negative environmental consequences of their actions.  Rather, the poor, to whom the earth is entrusted no less than to others, must be enabled to find a way out of their poverty.  This will require a courageous reform of structures, as well as new ways of relating among peoples and States ... 

Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at is lifestyle ...  Simplicity, moderation and discipline, as well as a spirit of sacrifice, must become a part of everyday life, lest all suffer the consequences of the careless habits of a few ... 

The commitment of believers to a healthy environment for everyone stems directly from their belief in God the Creator, from their recognition of the effects of original and personal sin, and from the certainty of having been redeemed by Christ. Respect for life and for the dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of creation, which is called to join man [and woman] in praising God. 
 
 

Resources on Ecology & Creation

Church Documents 

U.S. Bishops, Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, 1991
Copies available from USCC Publishing Services at (800) 235-8722.
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/bishopsstatement.htm

Pope John Paul II, The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility, World Day of Peace Message, 1990
http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/papal/jp.ii/ecology.crisis

At Home in the Web of Life: A Pastoral Message on Sustainable Communities in Appalachia, 1995
Copies available from OJP at (804) 359-5661.
http://www.cathcomappalachia.org/appalachian_pastorals.htm
 

Brian Swimme, The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos: Humanity and the New Story, Orbis Books, 1996

Thomas Berry, The Great Work: Our Way into the Future, Bell Tower, 1999

Paul Hawken, The Ecology of Commerce:  A Declaration on Sustainability, HarperCollins, 1993
 

Environmental Defense
257 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
Phone:   (800) 684-3322
E-mail:   contact@environmentaldefense.org
Web Site:  http://www.environmentaldefense.org/

Virginia Conservation Network
1001 East Broad Street, Suite LL 35-C
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone:   (540) 362-3538
E-mail:   ellenshepard@yahoo.com
Web Site:  http://www.vcnva.org/
 
 

USCC Environmental Justice Program
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/index.htm

Theological Library on the Environment
http://www.mcgill.pvt.k12.al.us/jerryd/cm/environ.htm

Virtual Library on the Environment
http://earthsystems.org/Environment.shtml

Dogwood Alliance -- A united response to protect southern forests from chip mill plants 
http://www.dogwoodalliance.org/

Sowers of Justice News:
Activities of the Catholic Community and 
Friends Working for the Common Good
 

Tidewater Sowers of Justice
By Theresa Dunleavy

Two members from Tidewater Sowers of Justice — Tim McCarthy and Candice Neenan — traveled to Chiapas, Mexico with the organization, Witness for Peace, during late June and early July. While there, Tim and Candice traveled with a Witness for Peace delegation.

They visited a tiny village called Acteal where 45 members of the indigenous community were murdered by paramilitary forces in 1997.  Most of those killed were women and children.  The group was able to hear stories from survivors of the attack. 

The Witness for Peace group also visited a men’s prison in Tutxla Guttierez where they were able to meet with some political prisoners and to hear their stories. 

Their last important stop was to the far south near Guatemala where they visited farmers and learned first-hand how they are negatively impacted by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. economic policies.

Fifty percent of Mexico’s population lives in poverty.  The group was deeply moved by what they saw and heard there and are sharing their experiences with others in our area.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Tidewater Sowers are planning a regional conference on the death penalty to be held at St. Nicholas Parish in Virginia Beach on January 12 and 13.  Sister Helen Prejean — the author of the book, Dead Man Walking — will speak. The conference aims to raise awareness about the death penalty and to encourage participation in the effort to seek a moratorium on executions.

Tidewater Sowers are also planning a legislative forum in the autumn. We hope to have Senator Ken Stolle  come to speak and answer questions.  Sen. Stolle chairs the Senate Courts of Justice Committee which has opposed death penalty reform efforts in recent years.

For more information about Tidewater Sowers, contact Patrice Schwermer at (757) 583 - 0291 or <patrices1@juno.com>.

Jubilee & Ecology in Southwest Virginia
By Jo Ann Detta

In this year of Jubilee, the parishes of southwest Virginia have a special sign of the call to Jubilee values: the construction of Jubilee House Retreat Center in Abingdon. 

Bishop Sullivan’s gift of this center will serve as a reminder for years to come that Jubilee is more than a date in time – it’s a call to a way of life, a life of right relationships.

It is in this spirit that the local building committee approached the project.  Architect Peyton Boyd was committed from the outset to the concept of “green architecture,” observing environmentally responsible design and construction.

From the southern exposure site design to the non-petroleum based floor finishes, the building committee has worked to consider and understand environmentally sound choices.  In support of the region’s efforts at sustainable development.

BurWil Construction Company of Bristol is presently exploring the possibility of incorporating locally-harvested kiln-dried timber for interior finishes, and local stone for exterior finishes.

These efforts seek to make tangible the principles of ecology and sustainability outlined in At Home in the Web of Life: A Pastoral Message on Sustainable Community, signed by Bishop Sullivan and all the Catholic Bishops of Appalachia in 1995.

This ecological sensitivity reflects the hope that Jubilee House will be for years to come a place where people gather to reflect on the Jubilee value of right relationships -- with God, each other and all of creation.
 
 
 

Black Lung Disease:
the leading killer of coal miners
By Muzaffar Fazaluddin, Appalachian Office of Justice & Peace

A victory has come after the United Mine Workers of America filed a lawsuit challenging the system of sampling, detecting and controlling dust in coal mines.  Currently, mine operators are responsible for sampling their own dust levels. The operators then submit the samples to the Mine Safety Health Administration to determine whether miners are exposed to dust that can cause black lung and other diseases. For years, miners and their advocates have charged that companies failed to accurately measure dust according to government standards.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, nearly 2,000 miners died from black lung disease in 1990.  More than 250 other workers, including miners, die every year from the lung disease, silicosis. Over exposure to coal mine dust can lead to black lung, while excessive exposure to dust containing silica (quartz) can cause silicosis.

There are about 86,000 coal miners working in the United States, mainly in Wyoming and central Appalachia. The government estimates that approximately 1,400 current or former miners die each year from black lung disease.

According to new rules proposed by the Labor Department, 100 federal inspectors would be hired to verify the effectiveness of mine operators’ dust control measures. No such verification now is now required. Dust samples, collected six times per year, would be taken during entire shifts.  The samples are now collected over eight-hour periods, although miners often work ten and twelve hour shifts. Inspectors will analyze dust levels in each area where miners work.

These proposed changes adopted recommendations by an advisory committee that included mining industry and labor representatives. The public comment period on the proposal is expected to last until August 24, after which the rules will be finalized.
 

Parish Garden Shares Its Bounty
By Patrice Schwermer

The St. Pius X School and Parish Community in Norfolk has embarked on a special journey, one which illustrates the interconnectedness of life and creation.

Through the leadership of Mrs. Pitton and her fifth grade class, a community garden was planted on school property. Volunteer students and adults work together to till, plant and harvest vegetables.  The produce is donated to the Social Ministry of St. Pius along with Norfolk's Plant-A-Row for the Hungry for distribution to those in need.

Over the last two years St. Pius has contributed over 1,200 pounds of fresh produce from parishioners' gardens to the Food Bank through this program.  This partnership is a beautiful witness to the integration of environmental spirituality, respect for God's creation, and care for the poor.

Our community invites other parishes in the Diocese to collect and donate produce to their local Food Banks.

If anyone would like information on how to start this ministry in your parish, please call Anne or Kay Evans at (757) 853 -7512.

Filipino Bishops Ask U.S. to Remove Toxic Waste

The Catholic bishops of the Philippines have asked the United States to remove the toxic waste from the former military bases in their country. Their message, released during Filipino President Joseph Estrada's visit to the United States in late July, highlights their findings of toxic contamination at 46 locations within the bases.

As many as 100,000 people may have drunk contaminated water when they were living at the headquarters of the Clark Air Base.  Over 50 residents have contracted serious diseases, including cancer, and 20 children and 8 adults have died as a result of toxic waste poisoning.

Fr. Albert Avendo, director of the Center for Social Action in the Philippines, has won the support of U.S. Bishops and church groups for toxic waste victims. As a result, three U.S. Senators raised the issue during the Filipino President's visit.
 
 

Organizing A Parish Moratorium
By Susan Burkes

It was early April, and everywhere I turned it seemed that voices were speaking out against the death penalty.  The Pope and U. S. Bishops had been forceful in their opposition; the American Bar Association had weighed in.  Shocking revelations in Illinois had led Gov. George Ryan to declare a moratorium on executions.

But events here in Virginia made me squirm.  In several cases, doubts had arisen about the guilt of men who had been executed. Potentially exonerating DNA testing was being denied to men on death row.  Our legislative and executive officials seemed indifferent to these injustices.

While Illinois had executed 12 men and released another 13 because of serious doubts about their guilt, Virginia had put to death 75 men.  I knew that it was time for St. Jerome in Newport News to act.

Fortunately, a death penalty moratorium resolution was being circulated nationwide.   Our Office of Justice and Peace had prepared a version for Virginia.

I contacted our pastor and the president of our Pastoral Council, requesting that this death penalty moratorium resolution be placed on the Council's agenda.   Within a week, Council members received copies of the resolution and met to consider it.  I was present to answer questions.

At this meeting the Council referred the Moratorium resolution to our parish Justice & Peace Committee for revision and simplification.  It was to be reintroduced at the next Council meeting for further consideration.

At the May meeting, the Council decided to present the Moratorium to the parish, and invite members of the congregation to sign a petition supporting it.  Individual council members volunteered to read the resolution at the liturgies or to staff a signature table in the foyer.

On the designated weekend the resolution was read from the pulpit, and signatures were collected.  A summary of the resolution appeared in the parish bulletin. An announcement was made at each liturgy on the following weekend reminding parishioners about the petition.

Over the course of the two weekends, a total of 230 people out of 1,200 registered families signed the Moratorium.  Copies of the resolution and petition were then sent to the appropriate state and federal officials.

Even though a small minority of parishioners signed the Moratorium petition, I am thankful that St. Jerome stepped out to witness this important moral principle.  I am especially proud of our Council for setting the example.  Yet it is clear that a lot of work remains to be done in educating Catholics about the consistent ethic of life. 
 
 

“Unequal, Unfair, and Irreversible”

In April the American Civil Liberties Union released a report on the death penalty in Virginia. The report was endorsed by a number of groups including the Office of Justice and Peace, Catholic Diocese of Richmond. 

A summary of the report’s key findings are printed below: 

• Among the states, Virginia is second only to Texas in the number of persons executed since reinstatement of the death penalty in 1977. Virginia's execution rate, as a proportion of the population, exceeds that of Texas. 

• Race is a key factor in imposition of the death penalty.  Black offenders who rob and murder a white person are over three times more likely to be sentenced to death than if the victim were black.

• Virginia fails to provide competent lawyers to represent poor capital defendants.  Attorneys appointed by the court to represent men on Virginia's death row are six times more likely to be the subject of bar disciplinary proceedings than are other lawyers.

• Virginia governors have halted more executions than in any other state.  In almost all cases, the governor's action was the result of significant doubts about guilt -- doubts raised by evidence that juries never heard, and that higher courts believed they could not consider.

• There are wide disparities between localities in use of the death penalty.  Eight jurisdictions have imposed one third of Virginia's death sentences while suffering only 10% of capital murders.

• Two decades after Virginia reinstated the death penalty, the state's murder rate is virtually unchanged.

B-2 Bomber Protest
By Steve Baggerly

Amid much pomp and circumstance, the U.S. military named the last in its fleet of 21 B-2 bombers during a July 14th ceremony at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton.  This stealth bomber, named  The Spirit of America, is invisible to radar and can carry 20 tons of nuclear or conventional bombs.  Each plane comes with a $2.2 billion price tag.

Members of the Norfolk and Goochland Catholic Worker communities showed up with a few friends and signs at the gate where the public was entering the base for the ceremony. Demonstrators held banners which read, B-2 = The Spirit of America: Global Domination, Nuclear Terrorism, Theft from the Poor.

Sue Frankl-Streit from Goochland walked inside the base for the ceremony and unfurled a banner which put the matter succinctly, B-2 = The Spirit of Death.  For the action of naming this god of metal, Sue was taken into custody and issued a lifetime ban and bar from the base.
 

‘Living Wage’ Adopted

In June the Alexandria City Council unanimously adopted a living wage ordinance for city contractors. A coalition of union, community and religious groups waged a three-year campaign in support of the living wage, holding rallies and prayer vigils and meeting with elected officials. 

The wage is set at $8.20 for jobs with benefits and $9.84 without.  This law will significantly increase incomes for many working people.  It only affects workers under city contracts, but it is a giant step forward for Virginia — the first, but not the last, jurisdiction to pass a Living Wage.
 
 

Earlier this year the Ecological Working Group recommended that the Diocese of Richmond adopt a paper recycling policy.  After much study of the issue, Bishop Sullivan approved the following policy in July:

The Central Administrative Offices of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond will use the highest recycled content, especially post-consumer content, paper products available that are compatible with our printing capabilities and needs.

It is particularly appropriate that the Diocese adopt this recycled paper policy during the Great Jubilee Year 2000.  One of the ancient Jubilee requirements was ‘to let the land lie fallow.’   This prescript ‘to rest the land’ has an ecological message.  As Christians celebrate the 2000th Anniversary of the Incarnation, we must embody a concern for the land and all God’s creation ...

[T]he Church seeks to promote and live a consistent ethic of life.  Now the church is recognizing that the web of life and the promotion of human dignity are linked to the protection of God’s gift of creation.

The issues of ecology are much greater than the kind of paper we use; however, in instituting a diocesan policy to use recycled paper, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond is visibly declaring its loving care for the gift of creation.  It is a symbolic action, an educational tool that puts care of creation before other considerations.  This action is also a concrete investment in the environment, and promotes the success of recycling efforts that are dependent on an expanded market for recycled products. 

Although the policy to use recycled paper applies only to diocesan offices, I ask parishes, schools and other institutions in the Diocese to join in this act of commitment to care for God’s creation.  In addition, I call upon all of our people to recycle, reduce and reuse.  Through these actions we can avoid waste, save trees and preserve God’s creation.