November 21, 2022

The midterm elections have come and gone, and while the final makeup of the 118th Congress is not yet complete, it seems increasingly likely that it will be a divided government. Although this may very well lead to stalemates for key policy items, the hope for a “better kind of politics” (Fratelli Tutti 154) remains a guidepost for Catholics advocating for justice and peace. Let us pray the next Congress is a step in that direction.

Policy Notes

In March of 2021, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021. However, the U.S. Senate has yet to act on that legislation. As the United States grapples with labor shortages, supply chain challenges, and high inflation, now is the time for Congress to pass the reforms contained in H.R. 1603. Moreover, we know many of the men and women who cultivate our fields, work in food processing plants, and perform other vital roles within our food supply chain currently face mistreatment, exploitation, and dangerous conditions because they lack legal status, even though our very way of life has come to depend on them and, quite literally, we would not be able to live without the fruits of their labors.

News

Religious Orders Promote Worker Justice via Financial Advocacy

Catholic religious orders are known for their works of mercy, often running hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Over their history, this has led numerous orders to accumulate considerable assets. Through the holding of these assets, different religious orders use their wealth to promote worker justice. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) is the main organization that these religious orders are a part of to advance worker rights.

Read more about a particular congregation that has been using its assets to advocate for worker justice.

COP 27

At the meeting, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin gave an address focused on food security and water security. He brought up Pope Francis' theme of interconnectedness from Laudato Si’. War, climate, market disruption, and selfishness of resources all disrupt food security and water security, and due to their interconnectedness, a unified effort must be made in addressing them.

In the United States, a letter was delivered to President Biden urging him to take a larger leadership role in fighting climate change. Catholic Climate Covenant, one of the letter’s signers, also plans to provide further resources around lowering emissions and energy efficiency projects.

World Day of the Poor

Earlier this month, on November 13, the Church marked the 6th Word Day of the Poor. Celebrated annually on the 33rd Sunday in ordinary time, the day encourages Catholics to go to the peripheries where people struggle with economic and existential problems.

In his message, Pope Francis not only encouraged people to remain focused on Christ “who became poor for our sake” (2 Cor 8:9) but also to follow the tradition of the early church, which pooled resources to help those in need. In particular, Francis reflected on the deep cost war inflicts on the innocent.

Read a news summary here and Pope Francis’s message here.

Archdiocese of Washington cancels Youth Rally, Mass for Life held at March for Life events

The Archdiocese of Washington has recently canceled the upcoming Youth Rally Mass for Life. The Youth Rally usually takes place before the march and has accompanied the march for the past 25 years. “The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has decided not to move forward with hosting the larger multi-diocese rally,” a statement from the Archdiocese of Washington says. After the archdiocese consulted with other dioceses learned that the other dioceses would prefer to work on their states own rallies after Roe v Wade was overturned.