Journey to Justice
with the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty

These materials, produced by the Diocese of Oakland and parish leaders in collaboration with the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty, provide six weeks of information and resources about global poverty. Suitable for parishes, small faith communities, Confirmation programs or other groups.

The two-page, full-color flyers can be used as bulletin inserts or handouts and copy well in black and white. The bulletin announcements can be used instead of the inserts if desired.

• Week 1: Called to Global Solidarity
• Week 2: The Millennium Development Goals
• Week 3: Foreign Aid and Point 7
• Week 4: Fair Trade
• Week 5: Debt Relief
• Week 6: Parishes Respond

Week 1: Called to Global Solidarity

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Bulletin Announcement (without bulletin insert)

Extreme poverty is "poverty that kills". More than 1 billion people around the world live on just 65 cents a day or less. More than one billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. Thirty thousand children a day die of hunger and disease. The good news is that efforts around the globe can make significant differences, that progress is possible as people gain access to sufficient food and water, health care, adequate shelter, and primary education.

The Catholic Bishops of the US have joined the international effort to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015. They are inviting Catholics to participate in the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty to advocate for U.S. policies that foster economic and social development for people living in poverty throughout the world.

During this six-week series, resources will be provided each week in our bulletin for education and action. As a community we will examine:

• the Millennium Development Goals;
• increasing US foreign aid toward .7 percent of our national income;
• promoting fair trade policies which reduce poverty;
• advocating for debt relief for poor countries;
• sharing ways parishes and individuals can respond.

Our goal is to learn more about the causes and solutions to poverty, and to take action. For more educational materials, prayer, and actions, see the social justice web page of the diocese: www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/

Pulpit Announcement

During the next six weeks, we will have an opportunity to reflect on several issues related to ending Global Poverty. The US Bishops and Catholic Relief Services have invited Catholics to become advocates for the poor around the world. We are focusing on one topic each week, There will be information, prayer, and many web resources for learning and action in the bulletin. Today we look at how our Catholic tradition calls us to be in solidarity with the poor. (see our bulletin, or the bulletin insert)

For General Intercessions

That we may hear the cry of the poor in our world, responding as sisters and brothers in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

Week 2: The Millennium Development Goals

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Bulletin Announcement (without bulletin insert)

In September 2000, the largest gathering of world leaders took place at the United Nations in New York. The member nations, including the United States, pledged to work towards ending extreme poverty and to do so through global cooperation and action. From this commitment there emerged the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which set out a series of achievable goals to reduce poverty, disease and deprivation by the year 2015. In this time of great hope and potential, we have a profound opportunity and responsibility to ensure that world leaders follow through in achieving these goals. Each nation is being called to see how they can participate in furthering the MDGs and honor their pledge to end extreme poverty. The people of the United States are particularly called to take action on Goal 8.

• Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
• Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
• Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
• Goal 5: Improve maternal health
• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
• Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

For more information and action on the goals please consult the Social Justice website of the Diocese at: www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/ For the Catholic Campaign Against Global poverty, see: www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty

Pulpit Announcement

Our second week of resources on global poverty are in the bulletin (either an announcement or insert). This week the topic is the Millennium Development Goals. The online insert is available on the social justice website (or in your bulletin, or on the back table.) Learn how 189 countries are working to reduce global poverty and how we can help.

For General Intercessions

That our study, fasting, and prayer may deepen our understanding and love for our brothers and sisters around the world, let us pray to the Lord.

Week 3: Foreign Aid and Point 7

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Bulletin Announcement (without bulletin insert)

U.S. foreign assistance is most visible when tragic emergencies happen, such as the tsunami in Asia. However, even when there is no crisis, U.S. aid is essential to help fund long-term strategies to combat poverty and tackle more systemic problems. The Catholic Campaign against Global Poverty calls for our nation to increase and reform development aid to poor countries to improve the lives and dignity of all God’s children.

• Target assistance to the poorest countries and maximize the share of new development assistance to the poorest countries that is provided as grants, rather than loans.
• Increase and reform assistance to developing countries to help meet the Millennium Development Goals, international targets for reducing by half the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.
• Support initiatives that combat corruption and improve transparency in aid programs.
• Make sure there is coordination and consistency among trade, aid and debt policies to help overcome poverty and combat hunger.

In 1970, the richest countries in the world committed themselves to giving 0.7 per cent of their Gross National Income (GNI) to overseas aid. The United States lags seriously behind in meeting its commitment of giving 0.7% of GNI. It is second to last among the 22 donor nations. As people of faith we must call upon our elected officials and policy makers to make genuine human development for the poorest people and nations a top U.S. policy priority. For more information on foreign aid, prayer and advocacy consult the Social Justice website of the Diocese at: www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/

Pulpit Announcement

I draw your attention to our series on global poverty. The topic this week is Foreign Aid, an issue of importance for ending global poverty, and an issue for Catholics to consider. See the bulletin and online resources from the Diocese. (If the handout is available please announce where it is.)

For General Intercessions

That all who hunger and thirst for food and water may be satisfied and that we may grow in our compassion for those who suffer, let us pray to the Lord.

Week 4: Fair Trade

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Bulletin Announcement (without bulletin insert)

"The economy should work for people, and not the other way around."
— Economic Justice for All, U.S. Catholic Bishops

Fair Trade is a new model of international trade that provides a clear and just alternative to the free trade system. The principles of Fair Trade support the dignity of every person and respect the integrity of creation. Through Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade coffee, chocolate and Work of Human Hands (crafts) programs, disadvantaged producers earn a fair price for their labor, get access to credit and training, and develop mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with organizations dedicated to the principles of human dignity and economic justice.

When we consumers make the conscious decision to purchase Fair Trade items like coffee, tea, fruit, chocolate, and crafts, we are putting our values and faith into action, and working to realize our vision of economic justice. Making the conscious choice to consume Fair Trade products requires little of us, but it can have a decisive impact on our brothers and sisters overseas.

• Commit your parish to using fair trade coffee and tea at all functions. www.crsfairtrade.org
• Buy fair trade products for use at your home, and office.
• Transfair USA can help you find products near you: www.transfairusa.org
• Choose Fair Trade Chocolate for your school fundraisers: raisemoneyright.org
• For more on Trade and the campaign against poverty, check the website of the Diocese at: www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/

Pulpit Announcement

This week our global poverty resources focus on how trade policy is a justice issue that can assist the poor in living a life of dignity. Buying Fair Trade products can help small farmers improve the lives of their families. See the bulletin [insert] for more information. (There is a good handout on trade on the diocesan website listed in the bulletin.)

For General Intercessions

That our eyes may be opened to the needs of the poor and that we may make choices that enable economic justice for all, let us pray to the Lord.

Week 5: Debt Relief

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Bulletin Announcement (without bulletin insert)

Journey to Justice with the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty
Week 5: Debt relief works!

Did you know …

• … that 50 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America are struggling to repay enormous debts owed to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other banks?
• … that at the current rate of repayment, it would take some of them 100 years to free themselves of their debt?
• … that many developing countries spend more money on debt repayment than on health care?
• … that, as a result, 30,000 children die EVERY DAY of easily preventable diseases?

But progress is possible:

In 2005 people of many faiths worked together and won a promise from the Bush administration, other world leaders, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to cancel the debts of 20 of the poorest countries. The cancellation of debts is a crucial first step towards poverty reduction, enabling poor countries to allocate funds to education, health care, and basic infrastructure.

We, as informed citizens, can communicate to our government that debt relief is a priority, that it gives impoverished nations the fresh start necessary for development to help build a better, safer world. See www.jubileeusa.org for more information and action about debt relief.

See www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/ for more prayer, resources, and actions on debt.

Pulpit Announcement

All of us understand how hard it can be to get out of debt. This week the focus of the global poverty campaign is debt forgiveness that can free poor nations to invest in education and health care. See the bulletin for more information on debt relief and jubilee, (or check out the handouts on the back table… or on the diocesan website.)

For General Intercessions

That we may extend mercy and forgiveness to nations who are struggling with crushing debt, freeing them for a new future of justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Week 6: Parishes Respond

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Bulletin Announcement (without bulletin insert)

Over the past five weeks of this series, we have covered many aspects of the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty. Achieving a dramatic reduction in global poverty and meeting the goal to make extreme poverty history by the year 2015 can be achieved if we all commit to do our part. It is a simple choice to recognize Christ in others, in the least among us, and by so doing we will be moved to action.

First, people of faith must call upon their elected officials and policy makers to make genuine human development for the poorest people and nations a top priority in U.S. policy. Achieving a dramatic reduction in global poverty will require a comprehensive multi-year strategy concentrating on trade, aid and debt.

• Trade: shape just policies that help to overcome poverty and promote human development.
• Aid: support assistance programs that foster longer-term economic development and empowerment of the poor.
• Debt: eliminate debt of the poorest countries in ways that reduce poverty and promote human dignity.

Next, we put our faith into action by providing direct support to the poor ourselves. Many of our parishes are taking action in areas of advocacy, supporting Catholic Relief Services, participating in sister parishes, and buying fair trade. See the diocesan website for more ways your parish can participate: www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/

Pulpit Announcement

The final week of our series on global poverty invites us to action in our personal lives and in our parish. Please read about ways parishes are responding to help end global poverty. Check our bulletin and the Internet for more resources.

For General Intercessions

That we will walk with the poorest among us, more aware of their suffering and joys, carrying their hopes with our hopes, open to receive and share the justice and compassion of our God, let us pray to the Lord.

Tell us how you are using this series! If you have feedback about these materials, let us know. We'd like to hear from you.