Peace & Justice
Ministry Description
Our Peace & Justice ministry is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Ours is a very alive and participatory ministry. We strive to bring the light of the Gospel to bear on the social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental spheres of life. Our focus is the common good of all our sisters and brothers around the world, with particular emphasis on the poor and oppressed.
Meetings
All are invited to take part in our quarterly meeting and our justice actions (Offering of Letters, Refugee Resettlement, etc.).
The quarterly meeting time is 2:00 PM but varies by month (please check the monthly parish calendar).
Events & Activities
Following the urging of Pope Francis, we are currently facilitating a process so that our parish can welcome and sponsor a refugee family.
Each year we take part in the Bread for the World Offering of Letters. Together with many other Christian communities in all the country, we write personal letters to our Senators and Representatives, as they prepare the budget, on behalf of the neediest people in our own country and around our world.
From time to time, we host Fair Trade sales in order to purchase from producers in foreign countries, so that they get a fairer price for their product. The goal also is to remind us all that as consumers, we are invited to be aware of the moral as well as the financial impact we can have on the economy.
We are also ready to support all local, national, and international issues that seek peace through actions on behalf of peace and human rights.
Contacts: Dan Driscoll-Shaw or John Kavalunas pj@resurrectionwoodstock.church
A Humane Immigration System
A humane immigration system balances national interests with the rights and dignity of individuals. It should be fair, transparent, efficient, and grounded in international human rights norms. Below are the specific elements of a humane immigration system, followed by suggested categories of valid entry:
Elements of a Humane Immigration System
1. Legal Clarity and Accessibility
-Clear, understandable laws and processes
-Access to legal representation and translation services
-Information provided in multiple languages
2. Due Process Protections
-Fair and timely hearings
-Right to appeal decisions
-Independent judicial oversight
3. Non-Discrimination
-Equal treatment regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation
-Protections for vulnerable populations
4. Family Unity
-Policies that prioritize keeping families together
-Expedited processing for family reunification cases
5. Protection of Human Rights and Dignity
-Safe and humane detention conditions (if detention is used at all)
-Prohibition on arbitrary detention or deportation
-Adherence to the principle of non-refoulement (not returning individuals to countries where they face danger)
6. Humanitarian Considerations
-Asylum and refugee protections
-Special provisions for victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and persecution
7. Efficient and Transparent Processing
-Reasonable timelines for visa and asylum applications
-Digital tracking and transparent communication with applicants
8. Economic and Social Integration Support
-Access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities
-Language and job training programs
-Pathways to permanent residency and citizenship
9. International Cooperation
-Coordination with other countries to manage migration flows
-Support for international refugee and development initiatives
- United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (1951/1967). Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/1951-refugee-convention.html
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). (1966). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights
- Migration Policy Institute. (n.d.). Research and analysis on migration policy. https://www.migrationpolicy.org
- International Organization for Migration (IOM). (n.d.). Principles of humane and orderly migration. https://www.iom.int
- United Nations. (2018). Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. https://www.un.org/migration
- UNHCR. (2012). Detention Guidelines: Guidelines on the Applicable Criteria and Standards relating to the Detention of Asylum-Seekers and Alternatives to Detention. https://www.unhcr.org/detention-guidelines.html
- American Immigration Council. (n.d.). Reports and policy briefs on U.S. immigration law and practice. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
- Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). Immigration and asylum reports. https://www.hrw.org
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (n.d.). Migration and integration statistics and reports. https://www.oecd.org/migration
- World Bank. (n.d.). Migration and remittances: Development impact. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/migrationremittancesdiasporaissues
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