Pre-trial Summary

In December 2004, after reading media reports of mass killing, rape, and displacement of African civilians in the West Sudanese region of Darfur, a Catholic Worker Peace Team was formed. It included Brenna Cussen of South Bend, Indiana, Chris Douçot of Hartford, Connecticut, Grace Ritter of Ithaca, New York, and Scott Schaeffer-Duffy of Worcester, Massachusetts.Chris Douçot and Grace Ritter in Sudan with African chiefs and Arab sheiks

They visited four huge camps for “internally displaced people” in Darfur. Their observations confirmed the charge that the Sudanese government is guilty of genocide.
Continue reading “Pre-trial Summary”

Popery and Potpourri

My online papist friend Victor Morton wrote this obituary of
John Paul II for his Moonie-owned newspaper, the Washington Times.

My online papist friend Victor Morton wrote this obituary of
John Paul II for his newspaper, the Washington Times.

Perhaps John Paul Jones will convert, be elected, and not have to change his name. We could have the rockinest papacy ever.

Catholic-Hierarchy is an interesting website where you can find detailed history about all the different dioceses and historical bishops and such.

Continue reading “Popery and Potpourri”

What is our responsibility?

St. John’s Parish is in the news again today, in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. The complete article is on Worcester Indymedia; here’s the intro:

Vigil to focus on homeless
By Martin Luttrell TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Friends of a homeless man who died sleeping in a church garage last week say there are not enough services for the homeless, and they plan to hold a vigil in front of City Hall a week from today to remember him and raise awareness of the need for services.

Bobby was in the unheated church garage because he did not feel safe (according to the paper) at the city’s main shelter, the PIP. This raises a couple of questions. (1) What kinds of living conditions do we owe those to whom we offer hospitality? (2) What is going on when someone would rather spend the winter in an unheated garage rather than a homeless shelter?

St. John’s does a lot of good work, and I hope their efforts are not hindered by this wannabe-scandal.

I wish the article had included more specific suggestions on what the city should do, or what individuals should do other than “raise awareness.”

Irish Activists on Trial

1

Some say the only good things to come out of Ireland are James Joyce and Lucky Charms. Add to that reports of the Pitstop Ploughshares trial in Dublin. This trial combines antiwar activism, Irish constitutional law (should a neutral country help the US wage war?), and, from today’s reports, lots of arguments over what evidience is even admissible. Featuring reportage from both Irishmen and Americans.

Update: The trial ended in a mistrial. Now it’s up to the State to decide if they will be tried again.

Seven Arrested for Protesting Sudan Genocide

Seven people were arrested today at a noontime demonstration outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington DC, calling for an end to the Sudanese government’s campaign of genocide in Darfur. The demonstrators, who were carrying enlarged photos of Sudanese refugees, knelt in prayer along the steps to the embassy and were arrested an hour after their arrival by members of the Secret Service.
Continue reading “Seven Arrested for Protesting Sudan Genocide”