Social Justice Commission
Based on the biblical and theological foundations of Catholic social teaching, the Commission will advance through education, prayer, and advocacy the social ministry of the Catholic Church (cf., Part Three, Chapter Two, Article 3 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church). The Commission’s agenda begins with promoting respect for all human life from conception to natural death. It also includes a broad index of issues including advocacy on behalf of the poor for economic justice, the promotion of the common good in society and the world, and good stewardship of God’s creation. The Commission will develop a hands-on approach for communicating social justice issues to the Catholic laity of the diocese. It will encourage the discussion of critical public issues so as to raise the consciousness of the Catholic community. The focus of activities will include a public information and education effort, a public policy effort directed at promoting and protecting the dignity of human life and pastoral/spiritual care for all people.
Social Justice Commission:
Members: Deacon Greg Palmer, Beth Erk, Samantha Chamley, Anne Lyon, Fran Solinsky, Cindy Weidenbach
Ex officio representative: Amy Julian, Director, Family Life Ministries
Resources
Advance Directive for Health Care
Every Catholic should examine carefully those legal documents variously called “advance directives,” “living wills,” “medical/durable powers of attorney,” etc. Often the language in these documents runs counter to the teaching of the Catholic Church. The Advance Directive attached is consistent with the faith and moral teaching of the Catholic Church. Among other things, it provides that one wishes to follow the moral teachings of the Catholic Church; that one wishes to receive the sacraments of the Church, and that there should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration. As with any legal document, please consult your family and attorney before completing this form. For questions, please contact your pastor or Family Life Ministries. Advance Directive DORC
Joint Statement on Morally Acceptable Shingles Vaccine
The USCCB has announced that the long-awaited, morally produced shingles vaccine has received FDA approval for licensing in the US. Shingrix, made by Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) pharmaceutical company is produced using Chinese hamster cells, unlike Merck’s Zostavax which uses aborted fetal cells. Until now, people wanting to have protection from shingles have had to either use Merck’s aborted fetal version or abstain entirely.
According to the National Catholic Bioethics Center, “Shingrix is said to be more effective than Zostavax in protecting against “shingles,” a painful and potentially dangerous viral infection that impacts roughly 30 percent of Americans at some point in their lives. Shingrix can prevent painful rashes and lasting nerve damage, and save millions of dollars in health care expenditures.” (Emphasis added)
Joint statement by the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) and the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC)
RESOURCES FROM PAST CONFERENCES
SJC Winter Workshop
Truth & Racial Healing Conference
Historical and Theological Perspectives on Indigenous Communities and Catholicism
January 28, 2023
Terra Sancta Retreat Center
Maka Black Elk is the Executive Director for Truth and Healing at Maȟpiya Luta – Red Cloud in Pine Ridge, SD, a former Indian boarding school. He first graduated from the University of San Francisco and then earned his Master’s degrees in Peace & Human Rights Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College and in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. He has been a teacher and an educational administrator at Maȟpiya Luta before taking on his current role. A descendant of boarding school survivors, Maka brings a passion for interreligious dialogue to his work. He advocates for truth and healing in Catholic ministries and schools serving Indigenous peoples.
- Historical and Theological Perspectives on Indigenous & Catholic Relationship
- Moving Forward and Healing in Our Context
- Question & Answer Session
- Real Presence Radio Interview with Maka Black Elk
Rosella Kinoshameg (Odawa/Ojibway) is from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, Ontario. She is a mother of 5, grandmother of 7 and great grandmother of 3. She is a retired Registered Nurse, B.Sc.N. with over 52 years nursing experience working mostly with First Nation communities. She holds an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Letters (1996), mandated as Diocesan Order of Women (DOS) in 2000. She serves as the Chair of Parish Council and is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle, was involved in preparatory work for Papal Visit to Indigenous people in Canada, and recently became Chair of Indigenous Reconciliation Fund. She serves on several boards: Health Science North, Sudbury Ontario (tertiary care hospital); Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine, Midland Ontario; Anishinabe Spiritual Centre, Espanola, and team member of the Ministry Program, Damigoong Bimiikaadwining (Calling to Service), and Community Living Wiikemkoong Anishinabek.
Peter Bisson, S.J., is a Jesuit priest in the Canadian Jesuit province. Based in Ottawa, he currently serves as the assistant to the Jesuit provincial for justice, ecology and Indigenous relations. He also participates in Kateri Native Ministry in Ottawa. From 2009 – 2015 he represented the Jesuits at meetings of the parties to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Stories from the Ongoing Process of Reconciliation in Canada
Video Testimony from Boarders
Descendant Panel
Other Links:
- Red Cloud Schools Truth & Healing Project
- Guilt, Responsibility, and Purgatory: How Traditional Catholic Teaching Can Help Us Think About Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations
by Brett Salkeld - Pope Francis in Canada Walking Together, Pastoral Visit, July 2022
- Truth and Racial Healing Presentation – Maka Black Elk
Powerpoint presentation for videos above - January 2023 West River Catholic Article
