ACTION
ALERT—JUNE, 2005
GOOD
SHEPHERD VOICES FOR JUSTICE
“Call for Debt
Justice”
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Good Shepherd Voices for Justice Ministry presents justice
issues every month and invites your response.
In the process of learning about and responding to these issues we
believe we can grow in our awareness and deeper understanding of local,
national and international needs in light of the values of the Gospels and the
principles of Catholic social teaching and then act accordingly. This communal effort offers opportunities
for transformation and for furthering the reign of God on earth.
With this in mind, please review this month’s issue and
consider taking the recommended action.
We estimate it will take you only a few minutes to complete this
action. We encourage you also to take
time to pray and reflect on the presence of God in the process.
We welcome everyone who is interested in letting their voice
be heard for God’s justice – both those in the community of Good Shepherd and
beyond.
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BACKGROUND
For the first time, the Group of Eight (G-8)
wealthy nations has agreed, in principle, to require the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to cancel up to 100% of the debt of a number of
impoverished countries. While this is a sign of hope, it will take the voices
and actions of the faithful to move these global leaders from words to action.
Jubilee USA and Africa Action have written a
letter to President George Bush and Treasury Secretary John Snow, asking them
to work at the upcoming IMF, World Bank, and G-8 meetings to ensure 100%
cancellation of all African debts to these institutions without imposing
harmful economic conditions. This letter has already been signed by hundreds of
religious leaders.
The voices of people of faith have a unique
power in
ACTION
Call, write a letter, or
send an email to President Bush or Treasury Secretary Snow. Here is a sample:
For those of you wishing to send an email, click
on the link below and follow the instructions.
http://go.sojo.net/campaign/debt_justice
For those of you wishing to make a phone call or
write a letter, here is a sample of what to say: (Phone #’s and addresses below)
Dear [ Decision Maker ],
I write as a person of faith to call your
attention to a letter, signed by hundreds of religious leaders across the
country, which has recently been sent to you. The letter urges the
As you know, African nations continue to spend
more in debt service payments to wealthy creditors than they receive in aid,
despite the facts that these debts are largely illegitimate - often racked up
by corrupt despots - and have been paid many times over in service payments and
fees. In a world devastated by the AIDS pandemic and crippled by extreme
poverty, complete debt cancellation is urgently needed to free up the resources
necessary to overcome these global crises.
I understand that the G8, the IMF, and the World
Bank will soon be discussing various proposals for debt cancellation. I believe
that anything less than 100% debt cancellation - not just the reduction of debt
service payments - will be inadequate to assuage the tragic crisis currently
faced by
I believe that we, as a powerful nation, have a
moral obligation to respond comprehensively to the crises of AIDS and poverty.
Please follow the call of the religious community to cancel 100% of the debts
of impoverished nations without imposing harmful conditions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
|
President
George Bush The White House Phone: 202-456-1414 Switchboard Phone: 202-456-1111 Comments |
Mr. John
William Snow Secretary of the Treasury Office of the Treasurer Phone: 202-622-2000 |
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Sources for this action alert: