Catholics call for policies that uplift the poor, invest in health care, education and job development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Stations of the Cross Highlight Corporate Greed, Economic Injustice and Militarism

Catholics call for policies that uplift the poor, invest in health care, education and job development

Washington, DC-

As Holy Week rituals begin during a time of deepening financial crisis, Catholics in over a dozen cities across the country will participate in Good Friday Stations of the Cross processions that highlight the need for just economic policies, universal health care and other critical investments that serve the common good, not simply the privileged few. Stations of the Cross processions honor the final hours and Passion of Jesus before his crucifixion and remind the faithful of the suffering the poor and marginalized experience in our world today. The social justice-themed processions will be held in

Washington
DC
New York City
Chicago
Grand Rapids MI
Philadelphia
Cincinnati

and other cities. All of the events will take place on Friday, April 10. In

Washington , the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is sponsoring a Way of the Cross for Economic and Ecological Justice. Stops will include the U.S. Congress to highlight political privilege and corruption; the Department of Labor to show solidarity with the vulnerability of workers; the Security and Exchange Commission to address failures to regulate the market; and the Department of Energy to reflect on the need for alternative energy policies that protect the environment and keep our nation safer. “Jesus warned about the social sin of greed and challenged the powerful of his day to remember the poor and most vulnerable,” said Marie Dennis, director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. “In the Gospels, we learn about the one time Jesus shows anger, when he removes the money changers from the temple. Christians participating in this Way of the Cross during Holy Week are bearing witness to the values of compassion, justice and solidarity.” In Chicago, the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center is sponsoring a “Not in Our Name” Way of the Cross that will include prayer and reflection focused on the suffering causes by greed, war, the death penalty and harsh treatment of immigrants. In Philadelphia , the Brandywine Peace Community is organizing Good Friday Stations of Justice & Peace that will focus on militarism and violence. After each station and reading, a large wooden cross with the corporate logo of Lockheed Martin – the world’s largest military contractor – will be placed in front of the Valley Forge weapons complex to symbolize the casualties of war and those who profit from militarism. In New York City , the Catholic peace group, Pax Christi, will host the largest public Christian peace witness in the city with over 500 people praying for peace and social justice in the streets. Reporters interested in details about these and other Stations of the Cross processions should contact the following representatives: New York City, NY
 

Rosemarie Pace, Pax Christi Metro NY 212-420-0250,

nypaxchristi@igc.org Chicago, IL

: Sr. Kathleen Desautels SDV, 8th

Day Center , 312-641-5151 8thday@claret.org Grand Rapids, MI

: Kate Kooyman,

Christian Reform Church , Office of Social Justice, 616-241-1691, kkooyman@crcna.org  Philadelphia, PA

: Robert Smith, Staff Coordinator, Brandywine Peace Community- 610-544-1818 e-mail: brandywine@juno.com Harrisburg, PA

Mary Herzel, 717-545-6964Cincinnati, OH

: Sr. Alice Gerdeman, CDP, (513) 579-8547 office; (513) 351-5658 home;

alice@ijpc-cincinnati.org

Washington DC : Judy Coode, 202-832-1780   ogc@maryknoll.org

Newark, NJ

: Alix Nguefack 973-854-0401,

anguefack@afsc.org

or Kathy O’Leary 908-273-0751

kolearypcnj@gmail.com Boston, MA

: Dr. Patrick Whelan, Coordinator 617-688-4290 or

paxchristi-cc@comcast.net Tampa, FL

:

Ann Richter--

arichter58@msn.com  

or (727) 573-2935

Gainesville, FL

: Johnny Zokovich at 352-371-4695 or

johnnypcusa@yahoo.com Tacoma, WA

: Barry Ryan

barryr@paxchristipnw.org

or call 253-272-2184  x104

Los Angeles, CA

: LA Catholic Worker

info@lacatholicworker.org

, (323)267-8789

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good promotes awareness of Catholic social teaching and its core values of justice, dignity and the common good to Catholics, the media and Americans of all faiths. Through communications, grassroots outreach and strategic coordination, Catholics in Alliance works to advance the common good in the American public square. For more information please visit www.catholicsinalliance.org