Share Lent: People and Planet First

To the parishioners of the Diocese of Antigonish, a huge thank you to all who took the time to promote and support this legislation by meeting with their own MP’s, by signing the petitions in person or on-line, please know that your efforts haven’t fallen on deaf ears:

Our People and Planet First campaign has been paving the way for corporate accountability measures to be put in place through mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) legislation. Over the last couple of months, we have reached many milestones in our quest to prevent Canadian companies from abusing human rights and the environment around the world!

Below, you will find some of our most notable campaign moments:

On March 29, 2022, two private members’ bills (Bill C-262 & Bill C-263) were introduced and tabled in the House of Commons by the MPs Peter Julian and Heather McPherson.
Our campaign petition has received 14,335 signatures, and members have held 23 meetings with local MPs to mobilize them into supporting the legislation.
The petition was presented in the House of Commons by MPs Soraya Martinez Ferrada of Hochelaga, Que., and Mike Morrice of Kitchener Centre, Ont.
 The Honorable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, met with some of our members. Given his portfolio, mandate and experience as an activist advocating for the fight against the climate crisis and the development of clean technologies, his support for our campaign is significant!
Through the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability, a submission was made to the Minister of Labour’s supply chain consultation. It highlights the importance of accountability and due diligence measures, in addition to outlining a blueprint for the Government of Canada to use in enacting such a law.
Encouraging as our campaign outcomes have been so far, there is still much work that remains to be done! For HREDD legislation to be enacted, the following process is required:

• Tabling and first reading in the House of Commons (done on March 29, 2022)
• Second reading and vote in the House of Commons (expected in 8-12 months)
• Consideration in committee to review the text of the bill and to approve or modify it
• Third reading and vote in the House of Commons
  Then, it would follow these same steps in the Senate.

Now, you are probably wondering what you can do. Keep advocating, sharing and signing the petition! We have only come this far because of our members’ commitment to putting people and the planet first and engaging their communities and MPs. We can therefore be certain that in no time, HREDD laws will be in place to hold Canadian companies operating abroad accountable for their actions.

With much appreciation, Diocese of Antigonish Development & Peace Core Council

—

Solidarity Sunday is April 3

Coping with Climate Change: The story of Madagascar

Madagascar is among the countries most vulnerable to Climate Change . Our partner, the Development Council of Andohatapenaka (CDA), operates in a part of the country that, being lashed by heavy rains, because of the circle of cyclones, is often flooded and very unsafe. CDA’s climate resilient project, raises awareness and mobilizes people to transform their neighbourhoods. Together, the community members rehabilitated a contaminated area into a community garden and implemented 51 climate change adaptation microprojects in the capital region. Residents of these communities, 173 local actors and 14 youths, were also trained and equipped to turn their community into an ecological village. Today, each of the village’s 50 households has a vegetable garden, a stove and solar panels. Development and Peace’s partnership with CDA has strengthened people’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. In these communities, hundreds have benefited from workshops on climate adaptation practices like composting, agroecology, urban agriculture, making biomass charcoal and rearing flood resistant livestock. Watch the new videos

To be in solidarity with communities impacted by Climate Change, give to our Solidarity Sunday collection on the 5th Sunday of Lent (April 3rd). Your generous support may be provided through ongoing automatic monthly withdrawals with D & P (Share Year-Round | Development and Peace (devp.org), or by using the Solidarity Sunday Share Lent collection envelopes often provided in the churches or call toll free number: 1 888 664-3387

Donate Now

February 25, 2022

Share Lent Campaign Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (DPCC)

My Dear Clergy and My Dear People,

In his Lenten Message 2022 issued yesterday, Pope Francis reflects on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity (kairós), let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10).  Our Holy Father encourages us to reflect upon this scripture passage since St. Paul speaks of this being an opportune time for sowing goodness in view of a future harvest.

These words are well suited for this year’s Share Lent Campaign for Development and Peace and Caritas Canada with the theme, “People and Planet First”.  This campaign is an expression of the Gospel message and of the Church’s social teaching.  Truly, it is a time of sowing goodness in view of a future harvest. Pope Francis speaks of the protection of the environment and our love for one another as being inherently connected, as “we need to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”. (Laudato Si’49)

It is time for the dignity of the human person and the health of our common home to be front and centre. With climate change, growing disparities of wealth and health, we see: “some parts of our human family, it appears, can be readily sacrificed for the sake of others considered worthy of a carefree existence.” (Fratelli Tutti, 18).

On April 3, we will celebrate Solidarity Sunday.  This will be an opportunity to reflect and pray for “People and Planet First”. I support the 2022 Share Lent collection in our diocese. I invite you to give generously in support of the development and humanitarian programs of DPCC. You are invited to donate through your Share Lent envelope or online.  

If you have not yet ordered the free Share Lent materials for your parish, you can do so at https://www.devp.org/en/campaign/people-planet-first/share-lent/

If you have any questions about the campaign or the Share Lent materials, you are invited to contact our Regional DPCC animator, Adah Ogbe via email.

Thank you for your prayers and generous support.

Fraternally,

+ Wayne Kirkpatrick

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick