Remembering the Lessons from the Nuclear Fallout and Victims of Nuclear Bombing

March 1 is a National Remembrance of Victims of Nuclear Testing.  On March 1, 1954, US Government's Nuclear Weapon Testing program had a radioactive fallout and vaporized the islands, culture was piped out, creating human experimentation,  stillbirth, and jelly babies in Marshall Islands.  Given this testing, there was 130 tons of Nevada nuclear waste dumped into the lagoon and bodies of water of this community with secrecy.  The has been 67 nuclear tests by United States between 1946 and 1958 in Marshall Islands particularly hitting the Bikini and Enewetak Atoll with radioactive impact on the whole Marshall Islands.  This created an uninhabitable island with fishes and plants that are not edible for human consumption. 

We also remember on this day, the atomic bomb that was detonated in Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs where about 140,000 died and 70,000 died respectively.  The aftermath of the exposure of the people to the radioactive chemicals caused cancer and death in succeeding years of those who survived the immediate blast from the atomic bomb.

How do United States and the human family take responsibility for the nuclear disaster in history whether the activity is for testing or deliberate action?  How can we learn from the past and not allow the violence to dominate among the vulnerable people and creation. How can we ensure that the dignity of humanity and creation are preserved despite conflicts and the violent reality of today?  How can we permanently stop the nuclear threat in the world when we know that the leaders of nations have the power to activate the most dangerous weapon ever created, which exists in a lot of cities in the United States as well as in other parts of the world.

Read more about the Marshall Islands here.
Marshall Islands in Nuclear Museum
Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day on March 1, 2025
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombing Victims and Fatalities
History of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Nuclear Bombing
Nuclear Test Sites

 Pax Christi Texas invites Pax Christi Members and Friends to    
Second Quarterly Social Justice Forum

 “The Current State of Nuclear Threat”

Monday, April 28, 2025 Forum officially starts 7 pm Central Time by zoom

Time: Apr 28, 2025 zoom opens 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting link here.


Meeting ID: 978 7131 9807

Commemorating:
2025  Anniversary of the Atomic Bomb
(80 Years later)
Nuclear Disarmament Our Challenge
Earth Day: Care for the Planet
Mother’s Day in Honor of Women 

Presenter:
Archbishop John Wester, Santa Fe New Mexico

Author of
“Christ Is Our Light”

  A pastoral letter addressing the

Nuclear Threat

Living in the Light of Christ's Peace:A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament
Pax Christi USA: June 2023

Issues for preparation, discussion for the Pax Christi Texas Social Justice Forum April 28, 2025 7 PM CST with the details below.

Study on Nuclear will be conducted on March 21, 2025 (Friday) at 6pm via zoom here.

Meeting Number on March 21, 2025: 983 8982 9405 

passcode: 585668

In 1945 millions died instantly p.5

Humanity crossed the line. p. 5
Defense “Just War Theory” p. 9
Weapons as a Deterrent, p.10
Catholic Position: Possession/use of nuclear weapons
      is immoral Expansion (modernization) p.10
Only in mutual trust, p.10
Takes food away from starving,  p. 29
Jesus’ message on Peace and Violence:
To the Seventy Two: “Greet with Peace,” p.17
In the Garden “Put down your swords.” p.17
Massive Funds Needed in International Conflict Resolution p. 33
Accidents and Miscalculations p.24
Efforts of Church will Not Cease p. 11

Our Sacred Relationship with Food, Farming, and Community

The Justfaith Ministry has the Sacred Land: Food and Farming program. This is a platform that provides resources for community of people to learn about the truth in our society particularly focusing on food and land being sacred. Everyone can learn and implement ways depending on each of the participants' desire to contribute to their own individual transformation, social change, and justice for the voiceless or unseen. 

This platform is used by the Laudato Si' Texas Chapter members to learn about how to be more aware of our relationship with nature, food, animal and social ethics, and environmental challenges surrounding our food and farming. As part of this program, our Laudato Si' Texas Chapter Animator Linda S. is inviting Meredith from One Soil Farm as our guest speaker on March 9 at 2pm. 

One Soil Farm is a farm where everyone is welcome.  This is led by Jewish farmers, founded among the Jewish community. Delivering beautiful, sustainably grown vegetables to convenient locations in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough through their CSA program. They build relationships through events and community-based farming and selling where people can support sustainable farming practices. It follows organic practices while improving the land where they grow their crops. Meredith grew up in Hillsborough, NC, and is thrilled to be putting down roots in Cedar Grove and growing food for her community. 

If anyone is interested in this program or in this specific guest speaker event, please email us at jpic.office@amormeus.org. We look forward to having you and collaborating with you in your ministry.

Acción de prevención contra la trata de personas en Chimbote

El mes de febrero lo dedicamos a Santa Josefina Bakhita, patrona de las víctimas de trata de personas y de quienes nos sumamos a combatir este problema. Su testimonio de vida nos exige estar presentes y alertas contra la esclavitud y la explotación en todas sus diversas formas. Es así que desde la ciudad de Chimbote iniciamos lo que serán una serie de actividades para educar y prevenir sobre esta realidad.

Con las indicaciones y motivación de la Hna. Sofía Mamani (integrante de la Red Kawsay) estuvimos conversando con diversas personas (principalmente mujeres de todas las edades) sobre la trata de personas, además compartimos algunos materiales informativos y datos de contacto para comunicarse ante una posible situación de trata. ¡Estemos alerta, veamos las señales! ¡Denuncia!

Con un grupo de asociadas y prenovicias de nuestra congregación, nos dirigimos a la plaza principal de la ciudad y desarrollamos nuestra estrategia para compartir el mensaje. Volanteo, pequeñas charlas preventivas, paseo de afiches, perifoneo. Todo lo que en ese momento teníamos a la mano para informar sobre la trata de personas y especialmente a estar alerta ante las señales que vemos diariamente, una realidad que sucede silenciosamente en las calles, en el trabajo, las escuelas y los hogares.

Damos gracias al Dios de la Vida que se encarna a cada una/o para seguir trabajando por quienes nos más vulnerados y hacer posible una mejor sociedad para todas las personas, con vida digna y en libertad. Ser realmente embajadoras y embajadores de esperanza.

Texas Legislative Session with Texan Catholics

Join the Texan Catholics on Catholic Advocacy Day on April 1, 2025, for Texans or any legislative advocacies you would like to participate in.

More information here regarding the Catholic Advocacy Day: Catholic Advocacy Day 2025 - Texas Catholic Conference.  Our San Antonio Archdiocese contact is Dr Virginia Mata, the new director for Social Justice.

Vigils for Execution Scheduled on February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025 at 6pm is the scheduled execution of Mr. Richard Tabler (TDCJ #999523 and DOB 02/05/1979) for the two double murders of Mohamed-Amine Rahmouni, Haitham Frank Zayed, Amanda Benefield, and Tiffany Loraine Dotson.  He was diagnosed by a psychiatrist to have a mental illness specifically Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.  There was a House Bill 727 passed in 2023 that attempted to halt the execution of mentally ill inmates.  However, it did not make it to the upper chamber leaving the inmates with mental illness to suffer with the injustice of the system instead of treating them with appropriate healthcare and rehabilitation.  

Another man on death row for execution today at 6 pm today is Mr. James Ford in Florida. He was sentenced to death row for the double murder of Greg and Kimberly Malnory in 1997.  He had suffered child abuse and later the loss of his father leading to addiction to alcohol according to his defense.  Another sad story of mental illness that the society is penalized for.  

Life is sacred and we cannot reproduce life as we are uniquely created.  Every human being has the capacity by God's grace to change and be transformed.  Pope Francis updated the Catechism 2267 stating that the policy on capital punishment is outdated and we are called to end the death penalty.  This has been replaced by the new Catholic teaching:

“The church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide”   

As a developed nation with technological and scientific advances, we can make a smarter and transformational legacy to protect society and how to work on injustices socially and scientifically. What is human dignity?  It is not something that depends on race, age, nationality, gender, or crime committed by a person.  Dignity does not increase nor decrease depending on the status of an individual. Human dignity is a value or attribute that all human beings have deserving of respect equally.  With dignity, there is a duty to protect his human rights as all people have inherent value given to him as a gift.  God himself became human and this is how God wanted human being to realize His worth.  Jesus Christ died for all so that all can be one with God.  Infinitas Dignita from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith rightfully explains how to treat human dignity in its article 34 where it states that dignity is to be respected whether one commits the worst crime or one is the holiest of all.

"If I do not deny that dignity to the worst of criminals, I will not deny it to anyone. I will give everyone the possibility of sharing this planet with me, despite all our differences."

The American justice system has failed to update its policies and laws to give fair treatment and dignity to all.   The taxpayers have to bear the cost of the punishment which is unproductive and costly.  It destroys dignity and the killing of another person only causes more pain than healing.  If people want healing and closure, it is the health care and rehabilitation system that must be sought.  

There is nothing right for a person to commit a heinous crime.  The society must be protected from all harm.  The families of the victims and the people who died from these suffered insurmountable loss and pain. On the other hand, is it our right to kill another person to solve a justice issue?  If it is not hatred that is being inflicted in the process, what is it?  Killing a person is not a solution. To justify that one must die because a life was taken only leads to new pain.  For those who are in favor of the death penalty, one question to ask is "Is killing another person an act of love and justice?" Is this what Jesus Christ would do? I would argue for those who are involved in the death penalty to be accomplished.  They are people with feelings and memory.  They carry these with them.  We are part of this system as our taxes are used to pay for the people to carry out the execution of the person on death row.  Would you kill a person to justify heinous crime?  We are part of this death penalty.

The author Bryan Stevenson's words: “The question of the death penalty is not, 'Do people deserve to die for the crimes they commit?' I think the threshold question is, 'Do we deserve to kill?'“  I believe in this question of looking at ourselves if we have the right to kill.  It is an eye for an eye treatment.  It is a punishment and revenge system.  If society is to look at justice, the poor, the mentally ill, and sick people must be given the resources, and health care needed from the beginning until the end.  If something is broken, it needs to be fixed and not patched up.

The governor of the state in this case Governor Abbott and Governor Ron De Santis have the power and influence to stop the execution for the two on death row.  Let us be people of justice where the dignity of the people matters.  Mr. Richard Tabler has not been well represented by an effective counsel.  He has not been provided what is due to him according to the Sixth Amendment.  His case is an example of the lack of legal representation that he should have considering the severity of his situation.  Mr. James Ford in Florida is another case of mental illness and alcohol abuse. Are they deserving of dignity to live?  According to Catholic teaching, yes.  They have equal rights to live as much as anyone else.

There will be a vigil in San Antonio across from the main entrance to the Bexar County Justice Center  300 Dolorosa Street to pray for the end of death penalty and for the two persons scheduled for state execution.  The vigil will be at 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm CT.  Parking is in 211 South Flores Garage.

Other vigil sites can be found in https://tcadp.org/vigils/

Vigil for Mr. James Ford in Florida will be held in various places that can be found here.

More info:

The Dignity and Rights of Human Person
Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” On Human Dignity
Why Rebottle the Genie?  Capitalizing on Closure on Death Penalty Proceedings.
Stop the Execution of Richard Tabler in Texas
Texas Coalition Against Death Penalty Stop Executions
Florida Stop Execution of Mr. James Ford
Catholic Mobilizing Network - Stop Execution of Richard Tabler
Hatred as a Contagious Disease

Peace Advocates from Texas Coalition Against Death Penalty (TCADP) and Incarnate Word Sister San Antonio Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation in front of the Bexar Country Justice on February 13, 2025.

Pide una acción

¡Atención! Les compartimos una noticia emocionante desde nuestro ministerio JPIC (Justicia, Paz e Integridad de la Creación) de nuestra Congregación de las Hermanas de la Caridad del Verbo Encarnado, San Antonio. Como parte de nuestra misión de ser una voz profética por la justicia, la paz y el cuidado de la casa común, hemos creado un espacio en línea para que recibir inquietudes sobre los temas sociales que nos preocupan. Ya sea apoyar en la lucha por la igualdad, la defensa a las poblaciones más vulnerables o atender las necesidades de la comunidad, ¡todas las voces son importantes!

Solo visita nuestro sitio web y busca la sección Pide una Acción al final de la página.

https://amormeus.org/es/justicia-social/

En unidad construimos un mundo más justo y compasivo. Estamos aquí para escuchar, actuar y caminar a tu lado. ¡Porque cuando nos unimos, realmente hacemos la diferencia! 

Request an action

Announcement from us, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word - San Antonio! We’re thrilled to share that as part of our mission to be a prophetic voice for justice, peace, and care of our common home, we’ve created an online space where you can share your concerns about social issues that matter to you.  Whether it’s standing up for equality, advocating for the most vulnerable, or addressing community needs, your voice matters!

Simply visit our website and click on the Request an Action section at the bottom of the page. 

https://amormeus.org/social-justice/

Let’s work together to create a more just and compassionate world. We’re here to listen, act, and walk with you. Because when we come together, we truly can make a difference!