Justicia, Paz y Tierra / Justice, Peace and Earth: January 2026

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Death Penalty Abolition, the Circle Process and Events

Death penalty has been used in United States of America since 1608. During its early years, even minor offenses can be executed for stealing grapes, killing chickens, and Indian trading. What is worth noting is that this is a practice that has been inherited from European justice system which used to include punishment for marrying a Jew, stealing, cutting down a tree, robbing a rabbit warren, and wearing black face at night.

Over time, the questions of ethics of death penalty have been put forward and it became limited to more serious crimes. Eventually, Britain abolished death penalty on November 8, 1965. In 1983, the Protocol 6 to the European Convention banned the death penalty for all domestic offenses. In 2002, Protocol 13 abolished the death penalty in all circumstances in EU with its argument that it is a violation of the right to life and right to freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

There are 27 states out of 50 in United States still use death penalty as part of its justice system including California, Pennsylvannia, Oregon and Ohio that halted their executions.

Pope Leo XIV has affirmed the church’s teachings against death penalty in his interview on September 30, 2025. The Pope highlighted the complexity of life issues and encouraged conversations among citizens and Catholics. He reiterated the respect for all life which includes the immigrants and those in death row. He stated that

"Somebody who says I'm against abortion but says I'm in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life."

The Pro-Life movement by the Catholics in the United States of America is normally, if not always, focused on anti-abortion. This is known to be abused as a political tool by candidates during elections. Though pro-life supports protection of life, this movement does not traditionally mention or include the abolishment of death penalty, protection of migrants, and Care for Our Common Home that addresses climate crisis affecting millions of lives globally.

A recent Community Cafe sponsored by Catholic Mobilizing Network on "Unsticking Sticky Situations: Navigating Tensions and Conflict in Circle Process" on January 23 gave tips on how to have courageous and yet courteous approach on difficult topics through circle process. The Circle Process (CP) may be used for Death Penalty or any divisive or sensitive topics that a group of people may want to have a conversation:

⭐️Be present and listen so others feel valued.
⭐️Honor time and share space equally.
⭐️Speak from your experience, with the group in mind.
⭐️Stay curious—reflect, grow, and welcome new perspectives.
⭐️Refrain from fixing; enter with humility.
⭐️Share the learnings, not the stories—respect others’ identities.

This CP deserves a respect for the above guidelines. The answer does not have to be from the guardian but from the collective wisdom in the circle. It is suggested for the CP to have a guardian who will ring the bell in heated conversation or when needed. Then, the guardian will invite all participants to wait for a minute to 2 minutes of silence instead of using the word “Stop”. After the pause, the guardian will invite all to go deeper by integrating the emotion into the next phase. A question may be asked by the guardian: What inner work helps me to be grounded? The participants are to be trusting and have the willingness to let go. The final stage is the acknowledgment of the points learned, heard, appreciated, and the commitments if there are any.

There are 17 death row inmates scheduled for execution in 2026 in United States with Charles Thompson scheduled for execution in Texas on January 28, 2026. The primary mode of execution for most states is lethal injection. Other alternative modes of execution are lethal gas and electrocution. Idaho has firing squad and South Carolina has electrocution as primary mode of execution, different from other states. Death row inmates schedule of execution:

Feb 10: Ronald Heath in Florida
Feb 12: Kendrick Simpson in Oklahoma
Mar 11: Cecric Ricks in Texas
Apr 30: James Broadnax in Texas
May 14: Edward Busby in Texas
May 20: Leroy McGill in Arizona
May 21: Tony Carruthers in Tennessee
Jun 17: Gerald Hand in Ohio
Jul 17: Cleveland Jackson in Ohio
Jul 22: Danny Hill in Ohio
Aug 13: Anthony Darrell Dugard Hines in Tennessee
Aug 19: James D. O'Neal in Ohio
Sep 30: Christa Pike in Tennesse
Oct 21: Jerome Henderson in Ohio
Nov 18: Melvin D. Bonnell Jr. in Ohio
Dec 3: Gary Wayne Sutton in Tennessee

Pray, discern, and take actions on your role in the life of the death row inmates above.

For latest updates on executions refer to: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/upcoming-executions

https://catholicsmobilizing.org/our-work/death-penalty/executions/

Support conversation on human rights and justice that can bring healing and ending terror and torture:
https://mcgrath.nd.edu/conferences/conversations-that-matter/death-penalty/

US Conference of Catholic Bishops on death penalty abolition

https://www.usccb.org/resources/churchs-anti-death-penalty-position

Upcoming Events:

Catholic Mobilizing Network’s Upcoming Webinars in https://catholicsmobilizing.org/events/

Conversations in Communion on January 28 3PM EST

Introduction to Restorative Justice Workshop on February 11 6PM EST

Conversations in Communion for Women Religious February 12 12NN ET - March 5 3PM ET

Bryan Stevenson at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth courtesy of Brite Divinity School’s Center for Theology and Justice, in collaboration with TCU’s Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, presents The 2nd Annual Dream Justice Event on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00pm CST. Bryan Stevenson is a founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. The event is free and open to the public. Register here.

The TCADP 2026 Annual Conference: Overcoming Legacies; Reimagining Justice will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Houston, Texas at the United Way Community Resource Center (50 Waugh Dr, Houston, Texas 77007). Register today!

Read More:

Texas Coalition Against Death Penalty

History of Death Penalty: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/resources/high-school/about-the-death-penalty/history-of-the-death-penalty

Death Penalty Stories worth Reading: https://people.smu.edu/rhalperi/2026/01/22/jan-22

Why abolish death penalthy in 21st century?
https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2023/04/hc-death-penalty-should-be-abolished-21st-century

Resource: The Circle Way: The Leader in Every Chair by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea

Religious Women Leading the Way on Laudato Si’ and Synodal Process

An invitation from Catholic Climate Covenant on their first webinar of 2026 on Monday, January 26th (12-1 p.m. ET). Since 2006, the Catholic Climate Covenant has been helping the church in addressing the Cry of the Earth and Cry of the Poor. They have been reaching out to people of faith and organizations particularly in United States in spreading the Catholic Social Teachings particularly highlighting the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor. This organization also collaborates with Laudato Si' Movement.

NOTE: We are monitoring the upcoming snow and ice approaching the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States and praying that power outages will be few and far between. We will update all who have registered on Monday morning if widespread power outages affect the webinar.

Women Religious: Leading the Way on Laudato Si’ and the Synodal Process
Monday, January 26th (12-1 p.m. ET/11 a.m.-12 p.m. CT/10 a.m.-11 a.m. MT/9 a.m.-10 a.m. PT)

SAVE MY SEAT!
(The webinar recording will be shared with all who register.)

Panelists:

Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, Executive Director, Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Sr. Bridget Bearrs, RSCJ, Associate Director for Transformative Justice, Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI, M.D., Assistant Congregational Leader and General Councilor for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word

Kascha Sanor, Director of Social & Environmental Justice for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph

Marianne Comfort, Interim Director of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

A Peace at Work

The power of peace comes from love that endures not from hate that incites fear and chaos. It is from compassion, and truth that only the wise can understand. It is from understanding, collaboration, relationship and an openness to listen, courage to stand up for what is moral, and humility to be formed and be changed. On the day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we set a day to be reminded that non-violence activism rooted in love aims to dismantle hatred, racism, and domination is possible.

Our world is challeged by the problems of this generation that has not yet learned to diplomatically listen to each other. It is in the families, communities, and societies that we belong, Our humanity is challenged to make way for what we want to value. We are accountable to the kind of world that we are co-creating by our actions and inactions.

Our hearts and minds are restless. We cannot forget that we have the Holy Spirit within us. God is reaching out to us in our silent moments as well us our chaos. We can heed his power within us. God's power rooted in love, teaching us the compassion, the inclusivity, looking at what's possible. The Spirit that empowers our hearts is beyond the fears and chaos caused by the few and the weak. Through our faith, we let God work through us for the empoverished and the downtrodden. God gave us the beatitudes. God continues to give us hope that we are blessed amidst all the uncertainties in our world, etc.

Jesus Christ is a non-violent teacher. God does not force us but continues to love us. He wants us to look for the real treasure in our life and not what the "world" gives. Dr. Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Saint Francis, Mother Teresa and other peacemakers have something in common. It is the love that transcends time, love that transcends self, love that cares after one’s neighbor, it is the love that comes from God.

May you be blessed in being reminded that God who moved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his time is present among the people of today, in all of us.

Jesus Christ said in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Share your peace. Share your love story.

PRAYER FOR PEACE
by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Most Gracious and all wise God; Before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou in whom we live, and move, and have our being. We thank thee [for?] all of thy good and gracious gifts, for life and for health; for food and for raiment; for the beauties of nature and the love of human nature. We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomigs. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie; We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose the lo to travel the low road. For these sins O God forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God in these turbulent day when fear and doubt are mounting high give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Learn About Catholic Social Teachings in Houston

In Saint Anne Community in Houston, Rhonda Sepulveda, the Parish and Government Relations Coordinator of Catholic Charities will talk about the 7 Principles of Catholic Social Teachings.

Catholics are at the heart of mission and service. We are incarnating what Jesus Christ taught us about love. He showed us that he wanted to take care of us, and to heal our infirmities. He showed impartiality that we are to look after the vulnerable and make way for their needs. Jesus Christ heals people in many ways, so that the blind can see, the captives can be freed, and the broken hearted be healed.

Refer to the invitation link here: Catholic Social Teaching and Faithful Citizenship

Location: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Location: in the St. Christopher Room

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Pledge and Enroll Your Parish and Organization into Laudato Si' Action Platform

A Message from Dr. Virginia Mata, Social Justice Director of San Antonio Archdiocese

Peace and blessings! I hope this message finds you well and filled with hope as we begin this New Year together. I want to remind you that our next Laudato Si Training will be on January 29 at 6:00 pm on Zoom. We are grateful that Archbishop Gustavo will be joining us for the opening prayer and to share a few words with us. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to those parishes who already submitted their reflections and welcome the additional parishes that have registered with the archdiocese. I am happy to share that we have close to 65 parishes from our archdiocese participating in this global movement.

As we prepare, I want to gently encourage you to continue moving forward with the Laudato SI Action Platform process. As a reminder, the steps include:

Enroll your parish on the Laudato Si Action Platform (please be sure to include your parish name and “San Antonio Archdiocese”)
Make a parish pledge. I’m sharing a three-minute video with a review of process, and I have also attached a Word doc with three ways you can do your parish pledge. Laudato Si December Update Enroll Pledge Reflect,
Submit a brief reflection (please be sure to include your parish name and location).
Review Suggested Actions on the platform and start drafting your goals. This will be covered at our January meeting, but feel free to proceed if you are ready.

A very important step right now is to submit your parish reflection, so that you can be visible on the global Laudato Si map and to stand in solidarity with parishes around the world.

Thank you for your faithful witness, your openness, and your care for our common home. I look forward to being together (on Zoom below) on January 29 as we continue walking this path of love and faith in action and please reach out to me if you need assistance.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83948409313?pwd=svsh9t9C4ivwaIkFnZA72nTYCzZL7D.1

Meeting ID: 839 4840 9313
Passcode: 771995

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,83948409313#,,,,*771995# US (Houston)
+16694449171,,83948409313#,,,,*771995# US

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83948409313/invitations?signature=XiPZxC47Jxfzm5GvmoCw23e3C1lYW8R71bpapKej2SQ

Below are Parts I & II of our Laudato Si Series.

Part I – Introduction to Laudato Si -Introduction to Laudato Si’ and the Laudato Si’ Action Platform

Part II – Building Relationships – Laudato Si’ Webinar Series Part II: Building Relationships

Part II December Follow up - Laudato Si December Update Enroll Pledge Reflect,

Laudato Si Parish Assessment

Laudato Si Goals English

Laudato Si Goals Spanish

I have also created and attached a Laudato Si Representative sample script that can be used for the one-on-one relational conversations and listening session. (The scripts are offered as guides ONLY to help you begin conversations within your parish).

Each parish can discern with your pastor’s approval how best to proceed, for example:

-Parish Reps may meet with each ministry leader in the parish.

-Others may hold a single listening session with all or several ministries,

-And some may focus primarily on developing their goals with each ministry leader and/or pastor or parish councils.

While we encourage a synodal process—listening, discerning, and acting together—we understand this process will be different in each parish.

Our next session, Part III will take place on Thursday Jan. 29^th at 6:00 pm on Zoom. Please make every effort to join us, as this session will provide hands-on guidance for developing and submitting your parish goals. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I am happy to walk with you and offer support as needed.

Monday, January 5, 2026

A Call to Support Peace: No to Nuclear Testing and Expansion

"... Never has humanity had such power over itself, yet nothing ensures that it will be used wisely, particularly when we consider how it is currently being used. We need but think of the nuclear bombs dropped in the middle of the twentieth century, or the array of technology which Nazism, Communism and other totalitarian regimes have employed to kill millions of people, to say nothing of the increasingly deadly arsenal of weapons available for modern warfare. In whose hands does all this power lie, or will it eventually end up? It is extremely risky for a small part of humanity to have it."
- Laudato Si' article 104

United States has observed moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992. There are two international treaties to control the nuclear arms race: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Honduras became the 50th state to ratify the TPNW on 4 October 2020. The treaty is enforced. However, the nuclear powers US, the UK, France and Russia are opposed to this treaty.

On October 2025, the president of United States ordered the resumption of the nuclear testing. There is no doubt about the dangers of nuclear explosive testing in terms of its impact to humanity, the environment, other living organisms, global volatile and fragile security, and many others.

What our world needs is for the resources to be used to promote peace through promotion of health, food security, climate actions, and socio-economic programs. The use of nuclear explosives is a violent act towards our nature. The country has enough nuclear warheads to destroy humanity. This country has already tested enough in the past proven by more than a thousand testings from 1940s to 1992. The testing in the past only proved that it has been the minorities, vulnerable, or indigenous people that are being impacted by these nuclear programs.

None of the nations in the world owns the earth or people. Nobody has the right to destroy the earth nor humanity. It is our moral obligation to speak for what is right in pursuing peace. Apart from its destructive power to nature and people’s health, nuclear only incites fear, anxiety and global instability.

Pope Leo XIV invited all the faithful to pray for peace especially on January 1 when we honor the "World Day of Peace". He opened his message to all with peace from the start of his papacy. He asked the faithful to be the light in darkness and carry the peace from within in order to bring peace to our world.

Refer to this document on USCCB's invitation to reflect, pray and build peace: World Day of Peace Handout 2026.pdf

Reflect on the bills below and call on your legislators:

Oppose any funding or authorization for renewed explosive nuclear weapons testing.
Support the Bills below:

H.Res 5894, the RESTRAIN Act, introduced by Rep. Dina Titus. This is to amend the Atomic Energy Defense Act to prohibit explosive testing of nuclear weapons conducted by the United States, and for other purposes
Co-sponsor S.Res. 3090 preventing funding for nuclear testing in 2026.
S.Res. 323: Urging the United States to lead a global effort to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race.
H.Res. 317 and S.Res 323, keep the moratorium on U.S. nuclear testing and advance negotiations for nuclear disarmament.

The U.S. Has Enough Nuclear Weapons to Destroy the World so Why Build More? – The Ciph

Trump’s Nuclear Test Rhetoric and Reality | Arms Control Association

Beginner’s Guide to Nuclear Weapons - Back from the Brink

Trump's remarks on nuclear testing upend decades of U.S. policy. Here's what to know | PBS News

Action Alert: Stop Nuclear Testing • GBCS

TPNW signature and ratification status

Sunday, January 4, 2026

What does Water have to do with Faith, or vice versa?

Hear from five faith leaders on the connection between their faith and water in the Faith Perspectives Panel: Faith & Water, online on Sunday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. central.

All registrants will get a link to the recording of the event.

We hope you’re able to join us!

Tickets here

Lifestyle Swaps

Laudato Si' Article 16

"...the call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress, the value proper to each creature, the human meaning of ecology, the need for forthright and honest debate, the serious responsibility of international and local policy, the throwaway culture and the proposal of a new lifestyle. These questions will not be dealt with once and for all, but reframed and enriched again and again."

Simple swaps you can do at home and anywhere

A reminder for this year for our continued call to be socio-ecologically-conscious. Incarnate Word Sisters San Antonio Laudato Si' Action Platform foci for its second year surround Sustainable Lifestyle and Ecological Economics.

In a message delivered by Cardinal Parolin at the UN Climate Conference in Belém, Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent action and an “ecological conversion” rooted in responsibility, justice, and solidarity. The pope calls for actions that is beyond gathering data. We have a moral issue to be addressed that needs cooperation among nations. Pope highlights our moral duty to take climate actions which promotes a lasting peace respecting that climate is a common good that belongs to all. This highlights the interconnection of the works for peace and the care for creation.

Ms. Jane Goodall said that the most imporant thing we can do everyday is to think about the consequences of the choices we make: what do we eat, what do we wear...? Do I patronize products that have been produced out of slavery, child abuse and cruelty to my fellow human beings, animals and environment? Do my choices contribute to harm being done to environment and death of the animals and fellow human beings?

Below are simple swaps you can easily implement anytime at home. If you have already implemented any of these, give us a comment or a note.

1. Detergent Swaps: Go for eco-sheets, eco-powder and than plastic jugs

There are non-toxic plastic free laundry detergent that you can purchase these days unlike the conventional ones which more likely contain harsh chemicals. By opting for non-plastic packaged detergents and dishwasher, you are lessening the plastic epidemic. The harmful chemicals from the conventional detergents get mixed into the water ways that go into the ocean. Ocean animals and creatures have the right to clean environment too. Moreover, some of the researchers identified harmful chemicals that can be cancerous. If the product is carrying something that not safe for the environment like benzene why would it be safe for humans?
Some major supermarkets now carry ECOs and Zote. Online options can be Blueland, Dirty labs, Tangie, Earth Breeze, etc.

2. Buy Products in cartons or singles than styrofoam or plastic packaged products

If you are buying eggs, buy them in cartons not in styrofoam. If the product you are buying is using styrofoam, ask the vendor to change their containers. Consumers have the power to change what's on the supermarkets by patronizing according to your carbon footprint impact.
If you are buying fruits and vegetables in plastic packages, opt for those without plastic packages. Choose the lesser carbon footprint over convenience. Sometimes you can avoid rotten produce by choosing them out of those plastic packages.

3. Bring your reusable drinking container or sustainable kits than using plastics (plastic plates, plastice spoon, plastic fork, plastic knife, plastic or styrofoam cups) in events.

It has been an epidemic for some of the event organizers to have plastic cups, styrofoam cups, and plastic utensils. Not only these plastics are throw away, they last for hundreds of years if not thousands of years before it can truly breakdown completely and therefore not considered friendly to our environment. It is a pollution that generations after generations of people have to carry around or to solve. Rather than add to the problem of our children, be the solution. Carry with you your reusable drinking container and stainless utensils to avoid using the single use plastic and disposable dining throw-away in events.

4. Do not buy clothes that you do not need. If needed, go for natural fabric for clothing and home textiles.

Do not buy anything if there is no need. If you are to buy any clothes or fabrics for your household, bathroom and kitchen textiles, choose the natural fabrics (cotton, linen) and avoid polyester, nylon and synthethic fabrics. Look for secondhand when you can.

Fast fashion generates waste in the environment which is about 80 pounds of textile waste each year for each American. It does not give rightful value to workers for they are paid low to make the merchandize cheap. It does not apply the value of sustainability for the clothes become throw away while the people can die or suffer in the sweat shops, therefore the ecological economics of the clothing become jeopardize. The 2015 documentary "True Cost" overwhemingly shows 80 billion pieces of clothing produced worldwide every year to create the unnecessary demand for low-quality clothes.

5. Use metal, reusable containers or compostable options for your morning drinking ritual

For some of you who could not resist the single serve K-cups, you can still think of alternatives. You can opt for stainless steel-based reusable cups or the compostable options rather than the conventional single serve plastic cups. Even if you recycle these plastic cups, chances are these are not recycled because of its size. When you do not opt for the plastic cups, you also consider avoiding additional plastic problem in the world apart from avoiding to add to the microplastic problem that your body can ingest.

Think about the impact of your convenience to other creatures, to your own health and of those around you. There are 380 million tons of plastics produced every year. These sheds in different ways and end up in the air apart from being in the landfill and ocean. These microplastics are harmful and have already been found in the arteries of the people with heart diseases. The above are simple swaps that you can easily do. When you stop the demand for the plastic based products, you are sending the message, you are changing your lifestyle, and you are changing our planet. Your actions show your love for your neighbor and for God, our Creator.

Lastly, advocate for a reduction of plastics with your family and friends.

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