Urge President Obama to Seek Cancellation of Haiti’s Foreign Debt

Posted on by Fr. Peter
While two-thirds of Haiti’s debt ($1.2 billion) was cancelled in June 2009 thanks to the efforts of faith groups and debt activists, the country still has $641 million in debt on its books. This is because the debt relief agreements from the IMF and other creditors only covered debts acquired up to 2004. So, new loans Haiti has received since then have been adding to its debt. Half of this total of $641 million is owed to the InterAmerican Development Bank and the IMF, with the other half owed to other countries like Venezuela and Taiwan. In 2010, Haiti is projected to pay around $10 million to the IMF and IDB – and this is money Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, simply cannot pay in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake.

The U.S. has substantial voting power on the Boards of the IMF and the IDB and should use its influence to secure immediate cancellation of these debts. If cancellation cannot be granted immediately, President Obama should call for a moratorium on all debt payments from Haiti with no accrued interest until cancellation can be agreed on, as it was for countries hit by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Haiti’s limited resources should be directed at recovery, not repayment.

The Haitian earthquake has caused horrendous loss of life and unimaginable destruction. Massive humanitarian and reconstruction assistance is needed. This should come as grants, not loans, so that Haiti does not become saddled again with large debts through no fault of its own.

Just as a gracious and compassionate God extends unlimited mercy and forgives debts, so the human family is called to cancel debts and extend aid to those in need without seeking repayment. Jesus says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” And, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” And, “if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you” (Luke 6:34-38). The tragedy occurring in Haiti must call forth our country’s most compassionate response.

For more information and to take action see the Church World Service Website

Orthodox Christians Support Airlift to Haiti

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Baltimore, Md. (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is working in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) to deliver two of the most critical needs in Haiti today – water and shelter. Water purification equipment that will serve 10,000 people and 500 family tents, as well as other supplies, are being airlifted to Haiti. The aid, valued at more than $600,000, is expected to reach Port-au-Prince by Saturday, January 16.

IOCC’s participation in the airlift is made possible through a $20,000 emergency grant by the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has also expressed its solidarity with the people of Haiti by donating $10,000 to IOCC’s relief effort.

Three days after an earthquake devastated wide sections of the capital of Port-au-Prince and buried countless people, traumatized Haitians were still sleeping in parks and streets, fearing aftershocks. The airlift provided by IOCC and its ecumenical partners includes water tanks and water purification equipment, tents, and personnel to provide technical assistance.

IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), continues to coordinate its response with Action by Churches Together (ACT) and Orthodox partners on the ground to address the urgent humanitarian need for emergency supplies such as food, safe water, hygiene supplies, and shelter. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. Efforts by IOCC staff are ongoing to monitor needs in Haiti as they emerge and to coordinate shipments of aid through the alliance.

You can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Haiti Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

Haiti How to Help

Posted on by Fr. Peter

I have been asking this question since the earthquake happened. What can I do? I have participated in two conference calls over the last two days about what church is doing to help. The biggest need right now, cold hard cash. As bad as that sounds that is what is needed. Everything is running out and cash is king.

Faith based groups from around the country are working together and with the US Government to help bring aid to Haiti. It is always amazing when I see churches of different denominations working together.

If you are looking for a concrete way to help you can get a group of people together and assemble Health Kits. These kits bring basics to people and will be needed for many, many months. The cost is less than $10 per kit and the supplies can be purchased locally, assembled, and then mailed to a central location.

Here is what is needed, and for more information check out this link:

Buy a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and fill it with the following items:

One hand towel
One washcloth
One comb
One metal nail file or nail clipper
One bar of soap (bath size, new and wrapped in original packaging)
One toothbrush (NO TOOTHPASTE)
Six Band-Aids

Secure the bag and pack it in a box. Secure the box with packing tape.

Clearly mark the outside of the box with the type of kit (“Health Kit-IOCC”) and number of kits that are enclosed. Apply the correct amount of postage and mail the box to the following address:

IOCC / Church World Service
Brethren Service Center Annex
601 Main St. P.O. Box 188
New Windsor, Md. 21776-0188

Be sure to include the name of the parish, group or individual sending the kits on the box.

IOCC Mobilizes Disaster Response for Haiti Earthquake

Posted on by Fr. Peter
BALTIMORE, MD [IOCC/OCA] — International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] is responding to the most devastating earthquake to hit the island nation of Haiti in 200 years on January 12, 2010.

Authorities have not put an estimate of how many were killed by yesterday’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake, but thousands are feared dead. People are still trapped in destroyed buildings and leveled shantytowns and there is growing concern about the lack of sanitation, water and electricity.

IOCC has mobilized its disaster response team and is coordinating with its Orthodox and ecumenical partners to monitor and respond to the emerging needs in Haiti.

“Our prayers are with the people of Haiti who have lost loved ones in this disaster that has brought even more suffering to one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere,” said IOCC executive director and CEO, Constantine M. Triantafilou. “IOCC will be working with our fellow ACT Alliance members who are already in place to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake.”

Orthodox Christian faithful can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Haiti Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 877-803-IOCC [4622], or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225.

Parish and faithful also are encouraged to assemble hygiene kits and emergency clean up buckets to be shipped to Haiti. For information on hygiene kits, log on to www.iocc.org/kidspage/healthkit_frameset.aspx. For information on emergency clean up buckets, visit www.iocc.org/kidspage/bucket_frameset.aspx.

Since its establishment as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas in 1992, IOCC implemented over $300 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.

Haiti ~ How To Help

Posted on by Fr. Peter
The unfortunate side of a disaster like this is that the charlatans come out of the wood work and try and make a buck. Be careful when giving for the relief effort.

Bread for the world has put a list of organizations together that are legit. These are the only ones that you should be donating too. I am proud to see the International Orthodox Christian Charities on this list.

Please give and give from the heart.

List of Organizations

Haiti

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Like the rest of you I have been captivated by the news coming out of Haiti. Already a devastated country they now have to face this! Last night on Twitter I posted that I feel I need to do something but I am not sure what. I am praying of course but sometimes it feels like we need to do more.

Yesterday news came that the Roman Catholic Archbishop and 100 priests were killed and I am sure more to come. The count of people who lost their lives could be as high as 100,000 Lord Have Mercy!

Enter into the mix that fool Pat Robertson. I have never been a big fan and now he has crossed the line. Yesterday on his how the 700 Club Robertson had this to say:

ROBERTSON: [S]omething happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. Napoleon the Third and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you get us free from the prince.” True story. And so the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.” They kicked the French out, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free.

But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other, desperately poor…

This is the same nonsense that these people were spewing after Hurricane Katrine hit the United States. Do these so called Christians read the same Bible that I do? I was waiting to see which fool would be the first to call this the wrath of God and I guess I got my answer. The God of money that Mr. Robertson prays too is the one that would do this because this will be a big windfall for him, but my God, the God of peace, the God of love, would not do this. God does not cause people to suffer, people cause people to suffer! Pat Robertson it is time for you to go away!

Sorry to be so direct but as you can tell these people make me crazy!

Sermon ~ Sunday after Theophany

Posted on by Fr. Peter
The Gospel passage for today is all about Repentance. Repentance is a radical change of one’s spirit, mind, thought, and heart. A complete reorientation of a life centered in Christ! We are talking about a total about face a turning away if you will from the world and turning toward Christ!

Blogger’s Choice Award

Posted on by Fr. Peter
As you can see over on the right side, this blog has been nominated again this year for the Blogger’s Choice Award for Best Religion Blog. Now more than 50 people read this blog each day so if half of you went over and voted that would be great. I believe you can vote once each day for the blog so click on the link and go and vote. I would be forever grateful.

My site was nominated for Best Religion Blog!

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