Social Justice Topics

Lesson Plan

Human Rights, China and the 2008 Olympics

The 2008 Olympics have provided a venue to focus a spotlight on the human rights abuses of the Chinese government. They also hold a teachable moment. This three-page resource includes background...
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Biofuels Backgrounder

Biofuels have been in the news of late as rising fuel costs spur the interest in alternative renewable energy sources. In light of growing food scarcity, environmental sustainability questions and...
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Nelson Mandela: His Life and His Witness

July 18 is the birthday of Nelson Mandela, who is a model of a life long non-violent justice activist whose dedication bought about the end of the racist apartheid government in South Africa. A...
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Crisis in Darfur Intensifies

A Background Resource, Prayer and Action Guide. The conflict in Darfur continues to spiral out of control.  Since 2003 when conflict broke out in the Darfur region of Sudan, the Church has been...
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Video

A Witness Speaks: Faith Refined in Rwandan Genocide (Video 1)

Fr. Romain Rurangirwa survived the Rwandan genocide in 1994. He was a college student at the time. In the first of seven video segments, Fr. Romain responds to a student's question about the impact...
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The Invisible Chapel

This film guide provides an excellent forum to explore immigration in a recent documentary. For over twenty years a migrant chapel remained invisible to the wealthy residents of a San Diego, CA...
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Analyzing The 2008 World Food Crisis

The resources on the current world food crisis present a Catholic Social Teaching view and analysis of the systems involved in world food purchases and distribution, scriptural reflections and some...
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Human Rights and Catholic Social Tradition

This resource provides four pages of recent and relevant quotes that summarize the Church's social teaching on human rights, as well as discussion questions.  

Prayer for Refugees

June 20 marks World Refugee Day. We pray for all those who are forced to flee from their homes due to war, violence, hunger or economic desperation.  

U.S. Bishops on Speak Out on Immigration

April 2008.  This three-page resource highlights recent statements and responses by U.S. Catholic Bishops to developments on the national and local levels regarding immigration policy. This...
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Enrique's Journey

Immigration is one of the most critical social issues facing us today. The book, Enrique's Journey" is the engrossing true story of a 16-year old boy from Honduras who travels thousands of miles to...
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CST & Film Guide: Blood Diamond

Diamonds have been an ongoing source of conflict and war in many places in Africa. Blood Diamond provides an excellent tool to learn about the issues and explore the themes of justice and injustice...
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