SPECIAL REPORT Carlos Azpiroz Costa Implores Pontiff to Speak Out on Behalf of Iraqi Christians SANTA SABINA - June 5, 2007--As Pope Benedict XVI prepares to meet with President George W. Bush, June 9th during his visit to Europe for the G-8 Summit, Master of the Order, fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa has asked the pope to intervene on behalf of the safety of persecuted Christians in Iraq. In a letter prepared May 24th, fr. Carlos expressed his "grave concern" for the "security, and the future, of our Dominican Family members and the entire Christian community in Iraq." He asked the pope to intercede directly with President Bush on behalf of those threatened with violence and who are being killed, kidnapped and terrorized. READ MORE

MOSUL-- June 4, 2007-- Fr Ragheed Ganni, 34, was hit by gunfire in front of the Church of the Holy Spirit and three deacons, who served as his aides, were also killed. The murder took place after Sunday Mass where Father Ragheed was parish priest. Sources report that hours later the bodies were still lying in the street because no one dared retrieve them. Tensions in the area remain high. Pope Benedict expressed his sadness at their deaths.

MIAMI SHORES, FL -- “We must preach what we believe, believe what we preach, and live what we believe," said Ann Willits, OP at the 2007 College Preaching Program: Preaching in Action. During the week of May 22,  forty students from Dominican universities and colleges or colleges with a Dominican presence gathered at Barry University here for the fifith national conference. READ MORE

Caldwell Dominicans Pressure for Change
Exxon Mobil Rejects Push Toward Alternative Energy

DALLAS -- June 4, 2007---In a high stakes struggle between Stanford University and the corporate giant Exxon Mobil, the university is caught squarely in the middle of “a major proxy battle between a group of New Jersey nuns and the world's largest privately owned oil company".The “New Jersey nuns” are the Caldwell Dominican Sisters. 
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US Bishops Respond to Latest Effort
Proposed Immigration Bill Stirs Calls for Prayer and Justice

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishops in various parts of the country joined the chorus of reactions to the preliminary version of a comprehensive immigration bill set to be considered before the Senate takes a weeklong break for Memorial Day.

Debate in the Senate opened May 21 even before the legislation designed by a bipartisan negotiating team was turned into bill form and introduced. A vote on the bill could be taken as soon as May 24, or debate could extend into June. READ MORE


Ecuador Mission Notes

GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR - Street vendor popcorn becomes an occasion for connection to Eucharist for Chris Eggleton, OP as he writes in again with another note on the Dominican mission in Guayaquil.
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Four Congregations Collaborate  to bring “Dominican Faith Camp” to Life

SPRINGFIELD, IL June 4, 2007 – Four Dominican congregations are collaborating to bring “Dominican Faith Camp” to life in the Midwest. The Dominican Sisters of Columbus, Grand Rapids, Sinsinawa, and Springfield, are launching the inaugural season of the collaborative camp with two pilot events this summer. READ MORE


We Dare To Say: Praying for Justice and Peace

A newly published Canadian collection of prayers for peace and justice is now available, edited by Michel Cote, OP and Sylvia Skrepichuk. Chapters include justice making, ecology, peace and women. |
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READ the latest UN Briefing for June 4th HERE