|
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Washington, DC- The Maryknoll Sisters Congregational Leadership Team issued today the following statement:
"During their visit to Africa, President Bush and First Lady Laura
Bush will visit Emusoi Centre, a project of the Maryknoll Sisters in
Arusha, Tanzania. Emusoi (or place of discovery and awareness in Maa,
the Maasai language) is an ongoing educational project that prepares
school-age girls from nomadic tribes for entrance into secondary and
tertiary schools. We are certain that President and Mrs. Bush will be
deeply impressed by the young women of Emusoi and will see the beauty
and strength that we as Maryknoll have seen so often in African
cultures.
In Africa, Maryknoll missioners also have seen the ravages of deep
poverty, disease, violent conflict and environmental destruction. We
have been supportive of the Bush administration's focus on Africa,
particularly through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR) and support for debt cancellation for many countries.
PEPFAR, though far from perfect, enabled effective programs,
including some sponsored by Maryknoll, to focus effectively on
prevention, care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. And in
Tanzania alone, debt relief led to a 50 percent increase in primary
school enrollment. We hope these programs will be expanded and fully
funded during this final year of the Bush administration.
However, we could not welcome President Bush to the Maryknoll Center
in Arusha without also raising our deep concerns about some crucial
dimensions of his legacy in Africa, including:
AFRICOM - We oppose the further militarization of U.S. Africa policy
through the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). We urge rather an emphasis
on sustainable human security: education, housing, hospitals, decent
jobs and clean water.
Climate change - Africa is already feeling the impact of global
warming. A compassionate U.S. policy in Africa would join immediately
the global community's effort to address this universal threat.
Poverty - Increased commerce, predominantly in extractive
industries, between the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa, has benefited huge
oil companies, but not the majority of African people, even in
resource-rich countries. The control of 'big oil' over U.S. foreign
policy is perpetuating poverty and environmental damage. Genuine
concern about African poverty will focus on creating a just and
sustainable global economy that enables local communities to thrive.
Children - The attention of the President to the young women and
girls at Emusoi is most welcome, but he could accomplish much more for
all the children of Africa by supporting U.S. ratification of the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child, an important convention which
only the United States and Somalia have failed to approve.
We are pleased with this opportunity to emulate our African friends
in providing gracious hospitality for President and Mrs. Bush. We hope
that this experience will open their hearts to cry for justice from
Africa."
Founded in 1912, the Maryknoll Sisters were the first group of
Catholic Sisters in the United States to devote their lives in service
overseas. Maryknoll Sisters come from 29 countries and serve in 31
lands around the world, and work in ministries such as basic Christian
communities, adult education, leadership training, teaching English in
China, fostering income-generating projects, and working with people
who live with HIV/AIDS.
|