JustAScottishGirl Blog: Remembering…

July 21, 2016 ~ Steve Swope ~ 1 Comment

A few months ago I posted from a blog written by a woman who goes by the name JustAScottishGirl. She has spent the better part of the past 10 months working with the refugees who are coming ashore on the island of Kos, Greece. Today she posted another poignant piece reflecting on her time there and the successes and failures she has witnessed. It is well worth reading.

Memories are funny things, they sneak up on you when you least expect, making you feel want to have a little cry in the middle of dinner or making you burst out laughing when you are with…

Read it all here: Remembering…

The Georgia Bulletin: The Refugee Crisis in Europe from an Eyewitness’ Perspective

July 8, 2016July 18, 2016 ~ Steve Swope ~ Leave a comment

POPE GENERAL AUDIENCE — Pope Francis walks with refugees as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 22. The pope invited more than a dozen refugees to sit near him on stage during his catechesis. CNS photo/Paul Haring

This Commentary was authored for The Georgia Bulletin and was published on July 7, 2016. Please read the full commentary at: Deacon Steve Swope’s Georgia Bulletin Commentary on Refugees.

U.S. Congress Passes the Global Food Security Act

July 6, 2016July 6, 2016 ~ Steve Swope ~ Leave a comment

The Global Food Security Act, sponsored by the Honorable Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) passed the House of Representatives today. It previously passed in the Senate. This bill which the president said he will sign will require the United States Government to have a coordinated whole-of-government approach to food security that will improve millions of lives. In addition, the bill guarantees two years of funding for America’s food security investments. This funding goes mainly to small impoverished men and women farmers to help them through a program called Feed the Future, which has already helped 7 million small-scale farmers grow more food, and improved nutrition for 12.5 million children.

This is a remarkable victory for the world’s poorest and yet another shining example of Christian and American compassion and generosity.

#WorldRefugeeDay is Today

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 ~ Steve Swope ~ Leave a comment

“Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions … We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation.” – Pope Francis

Today is World Refugee Day. It is time to show world leaders that the global public stands in solidarity with the millions of refugees who have fled their homes due to war or persecution. These are real people with families whose lives, hopes and dreams have been dramatically disrupted by conflict. Each of us can make a difference by contacting our national leaders and asking for their support to aid refugees, work to end the conflicts that have led to their fleeing and help to return them home. Your voice and mine can make a difference.