St. Joseph Church
Bristol, Connecticut

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti
Pastoral Minister

The Catholic Campaign to Relieve Third World Debt

The Holy Father has declared the year 2000 a jubilee year, leading many to ask what the tradition of jubilee meant in biblical times and how it might be applied today. Pope John Paul II tells us that the jubilee year "was meant to restore equality among all the children of Israel, offering new possibilities to families which had lost their property and even their personal freedom" (On the Coming of the Third Millennium, no. 13)

A key aspect of the jubilee was the cancellation of debts (Dt 15), giving those who could not repay their obligations a chance to start anew. Although at first this seems to run counter to present-day thinking about living up to one’s obligations, it is in some ways simply an expansion of our practice of bankruptcy. However, today there are no bankruptcy provisions for the Third World countries, many of which are struggling under the burden of debts incurred by leaders who may not have had their people’s best interests at heart. The real victims of this situation are the poor—parents who must watch their children die because the money their government might invest in health care is eaten up by debt service and young people who cannot hope to rise out of poverty because funds that would go to education are used to pay interest on debts.

Pope John Paul II has identified Third World debt as a key issue for the jubilee. "Christians will have to raise their voice on behalf of all the poor of the world, proposing the Jubilee as an appropriate time to give thought among other things, to reducing substantially, if not canceling outright, the international debt which seriously threatens the future of many nations" (On the Coming of the Third Millennium, no. 51).

What You Can Do

Pray that the burden of international debt be relieved for the world’s poorest nations and people.

Learn about the issue. Contact you diocesan social action office—OUA at 203-777-7279 or oua@snet.net or the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Office for International Justice and Peace ( 202-541-3153 or www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp ).

Reach out to those who are the victims of Third World Debt. Your parish may want to support a mission or enter into a twinning relationship with a parish in a heavily indebted poor country. For information, contact OUA.

Live justly in family life, work, and community, purchasing from the investing in companies that promote sustainable international development. For example,

Catholic Relief Services’ DEVCAP fund promotes small business development around the world (800-235-2772).

Serve the victims of the Third World debt by sponsoring a needy child or a clean water project (contact the National Council of Catholic Women, 202-682-0334). Consider hosting an alternative gift fair to support artisans from developing nations. For information, contact your diocesan director for Catholic Relief Services or the CRS national office (800-235-2772).

Give generously to international relief and development programs, including the American Bishops’ Overseas Appeal (generally held during Lent).

Advocate for greater debt relief for poor countries by contacting U.S. government officials and leaders of international financial institutions. For "action alerts" and background information, contact OUA or Catholic Relief Services’ director or the U.S. bishops’ Office for international Justice and Peace ( 202-541-3153 or www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp ).

Encourage others to work for international debt relief for the poorest countries by talking about the issue with your family and friends and by sharing information in your parish.

Prepared by
Deacon Robert M, Pallotti, D.Min.
Pastoral Minister
St. Joseph Church
Bristol, Ct.

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Created 7/6/2000