Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining

"Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, this remarkable collection reveals with exceptional range, depth and detail how the extractive industries assault waterways, agricultural lands, forests, and indigenous peoples, especially in the Amazon and Congolese river basins. Escalating environmental catastrophes make it plain that "all men of good will" (Pacem in terris) may soon be outmatched by the "selfish national interests" (Laudato Si') that care more about status quo lifestyles and profits than about human dignity, the common good, or the planetary future. Catholic dioceses, organizations, and initiatives bring incredible energy and resources to mining reform; yet these authors do not stop with feel-good success stories. They challenge CST as a whole when they demonstrate how frequently greed and corruption triumph; argue that gender is not yet seriously on the table; and urge that the Church's global networks be better leveraged to create political momentum. The results are provocative yet generative, critical yet future-building, realistic yet hopeful that faith communities can be the change-agents the planet needs. A highly enlightening read, not only for environmental defenders, but for all who want to know whether (and how) CST can meet today's daunting crises." - Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College

"For a long time, the National Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CENCO) has been aware that the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the east of the country has been a root cause of the miseries suffered by the Congolese people. It compromises peace and development, while aggravating poverty. CENCO has always sought to contribute to a judicious treatment of this problem. For years she has advocated for regulation of mining operations with Congolese and international authorities, including supporting passage of Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act. CENCO's efforts are part of the Catholic Church's work around the world to put an end to illegal mining, one of the main causes of the exploitation of human beings and environmental degradation. In a very enlightening way, Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining: Integral Peace, Development and Ecology, testifies to and gives an account of this essential struggle for the Church. I salute and thank the editors and contributors for successfully shedding light on various aspects of this important effort in the name of the gospel." - Bishop Nicolas Djomo Lola, Catholic Diocese of Tshumbe (Democratic Republic of the Congo), former president of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo

"Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining is a valuable contribution for both scholars and practitioners who seek to understand and address the significant human rights, economic, and social impacts of the global mining industry. The story of the last two decades of global campaigns to reduce resource-related conflict and increase transparency and accountability in the mining sector cannot be told without understanding the key role Catholic leaders and lay people have played to defend the rights of local communities and take on government and corporate power. At its best, the transnational and vertically integrated nature of the Catholic Church is well suited to address the global mining industry and this book provides important examples of advocacy success." - Ian Gary, Executive Director of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition and former Senior Policy Advisor for Extractive Industries, Catholic Relief Services

"It is rare [...] for the complex realities of mining-historical and contemporary, socio-economic and political, intensely personal and transnational-to receive such high calibre, geographically diverse, and sustained attention." - Esther Reed in Studies in Christian Ethics