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By Bishop John, January 22, 2013 4:18 am

Heads no longer turn when someone refers to a one-world economy or a globalized economy and there are many aspects of this new economic situation that will be helpful to the whole world’s population in the long run. However, on the short run, it is often the poor that suffer by changes in the system.
The expansion of the biofuels industry has contributed to spikes in food prices and a shortage of land for food based agriculture in poor corners of the Third World because raw materials are grown wherever it is cheapest. Back in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, I had many opportunities to drive all over Mexico and through much of Central America. One thing that I clearly remember as I cruised those thousands of miles was that corn was everywhere – corn in the plains, corn in the valley, corn very high up the sides of steep mountains. Scattered over this enormous area you would always see the small houses, huts really, of the people who were growing that corn. It not only provided them a livelihood, but it provided them with life itself. A simple life, yes, but at least they did not starve.
Today?? Well, the corn is still there but a great deal of it is not making its way to the table. Many developed nations have enacted laws mandating the increasing use of biofuel in cars and the policy is having a ripple affect across the planet. Land once devoted to growing food for humans is now sometimes more profitably used for churning out vehicle fuel. Timothy Wise is a top university development director and an expert on development aid. His studies reflect that the United States is purchasing 40% of Guatemala’s corn to make biofuel. I am sure you can well imagine the affect that this is having on the cost of tortillas in that poor, rural country. Parts of Guatemala that were covered with corn five or ten years ago is now be utilized to produce sugar cane and African palms. Fifty percent of Guatemala’s children are chronically undernourished, the fourth highest rate in the world according to the United Nations.
Biofuel. We try to solve a problem and create another one! 

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By Bishop John, September 27, 2011 4:24 am

I have had a strong interest in the Republic of Guatemala for over half a century. A close friend and high school classmate was a Maryknoll Missioner down there until he was murdered in 1976 courtesy of the Guatemalan generals. The CIA overthrew an elected government in the early ‘50’s and the country suffered unending conflict from that date until 1996 when peace accords were finally achieved. Since then, however, the country has suffered from constant internal strife and a tragic increase in crime.

A runoff election is currently underway between a wealthy businessman and a general whose political symbol is the clinched fist. The current election is less marred than the last one in 2007. Nevertheless, dozens of local and legislative candidates and party leaders have been killed during the campaign. Spending on the campaigns have soared because Mexican drug cartels have moved in and are now financing candidates. So much of Guatemala has been suffering over the last half century and at least partially caused by actions and policies emanating from the United States.

I try to pray for Guatemala everyday, praying that this battered little country will at last achieve peace and prosperity.

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