A.   Global warming – planet in danger.

a)    The Problem

 

Ø        Global warming is the most critical issue that faces the human race today. It is well known that, among other things, it will cause a rise in sea levels, increases in the severity of storms and droughts, the wider spread of tropical diseases, and will also affect food production. There are also, obviously, many immeasurable impacts it is likely to have on the survival of species, on society and human life as the whole environment for which we have built our houses and organized our lives changes, on migration patterns as peoples move away from flooded or drought stricken areas.

Ø        The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a report in which they revise their anticipations of the global warming expected over the next century. They now forecast temperature increases from 1.4°C to 5.8°C. This forecast is a substantial increase over their previous estimate (made in 1995) of 1.0°C to 3.5°C.

Ø        This new estimate means that the situation is very serious. Scientists point out that it will be the biggest change in climate since the end of the ice age 10,000 years ago.

b)    Strategies for a Response.

There are two goals to aim for:

Ø        Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

Ø        Increasing vegetation coverage of the earth (tree planting, etc.)

Note: Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. The main ones are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs and also the main gases that are used as substitutes for CFCs.

 

c)     Focussing on systematic change:

While there is a need for changes in our lifestyles, it is systemic change that is most necessary. This means legislation, enforceable international agreements, changes in policy that will allow more funding for sustainable energy, etc. In addition, there is a necessity at the level of public policy and at the level of private institutions (such as religious congregations) to place a value on keeping the earth covered with vegetation.

The response was as follows:

Rio de Janeiro (1992): the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – general agreement on “stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at safe levels” without specifying what safe levels would be.

Kyoto (1997): The Kyoto Protocol – commits Parties to individual, legally-binding targets to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, adding up to a total cut of at least 5% from 1990 levels in the period 2008-2012.

Obviously these agreements are a far cry from the 60% reduction called for by the IPCC. Recent negotiations to further these agreements at The Hague broke down.

The next opportunity to reach an agreement will be in Bonn in May (21 May – 1 June). Further, in 2002, the Earth Charter will be up for discussion and possible acceptance at the United Nations. It would be valuable to lobby both of these processes, both in terms of influencing the decisions made and as a means of raising awareness.

B.    Petition by Conference of the Franciscan Family (CFF) to finance Franciscans International:

 

The Ministers General (CFF) agreed to be sponsors of Franciscans International. They have written a letter to all Franciscan Superiors throughout the world appealing for financial assistance to enable FI to continue to do it’s valuable work at the United Nations ( N.Y. and Geneva). The brothers and sisters at FI are working to bring important issues affecting us and the people to whom we minister to the United Nations. They provide an important service of bringing the franciscan perspective to the international arena by advocating a more just and equitable world order. Please encourage your provinces to be generous by giving an economic contribution as soon as possible. Perhaps each province could budget an annual contribution.

 

 

Two Proposals from JPIC Great Britain.

 

• The Franciscan Institute For Inter-Faith Dialogue And Spirituality: The JPIC office received information about a proposal to set up an inter-faith institute in Canterbury. The rationale behind the establishment of such an institute lies in the central Franciscan notion of fraternity/sorority which has a universal projection. Britain is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-faith society. The fostering of harmony, understanding, tolerance and peace in a spirit of acceptance for, and respect for, other creeds and cultures can only lead to a deepening mutuality and, hopefully, peaceful co-existence. It is hoped that the Institute will be opened as soon as possible.

A module on Franciscan Dialogue with World Religions will be taught for 20 hours to serve as an introduction to the major religions of the world covering their scriptures, spirituality and religious practices

• The Institute and JPIC: the JPIC commission is also proposing a formation course in JPIC Animation to be held in Canterbury. The Institute would work on a ‘kingdom’ model rather than a sectarian model i.e. ‘Christian’ or ‘Catholic’ issues of Justice and Peace are concerns of all major religions. This course could be held during the summer months. It would deal with biblical, theological and Franciscan components of JPIC as well as practical responses. For further details contact Seamus Mulholland ofm at: semulholland@yahoo.com
• Use of the JPIC Resource Book: As a way of familiarizing the brothers in the province with the content and ideas in the JPIC Resource Book short themes are sent to the fraternities for reflection during house chapters. Comments and ideas are returned to the provincial coordinator.

 

Washington Office for Latin America: Joe Sullivan, director of the JPIC Washington office for Latin America (FWOFLA) is planning to return to Brazil. The executive committee of the ESC-JPIC Council is looking for a suitable candidate and will make the decision on the appointment. For further information contact Dave Moczulski ofm at: ofmjpic@igc.org

 

 

Franciscans and international tribunal in Colombia: On Tuesday 12 December 2000 thirteen members of the Chicago tribunal delegation went to Colombia to give their verdict on a massacre of 18 civilians. Among the delegation where two members of the OFM JPIC ESC commission, Jim Hoffman and Larry Bernard. More than a 1000 people, including the families of the victims from Santo Domingo had gathered to hear the verdict and to commemorate the second anniversary of the massacre.  The Tribunal a small way of drawing attention to “Plan Colombia”.  Plan Colombia is the US’s policy to stop drug traffic and usage in the US.  The plan is two-fold.  (1) Spraying suspected cocoa fields to destroy cocoa plants.  These chemicals  also destroy the ability to plant any other crops and make people very sick.  (2) $1.3 billion in military aid to the Colombian military and paramilitary (right-wing) to fight the cocoa planters and the left-wing guerrillas.  Many believe that the real focus of Plan Colombia is the tremendous oil fields and the oil pipeline  in Colombia which feeds low sulphur  oil to the US and Western Europe enabling the West to maintain it’s accustomed life style. 25,600 Colombians died violently in 2000. Of those, 1,226 civilians -- a third more than the previous year -- died in 205 mass killings that have come to define the war.

In Strasbourg, the European Parliament voted by 474 to 1 to reject Plan Colombia. The only future for Colombia is the peace path. If war continues some believe the war could continue for another 20 or 30 years.

 

 

Philippines JPIC formation programme: the JPIC commission is organizing a three week JPIC formation course. The objective is to facilitate the process of integrating JPIC in the life and ministry of the friars in the context of Asia. For further information contact Reu Galoy at: projpic@compass.com.ph

 

JPIC EAC Statutes: At the 2000 EAC meeting of the provincial ministers at Seoul, Korea, the JPIC commission’s statutes were approved.

 

 

VI JPIC workshop: This year the two week JPIC formation course takes place in Bacabal, Northern Brazil. Each year one of the Provinces hosts the course. It is one of the projects of the JPIC conference commission supported by the Ministers Provincial.

The dates have not been finalized. Proposed dates are July 28  - August 11  or August  1-15. For further information contact the new JPIC provincial animator Klaus Finkam at: klausfinkam@ivmnet.com.br

 

Market based land reform Seminar: A seminar on land reform is being organized this year in Washington in conjunction with the Washington office. Representatives of international financial institutions, as well as NGO’s working on land reform, will participate highlighting South Africa, Philippines and Brazil as study cases. The objective is to focus attention on the unjust distribution of land.

 

Other news on land conflict: In December 2000 the Pastoral Land Commission

(CPT) and the National Movement of Human Rights (MNDH) presented data on conflicts and violence in the Brazilian countryside. Representatives of the JPIC commission were there. These statistics demonstrate that violence in the field did not decrease, contrary to what the Federal Government says. The lack of progress in land reform is reflected in the considerable increase of land conflicts. In the last eight years, the conflicts doubled, passing from 361 to 828. The number of people involved in these conflicts in 1992 was around 154 thousand and now 600 thousand. The amount of land involved in the conflicts stayed at an average of about 3,5 million hectares. In the last eight years, 345 people were murdered in land conflicts, almost a person a week. In the period of 95/99, about 4,2 million Brazilians abandoned the rural area and 906 thousand small properties disappeared.

 

 

Dam in Narmada, India: Bobby Vadakkal, JPIC coordinator of the conference wrote about his visit to two brothers from his province working with the tribal peoples in northern India. Both brothers are well, despite being harassed by the police. They are involved in a survey & documentation of the displaced and the would-be- displaced tribal people due to the construction of a big dam in Narmada river on the borders of three states. The Franciscans are supporting the campaign to SAVE NARMADA STRUGGLE. The supreme court of India gave a majority verdict (2 judges for and one against) to go ahead with the dam construction. There is lot of tension in the area; Br. Kishore is banned from entering the tribal villages of Gujarat ( where the recent earthquake took place). The JPIC commission is preparing a report for the commission of Human Rights which will be presented through FI in Geneva.

JAYAPURA, TANAH PAPUA-INDONESIA: Since its inauguration in July 1998, SKP, Human Rights office, has been an integral part of the Diocese Office in Jayapura. Today it is staffed by two Franciscan brothers (Theo van den Broek ofm and Budi Hernawan ofm) and – since November 2000 – a lay-woman. SKP functions also as the Justice and Peace Coordinator for the Franciscan Community in Papua, but works formally and juridical under the direct responsibility of the Bishop of Jayapura, Mgr. Dr. Leo Laba Ladjar ofm. The brothers sent a report of their work and plans for 2001. Over the second half of 2000 there was a gradual decrease of freedom culminating in some bloody events over the last three months with the principal leaders of the Papuan community detained in jail under a charge of subversion. These fast-changing circumstances challenge SKP to reflect constantly on its role and on the contribution to be made. Copies of the report are available from Theo at: sekkp@jayapura.wasantara.net.id

 

 

 

Conflict in Palestine: David Jaeger ofm, a member of the Custody of the Holy Land in a recent interview states that he is in favor of “returning to the basis of the regional conference held in Madrid in 1991, on peace negotiations involving neighboring countries. Syria, Lebanon and Jordan are all interested in a regional solution, with international support”. “The path of multi-lateral negotiations is more difficult and arduous –– but its results are certain and accepted by all sides. He added, “Peace can only be based on respect for international law which refers to binding decisions reached by the UN (Security Council resolutions) and the 4^th Geneva Convention (1949) on the protection of the civilian population in times of war and occupation. Jaeger warns, “The Israelis must recognize equal rights for Palestinians, putting aside every idea of “making concessions”, or “doing favours”. I fear that neither of these peoples are really ready for peace”.

 

 

1)    Earthquake in Central America: the brothers of the Central America province have made an appeal for financial aid in order to help the people in El Salvador rebuild. Information is available on the www.ofm.org site.

 

2)    Earthquake in India. None of our brothers work in the part of the country recently hit by the powerful earthquake that has left 50,000 people dead. Bro. Scaria, Minister Provincial of the Indian Province tells us that the Franciscan family is organizing relief efforts for some of the outlying villages. If you wish to support their efforts please contact Scaria at: ofm@bgl.vsnl.net.in

 

3)    Ratification of Migrant’s rights: On December 18, 1990, The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was approved by the UN General Assembly. Before it becomes law it has to be ratified by 20 UN member States, otherwise it does not “ enter into force”. So far 12 States have ratified or acceded to the Convention. Governments need to be convinced that ratification of the Convention is necessary. This will be done by building awareness about the convention with government officials, diplomats, politicians, NGO’s and the public at large. The fundamental human rights of migrants are too easily violated or ignored. Our General Chapter (8,4) calls on us to defend migrants. We can consult our Governments and encourage them to ratify this international convention. The universal church celebrates international day of migrants in February. Further information from the following web-sites: www.migrantsrights.org and www.december18.net

 

4)    JPIC Conference meetings:

v       Mexico/CA/Caribeen: 19-23 of February, México

v       Bolivarian: 1-3 of march, Cali

v       Italy: 19-21 of February, Maiori.

v       Brazil: 26-30 of March, San Paulo

 

5)    Debt Relief: The finance ministers of the G8 are meeting in Italy and if you wish to send an email to some of them appealing for debt cancellation please do so. A sample letter follows with the email addresses:

Dear Finance Minister,

The debt crisis in the poorest countries is far from over - you have made progress, but you urgently need to do more. The poorest countries are still transferring billions of dollars a year to rich creditors, instead of saving the lives of their people.

You can make the difference. Show your love for the poorest people this Valentine's Day weekend- by making sure that in Palermo, foundations are laid for a New Deal on Debt in Genoa in July 2001.

Tell the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to have a heart, and cancel 100% of the debts owed to them by the poorest countries, as many countries have already promised to do.

Extend debt cancellation to more of the poorest countries.

Email addresses: pmartin@fin.gc.ca; Poststelle@bmf.bund.de; info@mof.go.jp; info@hm-treasury.gov.uk; OPCMail@do.treas.gov

segreteriaportavoce@governo.it

 

Ø      Some interesting sites on the Internet.

v       COLOMBIAN LABOR MONITOR and the CHICAGO COLOMBIA COMMITTEE http://www.prairienet.org/clm

v       "STOP STAR WARS at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Jules/

v       Social Justice links in USA: http://rrnet.com/~sedaqah/_sedlnks.htm#index

v       Mons. Romero: www.sal.gbm.net/romero

v       World Trade Organization, the Institute for Policy Studies: (report on multinationals – rise in corporate global power) http://www.ipsdc.org/top200.htm

v       Koininia ( information and formation in Spanish from Latin America): http://www.servicioskoinonia.org

 

Ø      Update on email addresses: Updates on Cincinnati provincial JPIC web-page at: www.franciscan.org

 

Ø      New JPIC animators: Santa Fe, Colombia: Fray Germán Arbelaez, Cartagena; Vice Province of the Assumption, Brazil: Klaus Finkham; Province of San Pablo, Colombia, Fernando Figueredo

Ø      Change of Addresses: Henry Beck can be reached at: friars@cwjamaica.com 

 

Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire, OFM

OFM JPIC Office

Via S. Maria Mediatrice 25

00165 Rome, ITALY

E-mail: pax@ofm.org Web: http://www.ofm.org/

Tel: (+39-06) 6849-1218       Fax: (+39-06) 6849-1266