Animators - Getting tired of criticism? Remember the following phrase - “dogs only bark when you are walking!” - ( Don Quiote)

 

Prize for JPIC Rome office: The JPIC office will be honoured in June, 2002 with a prize for it’s work in the promotion of environmental consciousness by well known organizations for Tuscany, Italy. The award known as the “ the drop of gold for solidarity” is inspired by the concept that every contribution helps to make a society more fraternal and social. The prize is presented every year to people or groups distinguished for their good works. This year’s prize is dedicated to the theme of “solidarity with creation”, inspired by one of Pope John Paul’s Apostolic letters. The Pontifical Justice and Peace commission made the recommendation that the “Franciscan movement for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation”, be considered for the prize.

 

Climate change material is available on the internet at:  www.Jim.McIntosh.org/globalwarming as a word document and a pdf file.

The following translations are available:  English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Basque, Croatian, Polish.  Other languages are being worked on and will be posted on the web. ( Korean, Japanese, Cantonese, Irish, Dutch and Indonesian) It is hoped to have a booklet format available, as well on pdf file, in English and Spanish in the coming weeks.  The JPIC Rome office can send a file to those who wish.  Please distribute this text to the brothers in the local fraternities for reflection. 

 

Siege of the Church of the Nativity over:

 

A successful outcome to the siege of the church of the Nativity was greeted with exuberation by the Franciscan world. The Minister General was present to greet the brothers as they emerged from their 40 day internment. Bro. Giacomo gave an account of what happened to the brothers in the General Curia. He made a number of interesting comments which we will summarize here:

v       The fact that the Franciscans stayed in the church ( thirty bothers at the beginning and twenty three at the end and six sisters) probably avoided a more significant loss of life and damage to property. Just remember what happened in Jenin. Although Bethlehem was severely damaged, it is still standing

v       Bethlehem has a population of thirty to forty thousand people all of whom were virtual prisoners during the forty days, apart from some limited time given to stock up on basic food stuffs.

v       The day prior to the siege Divine Providence inspired the brothers to stock up and they were able to share rations of food, particularly pasta and rice, with the more then 200 Palestinians, at the start of the conflict, in the Basilica. This ultimately prevented a much more serious situation developing when everything was eventually cut off; water, food, electricity, telephone etc. Although the brothers discovered water sources and could charge the telephone batteries!

v       Eight people were killed in and around the church during the siege. Not only were the brothers in danger from snipers, but the advances in technology insured that any movement, even in the shadows, was punished with repeated fire from automatic weapons placed above the church on cranes. During the first days of the siege the Israeli army fired repeatedly at the windows in the convent. Some brothers had very narrow escapes. One was nearly killed as he stood in front of the mirror in his room, illuminated by candlelight. The weapon programmed to follow any moving target and automatically fire, honed in on him, but miraculously he escaped, scrambling out of his room.

v       The brothers maintained good relations with both the Palestinians inside the church and the Israeli army outside. Their witness has ensured that franciscans will be worthy mediators in the future, in this reality of increased violence and hate between both sides.

v       The role played by brothers in Rome and in the Holy Land, ensuring constant and accurate reports to the outside world, was highlighted. Very high level communications took place during the whole time; with the Vatican, the Israeli Government, Chairman Arafat, President Bush, Colin Powel, Anthony Zinni, Romano Prodi, and many more. Press releases giving the Franciscan perspective came through our www.ofm.org site as well as through www.fides.org The Minister General spoke of the important role played by the media in getting our side of the story out, to counteract much disinformation and distortion of the truth, which even continues after the liberation.

v       The emotional and psychological effects on everyone involved are hard to ascertain. It is certain, however, that the damage will be long-lasting, for both some of the friars and for many of the people. Some fear that the Christian population, about 30% of the whole, may be reduced even more considerably, after this experience. Before the six day war in 1967 Bethlehem was nearly 100% Christian.

Support by the Franciscan World: The appeals made by the Minister General communicated through the communications office as well as the JPIC office moved many people to action. The JPIC office sent appeals to the JPIC animators and commissions of the Provinces and Conferences. Many organized actions and informed the office. We presume there were many more that, until know, we have not heard about. Just to give you a taste of what happened here are some examples:

1.     William Ng wrote to the Jewish community in Hong Kong and participated in a march for peace, during which he addressed the rally. A letter was presented with many signatures to the Israeli ambassador by a friar and they had an extended interview with him.

2.     The ESC JPIC commission wrote to the Israeli ambassador in the United States and sent a copy of the letter to the New York Times for publication. Several Provincial Governments in the United States wrote to President Bush as a result of the letter written by the Minister General.

3.     Fifthy brothers and sisters of the Franciscan Family, including the Provincial of the Central America province, held a day of prayer and fasting in front of the Israeli embassy in San Salvador.

4.     The brothers took a letter to the Israeli embassy in Korea, but did not manage to get past the security.

5.     Several activities took place in Poland, including prayer services, inter-religious meetings and letter campaigns ( Polish Foreign Minister, Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors, President Bush, friars in the Holy Land). The involvement of the JPIC commission with the Commissariat of the Holy Land insured a constant flow of information to the Polish press, making the JPIC commission a household name in Poland during the days of the siege.

6.     The brothers assembled at their Provincial Chapter in Paris wrote to President Chirac and to the Israeli embassy in France.

7.     The brothers in Valencia, Spain, helped organize a day of prayer for peace in the Cathedral.

8.     The Hot Line Asia Human Rights network, affiliated to the Episcopal Conferences of Asia, published the appeal made by the Minister General, sent to them by the JPIC office. This network has extensive contacts throughout Asia.

9.     Many individual Franciscans, religious and friends sent letters of support to the Curia as well as to the relevant political and religious authorities.

10.  Franciscan International were able to maintain communications with delegations from both sides.

Reflection: The solidarity with the people shown by the Franciscans is a source of joy and something we can all felt proud of. The whole incident once again helps focus our attention on the grave situation in the Middle East and the importance of international solidarity. Many now realize what a potential force for good we have at our disposal, both by supporting the people at the local level where we work, but also by moving public opinion and pressuring the relevant authorities. When we manage to harness this we can make considerable contributions to peace and reconciliation.

More people are now aware of the importance of concerted and organized efforts to work for peace and justice at the international level. The JPIC office is trying to set up a network of people interested in responding to urgent actions. We invite all Franciscans and friends to join this network. We will publish and invite Franciscans to become members. There are many situations where our brothers and sisters are in danger and need support. One letter may not do much, but several thousand is a different story. We have the potential, let us use it for the good.

 

Hopefully, the Order will be able to respond to similar situations of danger and injustice in the future, even when our brothers and sisters are not directly involved. What the siege has reminded us of again, because we were personally involved, is of the pain, loss of life and uncertainty experienced as a result of war. There are over thirty wars raging throughout the world. Solidarity is possible if we make the conscious decision to be a global order and support our brothers and sisters no matter where they are. For more information: www.ofm.org

 

Recommend article on the present crisis in the Middle East. Three excellent links which give short and illuminating information to the side of the map.  Timeline (historical development), key terms and sticking points. I found it good to revisit some of this information to help me understand what is happening now.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0411/p02s02-uspo.html

 

 

Zimbabwe: The Franciscan Custody issued a statement in April denouncing the electoral process as being “definitely not free and not fair.” They elaborated on a series of intimidatory tactics by the Government designed to terrify the electorate, using the youth and unemployed to do their dirty work. The media was controlled by the government. The friars condemn the use of food as a weapon against the starving. They appealed to “people of good will” to unite and work for a better future. They conclude by emphasising that the present situation does not result from either God’s will nor the will of the people and exhorted everyone to continue to hope because “peace and prosperity will only come through justice.” For copies of the statement contact Joe Mc Mahon: jamacmahon@mango.zw

Kenya: Joseph Ehrhardt, JPIC animator for the St. Francis Vice Province in Kenya joemasumbuko@yahoo.com), informed the office that a mini FI office has been set up in Nairobi to deal with African issues. Sr. Sabina, a Kenyan Little Sister of St. Joseph and Joe have been asked to act as interim co-directors.

Mozambique: Gabriel Gutierrez, JPIC coordinator for the Custody has organized a series of seminars on JPIC for the brothers. Francisco O Conaire and Teddy Lennon, Sub Saharan JPIC president, will participate and share about JPIC in the Order, with particular reference to formation, evangelisation and fraternal life. The meetings are programmed for the end of May.

 

Meeting with Provincials in Poland: Pietr ofm, (kefaspiotr@poczta.fm) informed the Provincials during their regular meeting about the work of the commission in particular and about JPIC in the Order in general. They were grateful for the report and admitted that they were unaware of many things. Contact is now being translated into the Polish language and distributed by the provincial animators to formation houses and local fraternities. Historical difficulties in communication between the commission and the Provincials were recognized, due to the JPIC animators failure to make timely and relevant reports. The Provincials also recognized their own failure at times to support the integration process of JPIC into the life and ministry of the Order. The Provincials gave their support to the European JPIC meeting in Assisi and all six entities of the Conference, including the Czech Republic, will participate.

Timor East: Peter Amon, is now in Jakarta after spending more than a year helping East Timorese refugees in West Timor. The brothers have taken a parish on the East Timor side of the border, and intend to continue their involvement with the people, who have chosen to stay in West Timor. Peter informed the office that many of the refugees have returned home and that the project formally finishes in May 20, 2002, Independence Day of East Timor. Peter is now a professor of Moral Theology in the institute of philosophy in Jakarta as well as having been elected a Definitor at their chapter in 2001.

 

 

“Third World Social Forum” - Brazil: Luciano, JPIC coordinator of the Brazil Conference (cpca@cpovo.net) informed the office about a number of activities taking place in the Conference. The JPIC commission met, along with other commissions of the conference in Agudos in April. The Conference has a good policy. Once a year the Provincials and all members of the Conference commissions meet. They reflect on a designated theme, both as a group and separately. Each commission also has time to deal with their own specific agenda.

Luciano says that the JPIC commission accompany certain popular movements who are working to create a culture of peace. These groups organize actions oriented towards facilitating dialogue, respect for the dignity of the person, and differences of culture, ethnicity and religious belief. Luciano extended an invitation to the Animation Committee to participate in the “Third World Social Forum” which takes place in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande du Sul in 2003. The most important NGO’s and movements working for a new world order have made this an annual event on their calendar. Several members of the JPIC commission participated at this years event. They feel that a Franciscan presence is vital at this event and hope that in the future Franciscans will be able to make an organized contribution to the reflection from our spirituality. The Jesuits and Dominicans made important contributions at different moments during this years forum. Finally, Luciano ensures of a strong participation by the Brazilian JPIC animators at the Continental meeting of the Americas, in November 2002.

 

El Salvador JPIC office launches web page: On April 12, 2002 the commission launched a web page with the participation of more than forty people, most of them Franciscans. The address is: www.justiciaypazfranciscana.org.sv

 

JPIC Conference commission: In April the Conference commission met in Tapilula, Chiapas. Representatives from four of the seven entities were present.

Analysis of the region: The commission reflected on the social, economic and political reality of the region, with special emphasis on the so called “Pueblo – Panama Plan”. This is a plan concocted by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and BID (Inter American Bank for Development) to open up Mexico to world markets. They propose to build an elaborate series of roads and railway networks to make the raw materials (petrol, hydro electricity, and bio –diversity) accessible, as well as the establishment of factories (Maquilas). Mexico is the fifth richest country in the world in bio-diversity. International pharmaceutical companies, many based in Texas, just up the road, have their “beady eyes” on plant resources for medicinal purposes and, of course, we can expect that all of these will be patented and inaccessable to the poor!

This plan can be situated within the overall plan to make all the countries in America; north, central and south, part of a free trade zone called ALCA. Presently, there are two main free trade zones; NAFTA ( Canada, US and Mexico) and Merco Sur ( Southern Latin Countries). Some of the small print on this agreement could have serious consequences for the right of countries to decide on their own destiny. ALCA comes into effect in 2005. Brazil, the economically most powerful country in the south, is resisting the ALCA because it does not wish to lose it’s power in the South. Civil society needs to debate this agreement and make a pronouncement. Many independent analysts believe this plan is against the best interests not only of the poor, but also of the middle classes. This theme will be an important one for the upcoming JPIC continental meeting in November 2002 in the United States.

Some agreements and comments:

v       Good progress has been made in the implementation of the conference plan, 2000-2003.

v       The commission agreed to publish the Vossenack book and make it available to the other entities of Latin America. Please contact Alejandro Castillo if you are interested in ordering copies: ofmjpic@hotmail.com He will subsequently inform about the price.

 

JPIC ESC Conference meeting – Jemez Springs, New Mexico: The meeting took place April 10-14, 2002. Some members of the Franciscan family, as usual, participated as guests. Mark Schroeder and Joe Nangle were elected co-chairmen. Mike Kulen was elected to the committee and is the new treasurer.

The commission agreed to send an account to the Rome office on how the provinces integrate JPIC within formation. All the members agreed to participate in the JPIC continental meeting.

v       Booklets: It was agreed to help publish the book on nonviolence, presently being prepared by Pace e Bene and promoted by the JPIC office, as well as make the booklet on climate change available.

v       Nonviolence Peace Force: For further information go to www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org According to Jim Hoffman the organization is now examining the possibilities of accompaniment rather than mediation. After they investigated Zimbabwe, they refocused. They came away realizing that things had gone too far there for mediation or even for accompaniment. To endorse this movement each coordinator will bring the issue to their provincial chapters.

v       Stop impunity campaign, Colombia: Omar Fernandez wants opportunities for people involved in this campaign to speak to people in the United States. He gives the example of the trial against Coca-Cola, accused of being involved in the assassination of at least one union worker in Colombia. There is a need for better communications with Washington JPIC office (FWOFLA) before delegations arrive.

Land Seminar: According to a brief report, sent by Joe Rozanski, the seminar on land reform, held in Washington in April, was a great success according to evaluations made by participants. One World Bank official, the intellectual author of the WB policy on market-based land reform, spoke frankly about difficulties created by functionaries in the US administration and in the World Bank who do not allow the projected land reform model to function correctly!

 

Japanese Energy Policy And Efforts To Conclude The Kyoto Protocol:

 Joe Toda ofm, of Franciscans International Japan, along with representatives of a large inter-denominational group, sent a letter to Prime Minister Koizumi urging him to conclude the Kyoto Protocol process by passing it in Parliament Membership of the group is made up of the Japanese Catholic Church’s Peace and Justice Committee, FI and 33 representatives of different Christian denominations and groups that form the Japanese Christian Council of Churches. Job is helping to form an organization called “The Christian Climate Network”. He says, that “as Christians, and as religious, we cannot fail to…grapple with these international problems..” In A Summit on Sustainable Development takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa in August/September 2002. For a copy of the statement write to Job: jobtoda@xp.wind.jp

 

Report on JPIC work 1998 – 2002 and plans for the future: Cesare Azimonti ofm, JPIC conference coordinator (c.azimonti@tin.it), re-elected for a further three years, gave a report to the commission on JPIC work in the Conference with suggestions for the future. Nine meetings, including Vossenack, dealt with a variety of themes: Reconciliation, Ethical Finances, Franciscans in Europe, Dialogue, Military Chaplains and Education in Nonviolence. The three principal events were; the Vossenack Congress (an extraordinary experience), unfortunately, with a reduced number of the COMPI provincial delegates, the JPIC Manual and the creation of a new commission “Dialogue and Solidarity” (JPIC, Ecumenism, Culture and communications).

Some positive aspects of the work include: a growing international openness; the Vossenack Congress, meetings between brothers involved with immigrants within the Conference and in Barcelona at the European level; the JPIC Manual, with the challenge of integrating it into formation processes; strong presence by delegates at the commission meetings ( 15 of 19 on average); good relations with the Franciscan Family ( one meeting a year).

Some of the weaknesses include: changes in delegates; difficult to translate the Conference plans to the local level; not much interest in ecology; lack of capacity to intervene in public moments with a relevant and prophetic voice and lack of presence in initial and ongoing formative processes.

Most of the proposals made were subsequently discussed by the delegates and they decided to work on the following themes over the next three years: the principal theme is ecology and different aspects will be reflected on at all of the meetings; the publication of the JPIC bulletin “Perfect Joy” will continue; formation for new JPIC delegates; a supplement for the JPIC Manual, relevant to the Italian reality, will be worked on; meeting with formators; and a re-evaluation of the work method will be ongoing.

 

Colombia: US Military Policy Intensifies - What is the US government up to these days regarding Colombia? It appears as though things are going from bad to worse. There are four main elements of US policy that need to be considered. First of all, in early February the Bush Administration proposed a new aid package to supplement the US emergency aid to support Plan Colombia, which for the past two years has been called the Andean Regional Initiative. The proposed package for 2003 totals US$731 million for the Andean Region, 60% of which is earmarked for Colombia. 60% of the package is currently military aid. According to the Centre for International Policy, included in the military aid is funding to establish a second Counter narcotics Brigade. For more specific information on this and any other US aid to Colombia, see www.ciponline.org/colombia.

 

Franciscans questioned by Para Militaries: Members of the itinerant fraternity working in Colombia were questioned for several hours by para militaries. At the centre of the scare were two friars, one Irish, along with three religious women and some lay people. Three Irish citizens are currently being held in a Bogata Prison accused of training FARC rebels. The JPIC Rome office was about to launch an Urgent Action appeal when word came through that the franciscans were safe. However, the situation continues to be tense and the future of the mission uncertain.

 

Franciscan Washington office for Latin American:(FWOFLA) is involved in migration/ border issues, World Bank issues and Colombia. The US provincials invite Latin American provinces to help support FWOFLA. The office can make appointments with Congressional leaders for the friars coming from Brazil or other parts of Latin America. The Provincials need to be made more aware of the power of lobbying and the purpose of the office. FWOFLA might invite Provincials and Animators to specific important events or activities in Washington DC. There are significant meetings coming up.

v       Familia Franciscana Internacional –Mexico, Pascle 390 col. Pedregal de Santo Domingo Coyoacan, C.P. 04369, Mexico D.F. Tel: (52 5) 553387494 ó 95 and email: ffimex@laneta.apc.org and ffimex@hotmail.com

v       Job Toda ofm, Japan: jobtoda@xp.wind.jp

v       FI Kenya: fikenya@yahoo.com

 

Web sites:

v       Vossenack Publications: The material can also be accessed on the following web site: http://www.franciscans.de/kongress/english/doc/english.pdf

http://www.franciscans.de/kongress/espanol/doc/spanish.pdf

v      Excellent resource on global warming: There is a 20 page explanation with diagrams etc., in four languages. ( English, French, Spanish and Polish.) Global warming - what can YOU do about it? http://www.panda.org/goforkyoto/What is the Kyoto protocol? http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/15186/story.htm

v       European Christian Environmental Network: http://www.ecen.org/ecenhome.shtml

v       FAO: http://www.fao.org

 

 

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