Contact
No.
9, November 2002
Newsletter of the OFM International Council for
Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation
(Prepared by the JPIC Office in Rome)
Letter to President Bush & Prime Minister Blair: On October 12, 2002, the English Speaking Conference of
Ministers Provincial wrote to both men
expressing ÒdistressÓ at their proposals to go to war and ÒsaddenedÓ at
their first-strike stance. They oppose military action in Iraq, with the
argument that ÒSaint Francis believed in God's gift of compassion and the
"power" of non-violence.Ó
They went on to say: ÓWe do
not believe in the use of chemicals, biological or nuclear weapons - by any
country. Your attempts to scare the public into believing that Iraq is
primed to use weapons are not based on hard evidence. We ask you to
honour existing U.N. Resolutions and to cease planning for military force in
Iraq.Ó They supported the call by
the United States Catholic Bishops Conference for them to stop the momentum
towards war and Òto act in accord with the spirit of the United NationsÓ.
Bro. Herman SchalŸckÕs Conference to the JPIC European Animators: The text ( English, Spanish, German and Italian) is available on the Curia web page: www.ofm.org and on the JPIC site at www.ofm-jpic.org
Quote: Are you milking God? Some people want to see God with their
eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love their cow - for the milk
and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love
God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. - Meister Eckhart.
JPIC and the
Congress for Secretaries for Formation and Studies of the Order: The secretaries for Formation and Studies from all the
entities of the Order met for two weeks in Assisi in October, the week after
the JPIC European meeting. The
objective of the meeting was to examine practical proposals to implement the
Ratio Formationis. Peter Schorr and Francisco O Conaire were invited to give a
presentation on Thursday morning, the 17th of November. Peter gave the theoretical argumentation for JPIC as an integral
part of our charism and Francisco gave some ideas on how this theory can be put
into practice, especially in the
initial formation programmes. He also shared a draft proposal of an integral
plan to incorporate JPIC into formation, offered by the JPIC commission of the
Bolivarian Conference. Francisco encouraged the Secretaries to make proposals
to the Order on the incorporation of JPIC into every level of the initial and
the ongoing formation programmes.
Judging from their reactions the Secretaries seemed to appreciate the presentations and made
several strong proposals to insure JPIC is really incorporated into the
formation programmes. For copies of the talk and other JPIC formation resources
go to:
Faith and Politics: Bishop Zen the new bishop of Hong Kong
and outspoken critic of the Government of Hong Kong said earlier this year that
he was not Òa political
playerÓ. Bishop Zen addressed the
EAC JPIC meeting in Hong Kong in
February 2002. He emphasised that
speaking out on social justice issues and criticising injustice is not the
equivalent of playing politics. He
said that ÔMany teachings of the Church are about society, not theology.Õ The Synod of the dioceses stated
that: ÔThe Church leaders, as a
prophetic, social conscience and moral force, should speak out on social
justice or influential social events when appropriate and provide guidance to
the laity.Õ ÔMoreover, Catholics and Church organisations should be encouraged
to express opinions related to justice according to the ChurchÕs social
teachings and employ appropriate strategies to effect public opinions and
social politics.Õ Over the past three years, the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese has
accelerated the setting up of social concern groups in almost all of its 54
parishes. Bishop Zen said in the interview that the DioceseÕs Justice and Peace
Commission had also proven a success.
Advise to JPIC animators by one of our brothers: Keep in touch
with our reality and be practical. Avoid grandiose ideas that are out of touch with the people to
whom we minister. Listen to the brothers when they share ideas with you. DonÕt get angry with them. Be practical
and realistic in this ministry.
National and international issues involve everyone, but unless the
friars and the people can see some connection with local issues, they simply
ignore the work. Avoid becoming a one
issue activist
which alienates most people. There should be JPIC
groups of laity around the Province, working with the SFO, etc. Seeing the big picture is important,
but you need to know how to bring it to the local level.
Nonviolent Peace Force: The JPIC office received an invitation to the inauguration of the nonviolent peace force project to take place in India, in November 2002. The organizers have invited the Order, JPIC commissions and/or individual provinces to endorse and/or become Member Organizations of the Nonviolent Peace force. They also invite Franciscans to become members of the teams who will work for nonviolent resolutions to conflict. They also invite us to send an observer to their meeting in India. Jerry Zawada ofm (Assumption USA) has expressed interest in volunteering when he finishes his prison time for civil disobedience at the School of the Americas. For further information see their website: www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org
International
Peace Day, September 21, 2002 Ð some reactions:
Bolivia: Iggy Harding reported that
widespread celebrations took place.
He sent
letters and materials encouraging others to organize celebrations. Carmelo
Gald—s OFM, sent invitations to all the members of Parliament. A similar letter was also sent to all
the parishes of La Paz . Ignacio
Harding OFM, sent a letter to all the agencies and UN representatives in
Bolivia as well as visited UNDP, UNEP and UNESCO. In La Paz the groups met in the main
Plaza and seat of the Government and prayed. From the main plaza the whole
group went to the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi where a prayer service
prepared by the justice and peace animators was held.
Papua New Guinea: On September 21, all the leaders of the
main religions in Papua ÐChristian, Islam, Buddha and Hindu - held a Òprayer
marchÓ in Jayapura, the capital of Papua. It was a unique event, with a moving variety of
religious traditions coming together
in an atmosphere of reflection and hope They invited the other authorities -regional government, leaders of army and police - to take
part in the Òprayer marchÓ, ending up in a joint action for peace, which also
had been joined by representatives from the student-world. The march, which lasted for four hours,
was divided into five ÔstopsÕ; at every stop there was a 25 minutes ceremony of
prayer and peace-appeal. Each stop represented an
important place for each religion with prayer led by significant religious and
political leaders: Buddhist, Islam, the Christian Protestant church and finally
the St. Francis of Assisi church where the Bishop of Jayapura led the prayer.
From there about 1.500 went to the headquarters of the regional Police, where
the march was concluded with a Hindu prayer and the lightening of 12 candles by
all the leaders present, religious as well as civilian and security leaders. It was an important commitment
together to keep Papua peaceful in the middle of present tensions.
1.
East
Asia Conference (EAC)
JPIC Conference Formation course: A two or three week formation seminar in JPIC will be organized in the Philippines in 2003. The Ministers Provincial accepted a suggestion made by the JPIC Conference commission. Invitations to participate will be extended to members of the JPIC commissions of the SAAO Conference. More details will be published in the next addition of Contact.
2.
Italian Conference ( COMPI)
Provincial JPIC commission of the Salerno Province: The members met in
September 2002 to plan their work for 2003. They proposed that every fraternity of the Province dedicate
the first Sunday of October to the
celebration of the ÒFeast of CreationÓ: a day for the friars and people
to pray and reflect on their
responsibility to creation. They
asked for a time during the Guardians meeting to reflect with them on JPIC in
the fraternity, using the JPIC Resource Book as an aid. The commission is preparing a workbook
to help the brothers use the Resource Book, especially during significant
Liturgical moments and for pastoral activity. The commission also offers to
help those responsible for promoting Popular Missions in the Province. Collaboration with the formators was
emphasised, inviting a member of the formation team to be present at all the
JPIC meetings as well as reflecting on JPIC themes with those in initial
formation. Schools dedicated to
peace and integrity of creation are to be set up in different houses of the
province. They will also
work with the Franciscan family. They have initiated a study to suggest
practical ways to make the houses of the province more ecologically
sustainable.
3.
SAAO Conference
Murder in Pakistan: Bro. Sebastian
ofm, Provincial of the Province of Pakistan reported that on the 25th
September, 2002 he rushed to the
Justice and Peace office where 6 People lay dead and two were struggling for
their lives, victims of a sectarian attack. In the hospital the relatives of 6 of the dead people were fainting and crying.
Sebastian knew most of them personally. They were all born in the same village.
Aslam, one of the men killed, taught the friars. Another had worked with the
them on social issues. Contact Sebastian for more information: ofm@cyber.net.pk
4. English Speaking
Conference (ESC)
ESC JPIC meeting: The ESC meeting, November 4-6, 2002 in Burlington, WI, cantered around the threatened invasion of Iraq by the U.S. military. The ESC Provincials had all signed a letter in October addressed jointly to George Bush in the US and Tony Blair in England condemning the proposed military action against Iraq. The JPIC ESC will keep an on-going plea for nonviolent resolutions, and the animators promised to teach about this in their Provinces. A congressional briefing was scheduled for February 2003 in Washington D.C. to address the war-strategies that permeate the US governmentÕs foreign policies. Discussion was held on the US military's interventions in Colombia. Letters are being drafted. A joint meeting of the three branches of the First Order JPIC animators from the US and Canada is being planned for October 2003. New York was chosen as the site to enable a visit to the United Nations and Franciscans International. There will also be representatives from the Franciscan Family there as well. Planning has begun to set up "Franciscan Creation Action Teams" throughout the ESC. These will be small groups of 7-8 people who will commit themselves to studying environmental sustainability and spirituality concerns. They hope to create a network of these teams across the ESC.
5.
Mexico/Central America and Caribbean Conference
JPIC commission of Holy
Gospel Province: After the Provincial Chapter a team of
three brothers were named: Alejandro Castillo, member of the animation commission
of the Order; Felipe Ortiz, a sociology student; and Everardo S‡nchez, an anthropologist who has worked for 15
years with the Huicholes Indians.
Mexico: Alejandro Castillo ofm, has resigned from his job with the Social Pastoral Commission of the Mexican Episcopal Conference. He had been working for the commission for the last two years and helped prepare many documents, especially on Human Rights and Ecological issues. All brothers working on Human Rights will appreciate the difficulties involved in balancing the passion for the defence of life with institutional sensitivities. The Episcopal commissionsÕ loss is the Franciscan FamilyÕs gain. Alejandro will now work full time for the JPIC commission of his Province and for the Franciscan Family.
Prayer and reflection
for Peace: The Franciscan Family of El Salvador
organized a day of prayer and reflection on October 26 on the theme: Ò The impact of the culture of
globalisation on the peace process.Ó Worried by the present world situation
and efforts to hide the signs of
hope they wanted to unite themselves with the International community in itÕs
clamour for peace.
Seminar on Ecology in El Salvador: the JPIC
office of the Franciscan Family have organized a seminar, November 9-10 of
November, to sensetize members of
the family to environmental concerns
and searching for concrete ways to promote and defend creation.
News from Guatemala: Peter O Neill ofm, director of the
Franciscan Centre in Guatemala thanked the office for the materials on global warming and on the Peace Day. The
Franciscan Family had their chapter of Mats on Sept. 13-15 and had a small vigil for peace as part
of the programme. A workshop on Justice and Peace was conducted and they incorporate
the global warming material into it. They promised to distribute the
material. The situation is not
good in Guatemala. The government wants to compensate the paramilitary patrols
for their work done during the war years in defence of the nation. In the
meantime some people have been waiting for years for land promised in the Peace
Accords. Rios MontÕs son has just been appointed head of the army command.
6. Spain/Portugal
Conference (CONFRES)
Publication: The JPIC commission of CONFRES has
published a pocket size booklet for all the friars of the Conference, entitled ÒJPIC
Criteria and Proposals for FormationÓ. It is another simple, but useful,
publication in a series to help each brother incorporate JPIC into his life and
ministry. For copies or information on the publication contact Jose Lucas
Tejera ofm: ofmbe@planalfa.es
Franciscan Urgent Action Network: The Ministers General, in April 2002, encouraged the setting up of an urgent action network for all Franciscans, working collaboratively and using the resources we have at our disposal. In order to respond to the Ministers appeal, the OFM JPIC office invited FI Geneva ( John Quigley) and MZF (Stefan Herbst) to meet in the General Curia on October 5, to discuss the project. The objective of the meeting was to brainstorm about how to implement an idea. It was felt that a viable Urgent Action Network for Human Rights to help ÒFranciscans in danger of their livesÓ, as well as those associated with Franciscans would be very beneficial:
1. By defending and supporting Franciscans and the people they work with.
2. Strengthening the links between the diverse elements of the Franciscan Family around Human Rights issues.
3. Give Franciscans, around the world, an opportunity to be in solidarity with one another.
4. Educate Franciscans in regard to violations of Human Rights through contact with Franciscans whose rights are violated.
5. Educate Franciscans about the importance of advocacy work; the power of letter campaigns and how Franciscans International can give follow up to these appeals, by working with the politicians and diplomats.
A good deal of ground work has already been done by setting up some of the technical structure. This was made possible through the collaboration of Jim McIntosh ofm and the Spanish translation work done by Alejandro Castillo ofm in Latin America.
It is clear from experience already gained by the OFM JPIC office, FI Geneva and MZF in campaigns each one have already promoted that a worthwhile and professional urgent action network needs finances and someone with the necessary competence and time to do the job. Urgent Action needs technical and secretarial assistance, correct information, good analysis, contacts, a good database, clear and precise statements, follow up material, etc. Urgent Actions arrive on the desk at the least expected moment. All other work needs to be dropped and the action attended too. Someone has to be free enough to do this.
As a result of four hours of brainstorming a sample of ideas agreed upon to act as a basis for further reflection is given below:
1. The project will be called ÒThe Franciscan Urgent Action NetworkÓ
2. It is a specific project requested by the CFF, coordinated by MZF, Franciscans Network and ICJPIC (Romans6) and administered by FI Geneva.
3. An ÒAdministrative CommitteeÓ will be appointed to oversee the setting up of the network and its development. One member of each of the following groups will be represented: MZF, Franciscans Network and ICJPIC.
4. The responsibilities of the ÒAdministrative committeeÓ will be: to elaborate statutes and principles for the running of the network, to evaluate and secure economic backing.
5. Communication of the Urgent Actions will be sent via email and through a web page on the Internet.
6. Email lists in the following languages will be developed : English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.
7. A technical team will be appointed.
8.
A web page, on FI Geneva site,
will be developed on which Urgent Actions and follow up information will be
posted. Financing for the project
will be sought.
New Board for Franciscans
International: The Conference of the Franciscan Family
(Ministers General of the major Franciscan Orders in Rome Ð OFM, OFM
Conventual, OFM Capuchin, TOR, SFO, and IFC-TOR) has appointed a new Board of
Directors to govern FI for the next three years. They are: David Couturier,
OFM. Cap. (USA), Denise Boyle, FMDM (Ireland), Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF,
(USA), Anna Maria Olmedo, OFS, (Guatemala) Attilio Galimberti, SFO, (Italy),
Tewelde Bene, OFM. Cap. (Eritrea), Lucy Almira–ez, SFO, (Philippines), Joao
Benedito Ferreira, OFM Conv. (Brazil). Markus Heinze OFM. The Third Order Regular member will
be named later.
Commission on Human Rights 2003: Chris Ducket informs us that the Human Rights commission will take place in Geneva, 17 March - 25 April 2003. This year they will have quite few returnees: such as Br. Theo v.d. Broek, West Papua and Br. Joseph Legonou, Togo. There will also be new participants, such as Sr. Ornella Ciccone FMSA from the Philippines and Sr. Sabina Magembe from Kenya.
Meeting with World Bank
President: In both a private meeting and luncheon in Geneva with
World Bank President James Wolfensohn, John Quigley OFM, with three other NGO
representatives and UN officials, spoke with the president about the BankÕs
challenges in working towards sustainable development and on poverty reduction.
During the meetings with Mr. Wolfensohn on Oct. 10, Br. John also reviewed the
BankÕs on-going multilateral and bilateral cooperation with international
institutions based in Geneva and in particular he spoke to the World Bank
president about FIÕs concern about the BankÕs Market-Assisted Land Reform
program in Brazil. John had previously met with the new UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Fair Trade: A Trade Justice
Movement, involving 38 agencies and groups in the United Kingdom, is trying to
ensure that every Member of Parliament knows that there is a massive public
mandate to rewrite international trade rules, i.e., support a new approach to
food and farming to protect poor farmers' livelihoods and the environment;
reconsideration of plans to liberalise vital services such as water; support
new global laws to regulate the activities of multinational corporations. www.cafod.org.uk/campaign
Master in Ecology in Rome: A master in Ecology is being offered in the Pontifical Urbanianum University, 200-2004. Unfortunately, details about the course arrived in the office too late to encourage participation by friars for this academic year. It might be an idea to keep the course in mind for next year. The names of two of the Professors caught my eye, JŸrgen Moltmann and Wolfgang Sachs. For further details contact the secretariat for the course at: segretaria@urbaniana.edu
Letter from a Friar prisoner: Louis Vitale ofm, serving three months in prison for
conscientious objection to the
School of the Americas wrote a moving account about his journey from being a U.S. Air force pilot serving in
Nevada all the way back to the same place forty years later, but this time as a
prisoner. You can read his account
in English on the JPIC office web page:
http://www.ofm-jpic.org/resources/index.html If you wish to write: Louis
John Vitale #25803-048, FPC Nellis , C.S. 4500, North Las Vegas, Nevada
89036-4500 USA
Human Rights day: December 10th is International Human Rights Day. To help develop awareness towards human rights issues, Hotline Asia, an organization based in Hong Kong and closely associated with the Episcopal conferences of Asia, have published useful popular materials on human rights which may be adapted to suit particular circumstances. If you are interested in the information log on to their web page: http://www.acpp.org/
Climate Change: The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, has contributed to the process of bringing the Kyoto Protocol into force. Fourteen countries became Parties to the Protocol in August, including three of the world's largest nations, China, India and Brazil. The treaty has been joined by 91 Parties now. Poland announced it had also ratified. Russia intends to ratify the Protocol. Canadian looks more interested in signing. And even Australia may be having a change of heart. This leaves the US isolated on this crucial issue. For up-to-date information on the progress of the Kyoto protocol go to the website of the Climate Change Convention www.unfccc.in, which has all the details about ratifications.
Responsible investment policies: Denis Clark, ofm of the Holy Name Province, NY attended a special seminar titled "Blueprint for Change: Corporate Governance for the Future". The province employs ethical criteria for itÕs investments. The seminar was timely in the light of scandals involving public trading companies and their accounting firms. It was generally agreed that corporate boards of directors and shareholders need to hold their companies to higher standards of accountability and transparency in their reporting. A commitment to reining in the excessive growth in executive wages and greater care in protecting both workers and shareholders rights were also called for.
Campaign
to Boycott the World Bank Bonds:
This campaign has been endorsed by the
Conference of Major Superiors of Men in the USA. Three provinces so far Ð St. John the
Baptist, Assumption and Sacred Heart Ð have also endorsed it.
For information go too: www.worldbankboycott.org
NAFTA Impoverishes Small Family Farmers: In June of 2001,
Public Citizen released a report graphically illustrating the failure of NAFTA
to increase the income of farmers. Not only did American farms lose nearly $18
billion in annual revenue, but Mexican farmers' income fell 17 percent.
Canadian farmers, who were told to expect a $1.4 billion increase in income,
found their bank accounts $600 million emptier. The NAFTA/Farm report perfectly
represents the larger goal of NAFTA, the transfer of wealth from small,
independent operators to multinational conglomerates. As over 33,000 small
American farms went out of business, agribusiness giants such as ConAgra and
Archer Daniels Midland had significant earnings gains. Small wonder the
multinational media conglomerates failed to report on the death of free trade. Sources:
Anita Martin, Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Useful Information:
Useful web
sites:
v Australian Bishop's Pastoral Letter on the environment: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/content/publications/documentation/documentation_sjs01.html
v
English and Welsh BishopsÕ Pastoral
on the environment: http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/frameset.htm
v
Palestinian Question: An excellent report on
the Doctors Without Borders/MSF website. Go to: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/pr/2002/09-09-2002.shtml
New JPIC
animators and address changes:
v
Jal Malith ofm, Egypt.
fran@gega.net (Prov. Curia)
v Manuel Corull—n Fern‡ndez ofm, new COMONA Conference
coordinator: manuelcf@libero.it
v Joel Castro, Venezuela: ofmenores@cantv
v Ignacio Harding ofm, Franciscan
Family Bolivia: ighardingofm@cs.com
Please send us any
news, dates of upcoming JPIC meetings, comments & suggestions to:
Gear—id Francisco î Conaire, OFM
OFM JPIC Office
Via S. Maria Mediatrice 25
00165 Rome, ITALY
E-mail: pax@ofm.org Web: http://www.ofm.org/ and www.ofm-jpic.org
Tel: (+39-06) 6849-1218 Fax: (+39-06) 6849-1266