Content in this edition:

i) The General Chapter and JPIC; ii) “Pax” Francescana; iii) Urgent Action letter campaign on Water; iv) News from the Conferences; v) Publications: Nonviolence, Sister Water, Trafficking Kit and Resource Book in Japanese; vi) Ecology in Lithuania; vii) the importance of lobby work; viii) other information and resources

 

JPIC office Web page: Please visit our web page at: www.ofm-jpic.org or through the Curia page www.ofm.org and click on to the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office marker. There is a section entitled “What’s new?”, where all the latest items in different languages are placed.

 

Notification about web page updates: If you wish to receive notice of when changes are made to our JPIC web page, use this link:

http://www.ChangeDetection.com/detect.html?url=&email

P.S. Jim McIntosh ofm, who helps update our web page is doing his solemn profession retreat, so there will be no updates until after August 4, 2003. Please pray for him.

 

Quote:

§      I'm a citizen of the world, and my religion is to do good." (Tom Paine)

§      "Violence may murder the murderer, but it doesn't murder. Violence may murder the liar, but it doesn't murder lies; it doesn't establish truth.... Violence may go to the point of murdering the hater, but it doesn't murder hate. It may increase hate. It is always a descending spiral leading nowhere. This is the ultimate weakness of violence: It multiplies evil and violence in the universe. It doesn't solve any problems." -Martin Luther King Jr.

 

The General Chapter and JPIC:  

The excellent news is that all five proposals, presented to the General Chapter by the JPIC International Council, the final phase of a process that started at the Continental meeting in Africa, were approved by the General Chapter Delegates. Modifications were made, but the essence of the proposals remain intact. Similarly, the proposed new General Statutes on JPIC were also approved, with a modification to one of them. The final wording will be published in the Acts of the General Chapter. 

 

An added and welcome surprise was the approval of an amendment to the first article of the General Constitutions to include a reference the integrity of creation – “to show a sense of reverence towards creation”. The intervention was made by Phi Khanh Vuong Dinh Khoi, ofm, provincial of Vietnam

 

It was the opinion of many who participated in the Chapter that there was a positive acceptance of JPIC and an appreciation of the work that has taken place. The acceptance of the proposals are signs of a deepening consciousness of the need to incorporate the JPIC dimension into the life and ministry of the Order. This environment was helped by a favourable review of JPIC work over the last years by the Minister General in his report; explicit references to JPIC by Pope John Paul in his message to the General Chapter. Here are two quotes from his text.

• “…It is important that the Order should preserve its own missionary style, couched in poverty and fraternal life, animated by the spirit of contemplation and the sincere search for justice, peace and integrity of creation.”
• The salus animarum even spurred him {the Poverello of Assisi } to promote the dignity and rights of the person, created and formed "to the image of His beloved Son according to the body and to His likeness according to the Spirit" (Adm V), as well as to safeguard creation, since all things have been created through Christ and all subsist in Him (cf. Col 1, 16-17).

(http://www.ofm.org/capgen/00/01/004capgen.html )

 

And an excellent presentation by Timothy Radcliff O.P., ex Master General of the Dominicans, including the following:

• Part of your Franciscan mission is surely to renew humanity’s dreams… For this you need an eschatological joy….
• We need to find ways of forming our young as realistic dreamers, with something of the same Utopian joy of Francis… We need to encourage them to have mad projects, like Francis’ wild scheme to go and convert the Sultan.
• We can only be deeply joyful if we are touched by the crucifixion of this world, and the Christ’s stigmata, born by the poor… When the poor have nothing left to sell, then they sell their kidneys and their corneas. This is the crucifixion of the poor. For most people in the West this violence is largely hidden.
• From the beginning Franciscan preaching was linked with making peace… How can his brethren be preachers of peace in this violent and crucified world?
• First of all we must present in these places of suffering
• I have been astonished travelling as Master of the Dominicans to find that in every dark and violent place that I visited, there was the Church. There were priests and religious, especially sisters. When everyone else had gone – the business people, the diplomats, even most of the Aid agencies, we stayed.
• The Church fulfils her vocation when she is present on the ruptures, the fractures that crucify humanity in its flesh and unity.
• So we face similar challenges to Francis, urban violence and inter-religious violence. But there is one thing that is new. Our violence is global… Global world violence needs a global Franciscan response.
• When our brethren and sisters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffer from war, then it is linked with the Western countries that give arms in return for diamonds… The deaths of millions of people of AIDS is linked to the resistance of pharmaceutical companies to the production of cheap versions that the poor can afford. We may have shares in those pharmaceutical companies and we are there in the Aids clinics.
• Francis was a man of dramatic gestures.

(http://www.ofm.org/capgen/00/01/004capgen.html)

 

The setting up of a working commission during the Chapter, with approx.15 brothers , to discuss the JPIC proposals was a very important decision. The group was able to consider the proposals in the light of Chapter realities, liaise with other working groups and make some important modifications, to ensure that they would be acceptable to the majority of Chapter Delegates.

Another factor that helped the process was the good preparatory work done by many JPIC animators; their participation at the Continental meetings and the sharing and clarification done with their Provincials regarding JPIC proposals.

 

“Pax” Francescana: John Baptist Freyer ofm, professor at the Antonianum, is offering a course on Franciscan Peace, during the first semester, October 2003 – February 2004, Thursdays from 10.30 – 12.15.

“The Lord give you peace” was Francis’ greeting from the very beginning of his penitential life. Celano called the first fraternity “pacis legationem” ( c.f. I Cel 23-24). The Franciscan Fraternity is defined as an apostolic-itinerant fraternity, that announces conversion and peace. The course wishes to examine the themes of ‘true peace’ in Franciscan spirituality and theology. It wishes to bring out the deep Franciscan theological and spiritual tradition of peace, as seen in Franciscan authors, like St. Anthony, Alexander of Hales, St. Bonaventure, Peter John Olivi, Duns Scotus and others. Through reading and the interpretation of texts one can discover the foundational thinking that has motivated Franciscans in favour of peace for so many centuries. It is an open course in Italian for anyone who wishes to inscribes. (John Baptist provides a Bibliography, available from the JPIC office or by contacting him: jbfreyer@ofm.org

 

Urgent Action letter campaign on Water: The Environmental Concerns Working group of JPIC Promoters, Rome, in support of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN), have launched an Urgent Action Appeal on the EU’s policies towards water management in developing countries, directed to members of the Committee on Development. A draft report, critical of water privatization, is being challenged by pro-privatization amendments put forward by the Christian Democrat MEPs (PPE group). The important vote in the Committee on Development is planned for July 8-9th, after which it goes to the European Parliament plenary session in September (1-4th or 22-25th). European community citizens are urged to contact members of the committee from their countries before the vote. A draft letter is available from the JPIC office, or from Marnie Lucas (AEFJN) mlucas@aefjn.org .

A list of members of the Development committee is available at: http://www.europarl.eu.int/committees/deve_home.htm (click on “members”)

 

 

JPIC Workshop for the Franciscan Family, July 10-13, 2003: Peter Amon ofm, JPIC animator of the Indonesian Province, informed the office that they are organizing a workshop on JPIC themes for the Franciscan Family (FF). There will be 50 participants from Franciscan congregations around Indonesia. There are 25 Franciscan congregations in Indonesia. It will be the first JPIC Seminar for the F.F in the country.

 

- JPIC Publication: The JPIC commission publishes a bimonthly Journal on JPIC. It is called “Gita Sang Surya” which means “Canticle of the Sun” in the Indonesian language. Free copies of the journal are sent to all communities of the F.F. in Indonesia with the objective of animating  them about JPIC issues. Copies are available from Peter Amon at: peterca@cbn.net.id Peter will shortly leave Indonesia to study for a Doctorate in Moral Theology in Rome. He has done a great job in JPIC animation in his province and we wish him every blessing in his future studies.

- News from India: The next World Social Forum will be in Mumbai. Bobby has been in touch with members of the organizing committee. Bobby met with two separate groups of the Franciscan Family in May to discuss JPIC themes. He is presently working on the publication of a video about the tribal peoples.

- News from Australia: Julie Morgan, full time JPIC promoter, is recuperating well after an illness she picked up while doing a seminar on Peace building in Fiji. She was a co-facilitator at two regional trainings for Caritas Internationalis - one in the Pacific and one in Asia. She shared some very interesting ideas on how Franciscans can benefit from a series of Peace building seminars being promoted by Caritas Internationalis, as well as an excellent publication, just released, on this theme. For further information on the Peace building Manuel, available in English, French and Spanish go to: http://www.caritas.org/jumpCh.asp?idChannel=0&idLang=ENG&idUser=0&bSplash=0

 

International Franciscan Mission , Colombia, October 10-20, 2003: Since the beginnings of the Inter-Franciscan Commission of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, the inter-Franciscan JPIC commission has sponsored meetings and conferences in Colombia for Franciscans from around the world. The objectives of these missions are: i) to sensitize Franciscans about the difficulties experienced in a country at war; ii) to strengthen international Franciscan solidarity with Franciscans in Colombia. For further information on this upcoming mission contact the JPIC office in Bogotá at: fficolombia@007mundo.com

 

Honduras - Threat against priest who resisted illegal loggers: Fr. Andrés Tamayo, a former Franciscan, whose life had been threatened because of his stance against deforestation in Honduras, as reported in Contact #6, is out of danger, at least for the immediate future. Sr. Rita Elena Andasol fic, a member of the Franciscan Centre, Guatemala, informed the office that, as a result of appeals made, security was provided for Fr. Andres and other members of the commission, by order of the President of the Republic and the Congress. Andres continues the struggle against deforestation and in June he organized a week long march to highlight this particular threat to the environment. For further information contact Rita at: cenfran@micro.com.gt

 

Franciscans in Croatia Advocate the Rights of the Workers: The Franciscan Institute for the Culture of Peace (JPIC) in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina has initiated and, together with the Caritas Croatia, organized a campaign against shopping on Sundays. The trade unions and the associations of employees joined them in the campaign. There are a wide range of problems connected with Sunday shopping. More than 80% of the shops (40.000) open on Sundays. Most of the workers are women. The workers don’t get paid extra rates for Sunday work and many of them do not get another free day during the week. If they complain they are in danger of loosing their employment. The campaign started on May 1, 2003, with a press conference and the launch of a national petition throughout Croatia.

The organizers have lobbied politicians to have the law changed. A law to protect the rights of workers is making its way through Parliament. To date more than three hundred thousand signatures have been collected, which is enough to insist on a referendum if the proposal is rejected by the Parliament.

 

- A Franciscan response to the National Security Strategy of the US: The ESC JPIC commission has just published a booklet (4000 copies) in which it makes a critique of the National Security Strategy of the US Government. It is also on the JPIC office web page at: http://www.ofm-jpic.org/other/whatsnew.html

- Inter-Franciscan JPIC meeting: Zelinski OFM Cap, Charles McCarthy OFM Conv, and Mark Schroeder OFM met in San Diego to plan a joint JPIC meeting. It will take place in Manresa Retreat Center on Staten Island from the 9^th –14^th of November, 2003

- Congratulations: Russ Testa, a full time JPIC animator for the Holy Name Province, New York gets married in July. We wish him every blessing in his new life. 

- Advocate for the homeless: Br. David Buer, ofm of the St. Barbara Province U. S. A. has worked with the homeless in various cities since 1979.  His Province granted him a 30 day Amtrak train pass to visit homeless services in 13 cities this past September/October.  He was hosted by friars of various Provinces in Sacramento, California; Chicago; Montreal; New York City; Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Phoenix.  Br. David has been an advocate and served the homeless in Las Vegas since 1997.  Copies of a summary of the 13 city tour are available by writing to Br. David, Franciscan Friars/ 1420 W. Bartlett Ave./ Las Vegas, NV 89106.

JPIC Workshop for Asian Friars: Last year the East Asia Conference of Provincials approved the organization of a JPIC workshop for JPIC animators and other friars. It has been postponed until July 2004. It will take place in the Philippines. Joseph Seok ofm - kjpicofm@hanmail.net -, Korea, and Alan Arcebuche ofm - projpic@compass.com.ph -, the Philippines, are organizing the meeting. Friars from the SAAO conference will also participate, with a meeting taking place of both JPIC conference commissions during the event.

- Visit to Iraq: Joseph Seok ofm, JPIC animator for the East Asia Conference, visited Iraq in June to bring humanitarian aid from religious men and women in Korea. He coordinates the inter-congregational JPIC commission of the Major Superiors of men in Korea. More details in a future Contact.

 

 

Publication of Booklet entitled “Franciscan Nonviolence”: With the help of the JPIC office in Mexico the booklet on Franciscan Nonviolence was published in English and Spanish. Mission Central in Germany has printed the German version and the Conference of Italian Provincials (COMPI) are in the process of publishing the Italian version. The Portuguese translation has just been completed and, perhaps, a hard copy version will be published as well. The Spanish and English language versions are on the JPIC office web page. Go to: http://www.ofm-jpic.org/peace/index.html If anyone is interested in printing their own version, a pdf file is available in the JPIC office on request. General Chapter delegates were given copies of the English and Spanish language versions; one for the Provincial, one for the JPIC Provincial Animator and one for the Provincial Secretary for Formation and Studies.

 

Publication of a booklet entitled “Water for Life – In defence of our Sister Water”: the inter-congregational working group on ecology has elaborated a document on Water. A limited number of copies will be printed in the following languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Portuguese. Translations are taking place into several languages and all the material will be made available on the office web page from mid-August onward. An example of the work can be see at: www.ofm-jpic.org/agua A Hungarian version of the Climate Change Booklet was recently placed on the web site: www.ofm-jpic.org/globalwarming

 

JPIC Resource Book in Japanese: The Resource Book has been translated into Japanese and is available on CD rom. It will also be available on the web page of the Japanese Province with links to the JPIC office web page by mid August.

 

Ecology Project in Lithuania: “Something must be done about the ecology problems of the world. Don’t wait for governments or even NGOs to do it. Go out and do it yourself.” This was the thought of the Franciscan Provincial of the Lithuanian Province of Friars Minor, Br. Benediktas Jurcys. The Province had some land at the Novitiate and it is a place where people can find peace and quiet. He decided to transform this land: he planted oaks, a native tree that had almost been wiped out under the Soviet era; he planted apple trees and potatoes; introduced Bee hives; imported sheep; stocked a pond with fish; introduced frogs – all of which encouraged the return of species, not to mention the people, who had previously abandoned th area. They are now developing an organic farm. For further information on this Ecology project contact Br. Benediktas Jurcys at: sjurcys@hotmail.com He speaks English, Russian, Polish, Italian and Lithuanian.

 

The importance of “lobby” work – an example of how preoccupation with climate change can mobilize concerned investors, including Franciscans:

In the United States, a strong 21 percent of shareholders at ExxonMobil’s Annual Meeting on May 23^rd supported a resolution calling for a report on how the company will respond to the growing pressure to develop renewable energy. The 21 percent shareholder support for the renewables resolution represents roughly $42.34 billion worth of ExxonMobil stock and is up from 20.3 percent in 2002. The strong showing for the resolution came despite a concerted ExxonMobil "greenwashing" campaign that was designed to convince shareholders and the public that global warming is not an issue. A second and new resolution asking for a report on the risks and strategies on climate change attracted the support of an even stronger 22 percent of shareholders. The climate change resolution was filed by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, New Jersey and the State of Connecticut. The renewables resolution was filed by the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order and the New York City Firefighters Pension Fund. Both were coordinated by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), CERES and Campaign ExxonMobil. For more information, see www.iccr.org.

Several US pension funds have recognized the potential liability associated with failure to take action on climate change and have indicated that they will be supporting shareholder proposals calling for companies to report greenhouse gas emissions and address the issue of climate change.

(Extracts from a report in the World Council of Churches' bulletin on Climate Change.)

 

Trafficking in Women and Children – Information and workshop kit: A working group of the JPIC commission of the Major Religious Superiors (USG/UISG) has published a Manual to highlight and educate religious men and women about the frightening reality of modern day slavery – the trafficking of women and children. The Many of them end up in prostitution in the West. The kit provides an overview of some of the main issues regarding trafficking in women and children and outlines possible strategies for religious institutes and other bodies of committed persons to network to combat trafficking. Copies are available from the USG/UISG JPIC office by contacting Br. Anton de Roper at: aderoeper@lasalle.org They cost 8.00 Euro a copy and a discount for several copies. The French, Italian and Spanish publication will be available by the end of 2003.

 

The IMF and World Bank orthodoxy is increasing global poverty: This is the title of an article written by Stephen Byers, former Trade and Industry Secretary and a cabinet member in the British Government from 1998 to 2002. His total reversal of opinion, on the liberalization of markets to the need for protectionist mechanisms for poor countries, can be read at:

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,958731,00.html

 

International Nonviolent Peaceforce: For information on the Peaceforce pilot project in Sri Lanka, including their project goals, strategies, and a timeline, is available at www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org.

 

International Peace Day – September 21, 2003: In 2002 Franciscans in more than twenty countries celebrated the International Day of Peace by hosting interfaith prayer services and candlelight vigils to promote peace and prevent violent conflict. In 2001 the United Nations declared September 21 as an annual International Day of Peace, a day of "global ceasefire and nonviolence." Franciscans are encouraged to publicly celebrate this day. For more information check out http://www.franciscansinternational.org/peaceday/ as well as www.idpvigil.com

 

International Days of Protest to stop the militarization of Space, October 4-11, 2003: Mark Schroeder ofm, JPIC animator of the English Speaking Conference drew our attention to this initiative organized by the “Global Network”, a date with a special significance for Franciscans!. In 2002 they organized over 100 actions held in 20 countries. Keep an eye out for activities this year. For further information visit: http://www.space4peace.org

 

Letters from Egypt: Luis Bohte ofm, has been visiting the friars in Egypt, with the view to working with the Sudanese refugees there. He sent our detailed reports, as he did when he was in Bethlehem. For copies of these reports contact Louis at: louisbohte@hotmail.com

 

Peace Resource - for the Commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki 6 & 9 August, 1945: The Hotline Asia team, with strong ties to the Churches in Asia, originally run by Maryknoll and now independent, has put together a Web resource to remember these horrific events. For copies visit: www.acpp.org

 

 

 

30 Years of Vatican Speeches, in One Book - "Words That Matter" Unveiled: It is a collection of addresses delivered by Vatican representatives before international organizations and during international conferences and meetings over the period 1970-2000. It addresses topics that range from the right to religious liberty, to social development, the right to peace, the right to life, the rights of women, children and refugees. The CD that accompanies the publication includes the complete text of the majority of addresses quoted in the sources.

 

Web sites:

§      Amnesty International's 2003 Report is available at: http://web.amnesty.org/report2003/index-eng

§      Franciscan Peace Institute - Croatia: www.franjevacki-institut.hr

 

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