October 2016 Vol. 11 No. 8 In this issue of Newsbrief we focus not only on actions and agreements for our advocacy efforts but on the deeper level of why we are involved in Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). It is our Gospel spirituality that breathes life into the changes we seek. We take seriously the call from Pope Francis “to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.” (LS 3) FROM PILGRIMAGE OF PEACE TO FUTURE PLANS ANTI-TRAFFICKING WORKING GROUP (ATWG) The Spanish/Portuguese speaking JPIC Promoters began Anti-Trafficking working group met with Sr. Gabriella their year with a pilgrimage to Assisi to reflect on their Bottani, CMS, of Talitha Kum to strengthen their theme of “Nonviolence and the Building of Peace.” All of collaboration through sharing what each group is doing the promoter sessions and their prayers in the Church of and to determine ways to work together. Talitha Kum is San Marcello will deepen and enrich this topic. Some of a member of UISG and serves as a network of networks the topics to be explored and reflected upon include the that promotes collaboration between the conferences of meaning of just peace and the right of everyone to peace. religious and the congregations in order to address issues Another, is the importance of care for displaced persons of human trafficking. Sr. Gabriella spoke about current because of the disregard for human life in areas of conflict. efforts to develop a training program to help leaders Time will be given to consider a involved in combating this scourge to gain the necessary peace that includes the concern tools and skills for this work. for the destruction of the planet. All of the sessions will have The members of the Anti-trafficking WG were enthusiastic carefully prepared educational about supporting the efforts of Talitha Kum wherever materials to be shared. possible. One area of collaboration is to help identify persons willing to establish a network in Africa. The The group also celebrated Fr. highest rate of persons trafficked is from Africa. The WG Felix Mushobozi, CPPS in his 25 Fr. Juan Carrasquilla, SDS will also prepare the prayer for the February 8th feast day years of priestly ordination. For facilitates the development of of Giuseppina Bakita, the patron saint of persons who are the theme of nonviolence this reason they offered a simple trafficked. and heartfelt tribute during the October meeting. A PPT presentation, expressed thanks to God for the grace of The members of the ATWG will study the results of the his vocation to the priesthood and to survey given to congregations earlier in 2016 to gather religious life. He has lived intensely information about resources which are already available in his congregation and has shown and share this information with congregations. The animation and commitment to JPIC. working group seeks to help educate congregations and Fr. Felix has done this first of all encourage active involvement. Raising awareness and in his native Tanzania and for sharing ways to prevent human trafficking are important the last few years as Executive actions for this working group. Co-Secretary of the JPIC Commission USG/UISG. The JPIC promoters joined him in prayer and later in a fraternal toast, wishing him joy in his life, mission and the values Images of St. Francis and St. Clare was he is promoting in painted by Fr. Juan Carrasquilla, SDS for religious congregations. the pilgrimage to Assisi Back: Martin Grenier, Maf, Fr. Felix Mushobozi, CPPS, Marie- 1 Alice Terrettaz, MSLOA. Front: Gabriella Bottani, CMS and Maamalifar Poreku, MSOLA Here is a link to a free course on ending slavery. Ending listening skills. The role of the Christian Community to Slavery: Strategies for Contemporary Global Abolition counter the stigmatization by the welcome and integration organized by The University of Nottingham. The course of the victims will be explored. There are already tools started on Monday 17th October 2016 but it is still developed which can be used during the workshop i.e. the possible to register because each one goes at their own publication “Let us Live”, local resources and experienced pace. persons. Since this will be a pilot project, we intend to have a very reflective evaluation of the experience and Contributor: Maamalifar Poreku, MSOLA , General produce a manual that can beused elsewhere. More Councilor with focus a on JPIC. information will be forthcoming to the Eastern DRC DRC COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE TO VICTIMS OF requesting involvement with this project. We will be SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE DRC working with the religious leader organizations and the dioceses in this area. In 2015 officials from the United Kingdom Embassy to the Holy See approached UISG to inform the religious women All of us are challenged as Christians and consecrated about the development of the International Protocol on people in particular to make a difference through our the Documentation and Investigation of sexual violence compassionate welcome and care of others. The next step in Conflict. These officials had heard from the people is the discussion of the project with the UK Embassy in working on the ground with the protocol that women Kinshasa. Please remember this project in your prayers. religious were the most trusted persons in the areas of The victims of cruelty, their families and those who care conflict. The UISG Board entrusted the project to the JPIC for them would greatly appreciate this. Commission: to consider ways of coordinating the efforts of religious men and women in response to these difficult and painful situations. Consequently, there have been conversations and practical planning through the collaboration between the UK Embassy to the Holy See and the JPIC commission Secretariat. The area of focus became the Eastern Congo. In May an event was co-hosted with the British Embassy and the JPIC Commission in which Baroness Analey, a spokesperson for the protocol and the professional team JPIC Promoters Discuss the Project: Fr. David Reid, SSCC, Sr. Sheetal Panpatil, RJM, Sr. Zita Resch, ASC and Br. Craig Franz, FSC for the protocol came from London to speak to religious men and women. There were also two compelling testimonies from a religious man and woman describing THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING: AGRICULTURE AND the deplorable conditions in the Eastern Congo. FOOD TOO – WHAT KIND OF COMMITMENT? A SIDE EVENT AT FAO A commitment was made at that meeting to convene a working group of interested congregations to consider On October 10, The ROMA Forum of future possibilities. Action was underway with meetings Catholic-inspired NGOs organized an and communications with persons from the DRC and event in conjunction with World Food Day. Rome. In October a proposal has been developed for a The theme for this year was: “Climate is capacity building project. changing: the food and agriculture too.” The event featured three talks and two A six day workshop is being planned to help religious men concrete experiences: Greetings from Mons. Fernando and women already working in ministries where they are Chica Arellano, the permanent observer for the Holy See likely to be involved with victims of sexual violence in to FAO, IFD, PAM, opened the gathering. An introductory the Eastern DRC. The objective of the project is to help note from the coordinator of the Roma Forum Dr. Vincenzo victims to resume an integrated life in their home, church Conso, emphasized “Our commitment to Address the and society. The workshop is comprised of two parts: The Problems of Climate Change in the Logic of Laudato Si”. A Protocol and Pastoral Formation. In Part I, the discussion Reflection was given by Prof. Alessio D’Amato on “Nutrition of the Protocol would include an understanding of sexual and Circular Economy: Some Reflections on Consumption violence and the acknowledgment that it is a crime and Wastage of Food”. This last talk was particularly under international law. Participants would also explore interesting, because it touched wastage of food as one the documentation practice including assessments, substantial source of lack of food security. Some of the testimonies and interviewing. Part II, the pastoral issues that were highlighted included a call to consumers response would call the attention of religious people to to buy food in a sustainable manner caring about what the necessity of witnessing to the compassionate Jesus. practically are the real needs and the necessity of taking Pope Francis is calling us to put into practice God’s mercy. full responsibility of what we buy and consume. He spoke The days of formation will follow the recent teaching for of economic ecology, cultural ecology and human ecology the Jubilee year of mercy, Laudato Si and Vita Consecrata. as concepts that are interconnected when considering the There will be opportunities to practice compassionate common good. Referring to Laudato Si (n. 64) he stressed 2 the fact that we are living in an interdependent world, security policies. In 2009 a reform of CFS was made thus we are obliged to come together to solve our to ensure that not just government delegations but a problems and in this case of food security and nutrition. broad inclusive range of stakeholders were heard in the The two practical experience talks were given by - Aurelio debate on food security and nutrition. And so there are Donna Progetto Mondo Mlal/ FOCSIV on “Agriculture and full participatory voices from civil society organizations Nutrition Security in Brazil and Bolivia; and Irene Bettina and movements, the private sector movement, other Pueyo who joined Via Skype from the Philippines, who intergovernmental organizations, observers from NGOs, described “Organic Agriculture / Natural Farming,” a educational institutions and groups like our ICR.