JPIC

1. JPIC & Oblates of Mary Immaculate

2. Trying to bring about a better world only by the conversion of hearts without the transformation of unjust structures is an idealistic utopia, while working for the transformation of unjust structures without the conversion of heart is a materialistic illusion. Both are necessary to bring about justice, peace and the integrity of creation” (VM p. 19, based on “Instruction on Christian Freedom and Liberation”, 75 March 22, 1986 Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith) GS-JPIC, OMI 20th-25° October 2009

3. Challenges during the time of the Founder • The French Revolution • The deplorable state of the Church • Passion for the salvation of souls

4. THE GOOD FRIDAY EXPERIENCE – 1807: “God’s Love for the Poor” 1813 1st Sunday of Lent Church of the Madelaine Eugene speaks to the people in Provensal Speaks to servants, workers, peasants, beggars in Provençal My brethren…my most dignified brethren God loves you.

5. Constitution 9 • Prophetic role to make heard the voice of the voiceless. We announce the liberating presence of Jesus Christ and the new world born in his resurrection. • Rule 9a • Action on behalf of justice … an integral part of evangelization • Identifying with the poor and sharing their life • Present where decisions affecting the lives of the poor are made • Collaborate to change causes of oppression Our Oblate Tradition

6. TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH RERUM NOVARUM ... 1891 • 1965 – Gaudium et Spes – Vatican II A body of the Universal Church needs to be created whose role would be to stimulate the Catholic Community to foster development in poor countries and social justice on the international scene... (no.90) • 1971 – Synod of Bishops – Justice in the World “...action on behalf of justice and the participation in the transformation of the world is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel: (no.6) CENTESSIMUS ANNUS ... 1991

7. Populorum Progressio – (26 March1967) “... Its name which is also its programme is Justice and Peace As St. Ambrose put it: "You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor man, but you are giving him back what is his. You have been appropriating things that are meant to be for the common use of everyone. The earth belongs to everyone, not to the rich." These words indicate that the right to private property is not absolute and unconditional (23). For peace is not simply the absence of warfare, based on a precarious balance of power; it is fashioned by efforts directed day after day toward the establishment of the ordered universe willed by God, with a more perfect form of justice among men. (Development is the new name for peace). (76) • Commission for Justice and Peace –By Pope Paul VI 10th December1976

8. Solicitudo Rei Socilis – 30 August 1987 Becoming conscious of structural sin • Poverty is not only a question of having no material goods. Is the lack of human rights not also a form of poverty?    (#15) • The more one possesses, the more one wants, …"Having" more things does not necessarily mean 'being" more or being better. "Having" only helps us when it contributes to a more complete "being."    (#28) • The right to private property is valid, but all private property is under a "social mortgage."    (#42) • The church's social teaching is not a third way between capitalism and communism. It is not an ideology. Its aim is to guide Christians. It asks for a "commitment to justice."    (#41)

9. Solicitudo Rei Socialis 24th March 1980 Solidarity is a Christian virtue. It seeks to go beyond itself to total gratuity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It leads to a new vision of the unity of humankind, a reflection of God's triune intimate life.    (#40) The needs of the poor even outweigh the "need" for costly decorations, vestments, and utensils in worship. It could be obligatory to sell those goods in order to provide food, drink, clothing, and shelter for those who lack these things.    (#31) "You say that you are Christian. If you are really Christian, please stop sending military aid to the military here, because they use it only to kill my people." If development is the new name for peace, war and preparations for war are the major enemy of the healthy development of peoples (10)

10. 17th February 1997 : In modern times, the Church has gradually come to a new understanding of her duty in the world: it is important but not sufficient to assist the poor by charitable actions; the causes of poverty and injustice, however, must be tackled on the structural level. Ministry on behalf of Justice, Peace and the integrity of creation (JPIC) is basically a ministry on the level of structures. “Vade Mecum”

11. Fernand Jette: “This means that the proclamation of the Gospel is incomplete if one refuses or neglects to proclaim the human and social requirements that flow from the Gospel message, as would be the respect for human rights, the struggle against oppressive structures, taking part in the transformation of the world”. (OMI The Apostolic Man, p. 106)

12. Proclamation of the Gospel is incomplete. Must take part in the transformation of the world Pursue justice and peace in solidarity with others Being engaged in JPIC is a non-negotiable part of ministry Recent Chapters

13. GENERAL CHAPTER 1986 MISSIONARIES IN TODAY’S WORLD Love for the poor “We choose to be poor to enter more perfectly into communion with JESUS and the POOR (C20). We want to be close to them so as to share what they have and what we have” (MTW 16) “We want to be near to the poor “in order that we might learn to see the Church and the world from their perspective and to see them through the eyes of the crucified saviour”. (MTW 16) “We encourage Oblates to establish communities in poor areas” (MTW 25) “Our formation houses will be located, whenever possible, in poor areas….characterized by a simple life style…to provide a concrete experience of poverty”(MTW 160)

14. GENERAL CHAPTER - 1992 Witnessing as apostolic community “In solidarity with persons of goodwill, especially those, Christian and non-Christian alike, who are dedicated to the pursuit of justice and peace, we commit ourselves to a dialogue with society” “We take the risk of both seconding and challenging our world, of acknowledging the good within it, even as we prophetically confront it…. (No. 24).

15. GENERAL CHAPTER - 1998 Evangelizing the Poor at the Dawn of the New Millennium “…Being engaged in the struggle for justice and peace is a non-negotiable part of the ministry of every Oblate….Charitable deeds are always necessary,….commitment to justice, which is another expression of Christian charity, requires that we tackle the causes of poverty, injustice and suffering in the fabric and structure of society. This goes beyond the reductionist interpretation of the Good Samaritan parable….” (No. 16)

16. Chapter 2004 5. Develop a program of community life, formation, and ministry that will promote Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), 5.1 Living the values of JPIC in our own personal and communal lives, integrating all our various daily activities towards making an important contribution to the construction of a more just society. 5.3 Integrating the study and practice of JPIC in all our houses of formation; 5.5 Inviting the General Service for JPIC to assist the Units in the task of strengthening the Unit JPIC teams, highlighting the work being done already at the grassroots level, and collaborating more effectively with other groups to achieve greater impact, especially where decisions are made affecting the poor. Interiorizing JPIC

17. General Chapter 2004 Values of JPIC become integrated into our lives Integrate the study of JPIC in houses of formation Form people to make impact on politics, public policy and decision making General service for JPIC to assist the Units to strengthen their JPIC teams

18. OMI GS-JPIC SERVICE : 2001 • The purpose of the Service is to provide a pro-active Congregational presence in arenas where decisions are made affecting the poor. In these arenas, the voices of the poor and the marginalized are excluded or ignored. • The pro-active presence will draw its inspiration from the work of individuals Oblates. • It is an Oblate pro-active and professional presence combined with an adequate level of autonomy and authority.

19. OMI - JUSTICE & PEACE & In. of CREATION - HISTORY By 1986 : JPIC bulletin has run into 18 numbers Rome 1976: Fr. Francis George & Bill Sheehan initiate the Justice and Peace Resource Centre 2002: Inter-Chapter Mexico Decision to apply for DPI status at the UN 1992: Fr. Daniel Corijn in charge of the JPIC Resource Centre By 1985, Bill Sheehan has built up a world- wide Oblate network of 350 persons interested in JPIC 2005: Decision to Join VIVAT Cosortium 2001-OMI GS-JPIC ROME 17th February 1997 JPIC Vade Mecum December 2000: Study on OMI/JPIC 2006 – Seamus Finn Director of the Service, Socially Responsible Investment & JPIC Training 2003 – Jun Mercado Director of the Service Oblates attend WSF enter VIVAT 2008 – Camille Piché Director of the Service

20. GS-JPIC: A Pro-Active Agent Action in favour of justice, the promotion of peace and reconciliation and care for the ecosystem is at the heart of the Oblate Mission.

21. GS-JPIC: A Pro-Active Agent The Service as an Animation Agent • Constructive engagement with all • levels of leadership to initiate and • respond to invitations to provide • animation and in JPIC. • Special focus on providing and • initiating opportunities for those in first • formation or initial years of their • ministry to enhance their capacity for • this ministry.

22. GS-JPIC : A Pro-Active Agent • The Service as a Collaborative Agent networks with local and international organizations in promotion of JPIC. • The Service as a Supportive Agent recognizes, highlights and encourages the Oblates JPIC work in various parts of the Oblate World and circulate their work via the OMI Media and the JPIC Network.

23. UN Bodies • International Financial Institutions • Corporate World • EU Where decisions are being made…

24. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS A non-government organization (NGO) is any local, national or international citizens group ( i.e. not part of government) which does not work for profit. Which means ... Our congregation has always been a NGO

25. Where do NGO’s have a voice and exert influence? NGO's ECOSOC VIVAT SECRETARIAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL SECURITY COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

26. BEING PRESENT WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (R 9a) • TheFoundingCongregations of VIVAT: • The SVD(Congregation of theDivine Word) • SSpS(Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit) VIVAT AssociateMembers • MSHR(Missionaries of theHolyRosary) • CMS(ComboniFathers) • CSSP(Congregation of theHolySpirit) • OMI(MissionaryOblates of Mary Immaculate) • MCCJ(ComboniMissionaries of theHeart of Jesus) • ASC(Missionaries of the Blood of Christ)

27. Presence at the World Social Forum • Network and linkages • Hot-line and Web-page • Individual and collective initiatives • Petitions of solidarity • Etc. etc. Solidarity with the poor , to identify with them and their voice … (CC 9)

28. REGIONAL INITIATIVES INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES • Kinshasa - Congo • Kandy – Sri Lanka ANIMATION • Bangkok - Thailand • Rome - Italy

29. JPIC Training

30. WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

31. REGIONAL INITIATIVES • INDIGENOUS PEOPLE (LAND): BANGLADESH, BOLIVIA • HIV-AIDS: AFRICA • PEACE & INTER-RACIAL HARMONY: SRI LANKA • CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY (FAIR TRADE) :USA • MIGRATION & REFUGEES: EUROPE, CANADA, USA…

32. BANGLADESH Indigenous people’s Land Issue & resources

33. SRI LANKA’S MURDEROUS WAR Let the people go home An Oblate said he had to go through 17 check points. Ethnic Discrimination

34. CONGO CRISIS Rights: against sexual violence Solidarity among African Women Camp de réfugiés Child Soldiers Orphelins chez les Salésiens à Goma Enfant`dans la cour de l`école à Sake au nord de Goma Tchoukoudou

35. Plundering Resources 2.5 Displaced persons in the DR Congo Jeune fille du camp de réfugiés avec bois de chauffage; elles sont souvent violées par les soldats Camp de régufiés près de Goma

36. Why do people migrate? Ministry with Migrants People who cross international borders are often categorised by their motives: Most migrants move for economic reasons: in search of jobs. Some to be united with families Due to demographic imbalance. Then, there are refugees and asylum-seekers, defined as those escaping persecution, for example, from war. In 2006, some 10 m people fell into this category.

37. Looking towards the Future Executive Committee Oswald Firth, Louis ChichoRois Camille Piche, GilbertoPinon with Daniel Leblanc (UN) Jeevendra Paul (Grant Dir.), Francisco O’Conair Ex. Sec. JPIC Commission,Facilitator OMI JPIC Planning Session withregional and international representatives. ROME Oct.20-25 ‘09

38. We affirmed that one of the biggest challenges we face today is to live in right relationship among ourselves, with all peoples and with the whole of creation in a sustainable and reverent manner. We commit ourselves to: • Ecological and Economic Sustainability • Promoting Human Rights, Especially: Indigeneous Peoples, Migrants and IDP’s. • Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation • Promoting basic literacy,Education/Formation Priorities of OMI JPIC Ministry

39. Thank You Prepared by The OMI JPIC Service – Rome, 2009