Narrow screen resolution Wide screen resolution
8. Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Print E-mail
Written by Consolata.org   
Tuesday, 07 February 2006
74. Enucleation of the orientation

“Through the gospel message, the Church offers a force for liberation which promotes development precisely because it leads to conversion of heart and of ways of thinking, fosters the recognition of each person’s dignity, encourages solidarity, commitment and service of one’s neighbour, and gives a place in God’s plan which is the building of his kingdom of peace and justice, beginning already in this life” (RM 59).

Justice, peace and integrity of creation (JPIC) are an evangelical dimension of our charism of consolation that fosters respect, defence of human and civil rights, reconciliation and the safeguard of creation.

The missionaries are called to work for the transformation of the conscience of people and for the social and cultural reconstruction of peoples, promoting tolerance of diversity and ethical relationships.
75. Aspects which motivate the orientation

1. With a commitment in social affairs, we exercise an important dimension of the prophetic role of the Church, a role which includes denouncing injustices and promoting justice and peace.

2. In world public opinion there is a greater consciousness of the work that is being done in favor of JPIC by the religions and various organizations. There is also a greater awareness of the interdependence among all people with regard to the rights of individuals, of peoples, of the earth and of creation.

3. The importance given to the work of JPIC by the Church, the continental synods, the Episcopal conferences and theological reflection.

4. The IMC commitment to the betterment of the environment and our closeness to peoples whose rights are denied or curtailed.

5. The difficulty of harmonizing this topic with other dimensions of our life.

6. The world economy and the globalized markets, structured primarily to make profit and manipulated by the multinationals, have given rise to a tremendous social inequality between the industrialized countries and the developing ones, already overburdened with a huge foreign debt.

7. Unrestrained and uncontrolled use of natural resources, pollution produced by industries, and the search for personal well-being without any regard for the safeguarding of creation.

8. The traffic of human organs, various forms of slavery and the drug traffic create instability and insecurity in society.

9. The corruption and inefficiency of the governments, as well as the institutionalized violence, in many cases create worse living situations for their citizens.

10. The wars and terrorism, fueled by the traffic of arms, contribute to the ever growing number of refugees and to hatreds which threaten the peaceful life of the human family.

11. Cultural elements which are in contrast with the fundamental rights of the persons

76. Practical Proposals

1. The continents and the regions should draw-up specific programs to involve the missionaries in the activities of JPIC and collaborate with those of the local churches.

2. All the regions should know and, if necessary, adopt the project ESPERE (Schools of Pardon and Reconciliation, Escuelas de Perdòn y Reconciliation), or other local projects which promote reconciliation among peoples.

3. The missionaries of Africa and Europe should recognize the importance of the AEFJN (African-Europe Faith and Justice Network). They should make an effort to involve themselves with it through an exchange of information, and should also promote the campaigns that it proposes.

4. The regions of Europe and North America should also pay close attention to the internal situations of injustice, and the actions that should be taken to correct them.

5. In the choice of new missionary fields, and in restructuring, one of the criteria that the regions are to follow is to opt in favor of those situations or human groups where there are more serious violations of the values of JPIC.

6. Our communities ought to be well informed about: a critical use of goods, the differentiated gathering and recycling of waste, the utilization of alternative forms of energy which are less polluting, and a progressive switch to computer software that is available to all and compatible with our moral standards.

7. Our communities should support the initiatives of JPIC proposed by the Institute and, at the same time, collaborate with other religious or civil groups which work in this area, such as the world and continental social fora.

8. The missionaries should be intent on forming the Christian communities, and especially their leaders, with the evangelical values that will involve them in promoting the themes of JPIC.

9 In AMV, and in basic and ongoing formation, the various aspects of JPIC should be considered as integral to the very process of evangelization.

10. Our missionary magazines, publications and web pages should give space to topics and situations of JPIC, and support the campaigns proposed in this field.