By Bernard Kayimbw Mbay, cicm
Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss” (Ps 85:11).
These words of the psalmist makesense to their fullest when we fell in love with Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation.
December 2–6, 2019, seven confreres from ACO, ASI, BNL, LAC, RP, and US CICM Provinces participated in a Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Promoters Formation workshop organized by the International Union of Superiors General in Rome, Italy. The purpose of the training was, in the first place, to provide us with basic information regarding services and opportunities available for JPIC promoters.
Next, we were guided in ways of developing strategies, plans, and activities in JPIC global endeavors. For that purpose, in addition to learning basic JPIC definition, structure, working groups and responsibilities we were also exposed to many issues affecting our human family such as poverty, human trafficking, exploitation of vulnerable immigrants, exploitation and abuses of children in the mining sector, refugees, climate change, ecosystem vulnerability, etc. As we discussed these issues, we were mindful not to focus so much on the symptoms but rather to go deeper on to causes that put our planet, individuals, and entire communities in such vulnerable and deplorable situations. The greed reflected in so many economic systems, obsession with power, and what Pope Francis has called “culture of indifference” or “the anesthesia of the heart”, are obviously the leading causes of this derail.
The parable of the New Wine in New Wineskins (Mk 2:21-22) turned out to be the perfect spirituality for us religious JPIC promoters. Our very consecration and our call to holiness impel us to champion the fullness of life that Jesus offers to the entire creation. The new and good wine is the teaching and the fullness of life of Jesus that needs to be poured in new wineskins, which are our renewed identity and passion. It is us that need to be renewed, rejuvenated, and refreshed in order to contain and give to the human family and creation a new and good wine. When we care for the groaning earth, “our common home”, for the poor, the vulnerable, the oppressed, the exploited, and the victims of unjust systems and structures, we are not just performing an act of charity. Every time we hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, we are reminded that we are stewards of God’s creation (Genesis 1:26) and one another’s keepers (Genesis4:9), which implies responsibility and accountability. We are urged to give a prophetic response on behalf of the communities affected and our planet being irresponsibly destroyed. We are the conscience of our society, just as Pope Francis has demonstrated with his strong passionate advocating for our common home and for the poor.
Finally, the training offered us opportunities to establish networks with diverse groups and organizations working in JPIC-related issues. JPIC is a vast field, and no one can fully tackle all of its issues or as a Lone Ranger. We’ve heard the expression “work smarter rather harder”. Networks are one of the best ways to working smarter, given that all JPIC issues are interconnected, and so we do well when we complete each other and maximize our actions together.
Working with external groups is beneficial in many respects, including more efficiency and less structures. Groups like Talitha Kum, an international Relations Network of consecrated life against Human Trafficking, Solidarity with South Soudan, the Catholic Global Climate Movement, SEDOS, Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network, Integrity of Creation working group, JPIC Africa, etc. are just a few examples among many organizations that work already in specific areas of JPIC that we can partner with.
The training was also enriched by experienced various individuals, among whom some had participated in the Pan-Amazonian synod, those who have worked in the United Nations structure, and a representative of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Drawing from their personal experiences and their familiarity with programs and resources, they gave a unique perspective about the world as it is and the world as it should be. The Social Teaching of the Church, the United Nations’s Sustainable Development goals, earth charter, and declaration of human rights, are resources JPIC promoters should use as they respond to respective situations wherever they are.
The German physicist Albert Einstein once said: “You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it.” Expecting political governments and Business Corporations to care about the poor and our common home will only create despair and uncertainty. In fact, efforts and actions to change the world to make it a better place for everyone and for nature have always encountered resistance and push back because there are many who profit from human misery.
In contrast, however, the world has been inspired by the young 16-year-old Swedish advocate and environmental activist on climate change Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman. She is the expression of the necessity to find new ways to deal with the resistance and even sabotage of some world leaders.
As we reflected in this mixed reality, all of us attendees of the training agreed that JPIC needs to be part of our formation at all levels: Prenovitiate, Novitiate, Philosophy, Theology, Internship, and Ongoing Formation. A panelist observed that our formation programs do teach future priests how to write beautiful homilies but fail lamentably to provide solid training about JPIC, especially real, painful, and often complex issues that the people we serve deal with daily. To bring about the Reign of Christ and a better world, not only do we need to be the voice of the voiceless and the conscience of our society, but most importantly, we need to be the instruments leaders of an integral and whole human development. JPIC needs to be an integral part of all our Mission, charism, ministries, and our way of life, not a side task. If we are damn serious about that, then, as Provinces, we should be intentional, for instance, in appointing a full-time JPIC chairperson.
We invite all confreres to read our JPIC articles in Chronica and to visit a JPIC website that is being launched to accommodate our JPIC sharing and possible networking among confreres.
We wish to thank Fr. Adorable Castillo, CICM, Vicar General, and the coordinator of the JPIC desk and the GG for the invitation. We also thank the Collegio Missionario CICM community for their hospitality during our stay in the Eternal City.
