Justice and Peace

DOMINICAN SISTERS INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION (DSIC)

The call to preach the Gospel through Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation

 Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel. 

(Synod of Bishops 1971)

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministry has been one of the main components of the DSI’s structure since its foundation in 1995.  Dominican Sisters worldwide have been actively involved in various justice and peace projects that help to address many issues and concerns of our people and society. The promotion of justice and peace is central to Christian discipleship, and as such it is intrinsic to our Dominican calling. It becomes the perspective through which we engage in our various ministries, whether it be education, liturgy, catechesis, formation or pastoral ministry in all of its diverse forms.

The International Promoter of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Dominican Sisters International Confederation (DSIC) is responsible for fostering an appreciation of the third goal of DSIC: “to foster a more compassionate world order through the promotion of peace and justice, integrity of creation and human rights, especially the rights of women” Her work can be highlighted as information sharing, formation, advocacy training and other forms of social action with and on behalf of Dominican Sisters worldwide. The International Coordinator for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation works in conjunction with the 5 Continental Justice Promoters and the DSI Representative at the United Nations in New York.

At present, these Sisters are:

Continental Promoters


SOME OF THE ISSUES:

MIGRATION

Recorded history has demonstrated that humans have always migrated from one part of the world to others both voluntarily and involuntarily.  For the most part, voluntary migration was driven by survival needs (adequate food supply, safety from adverse weather conditions, safety from social and political unrest and repression, religious intolerance, trade, etc.), while involuntarily migration consisted in the treatment of the human person as a commodity to be traded and acquired for economic gain and as social outcasts in ethnic cleansing.

Today, despite the marked advances that have been made in human self-understanding, as well as the great achievements that have been made in technology, the world is an inhospitable place for millions of people. We witness the ever-widening divides of race, gender, religious affiliation and socio-economic status that make anyone who is “other” a source of fear and suspicion. The threatening reality of global warming has forced people to leave their homes and livelihoods in search of food security and clean water. And, armed conflict worldwide continues to drive people to seek places where they can live with a relative sense of peace and security.

In addition to the critical work of advocacy on behalf of justice, our Sisters journey with migrants as an integral expression of our mission to preach the Gospel.  This preaching takes many concrete forms shaped by emerging needs and territories in which migrants find themselves.  In many countries, our preaching consists in awareness-raising through education and strategic actions of advocacy, collaboration among Dominicans and with other groups of similar interests in the fight against corruption while empowering people to find their voice in defence of their rights.  Dominicans bring relief, hope, companionship to many whose spiritual lives take expression in solidarity with their fellow pilgrims as they together advocate and intercede for peace among all members of our human family.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The massive movement of peoples around the glove today is deeply connected to the tragedy of human trafficking. In his 2015 World Day of Peace message, “No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters,” Pope Francis invited all Religious to become involved in the fight against the trafficking of persons. DSI supports and promotes the anti-trafficking initiatives of its member Congregations and has created its own Dominican anti-trafficking network in an effort to connect our Sisters in this very important work.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES & CARE OF CREATION

In his 2015 Encyclical, Laudato, Si, Pope Francis reminds us that “everything is connected.”  And in his most recent … Querida Amazonia, he cites Benedict XVI who stated that “alongside the ecology of nature, there exists what can be called a ‘human’ ecology which in turn demands a ‘social’ ecology. All this means that humanity…must be increasingly conscious of the links between natural ecology, or respect for nature, and human ecology.

Today, we witness an unparalleled disregard for the natural world and its inherent integrity; as well as for the indigenous populations who have inhabited their native lands for centuries as exemplar caretakers of nature. The corporate greed which dominants the world scene, especially the mining industry, has wreaked havoc on water supplies, the quality of soil, and the vitality of ecosystems throughout the world, and has driven countless men, women and children from their homes. But perhaps nowhere is this more vivid today than in the Amazon Basin. Our Sisters live and minister with indigenous peoples in some of these Amazon countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

Both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007) highlight the principles of dignity and freedom which indigenous populations have seen violated for centuries. The denouncements of all forms of oppression and enslavement by prominent Dominican historical figures such as Anthonio de Montesinos, Francisco de Vitoria and Bartolomé de las Casas provided for the defence of human rights and in particular the rights of indigenous peoples and the preservation of their culture. Inspired by this long-standing history of advocacy on behalf of human rights, and the deep connection between the natural world and human welfare, our Sisters continue to raise awareness regarding the integrity of the lives of indigenous peoples and the ecosystems in which they live.

Our sisters and other members of the Dominican Family alongside many others in the Church and in civil society continue to raise awareness of the life treasures that reside in these populations regarding their grasp of God’s abundant goodness present in creation and our human responsibility and gratitude in the manner in which we partake of the earth’s resources.  They educate indigenous peoples of their rights, advocate on their behalf, defend their rights and journey in mutual learning and contemplation of God loving for humanity and His providence.