SANTA
SABINA, April 3, 2009: For
more than 30 years, the justice and peace structure of the Order has been
evolving. Today, the International Dominican Commission of Justice and
Peace consists of the Friar and Sister Regional Co-Promoters for each of the
five continental areas of the world, the delegates of the two Dominican NGO's
at the United Nations, the Socius for Apostolic Life, the International
Coordinator of Dominican Sisters International and the two International
(General) Co-Promoters for the Order. This IDCJP met from 25-30 March
2009...
SANTA
SABINA, April 3, 2009: More than forty years ago, the phrase “justice and
peace” was born into the language of the Social Teaching of the Church. In Guadium et Spes, the Church recognized
the existence of sinful structures in society and called for the creation of
structures to respond. In 1967, Paul VI established one such structure:
the Pontifical Council for “Justice and Peace.”
Ten
years later, at the Quezon City General Chapter, the Order of Preachers
identified “justice and peace” as one of four priorities for the Order.
At that same Chapter, the Order intiated its own structure and called for a
General Promoter of Justice and Peace and Regional Promoters for the continental
areas of the world. Provinces of Friars and congregations of Sisters
began appointing Promoters of Justice and Peace.
For
more than 30 years, the justice and peace structure of the Order has been
evolving. Today, the International Dominican Commission of Justice and
Peace consists of the Friar and Sister Regional Co-Promoters for each of the
five continental areas of the world, the delegates of the two Dominican NGO's
at the United Nations, the Socius for Apostolic Life, the International
Coordinator of Dominican Sisters International and the two International
(General) Co-Promoters for the Order. This IDCJP met from 25-30 March
2009, beginning with a day together at the United Nations in Geneva
and continuing for the next four days at Santa Sabina in Rome.
After sharing information about the diverse realities in their various parts
of the world, Commission Members agreed that the three priorities
identified at their previous meeting in Fanjeaux in 2006 continue to be major
areas for contemplation and action by the Dominican Family. These priorities
are “Peace and Authentic Human Security,” “Migration – the Movement of
Peoples,” and “Economic Injustices.”
The
Commission's day in Geneva
provided information and experience that hopefully will lead to greater use of
the agencies of the UN by JP Promoters and other members of the Dominican
Family. Commission Members agree that – far from being areas for
specialists -- action for justice and participation in the transformation of
the world are essential commitments for those who claim to be Gospel preachers
(Justice in the World, 1971).
Present at this IDCJP meeting were Marie Laure DENES OP (Europe), Durstyne
FARNAN OP (No.America), Toni HARRIS OP (Int'l Co-Promoter), Prakash LOHALE OP
(Soc. Apostolic Life), Miguel CONCHA Malo OP (La. America y Carib), Margaret
MAYCE OP (UN-NGO), Emmanuel NTAKARUTIMANA OP (Africa), Olivier POQUILLON OP
(UN-NGO), Carlos RODRIGUEZ Linera OP (Int'l Co-Promoter), Bienvenido S.
TRINILLA OP (Asia-Pacific), Michel VAN AERDE OP (Europe- Espaces) andNoemi ZAMBRANO OP (La.
America y Carib).
Commission Members unable to attend were Charles DAHM OP (North America),
Paulina Chioma OGBONNAYA OP (Africa), Maria
Fabiola VELASQUEZ Maya OP (DSI) and Rosita YAYA OP (Asia-Pacific).
