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Report from the Asian CSC Justice and Peace
Meeting
Roy Thalackan, csc
Part 1.
November 27, 2001
Twenty representatives from the Provinces and Districts of
Bangladesh and India, who are actively involved in the work of Justice and
Peace, are gathered at Moreau Community House, Agartala, North East India
for a three day work shop to address the Justice and Peace issues of the
continent, as members of Holy Cross. The Holy Cross men's Justice
and Peace office at Toronto, Canada, with active collaboration and
assistance of ASHA the Social Service Society of the District of North East
India has organized this continental meeting.
Fr. Al. Mahoney, CSC the animator of the Program in his
opening remarks observed that issues of global economics, ecology and
minority rights have far reaching consequences in our society which we need
to address. During the inaugural Eucharist presided over by Bishop Lumen
Monteiro, CSC of the Diocese of Agartala highlighted the social concerns of
the Church and the society with specific reference to North East and invited
the participants to consider them during their deliberations. For the last
two days Moreau Community House is vibrating with Justice and Peace issues
and there is heavy lobbying at the corridors to be truly men of Hope and to
be firm in our preferential option for the poor.
Part 2.
November 29, 2001
The CSC Justice and Peace meeting of the
sub continent has come to an end with a clarion call to the members of Holy
Cross to commit to the cause of Justice and Peace issues and to acknowledge
it as a constitutive dimension of all our ministries.
The following is an extract of the
statement that was issued at the end of the meeting.
"... We deeply appreciate the
Justice and Peace ministry done so far by many of our personnel in the
fields of social awareness, empowering the weaker sections and organizing
people's movement. These have been expressed by means of letters of
solidarity, protest meetings, publications, networking with like minded
groups, grassroots-initiatives and many such efforts.
In the contexts of Bangladesh and India,
we identify the oppression of the tribals, minorities, women and displaced
people as of primary importance. We recognise the need of empowering these
groups through networking and the promotion of relevant education both
formal and non formal.
We are grieved at the plight of the
innocent people of Afghanistan and we call upon the Governement of USA and
the Allied forces to put an end to these unjust atrocities against Human
Rights in that country. We also express our concern with regard to Human
Rights violations against minorities in NorthEast India and Bangladesh.
..."
The group has decided to meet again in
November 2002 in Bangalore, South India, for a continued reflection on the
Justice and Peace issues of the sub continent.
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