2013 Skill Makes a Living
St. Gabriel Technical School in Tanzania
Editorial Word Sustainable Development: From Talk to Action
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Jesus. The confront centers on how to relate our charism ustainable development is a wonderful project. to such contextual human challenges. Moreover this is It is a visionary development paradigm; and compounded by another real and growing threat to the over the past 20 years governments, businesses, planet’s wellbeing economic growth in developing civil society and religious congregations have countries that follows the resource-intensive model of committed to sustainable development goals. developed countries. Without change and real action to Maurice Strong, former Secretary-General of the address levels of consumerism and resource use in Rio Summit, remarked in 1998 that sustainable developed countries, one can hardly expect a receptive development “has been embraced by people audience among developing countries when attempts throughout the world.” Despite recognition on are made to direct attention to their economic commitment to the principles of sustainable development practices. Sustainable development need development, action has not moved beyond the new models which developed and developing countries margins and certainly has not led to the core can venture at a level of dialogue, cooperation and, changes needed to support a transition to sustainable development. Despite an ongoing debate on the actual meaning, a few common principles tend to be emphasized. The first is a commitment to equity and fairness, in that, priority should be given to improving the conditions of the world’s poorest and decisions should account for the rights of future generations. Sustainable development exemplifies integration, understanding and acting on the complex interconnections that exist between the environment, economy, and society. This is not a balancing act or a playing of one issue against the other, but recognizing the interdependent nature of these intertwined pillars. Notwithstanding a general acceptance that sustainable development calls for a Fr. Stanley Baldon, a Passionist priest in the Philippines convergence between the three pillars of ploughs an indigenous corn field. economic development, social equity and environmental protection; the concept remains most importantly, trust that simply is not reflected in obscure to many people at the local levels. today’s multilateral institutions or regimes. Passionists being concrete workers in establishing There is a huge gap between the multilateral the kingdom of justice among all the people while processes, with their broad goals and policies; and focusing on the special goal of missionary activity national action, which reflects domestic political and in implanting the church among the people or economic realities. A huge constituency around the groups in which it has not taken root. They have a world cares deeply and talks about sustainable special complementary duty in social cooperation. development, but has not taken serious on the ground In most states we know for sure that local action. Deep structural changes are needed in the ways people do not bother on what is being termed as that societies manage their economic, social and sustainable development. What is at their fronts is environmental affairs; and hard choices are needed to poverty which is reflected in hunger, sickness, poor move from talk to action. housing and lack of schools, landless, water Fr. Aloyce Babene, CP scarcity. In all this the Passionists see the crucified Newsletter Editor
JPIC in the Philippines Remembering Maguindanao Massacre
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n November 23, 2009, 58 people were massacred in an election-related violence in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao Philippines. After 4 years, the families of the victims are still fighting for justice. The Passionist Center for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) joined them in solidarity with their fight. On November 23, 2013, Fr. Rey Carvyn Ondap, a Passionist priest in the Philippines celebrated a Holy Mass for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. They call this day (November 23) as “International Day to end Impunity.”
Social Services - El Salvador Tattoo Removal Program in El Salvador
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oodbye Tattoo (El Salvador) is a specialized tattoo removal program of the Padre Rafael Palacio Clinic in Mejicanos, San Salvador project of the Passionist Social Services directed by Padre Antonio Rodriguez. Staff are specialized to deal with issues facing youth seeking any type of tattoo removal. Psychological counseling is provided as needed. The clinic receives referrals from organizations which work directly with gang involved youth.
Passionist Solidarity and Missions Office
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Solar Panel Installation in Arusha, Tanzania
nstallation of Solar Panel took place at Arusha in Tanzania at the Philosophy formation house. This house accomodates students from Mozambique, Kenya, and Tanzania. The project has changed the life of students, formators and visitors who now enjoy a warm shower. The project was sponsored by Passionist Solidarity and Missions Office with an amount of €3,500 Euros . Collaboration in Formation strengthens the future of the Congregation in Africa.
Investment Project - Kenya Bread-Making
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he Passionist Kenyan Vicariate initiated a bread making project at Kurungu in Kenya, as one of its investment economic vision. Each community or parish is encouraged to start and maintain its own economic projects in support of its religious members. This is a great idea from which many Passionist communities in Africa can learn. The bread making investment was sponsored by Valerio Zansone of Vertova with an amount of 5000 euros.
onsecrated life and the social teaching of the Church C are knotted bonds that derive their energy from both human realities at a very moment in history and the eschatological goal. Vatican II signifies that earthly life has a limit, and we know that God prepares a new life and a new earth, in which justice dwells, and whose happiness will satisfy abundantly the desires of justice which springs from human heart. On the other hand Passionist Rule and Constitutions are profoundly aware that the expectation of the new earth should be viewed in line with the incarnation and crucifixion of the love of God in human history. Therefore, Passionists are in solidarity with human sufferings through passion, death and resurrection in the crucified people, nature and human rights.
Fr. Aloyce Babene, CP Newsletter Editor
“Guided with the teaching of the Church and our own consecration to Passion of Christ, we strive to make our lives and apostolate an authentic and credible witness on behalf of justice and human dignity, accordingly, our lifestyle must stand out as a prophetic condemnation of the injustices among which we live; it should be a continual witness against the abuses of a consumer society“(Areas of our Apostolic Activity, Const. nº 72)
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