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Remembering victims of transatlantic slavery

by CCSJ Chair, Leela Ramdeen
by CCSJ Chair, Leela Ramdeen

“Every time I hear the crack of a whip, my blood runs cold. I remember on the slave ship, how they brutalised my very soul. (Nesta Marley’s song: Slave Driver)

In 2007, the UN declared March 25 (annually) as the “International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade”. We must never forget those who endured immense suffering during what Ban Ki Moon, UN General Secretary, said, is the “longest, most widespread tragedies in human history. By studying slavery, we help to guard against humanity’s most vile impulses. By examining the prevailing assumptions and beliefs that allowed the practice to flourish, we raise awareness about the continued dangers of racism and hatred.”

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Doing good works

by CCSJ Chair, Leela Ramdeen
by CCSJ Chair, Leela Ramdeen

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. . . Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40)

On Friday, March 9, I shared with parishioners at Holy Cross Church, Princes Town, a Catholic perspective about “Doing good works”. Throughout our scriptures there are references that inspire us to “do good”.

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Pray for girls whose dreams are being dashed

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

“….for the Christian, every man and woman is a true sanctuary of God, and should be treated with the highest respect and affection.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Nov 7, 2010)

On Thursday, March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD), I delivered an address to students at St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph on one of the International Women’s Day themes: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures. The UN theme for IWD 2012 is: Empower rural women – end hunger and poverty.

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Poverty in T&T

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

Last Sunday evening I participated in a 2 hour panel discussion – live on TV, Channel 8 – on the theme: “Approaches to Poverty Alleviation”. Other panellists were Prof Habib Ahmed, Durham University, from the Muslim community, and Rev Adrian Sieunarine from the Presbyterian community. I was asked to consider issues from a Caribbean perspective – with a focus on how the Catholic Church is seeking to alleviate poverty in TT and in our region.

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Resisting temptation

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

Today’s Gospel, Mark 1:12-15, is only six lines long, yet there is much in it on which we should reflect during this Lenten period, for example, Jesus’ temptation by Satan while he was in “the wilderness” for 40 days.

Our Church teaches us that we must do good and avoid evil at all times – even when no one is looking. In the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer we ask God: “…lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Conscience formation is critical if we are to avoid temptation.

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