Catholic Commission for Social Justice
We are all aware that T&T’s 2017 Budget will result in further tightening of our collective belts. In spite of this, we have a duty to work with our Government to ensure that whatever limited resources we have at our disposal, they are used to build the common good.
The social doctrine of our Church makes it clear that the common good can be achieved if we have discerning leaders and virtuous citizens who are not only concerned with their own personal aggrandisement/individual self-interests.
The statement by the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) on September 21 calling for the abolition of the death penalty in the region, is timely, particularly as tomorrow, October 10, the world will observe World Day Against the Death Penalty.
The statement should be read in conjunction with their brief statement issued on July 4 and with two of their pastoral letters, namely: (a) Jubilee Year 2000, Antilles Episcopal Conference Pastoral Letter on Capital Punishment; and (b) We are called to proclaim, celebrate and serve The Gift of Life, Pastoral Letter of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, Rome, March 29, 2008. I share hereunder extracts from the statement.
“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man” – Mahatma Gandhi.
The world observes International Day of Non-Violence today (October 2). The 2007 UN resolution which established this commemoration, on Gandhi’s birthday, reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.
The Gospel Reading of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) should lead us to reflect and act on the indifference that exists in our communities and in our world and which leads to immense suffering of those who should have a place at the table of life.
“Peace is a gift, it is a handcrafted gift that we must work for every day; but doing so in the small things, in daily ‘littleness.’ Great manifestations for peace, great international encounters, are not enough if peace is not then made in little things…if in your little things, in your heart, there is no peace, in your family there is no peace, in your neighbourhood there is no peace, in your place of work there is no peace, there will not be peace in the world” (Pope Francis, September 8, 2016).