Category: columns2016

columns2016

Address racism: ‘the elephant in the room’

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 20, 2016

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

“Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design” (Gaudium et Spes, 29,2)

The world will observe The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination tomorrow, March 21.
As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, this “is an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a world of justice and equality where xenophobia and bigotry do not exist. We must learn the lessons of history and acknowledge the profound damage caused by racial discrimination.”
The theme this year is: Challenges and Achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action – 15 years after.

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columns2016

Mercy – God’s ID card

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 13, 2016

Today’s Gospel, John 8:1-11, reminds me of the title of Pope Francis’ first book: “The name of God is Mercy” (Jan. 12), in which he reveals his vision of God’s mercy in a series of interviews with Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli (July 2015).

The Old Testament Law prescribed the death penalty for a long list of crimes, including adultery. John’s account demonstrates God’s mercy and reminds us that we are all sinners – saved by God’s loving mercy and by the sacrifice of His son on the cross. So, let us not judge others and appear to be self-righteous as the Scribes and Pharisees, who were hoping to trap Jesus. We are called to be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful.

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columns2016

Celebrating the Feminine genius

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 6, 2016

“Women don’t just bear life but transmit to us the ability to see otherwise, they see things differently…” Pope Francis

Tuesday, March 8, the world will observe International Women’s Day which, as the United Nations (UN) states “is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

Tags event, women

columns2016

Being merciful to ourselves

Post author By Web administrator
Post date February 28, 2016

I share with you below an extract from my presentation on the theme: Be merciful to ourselves.(See CCSJ’s website).

God is a God of mercy. We are all here because of His grace: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).
As Pope Francis said: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ, all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone!” Christ’s death and resurrection show how much mercy God has for us. “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).

columns2016

Discipleship in the Year of Mercy

Post author By Web administrator
Post date February 21, 2016

This Wednesday and Thursday (Feb 24, 25), I will participate in the Lenten Retreat at St Phillip and St James RC Church, Chaguanas (7.15 p.m.); I will focus on the themes: Be merciful to ourselves, and Be merciful to our environment.

The overall retreat theme is: The Lord is generous and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us accept that we cannot build the civilisation of Love unless we reconcile with God, neighbour, creation and self.

Tags Jubilee Year of Mercy