Catholic Commission for Social Justice
By Darrion Narine, CCSJ’s/AMMR’s Programme Coordinator
The Venezuelan socio-political crisis has resulted in many of our neighbours coming to the shores of Trinidad and Tobago. In search of a better life or just out of sheer desperation, many have jumped on a pirogue and spent their last dollar in search of a brighter tomorrow. A tomorrow, that sometimes never comes, leaving behind broken hearts, shattered dreams and deep sadness with their family and friends.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
I pray that your journey through Advent was prayerful. As we waited in joyful expectation of the birth of the Christ child, I am certain that, like me, you could not fail to be moved once again by the incredible gift God gave us by sending His only Son to save us; to bring us out of the darkness into the light of His love. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14).
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“While modern society places more importance on one’s own interests regardless of or even to the detriment of others…[true Christians] ban individualism in order to encourage sharing and solidarity.” – Pope Francis, 2019
Today, December 20, is the International Human Solidarity Day. The virtue of solidarity is a key social justice principle. Pope St John Paul II said: “Solidarity is an authentic moral virtue, not a ‘feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. That is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“All migrants are entitled to equal protection of all their human rights. On this International Day, I urge leaders and people everywhere to bring the Global Compact to life, so that migration works for all” —UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Friday, December 18 is International Migrants Day. “It is a day set aside by the UN to recognize the estimated 272 million migrants that are integral members of all our societies today… it is also a day to recognize the generosity and warmth of the host communities that have embraced newcomers arriving with little or nothing to their names.” (Guterres).
By Darrion Narine, CCSJ’s/AMMR’s Programme Coordinator
A woman once told me that if men didn’t exist for a day, she would go on a hike by herself. When she said this, I reflected on it for quite some time. We, as men, sometimes don’t realize the simple privileges that we have in everyday life but beyond this, men also don’t realize how their actions can cause the uneasiness of women.