Category: columns2020

columns2020

Attacking racism at its root

Post author By Web administrator
Post date September 13, 2020

Prof Rhoda Reddock

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

“Racism generates inequality…but inequality also fuels racism”
—Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Dean, Faculty of Law, UWI STA.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to and participated in the recent virtual National Symposium entitled ‘A Time for Healing— Understanding and Reconciling Race Relations in Trinidad and Tobago’, organised by UWI’s Faculty of Law and CCSJ on Sunday, August 30.

Those who missed the four-hour long proceedings can access it here
Prof Rhoda Reddock (in photo) rightly noted that, “We understand almost everything through the prism of race. Race becomes an explanation for all failure, achievement, economic decisions, marriage decisions, educating decisions, employment decisions and, of course, voting decisions…”

Tags racism

columns2020

Right relationship with God’s Creation

Post author By Web administrator
Post date September 6, 2020

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

Let’s commit to observe the Season of Creation, an annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It runs from Tuesday, September 1 until October 4, the Feast day of St Francis of Assisi. On September 1 we would all have participated in the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which Pope Francis has established.

Tags creation, environment

columns2020

We will be rewarded according to our behaviour

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 30, 2020

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

“…we are one people with a common destiny in our rich variety of culture, race and tradition” (Nelson Mandela)

Do we really understand what it means to take up our cross and follow Jesus? In today’s gospel, Matt 16:21–27, Jesus said to His disciples: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

columns2020

We too are the rock of Faith

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 23, 2020

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

Over the past few weeks, before and after our General Election on August 10, it has been sad to note on social media, in particular, racist vitriol being spewed by so many people—mainly from the two major ethnic communities that reside in our beloved country.

Tags slavery

columns2020

God’s house, a house of prayer for all

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 16, 2020

National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham, Slipper Chapel.

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

Recently I visited Mt St Benedict. Since my childhood I have always found it spiritually uplifting to pray in that sacred space. The abbey church and its surroundings fill one with peace/serenity.
When I attended Holy Faith Convent, Couva, I was a member of the Girl Guides. I recall walking with other Girl Guides up St John’s Road to this church, praying the rosary as we walked. Today many persons, Catholics and persons of other faiths, continue to walk up to the church, almost like a pilgrimage.

Tags prayer