Catholic Commission for Social Justice
The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) & The Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) call for more humane living conditions for those on death row
CCSJ and GCL call for more humane living conditions for those on death row. On 10 October 2018 abolitionists around the world will observe the 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty. This year, the World Day will focus on the living conditions of those sentenced to death.
The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and The Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) welcome Pope Francis’ decision to revise the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Death Penalty.
This decision is clearly linked to the Catholic Church’s belief that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of the Church’s social doctrine. It is important to note that a number of other faith communities/Christian denominations are also opposed to the death penalty.
The Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) & the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) welcome the judgment by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Barbados’ highest appellate Court, that the mandatory death penalty as stated in section 2 of the Offences Against the Persons Act (OAPA), Ch.141, for persons convicted of murder in Barbados is unconstitutional.
On Wednesday June 20th the world will observe World Refugee Day (WRD), a day when we “we commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees” (UN).
Archbishop Jason Gordon has launched an Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR). AMMR calls on the nation to use this opportunity on WRD to commit to stand in solidarity with migrants and refugees and to promote their human rights. Let’s pray and act to ensure that there is a place at the table of life for all.
The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) urges citizens to be Peacebuilders in our land/world this Christmas. During this season of Advent, as we await the birth of the Christ-child, the Prince of Peace, let us remember that we must not be armchair Christians waiting passively.
This is a time of active hope; hope that the living Christ, who lives in and among us, will strengthen us to save our beloved country and our world which are scarred by violence and discord; hope that God will fill our hearts with His mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness so that we will live as honest/upright citizens.