International
Commission
on Justice and Peace
Dominicans Reaffirm Priorities at International
Justice Meeting
 SANTA
SABINA -- April 3, 2009 More than forty years ago, the phrase “justice
and peace” was
born into the language of the Social Teaching of the Church. In Guadium
et Spes, the Church recognized the existence of sinful structures
in society and called for the creation of structures to respond. In
1967, Paul VI established one such structure: the Pontifical Council
for “Justice and Peace.”
Ten years later, at the
Quezon City General Chapter, the Order of Preachers identified “justice
and peace” as one of four priorities for the Order. At
that same Chapter, the Order intiated its own structure and called
for a General Promoter of Justice and Peace and Regional Promoters
for the continental areas of the world. Provinces of Friars
and congregations of Sisters began appointing Promoters of Justice
and Peace.
 For
more than 30 years, the justice and peace structure of the Order
has been evolving. Today, the International Dominican
Commission of Justice and Peace consists of the Friar and Sister
Regional Co-Promoters for each of the five continental areas of the
world, the delegates of the two Dominican NGO's at the United Nations,
the Socius for Apostolic Life, the International Coordinator of Dominican
Sisters International and the two International (General) Co-Promoters
for the Order. This IDCJP met from 25-30 March 2009, beginning
with a day together at the United Nations in Geneva and continuing
for the next four days at Santa Sabina in Rome.
After sharing information about the diverse realities in their various
parts of the world, Commission Members agreed that the three
priorities identified at their previous meeting in Fanjeaux in 2006
continue to be major areas for contemplation and action by the Dominican
Family. These priorities are “Peace and Authentic Human Security,” “Migration – the
Movement of Peoples,” and “Economic Injustices.”
The
Commission's day in Geneva provided information and experience that
hopefully will lead to greater use of the agencies of the UN by JP
Promoters and other members of the Dominican Family. Commission
Members agree that – far from being areas for specialists
-- action for justice and participation in the transformation of
the world are essential commitments for those who claim to be Gospel
preachers (Justice in the World, 1971).
Present at this IDCJP meeting were Marie Laure DENES OP (Europe),
Durstyne FARNAN OP (No.America), Toni HARRIS OP (Int'l Co-Promoter),
Prakash LOHALE OP (Soc. Apostolic Life), Miguel CONCHA Malo OP (La.
America y Carib), Margaret MAYCE OP (UN-NGO), Emmanuel NTAKARUTIMANA
OP (Africa), Olivier POQUILLON OP (UN-NGO), Carlos RODRIGUEZ Linera
OP (Int'l Co-Promoter), Bienvenido S. TRINILLA OP (Asia-Pacific),
Michel VAN AERDE OP (Europe- Espaces) andNoemi ZAMBRANO
OP (La. America y Carib).
Commission Members unable to attend were
Charles DAHM OP (North America), Paulina Chioma OGBONNAYA OP (Africa),
Maria Fabiola VELASQUEZ Maya OP (DSI) and Rosita YAYA OP (Asia-Pacific).
Toni Harris OP and Carlos Rodriguez Linera OP
International Co-Promoters for Justice and Peace |
