Man’s inhumanity to man has given rise to numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human development: wars, international, regional and tribal conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violations of human rights. Yet no less troubling are the threats arising from the neglect, if not misuse and destruction of the earth and the natural goods that God has given us all.
We all are aware of the realities around us that the material world is becoming a permanent menace: water/air pollution, poor refuse management, new illnesses and the absolute destructive power of the recent galamsey activities in Mother Ghana, are creating an environment for tomorrow which may well be intolerable. This is a social problem which concerns the entire human family. It was in light of this that the National Annual Meeting of the Inter-Congregational Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) was held in Wa from the 16th-19th of February, 2023 under the theme: “Renewing and Making Visible the Collaboration of Religious JPIC in Ghana”.
Inter-Congregational Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Ghana, is an organization of Catholic Religious and Missionary Priests, Reverend Brothers/Sisters. It is a network of the representatives (Coordinators) of all the Religious Orders working in Ghana. It was inspired and brought to birth by the Major Superiors at one of their Conferences in Rome around 2008. They are a voice in the Catholic Church as advocates to facilitate and promote the social teachings of the Catholic Church in its struggle for justice and peace and care of God’s creation.
JPIC has a wide range of thematic areas such as peace building, human rights and social justice; plight of the poor, widows/orphans, the marginalized, human trafficking, the ecosystem and environmental issues, economic and political concerns, child labour, forced marriages, LGBTQ+ and cybercrime issues among others. We offer prayers, give guidance and counselling, arbitrate, educate/inform, intervene and rescue, raise awareness, offer training, empower financially and encourage self-reliance (where applicable), and so on; we network along these lines bringing Christ and the Gospel values to bear especially where these are prevalent. By proximity we work by zones but come together as a national body yearly in our collaboration.
JPIC is also no less a constitutive element of our life and identity as Religious. We felt a need inspired by our theme above, as God’s stewards to renew our zeal and our collaborative efforts and together with all humankind, renew that covenant between humans and the environment, which should mirror the peace and creative love of God from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying. Seeing creation as God’s gift to humanity helps us understand our vocation and worth as human beings. We were concerned at this meeting, especially as there is a growing awareness that world peace is threatened as well as a lack of due respect for nature especially in Ghana; in the wake of grave galamsey activities which threatens our very existence and prospects for the future. There is an urgent need for a new solidarity, the call is all the more pressing today in the face of these crisis. Can we continue to be indifferent before such realities? We see these degradations as an opportunity for discernment and new strategic planning.
Therefore, we do not only call on the stake holders in government to be up and doing, (a gentle appeal) to curb this galamsey menace in Mother Ghana among other degradations, but also the Association seeks self-renewal and the desire to be more visible as JPIC Coordinators to make a more meaningful impact. JPIC issues are an urgent challenge to be faced with renewed and concerted commitment. The current President of the Association Rev. Fr. Nicholas Aazine, SVD in a talk delivered, emphasized the following as key areas to achieving the desired renewal as JPIC Coordinators; we need to:
- Make good and positive use of social media to create awareness making visible JPIC engagements individually and as zones
- Be committed and passionate about JPIC issues as a practical way to realize the mission of the Church and for that matter of Christ.
- Expand our network to link up and collaborate with NGOs and relevant government projects of like vision.
- Liaise with our Major Superiors to initiate and facilitate on-going formation or capacity building in formation, to produce substantive coordinators and for other interested parties.
Fr. Nicholas added that, Jesus had set the pace for JPIC in Luke: 4 when he said: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, therefore he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, release to prisoners and to announce a year of favor from the Lord. God himself is involved in and committed to the task of making the world a place that is just and reconciled, providing a dignified life to all creatures. In similar vein, Sr. Maria Vilma Espinosa, SSpS one of the pioneers of the Association in our second talk, took us into the archives of our beginnings, to our initial vision not only as a reminder but as a way forward for the group; it was refreshing and strengthening. We may not be able to attain a complete peaceful and just society but our work and presence will remind the world that Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation are values worth emulating.
We concluded the meeting in full collaboration with Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si on the care of ‘Our Common Home’. As a collective effect we are all joining and journeying together on the platform of Laudato Si to participate in the ongoing programmes that are being proposed in there; individually and as zones where applicable for concrete actions right where we are. And so, as a focal area this year for JPIC Coordinators it was proposed we join to carry out Pope Francis’ theme for the year: “Response to the cry of the poor” as a common project of JPIC Ghana, individually and at the zone and diocesan levels. The discussions at the meeting were fruitful and refreshing. Carrying you our readers along with same passion, we leave you with these tips for reflection:
- We cannot remain indifferent, for the deterioration of the earth or any part of Ghana in particular affects all.
- All hands on deck to combat effectively the misuse/destruction of the environment
- Taking into due account the solidarity we owe the poor, that we focus on strategies and concrete actions in response to the cry of the poor around us.
- People experience peace and tranquility when they encounter the beauty and harmony of nature, let us manage our refuse well at home and at work places.
- The protection of creation and peacemaking are profoundly linked.
- Ecological crisis does not happen in isolation but closely linked to development itself, humanity and the rest of creation.
If you are moved to support JPIC Ghana, please contact us on: +233 24 226 9960/+233241364914
Fr. Nicholas Aazine, SVD & Sr. Lucy Y. Dery, HHCJ
