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J/P Alert is the newsletter of the Justice and Peace office of CMSM. It is intended to inform and stimulate discussion and involvement among the members. Its contents do not necessarily represent official positions of CMSM.
Oblate priest murdered in the Philippines
By Santosh Digal
ZAMBOANGA CITY (AsiaNews)
Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) priest Fr. Jesus Reynaldo Roda, the director of Notre Dame High School in Tabawan Island, South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, was killed by gunmen at around 8:30 p.m. [local time, January 15, 2008].
The gunmen are believed to be members of the terrorist, al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf. Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Larin, chief of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT-2), deployed troops to track down the fleeing bandits who are dragging along with them Notre Dame High School teacher Omar Taup, a Muslim.
The gunmen, numbering around 10 people, barged into the Notre Dame compound with the intent of kidnapping Fr. Roda, who resisted. This prompted the gunmen to shoot the priest.
Major Eugenio Batara Jr., information officer of Westmincom, disclosed that there had been previous kidnapping attempts on prominent personalities by the Abu Sayyaf bandits, but such moves were successfully foiled by military and police operatives.
The remains of Fr. Roda was transported by a Philippine Navy boat to the town of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi's capital, from Tabawan Island, which is three to four hours away from the province's capital.
Fr. Roberto Layson, head of the OMI's Inter-Religious Dialogue, said the Holy Rosary Church "is full of people, Muslims and Christians. Even the Muslims brought food, according to the parish priest."
Fr. Jonathan Domingo, chief executive officer of Mindanao Cross and executive director of the Oblate Missionary Foundation, said Fr. Roda's remains will be brought to Cotabato City "by Saturday or Sunday."
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said the burial is set for Jan 23 at the Oblates' Cemetery in Tamontaka, on the outskirts of Cotabato City, after the 8 a.m. mass. Fr. Roda, who was an anti-terrorism advocate, had been receiving kidnapping threats since last year from an unidentified group.
He was the third Roman Catholic missionary killed under the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo that covers the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The first was Bishop Benjamin De Jesus, who was killed by still unidentified gunmen in 1997 in the town of Jolo, the capital of Sulu province.
Another Roman Catholic missionary, Fr. Benjie Inocencio, was also killed three years after Bishop De Jesus's killing, also in Sulu, where troops are continuously pursuing the remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf group.
The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, said that whole church was "deeply saddened" by what happened and "condemn the violence and pray for a just solution."
Sheikh Mohammad Muntassir, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Da'wah (Call to Islam) Committee, said saying they "condemn this killing in the highest possible terms and the killers deserve hell for this barbaric act."
Muntassir said the lives of non-combatants, including priests, are held inviolable in Islam even in combat situation. He said the killing of Fr. Roda "is an indication of the worsening situation in the Philippines that spares no one from the scourge of violence."
Milet Mendoza of Tabang Mindanaw, wrote the Pagtabangan sa BaSulTa (Basilan Sulu Tawi-tawi) e-group that Fr. Roda "had big dreams and hope for the people."
Tabawan, like the rest of the areas in Tawi-tawi province, is predominantly Muslim.
The priest, also head of missions for the OMI in Tabawan, pursued programmes for education and health. "He had in fact held a meeting with his convenors last Friday to plan out the activities and preparations," Mendoza wrote.
" We had been working together since 2003 during the height of the deportation of Filipinos from Sabah - building core shelters, day care, creating feeding programmes for children and recently, rehabilitating classrooms. In our forthcoming undertaking, we were to expand to four more communities. He had assembled his Notre Dame of Tabawan teachers to become core convenors for peace and development work. Governance was a problem he was always grieving about," Mendoza said.
Mendoza added that Fr. Roda "did not want to leave Tabawan yet because he still had more projects in the pipeline. He knew that when it was time to leave, the new leaders would have taken root."
Andri Atmaka, OMI provincial in Indonesia, who met Fr. Roda when the latter visited them in 1993, said he still remembers his discussion with him "on the meaning of our vocation as Oblates. Now, he makes his whole life truly an oblation to God".
Veronica Villavicencio, executive director of Peace and Equity Foundation, wrote the OMI that while they "lost a brother and faithful missionary, Pagtabangan BaSulTa has also lost a bridging leader and advocate for the poor of Tawi-Tawi."
" We deplore the brutal killing of one who has done only good for the people of Tabawan. There is no plausible nor remotely acceptable explanation for this atrocity," she said.
Few Catholic leaders have offered more clarity and expressed more urgency to address climate change and its impacts on the poor than have Pope Benedict XVI. In his inaugural homily he proclaimed:
The external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast. Therefore the earth's treasures no longer serve to build God's garden for all to live in, but they have been made to serve the powers of exploitation and destruction.
And in his January 2008 World Day of Peace Message, the Holy Father emphasized the universal destination of the created order, the needs of future generations, and the priority concern for the poor, among other important themes:
Respecting the environment does not mean considering material or animal nature more important than man. Rather, it means not selfishly considering nature to be at the complete disposal of our own interests, for future generations also have the right to reap its benefits and to exhibit towards nature the same responsible freedom that we claim for ourselves. Nor must we overlook the poor, who are excluded in many cases from the goods of creation destined for all.
We anticipate that caring for creation will be a major theme when His Holiness visits the United States and addresses the United Nations this coming April.
A World Free of Nuclear
Weapons
[By Jessica Wilbanks and Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Coordinators, Faithful Security]
History may look back at January 4, 2007, as the little-heralded but vastly important day when George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger, and Sam Nunn published "A World Free of Nuclear Weapons" in the Wall Street Journal. In their groundbreaking op-ed, the co-authors were joined by sixteen top foreign policy officials from the Reagan Administration in defining movement toward zero nuclear weapons as a non-partisan, security imperative for the post-Cold War era.
It takes two points to draw a line, however, and that's just what happened last week, on January 15, 2008, when the co-authors published a follow-up op-ed, "A Nuclear-Free World," again in the Wall Street Journal. In it they describe the progress made over the past year toward realistic policies that would make us safer, while moving us closer to zero nuclear weapons world-wide.
Moreover, they demonstrated that the idea articulated in their initial op-ed was no mere flash in the pan, but a seed planted in good soil. And it has taken root: more than two-thirds of the twenty-four living former secretaries of state, secretaries of defense, and national security advisors are on record in support of the co-authors' effort. That's a super-majority of our country's most elite foreign policy figures, from both parties.
The idea has been dubbed the Hoover Plan, due to the Institution at Stanford serving as its incubator. It is complex in its recommendations but simple in inspiration: a combination of a bold vision of a world without nuclear weapons, and concrete actions to get us ever closer to it. In the second op-ed, the authors write:
"From the vantage point of our troubled world today, we can't even see the top of the mountain, and it is tempting and easy to say we can't get there from here. But the risks from continuing to go down the mountain or standing pat are too real to ignore. We must chart a course to higher ground where the mountaintop becomes more visible."
To which we say: "Amen."
It's not yet clear what political pressure can be brought to bear in support of the Hoover Plan. We don't yet know what can and should be done in terms of organizing public will. Right now it's an idea germinating in the highest political echelons, and it will take effort to see it blossom in the pews. We're working on it. In the meanwhile, we simply thought you'd want to know: between these two op-eds is a trajectory that represents the most credible hope any of us have for a world without nuclear weapons. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears perked. Get your hope out of the attic and dust it off. Because this idea isn't going away.
Satellite
Radio for African Parishes
Faith Satellite Radio and SIGNIS (the World Catholic Association for Communication), using the WorldSpace Satellite Radio Network's AfriStar satellite, have launched a project to provide thousands of Catholic parishes in Africa with satellite radios broadcasting content from Vatican Radio 24/7/365. Our primary objective is to supply African parishes with easy access to quality radio programs and multimedia content from across the world. Distribution of the satellite radios has begun.
With this initiative we are also offering the opportunity for parishes in the US and other countries outside of Africa to "Adopt a Parish in Africa" with the hope to reach approximately 17,000 African parishes. Through the "Adopt a Parish in Africa" campaign, parishes or individuals outside of Africa can "adopt" an African parish and offer them the FSR service for $38USD a month. This includes both delivery of a satellite radio receiver and the broadcasting technology and content. High-quality digital Catholic programming is being broadcast to 31 countries in Africa, courtesy of Vatican Radio. The broadcasting is available in nine different languages throughout the African continent.
Radio is still the most widespread electronic communications device in the world and a unique means of reaching the world's poorest communities. Community radio broadcasting, in particular, is increasingly recognized as an important bridge across the digital divide between those who have access to the world's information resources and those who do not.
More information is available on the SIGNIS web site.
2008 National Migration Conference, Washington, DC, July 28-31, 2008
The Hilton Washington Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009
Visit www.nationalmigrationconference.org for online registration.
Over 600 participants expected including representatives from the CLINIC and USCCB/MRS networks, government and non-government partner agencies, Church officials, and other interested individuals and organizations.
Join us for:
- Renowned experts and speakers covering a wide range of migration-related topics including a discussion of services to and the pastoral care of immigrants, migrants, refugees, unaccompanied alien children, and victims of human trafficking.
- Opportunities for networking, information-sharing, staff recognition, celebration, and special liturgies.
- Public advocacy featuring Congressional visits to Capitol Hill.
- Workshops relevant to your work as service providers and advocates for migrants.
In addition, CLINIC will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special event on July 29th. The program will acknowledge the long-serving dedication of current and previous board members, volunteers, former staff and supporters. Please plan to join CLINIC as it toasts 20 years of serving indigent and low-income immigrants. Registration for this special event is available at http://clinic.kintera.org/celebrate.
Information on the National Migration Conference website is updated regularly. Be sure to check back often for updates.
Co-sponsored by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network,
Inc. (CLINIC) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration
and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS)
Questions? Contact Izzy Menchero, CLINIC at (202) 635-5825
or Jim Kuh, USCCB/MRS at (202) 541-3220.
The Palestinian Summer Celebration 2008
15 June 2008 – 17 August 2008
June 15th – July 13th 2008 (first month)
July 14th – August 17th 2008 (second month)
Come and celebrate Palestine, learn Arabic, study history, know the people and their culture, share some time with local families and volunteer with a local community organization.
The Palestinian summer celebration is a unique annual program that gives people from all over the world the chance to encounter the life and culture in Palestine in addition to donating some of their time to a local community organization through voluntary work and internships. The Palestinian summer celebration 2007 will take place in the Bethlehem area in Palestine, between June 15th and August 17th 2008. The annual celebration is organized by Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies www.sirajcenter.org in partnership with Bethlehem University www.bethlehem.edu and the US based Society for Biblical Studies, www.sbsedu.org.
Participants will also have the opportunity to listen and question high level speakers of various positions and expertise.
The program includes, studying Arabic, History and Theology at Bethlehem University, living with local families, volunteering with local community organizations in addition for touring Palestine and enjoy its beauty and culture and have a firsthand experience of the political situation.
Participants will have the chance to have Palestinian Cooking classes, Palestinian Debkeh Dancing training, and during the program, eight films will be screened in the Siraj office.
For more information regarding registration and cost:
http://www.sirajcenter.org/index.php?option=com_
content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=1
Conference on the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
FEATURED SPEAKERS: Bishop Mark
S. Hanson |
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Middle East Peacemaking in a Turbulent Time
Join Middle East peace advocates from across the countryand a range of Christian churches to: learn about opportunitiesfor Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking in the context of broader regional dynamics and with the Bush Administration's initiative to move the peace process forward in 2008; and lobby Congress with up-to-date specific talking points designed to make your voice heard.
At the CMEP conference, Church leaders, issue analysts and policy experts will provide important insights and updates and prepare conference participants to meet with elected officials.
Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of 22 U.S.
churches and church-related organizations, is positioned
to guide church members and clergy in effective advocacy
grounded in the principles of our faith. CMEP will help arrange
your meetings with your Representative and Senators.
REGISTRATION FEE: $100.00
Register on-line see updates and housing information www.cmep.org
SUNDAY
EVENING
Opening Program
MONDAY
•
Plenary panels, luncheon with speaker, workshops, preparation for advocacy
•
Evening denominational gatherings
TUESDAY
Congressional Prayer Breakfast
Lobby Day on Capitol Hill
April 20-22, 2008 in Washington, DC
Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University,
800 Florida Avenue, NE
and the
Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 E. Capitol Street
110 Maryland Ave., NE, Suite 311,
Washington, DC 20002
1-202-543-1222
Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East
Peace is a Washington-based program of the Alliance of Baptists, American
Friends Service
Committee, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Armenian Orthodox
Church, Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of
Men's Institutes, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church
of the Brethren, Church World Service, Episcopal Church, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, Franciscan Friars OFM (English Speaking
Conference, JPIC Council), Friends Committee on National
Legislation, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Maryknoll Missioners,
Mennonite Central Committee, Moravian Church in
America, National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed
Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Association,
United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church (GBCS & GBGM)
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
How
can the Justice and Peace Office help you get involved?
T. Michael McNulty, SJ, editor
mmcnulty@cmsm.org
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8808 Cameron St., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-588-4030
• Fax: 301-587-4575 • www.cmsm.org
