Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
USG/UISG Secretariat
JANUARY, 2012
NEWSBRIEF - JPIC COMMISSION OFFICE Vol.5 No 1
1. ROME
1.1 JPIC ‘Formation’ Seminar, February 4 (all day): It takes place on February 4th, 2012 at the Fratelli Cristiani. The theme is JPIC in formation processes. Two well known speakers (José Antonio Pagola and Rosemary Mangan, RJM) will present themes in the morning and evening, followed by testimonies and group work. It is open to Leadership Teams, Formation Secretaries, JPIC Promoters and other interested religious. The offering will be €12 Euro. There will be simultaneous translations into English, Spanish, French and Italian. For preparation questions and to register contact jpic@cgfma.org. For more information contact the jpic office and for a copy of the programme go to,
Note: Registration is now closed.
1.2 JPIC Ecology Seminar, March 3 (half day): The theme of this Seminar is Ecology. Fr. Rayappa A. Kasi, a priest from India who is a well known writer and speaker on environmental issues has agreed to come to Rome Kingdom of God
1.3 JPIC Formation – PDF files: The book ‘Guide us in your justice: A formation itinerary for a prophetic Religious Life’ is now available in PDF files in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and German at - http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/En_JPICinFormation / There are also available pamphlets in the several languages in the UISG. To contact Teresa Martin: tmarsanz@gmail.com
Teléfono: 06 68 400 20
1.4 A JPIC Orientation Manual for Promoters: As part of the JPIC Commission Plan, congregations are encouraged to develop an Orientation Manual for their JPIC Promoters. The process one uses to develop education materials can often be as important as the final results. Try involving as many of your members as possible. The OFM Franciscans have made their Manual available to help encourage and support you in such an endeavour. An introductory letter to the project and some support resources are available in English and Spanish at: http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_JPICCongGuidelines If there is need for clarification contact the JPIC office.
1.5 JPIC Workshop: Take note that the JPIC Workshop for new International JPIC promoters will take place from November 22-25, 2012 at the Casa di Esercizi Spirituali dei SS Giovanni e Paolo – Passionisti – Roma Piazza San Giovanni e Paolo, 13. Roma (Celio). For information and application forms go to http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_JPIC_institute
1.6 International Day of the Family (May 15th): To commemorate the United Nations International Day of the Family a Prayer Service has been developed for the JPIC Commission by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux. It is one in a series of Prayer Services to celebrate a variety of UN International Days. If anyone is willing to translate the prayer into another language, please inform the JPIC office at jpicusguisg@lasalle.org or jpic.cosec@lasalle.org. The prayer in English is available at http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_May15_prayer For more information on the International Day, go to the following web sites - http://upf.org/united-nations/international-day-of-families;
1.7 JPIC Formation at Antonianum, Rome : Each year the OFM-JPIC office, in conjunction with the Antonianum University
1.8 CIPAX Seminar on ‘Just Peace’: Prof Guido Viale, will give a talk in Italian on the theme ‘Goods in common, the way to a Just Peace’. It takes place on January 12 at 18.30 in Via Ostiense 152/B, Roma
1.9 Job seeking: Uta Sievers is looking for employment in Rome
1.10 Prayers:
· The mother of P. Alfredo Becerra, CM, died in December. We extend our condolences to him. His email is alfredobev@yahoo.com.mx
· Ralph Hurrish, father of Gabe died of a heart attack on December 26th. May he rest in peace. He was 82 years. We extend our condolences. Gabe’s email is grrh2008@gmail.com
1.11 Reminders:
· World Day of Social Justice (February 20): Prayer Services in several languages are available at http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_20February
· JPIC Distance Learning Program: The Spiritan-owned Duquesne University , Pittsburgh , USA
2. Outside Rome
2.2 JPIC Promoter’s Formation Course in the USA
2.3 Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves: On December 7th the US Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Kris Balderston, gave a briefing at the US Embassy to the Vatican 20’ calls for 100 million homes to adopt clean efficient stoves and fuels by 2020. 2 million people die each year from exposure to cookstove smoke. For more information go to the following web sites – www.cleancookstoves.org;
2.4 2014 The International Year of Family Farming (IYFF): On December 23rd, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2014 to be the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF). For more information go to:
2.5 World InterFaith Harmony Week (Feb 1-7): The United Nations (UN) on October 20, 2010 recognizing the need for dialogue among different faiths and religions and their contribution for peace in the world, proclaimed the first week of February of every year the “World InterFaith Harmony Week” between all religions, faiths and beliefs. For more information go to, http://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/
3. USEFUL RESOURCES
3.1 World Peace Day Message (2012): ‘Educating Young People in Justice and Peace’ for copies go to,
EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE IN JUSTICE AND PEACE
EDUCAR A LOS JÓVENES EN LA JUSTICIA Y LA PAZ
EDUCARE I GIOVANI ALLA GIUSTIZIA E ALLA PACE
ÉDUQUER LES JEUNES À LA JUSTICE ET À LA PAIX
3.2 Papal message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees (January 15, 2012): Copies of the message,
entitled ‘Migration and New Evangelization’, can be accessed at:
In English –
In Spanish –
In French - http://www.africamission-mafr.org/migrants12.htm
3.3 Holy Cross JPIC: Check out the Holy Cross International Justice office web site at - http://www.holycrossjustice.org/
3.4 Environmental Justice: For an article that makes the link between the Virgin of Guadalupe and
Environmental Justice, go to - http://franciscanaction.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/the-virgin-of- guadalupe-and-the-call-to-environmental-justice-part-ii/
3.5 Earth Charter: For News and updates on the Earth Charter in English, Spanish and French at
3.6 Mining Watch: MiningWatch Canada
3.7 Justice Jottings: A Marianist Social Justice Web page. Go to, http://www.msjc.net/Justice%20Jottings/Justice%20Jottings%20-%20December%20%2710.aspx
3.8 Defenders of Indigenous Peoples: For reflections (in Spanish) on two Dominican (Antonio de Montisinos and Bartolomé de las Casas) defenders of Indigenous peoples in Latin America at the time of the conquest, go to http://www.redescristianas.net/2011/10/30/el-grito-de-montesinos-ayer-y-hoyvictor-codina-sj-sacerdote-jesuita-teologo/ and http://blogs.periodistadigital.com/xpikaza.php/2011/12/09/dom-11-xi-11-todos-estais-en-pecado-mort
3.9 Ethically Responsible investment: To read an article (in English) entitled ‘Investing with a clear conscience’ go to http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8853/Investing-with-a-clear-conscience.aspx
3.10 Human Trafficking Awareness Day (January 11): For information and resources go to http://omiusajpic.org/2012/01/05/january-11-2012-human-trafficking-awareness-day/
3.11 Renewing the Face of the Earth: Lenten Reflections on Air: For copies of an 8 page booklet by the SHCJs go to, http://www.shcj.org/amer/documents/2012LentReflectionBookAir_001.pdf
3.12 Anti-Christian Violence in Kandhamal: Read a report by the
4. Upcoming JPIC Meetings: January 2012
· English JPIC Core Group: January 9 , @ 15.00 at Fratelli Cristiani
· JPIC Spanish/Portuguese Promoters’ group: January 12 @ UISG at 9.00 (note: is a Thursday)
· Economic Justice Working group (EJWG): January 11 @ 15.00 at Caritas Internationalis
· JPIC English Promoters’ Meeting: January 18 @ 9.00 in UISG offices
· FAO Working group: January 24 @ 15.00 at Passionist Curia
· Peace Prayer for South Sudan : January 27 @ San Marcello at 19.00
· Integrity of Creation Working group: January 30 @ 9.00 at the UISG
Note: Please send a brief outline of information you think JPIC Promoters might find useful for future publications to the JPIC Commission Office at the emails below. Please confirm if you do not wish your email to be published.
Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire ofm and Teresa Dagdag MM Via Aurelia 476, CP 9099 Aurelio, 00165 Roma, Italy.
Tel: (39).06.6622929 (direct); Tel: (39).06.665231 (reception); Mobile
