Media Room

Justice and Peace Seminar ends on positive note
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice

“Let’s keep together.” These were the parting words of Bishop Emmanuel Lafont of the Diocese of Cayenne, French Guiana and Chair of the AEC Justice and Peace (AEC J&P) Commission, to the 19 participants who attended the AEC Justice & Peace Seminar at the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs on September 12 and 13.
Inter alia, the seminar provided a wonderful opportunity for fellowship/solidarity/strengthening relationships across the region. Representatives from French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago considered:
• the main issues arising out of Pope Benedict XVI’s third encyclical, Charity in Truth; and the challenges and opportunities of applying the encyclical in  the context of our various dioceses in the region;
• the role of the AEC in promoting and supporting Diocesan J&P Commissions; the ways in which Diocesan J&P Commissions can better address priority issues – including a concern to promote the integrity of creation – environmental/ecological issues;
• Strategies for strengthening the AEC J&P Commission.
Msgr Jason Gordon and I presented two papers focussing on the applications and challenges of the encyclical for us in Trinidad and Tobago and on the Methodology and Structure of a J&P Commission– using CCSJ as an example. All the other regions also gave comprehensive reports on their activities.
The presence of Gerard Granado (General Secretary, Caribbean Conference of Churches) at the seminar was helpful as we focussed also on ways of strengthening ecumenical arrangements and inter-faith relations.
Those of us who represented our Archdiocese of Port of Spain have agreed to organise a seminar in October to plan how we will address the six main challenges we identified at the seminar – in light of the encyclical and our Synod Resolutions.
At the end of the seminar it was agreed that in order to contextualise the encyclical within our Caribbean context, reflections on the following themes will be submitted to Bishop Lafont by March 2010 for consideration by the AEC Bishops at their meeting in April 2010:
T&T: Climate change – taking into consideration issues arising out of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Dec 7 – 18, 2009;
Jamaica: Racism
Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana: Youth and the challenges they face in the midst of unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime and violence and so on;
Caribbean Conference of Churches: Economic arrangements impacting on integral human development in the Caribbean e.g. addressing concerns about the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean, in light of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
It is to be noted that although specific dioceses have been allocated areas of responsibility above, each diocese, including those that were not represented, will be invited to submit reflections on each of the four areas by March 2010.
A report of the discussions that took place over the two days will be produced and circulated to our 20 dioceses across the region.
We should all find time to reflect on the implications of this encyclical for us as individuals and for the archdiocese - see www.coc.org for a précis of the encyclical and www.usccb.org/jphd/caritasinveritate/  for a useful study guide of the encyclical. Consider: What is the Pope’s message to me as an individual about how I should live my life as a Catholic? How will the encyclical help us with our work in the archdiocese as we implement our Synod Resolutions?
The US Bishops state that “Charity in Truth” “provides helpful guidance for finding answers to the social, economic and moral questions of the contemporary world in a search for truth…it is a call to see the relationship between human and environmental ecologies and to link charity and truth in the pursuit of justice, the common good, and authentic human development. In doing so, the Pope points out the responsibilities and limitations of government and the private market, challenges traditional ideologies of right and left, and calls all men and women to think and act anew.”  
In a world that is becoming more and more secular and in which individualism and moral relativism is rampant, the Pope’s words are pertinent: “Without God man neither knows which way to go, nor even understands who he is.”
We left the seminar full of hope, encouraged by the Holy Father’s wise advice that “the current crisis obliges us to re-plan our journey, to set ourselves new rules and to discover new forms of commitment, to build on positive experiences and to reject negative ones. The crisis thus becomes an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future.”

Participants at the AEC Justice and Peace Seminar at the Seminary.
From left in front row: Bishop Emeritus Anthony Dickson, Leela Ramdeen Chair Catholic Commission for Social Justice Commission (CCSJ) TT; Bishop Emmanuel Lafont of Cayenne, French Guiana, chair of AEC J&P Commission; David  Brooks, Mandeville Diocese; Gerard Granado, General Secretary Caribbean Conference of Churches, Sr Roberta, CCSJ, Rhonda Maingot, Living Water Community; Fr Peter McIssac, SJ, J&P Commission Kingston, Jamaica; Sr Bernadette Hughes, Mandeville Diocese; attorney Sylvie Compper, Cayenne J&P Commission; Attorney Maureen Tjon Jaw Chong, Suriname J&P Commission;
Bishop Neil Tiedemann Mandeville, Jamaica; Deacon Mike James, General Secretary AEC; Msgr Michael Stewart, rector St John Vianney Seminary; attorney Gino Persaud, Guyana J&P Commission.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ONLINE COURSE

Do you want to develop your knowledge about social justice issues so that you can play your part in building God's Kingdom of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice?  Then read on!

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) invites you to sign up for a series of online courses that will help you to develop a spirituality of Justice.

The Series will be run by the University of Dayton and will be facilitated by the Catholic Religious Education Development Institute (CREDI). The University of Dayton's website states:

“The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is a growing initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation anytime and anywhere via the internet.

The goal is to support the church's professional ministry of religious education and faith formation in cyberspace. The VLCFF is coordinated and sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton - a Catholic Marianist Institution.

“Our mission is to mobilize the resources of the University of Dayton for partnerships with the Church that create and implement innovative pastoral initiatives designed to meet the needs of the Church and to articulate faith within the context of contemporary culture.”

You can access more information about the programme on: http://vlc.udayton.edu/.

The Series is Modular and comprises 11 modules grouped into levels of Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. Each module is about 5 weeks long.   Each course is worth 2.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) which are based on the International Academic Standards for Continuing Education 10-12 hours per CEU.  It is expected that you will be engaged in approximately 25 hours [5 hours per week] with the course material and interacting with online students and facilitator (instructor) during the course.  The program is delivered online via the University of Dayton.  You will need to have access to a computer, and a good/reliable Internet connection.

The cost of each module is US$40 [or TT$260], and various modules will require access to books as well.  At the end of the Series, successful participants are awarded a Certificate by the University of Dayton and by the Archdiocese of Port of Spain [CREDI].   

 Themes covered are as follows:

  §  Conscience

  §  Introduction to Practical Morality

  §  Catholic School Teaching

  §  Marianist Studies: Social Justice

  §  Advanced Catholic Social Teaching

  §  History of Catholic Social Action

  §  Parish and Social Action

  §  Poverty in the US and Around the World

  §  Scripture and Justice

  §  Spirituality and Inclusive Faith Communities

Please note that to complete the Series, you must start at the Basic Level and work your way through to the Advanced Level. There will be some pre-requisites as you proceed.

Module 1 focuses on Conscience.   It commences on 12 July 2009, and registration closes on 8 July 2009. 

If you would like to register for Module 1 : Conscience, please download the Registration Form or collect a copy of the form from CCSJ’s Office at Archbishop’s House, 27 Maraval Road, Port of Spain.

Please return the completed form to CCSJ's Office with the Registration Fee of US$40 [or TT$260].  You will need to register and pay for the module before the module commences.

Reflect on Pope's World Day of Peace message

CCSJ urges Catholics and people of goodwill to read, reflect on and act on Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 World Day of Peace Message, 'Fighting Poverty to Build Peace'. The message was released on 10 December 2008 (read message) 

There are 1.4 billion people worldwide living in extreme poverty. In TT the 2005 official figure is 16.5% out of about 1.3 million people (Survey of Living Conditions final Report on Trinidad and Tobago for 2005.)

As Caribbean Net News reports: "At the end of 2005, the level of poverty in Trinidad and Tobago was put at 16.5 percent, while the indigent was put at 1.2 percent. The poverty line was at TT$665 per month per capita. An IDB commissioned report for an earlier period 1998 placed the poverty level at 24 percent. This was based on household budgetary survey data for 1998.

"Three types of poverty levels were identified: Chronic poverty, which occurs when one is trapped in poverty over generations, structural poverty that arises when one loses a job or employment and is unable to find new work because of structural changes within an economy, and the third being transitory poverty that arises because of dynamics taking place in the economy. This may occur even with full employment in the country where an individual may be out of a job on a temporary basis and may need to find work in another part of the country."

It is interesting to note that Dr Sandra Sookram, a lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of the West Indies's Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (Salises), said on 25 November 2008 that the current poverty level stands at 27.32 per cent. She made this statement while delivering her findings - on Poverty and Household Welfare in Trinidad and Tobago using evidence from the Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) 2005 - at the Salises Conference Centre at UWI's campus at St Augustine.  She said:"Although Trinidad and Tobago was classified recently as a high-income country by the World Bank, it has pockets of extreme poverty".

CCSJ notes that Dr Ralph Henry, from Kairi Consultants does not believe that the scales she used were accurate. He was responsible for calculating the 2005 figures. , Henry agreed, though, that the poverty level in TT was extremely high and something must be done to address it.

It's important to note that Pope Benedict's message addresses spiritual and moral poverty and not only material poverty.

CCSJ believes that all forms of Poverty are an affront to the dignity of the human person. If we are concerned to promote justice and peace, then we must address this issue urgently. Let's stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world who are in need.

His Holiness urges us to expand our "hearts to meet the needs of the poor and to take whatever practical steps are possible in order to help them." He says: "The truth of the axiom cannot be refuted: 'to fight poverty is to build peace'."

APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIR OF CCSJ

His Grace, Archbishop Edward Gilbert announced in the Catholic News dated November 30 2008 that Ms Leela Ramdeen has been appointed the Episcopal Delegate/Chair of the Archdiocesan Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ). The appointment became effective December 1, 2008.

Ms Ramdeen was Episcopal Delegate/Chair of CCSJ from March 2003 - March 2006 when she resigned to pursue her work as an Attorney-at-Law and as an Education Consultant.

Miss Ramdeen states:
"I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve the Catholic Church and the people of Trinidad and Tobago once again as Chair of this important Archdiocesan Commission.

I would like to pay special tribute to Fr Michael Moses who had replaced me when I left in March 2006. It was with deep sadness that I learned of his passing on 12 March this year. His Grace rightly referred to him as a 'virtuous man'.

Fr Moses was a man who had a deep relationship with God and a passion for justice. The testimony of his short life is an inspiration to all of us who strive to promote God's reign of truth, justice, love, peace and freedom.  We thank God for his life of selfless service to Church and country. May he rest in peace.

I have returned to the Commission at an exciting time. As we approach the third sitting of Synod (the week-ends of January 23-24 and January 30-21 2009) I share the spirit of solidarity and anticipation that currently permeates the Archdiocese.

Today our Church, country and world face many challenges. But we go forward to meet these challenges with confidence in our ability to make all things new in Christ our hope. Catholics are a people of hope. Earlier this year the Holy Father urged Catholics to be a 'leaven of hope' in our world. We can only do this if we live our lives as stout heralds of our faith.

Over the past few weeks His Grace has been reminding us in his weekly Column in the Catholic News that to create a proper attitude for the implementation of recommendations from Synod, we must reflect on what it means to be an evangelising people, a communicating people a moral people and a people of solidarity.

One of our tasks on CCSJ is to ensure that as we journey as Church, all Catholics are ‘reading from the same page.’  The challenge is to devise creative ways of encouraging everyone to ‘catch’ the Archdiocesan's vision which is being finalised.

CCSJ's vision - ‘To be a fearless united voice challenging injustice, awakening social consciousness and fostering integral development’  - is in keeping with the overall vision of the Archdiocese. We are committed to work in collaboration/in synergy with others at all levels in our Church and in society to  achieve our mission.

There is an urgency to do this within the context of our re-commitment to a New Evangelization. In Redemptoris Missio 3, Pope John Paul II said: ‘I sense that the moment has come to commit all the Church’s energies to a new evangelization.’

In 1983 he reminded us that this new evangelization must be ‘one that is new in its ardour, new in its methods, and new in its means of expression.’

Implementing the recommendations/resolutions of Synod will require each of us to put our shoulders to the proverbial wheel. It is time to deepen our commitment to labour in God's vineyard. Let us ask God to give us the Grace to walk the path of holiness as we strive to live what we believe and in doing so seek to transform our world to reflect Gospel values.”

CCSJ holds its AGM

The CCSJ held its Annual General Meeting on Saturday March 17, 2007.  The theme of the AGM was “The way forward together”.  The AGM highlighted many of the key successes and challenges of the Commission over the last year. 

The meeting was attended by His Grace, Archbishop Edward Gilbert who thanked the Commission for its tremendous work over the past year, noting how many significant people, not only within the Church but in society in general, have deep respect for the work of CCSJ. 

His Grace noted however that much work still has to be done in broadening the idea of Social Justice in the minds of people.

There needs to be a focus on helping people move from being ready to give money, to reflecting and asking ‘Why are people poor and what systems need to change?”, while being patient with those persons who do not yet understand the need to get personally involved in causes. 

The Commission underwent some key changes in the last year, the main one being the appointment of Father Michael Moses as Episcopal Vicar/Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice,  Father Moses has lead the Commission from March 2006. 

Under his stewardship were some key achievements; these included: 

1. The strong advocacy of the Commission as it urged caution with regard the establishment of Aluminium Smelters in Trinidad and Tobago, in view of the possible social, environmental, and health issues.  The Commission was able to give a balanced view to a highly politicized issue.

2. The Ask Why? Programmes which continue to be an interesting tool for heightening the sensitivity of the public on relevant issues by encouraging discussion on Agriculture, Good Governance, the debate on the Constitution, poverty and the crime situation.

3. The Launch of the Trinidad and Tobago Re-integration Foundation which promotes a restorative justice approach to the Criminal Justice System.   

4. Parish Link Programme for Social Justice – new Parish Link teams were formed in Toco/ Matelot, Cumana, San Juan, Princes Town, Morvant/Laventille, St Finbar’s and four youth programmes developed

5. Workshops held for caregivers of Children and Youth at Risk with a view to effectively promote favourable adult outcomes for at-risk children and youth  

6. Catholic education through workshops and the Weekly Social Justice ‘Quote of the Week’ and articles explaining Catholic Social Teaching from the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church in the Catholic News

7. Family Mentoring and Intervention Programme, in collaboration with Couples for Christ (CFC). Training sessions were held for CFC teams to sensitize participants with reference to models of intervention for working with families who were identifiable as ‘at risk’ in parishes.  

8. Community Intervention Transforming Youths (C.I.T.Y) and Pride in Gonzales –this project offers resources to residents of local communities to enable individuals to take an active role in their communities and contribute to the overall wellbeing of these communities. They also provide the basis and infrastructure for forming social networks that support strong communities and facilitate building relationships among people, adding value to community life

The work of the CCSJ continues to be recognized as evidenced by the fact that the website attracted a total of 8,028 visitors last year, averaging 23 visitors per day.

Of this total, 7,372 visitors were new to the site. Visitors came from around the world, but mainly from the United States (3,582), Trinidad & Tobago (393), Uruguay (292), Germany (192) and Canada (114). 

The CCSJ would like to thank all those persons and organizations that contributed to and were an integral part of the Commission’s achievements.

Crime/violence vs values/virtues - Jan 21, 2007 Catholic News Archbishop Gilbert's column

Church's plan to reduce crime - Jan 21, 2007 Catholic News report

Leela says goodbye

On March 1, 2006 the staff at Archbishop's House bade farewell to Leela Ramdeen whose three-year term as chairperson of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice had come to an end by her own hard taken decision, after forming and structuring the Commission and putting it in motion.

Ms Ramdeen had interacted with many staffers at Archbishop's House, as the secretariat's office for the Social Justice Commission is located there. The Commission said farewell to Ms Ramdeen at its AGM held on Feb 18.

In a letter to the outgoing chairperson of the CCSJ, Archbishop Gilbert thanked Ms Ramdeen for “the energy you have brought to the Commission over the last three years” and expressed his “profound respect for the passion you have for Social Justice”. He admitted his difficulty in accepting her resignation but stated: “However, as I have come to know you over the last three years, I understand your resignation has been submitted for good reasons.”

The Catholic News joins with the archdiocese in thanking Leela Ramdeen for her work in establishing a strong foundation for the Social Justice Commission and for her courage and passion in bringing social justice issues to the consciousness of not only the Catholic community but to the wider society.

We thank her too for her contributions to this newspaper and her cooperation and collaboration in providing timely news releases and articles through which the Catholic community could be kept abreast of the work of the Social Justice Commission.

We wish her well for the future as she goes back to lecturing internationally.

Taken from the Catholic News March 12

Letter of Invitation to “Women, Development and Peace” Conference from Cardinal Martino to CCSJ Episcopal Delegate

Following is a September 23,2005 letter sent by Cardinal Martino to CCSJ chair Leela Ramdeen:

Dear Ms. Ramdeen,

Development and peace are two key topics in our world of today.  Both issues impact the daily life of all human beings in numerous ways ranging from the quantity and quality of food available to the level education received and to the very life expectancy of a person. 

People aspire to conditions of peace which permit a harmonious future, one marked by true development in all aspects of life - material, spiritual, familial, social, political and economic.

On 28 and 29 October 2005 the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace will host an International Conference on the topic of “Women, Development and Peace”. 

It is my pleasure to invite you to attend this important Conference.  Attached you will find a copy of the Draft Programme which gives an overview of the richness of the topics to be addressed and the range of the issues under consideration.

The Conference will take place at the Vatican Offices of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, located at Piazza San Calisto 16, from 9:00 to approximately 18:00 both days.  The working languages of the Conference are Spanish, English, French and Italian. 

It is my hope that you will be able to be with us since your background and experiences will be a significant contribution to the discussion to take place at this International Conference. 

I take this opportunity to extend to you the assurances of my high esteem and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely yours,


Renato Raffaele Card. Martino
President of the Pontifical
Council for Justice and Peace

SOCIAL JUSTICE POSTER COMPETITION
By Mary Lochan, Social Justice Education Committee

What do you get when you blend creative imagination and artistic talent, with concern for the poor and disempowered, and nascent exploration and discussion of social justice issues?

At right, work of Chenelle Crichlow who placed first in the Intermediate Category

What we, the members of the Social Justice Education Committee, got was an interesting and heartening response to the Poster Competition for students of Forms 1 – 4 which was organised for Catholic Secondary Schools.

The Committee’s hope was that original and creative art designs would emerge from a dynamic and enriching process within the classroom whereby together students and teachers would:

• dialogue on issues of injustice around them;

• encounter Jesus in the Scriptures and reflect on both his deep compassion for the poor and marginalised, and his radical call to love;

• become a little more acquainted with some of the core teachings of the Church on justice and peace;

• identify ways we can build ‘a world that is more genuinely humane’.

The 80 plus entries received, offered joyful promise and hope that God’s Spirit at work in creation and in all humanity, is inspiring young hearts and minds towards building God’s reign here in our land.

Archbishop Gilbert with CCSJ poster competition winners at Archbishop’s House

The Committee warmly commends the efforts of all participants, and acknowledges the particularly hearty response from St Benedict’s College, La Romaine, and Holy Name Convent, Point Fortin. Prizes to the proud winners were presented by Archbishop Edward Gilbert at Archbishop’s House.

Winners in the Junior category (Forms 1 & 2) were:
First Place - Giselle Crystal Poorah, Holy Name Convent, Point Fortin
Second Place - Sandy Parawan, Holy Name Convent, Point Fortin
Third Place - Justin Rambaran, St Benedict’s College, La Romaine.

In the Intermediate category (Forms 3 & 4) the winners were:
First Place - Chenelle Crichlow, Providence Girls’ Catholic School, Belmont
Second Place - Students of Form 4 Natural Science, St Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain
Third Place - Rollan Dick, St Benedict’s College, La Romaine.

We thank in a special way the judges, Peter Charles, Peter Soo Ping Chow and Leela Ramdeen. Sincere thanks are also extended to schools and parents for their support and encouragement of this venture.

May we continue ‘to offer to God our own lives, along with the hopes and sufferings of all those with whom we are working to build a society based on justice and love.’

The Commission hosted a Seminar during Restorative Justice Week on the theme: “Developing New Approaches to T&T's Criminal Justice System."The Seminar was held on Friday, November 21, 2003 at Trinidad Hilton.

Although Prime Minister Patrick Manning was unable to attend the Seminar, he held a meeting with Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert and Leela Ramdeen, Chair of CCSJ, prior to the Seminar to discuss the Discussion Paper sent to him by CCSJ on the theme of the Seminar.

Miss Ramdeen reports: “Because of the nature of CCSJ’s work, it is important to develop a positive working relationship with the Government. The meeting with the PM was very cordial. The Hon. Prime Minister told us that we are ‘knocking on an open door’. “

Among those present at the Seminar were: Junior Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Anthony Roberts; Justice Herbert Volney, DPP, Geoffrey Henderson; 8 Magistrates, including 3 Senior Magistrates; Arlene Valere, Asst. Registrar, Ministry of Legal Affairs; Chair of the Government’s Committee Against Crime, Ken Gordon; Chief Probation Officer, Claire Blandin; Chief Welfare Officer, Gordon Husbands; Principal of Hugh Wooding Law School, Justice Annestine Sealey, Keith Scotland of the T&T Law Association; and Mr Burris, a representative from the IRO, Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert, and a number of CCSJ members.

The Seminar began with opening remarks by Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert, following which Leela Ramdeen raised key issues from the discussion paper entitled "Developing New Approaches to T&T's Criminal Justice System", which had been circulated to the invitees prior to the event.

The majority of those present were in support of restorative justice as opposed to retributive justice and some, including Minister Anthony Roberts, offered to work with CCSJ on the action plan which arose out of the Seminar. It was generally agreed that such a plan should be part of a holistic approach by the Government which comprise short term, medium term and long term measures to reduce crime and violence in our society.

The action plan focussed on the following key areas:

1. Legislative reform to provide Judges and Magistrates with a wider range of sentencing options that are legal and binding. This would also require effective mechanisms in place to support the implementation of any such legislation. Example was given of the need for mechanisms to be put in place for T&T’s Community Service Act to be more effective.

2. Addressing the current insufficiency of Probation Officers by allocating funding in the national budget for more Probation Officers, recruiting and training them to develop the ability of the Probation Service to meet the increasing demands on this Service – particularly in light of Government’s proposals to introduce ‘Parole’.

3. Concern was expressed that often policies are developed but that it is sometimes difficult to implement these because of a lack of human resources. Developing and implementing effective strategies at all levels of society to promote and support family life.

4. Educating the public about Restorative Justice and seeking to create a culture in society that will be more receptive towards ex-offenders, which will assist them in turning their lives around and making a contribution to society.

5. Raising the awareness of Police Officers of ways in which their role in the justice system could be more supportive e.g. of youth and first time offenders. For example, they should consider whether there are more opportunities for warning an individual who has committed a minor offence rather than arresting that individual.

6. Motivating members of the Police Service by providing more training programmes, greater financial incentives, and reward systems within the Service.

CCSJ is committed to work with interested parties to bring about changes in the main areas identified at the Seminar, namely issues relating to human resources and legal reform. Miss Ramdeen states:

“The follow-up work to this Seminar will allow persons in T&T to share their knowledge, skills and ability for the benefit of our people in T&T. There is a saying: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ Anyone who wishes to work with us on the above plan is invited to ring CCSJ on 622 6680”.

More on Restorative Justice and seminar documents>>>>

Social Justice workshop

Sharing our best kept secret - July 13, 2003 Catholic News report

Social Justice logo winner

Hayden Strasser has been adjudged the winner of the logo competition organised by the Catholic Commission for Social Justice. His entry was selected from the 25 entries received. Mr Strasser is an accomplished designer and artist with a long and distinguished career in the field of advertising.

The judges of the competition were high in praise for the standard of the entries submitted and arrangements are being made to have the entries on display at the Commission’s office at Archbishop’s House. The judges were Peter Charles, Debbie Tam and Curtis Reefer.

In photo, Episcopal Delegate for Social Justice, Leela Ramdeen with Hayden Strasser and his winning logo.

Following is the description -
The Cross: Justice and mercy linked by Christ's redemptive sacrifice. The Cross exemplifies our responsibilities to one another. The Cross bears the weight, it supports, Social Justice. The Tongues of flame symbolise the Holy Spirit's gifts of zeal, passion and self-sacrifice. The Colours: Red - Sacrifice; Blue - Peace, Balance, Our Lady, 'Mother of Mercy'; Wine Sacrifice, Passion.

Archbishop Edward Gilbert blesses new Catholic Commission for Social Justice

On Saturday 29th March, 2003 Archbishop Edward Gilbert attended the first meeting of the newly formed Catholic Commission for Social Justice to bless members of the Commission as they begin their important work in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

The Commission, Chaired by Leela Ramdeen, Episcopal Delegate for Social Justice, was established to implement some of the Resolutions arising out of the Synod that took place from Jan 31st – Feb 1st 2003.

The Commission which comprises 19 members who have been appointed for 3 years, will undertake the following functions:
To:
a) Analyse the structural causes of injustice and work towards systemic change promoting social justice in Trinidad & Tobago/the world in the light of the Gospel and of the social teaching of the Church;
b) Educate Catholics on the Biblical concept of social justice and Catholic Social Teaching and encourage them to apply these in their lives;
c) Collaborate with other concerned bodies;
d) Support the move by the Spiritan Community to establish a rehabilitation centre for ex-prisoners.

At their first meeting, inter alia, the Commission considered its draft Constitution, and its Programme of Action which outlines 16 key objectives. The Commission intends to establish a number of Standing Committees to achieve its goals, addressing issues such as:
- Poverty and Social Exclusion
- Crime & prison reform
- Health
- Education: The Biblical Concept of Social Justice & Catholic Social Teaching
- Youth
- Family Life and Communities
- The Environment
- Communications

Each Standing Committee will be chaired by a member of the Commission. Chairpersons are in the process of inviting individuals/representatives from, for example, each Vicariate, including the various Church bodies that exist within the Archdiocese; Government Departments; Non-Governmental Organisations; Community-based Organisations, and other concerned bodies across Trinidad and Tobago.

Members of the Commission are:
- Leela Ramdeen, Episcopal Delegate/Chair of the Commission Attorney-at-Law & Education Consultant
- Anthony Hess Alexander, Financial Adviser
- Clive Belgrave, St Vincent de Paul Society
- Taresa Best, A’Level Student – Bishop Anstey School
- Verna Charles, Committee for the Poor
- Dr Richard Clerk, (Medical Doctor) Living Water Community
- Deborah de Rosia, Eternal Light Community
- Andre des Vignes, Attorney-at-Law
- Honourable Anthony DJ Gafoor, Chairman of the Tax Appeal Board
- Her Worship, Joan Gill, Magistrate, Tobago
- Fr Jason Gordon, Living Water Community & Parish Priest
- Timothy Hamel-Smith, Attorney-at-Law
- Indal Harracksingh, Attorney-at-Law
- Adanna James, Trinity Studios/Journalist
- Sr Roberta O’Flaherty, Holy Faith Sisters, Credo Foundation for Justice
- Gary Tagallie, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Social Services Delivery: Project Manager: EU Fund for Poverty Reduction
- Mikkel Trestrail, A’Level Student, Corpus Christi School
- Juliana Valdez, Teacher and Youth Co-ordinator for the Youth Secretariat
- Eldon Warner, Emmanuel Community

Leela Ramdeen said:
“ It is an honour to be able to work with so many talented individuals. There is a lot of work to be done and their expertise, experience and skills will enable this Commission to achieve its objectives. There is much good will and commitment among members of the Commission and in our wider community to support our work.

We will be seeking to tap into the wide range of talents and expertise that exist in T&T so that we can work together to make a difference and work towards the common good, that is, creating conditions that will enable people to achieve their potential and to realise their human dignity.

There is a saying that vision with action can change the world. Our Draft Programme of Action provides us with a noble vision and the team comprise people who are action oriented. Our aim is to strive to do better that we must never cease from doing

We must awaken people’s consciences and ensure that a passion for social justice finds a home in the heart of each person. Only then can we truly build peace in our land and in the world. As Pope Paul V1 stated: ‘If you want peace, work for justice.’ ”

If anyone wishes to become involved in the work of the Commission and its Standing Committees, please ring 622 6680 or 640 6428.