Defending the right to life
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “It is necessary that the whole of society defend the right to life.” Pope Benedict XVI (2011). Tuesday, January 22, marked the 40th anniversary of Roe vs Wade, the US Supreme Court’s decision which legalised abortion throughout pregnancy in the USA. Priests for Life estimate that in […]
Fr Henry Charles, a faithful priest
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “A good pastor, a pastor after the heart of God, is the greatest treasure that the good God can give to a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy…Oh how great is the priesthood!” (St John Vianney, the holy Curé d’Ars). As I […]
Strengthening marriage and family life
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “On the threshold of his public life Jesus performs his first sign – at his mother’s request – during a wedding feast. The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and […]
Reflection on Jesus’ Baptism and ours
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI As we read about Jesus’ baptism in today’s Gospel (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22), let us reflect on our own baptism and on what it means to be baptised into the Catholic Church. Our Catechism (1213) tells us that “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, […]
Let us follow the Light
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today we observe the feast of the Epiphany. The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “revelation.” At the heart of the story of the visit of the Magi is the manifestation of the incarnation to all of humanity. God so love the world that He sent His only […]
Blessed are the peacemakers – Pope’s Peace Message for 2013
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI As we come to the end of another year, let us look back in gratitude for all the wonders that God has wrought in our lives. Although our country and our world are in a sorry state, let’s not be despondent. Instead, let us thank God for […]
Rejoice in God’s gift of Love, Jesus
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI On my return from attending an International Conference in Kingston, Jamaica on the theme: Human Rights, International Law and The Family (see REPORTS), my eyes were drawn upwards as I waited for the gate at Archbishop’s House to open. The brilliant sunshine shone on the beautiful crèche […]
Addressing social isolation and ageing
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Social isolation among over 50s in England is on the increase. In October a Project entitled The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), published a report stating that “One in six over-50s in England are ‘socially isolated’ with few hobbies or engagement with society…They have few socially […]
Human Rights
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI The theme for Human Rights Day December 10, 2012 is: Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Part 1, Chapter 3, IV of the Compendium on the Social Doctrine of the Church focuses on Human Rights. “The Church’s Magisterium”, states the Compendium, “has not failed to note the positive […]
Catholic Education and the 1960 Concordat (Part 2)
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI In my last article I shared the first four clauses of the 1960 Concordat. I now outline the last five clauses. Over the years a number of individuals have written about the Concordat, including Marion O’Callaghan and Prof John Spence whose excellent series (four in 2006 and […]