Addressing human trafficking
“The trade in human persons constitutes a shocking offense against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights. Already the Second Vatican Council had pointed to ‘slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children’…as ‘infamies’ which ‘poison human society, debase their perpetrators’ and constitute ‘a supreme dishonour to the Creator’ (Gaudium et Spes, […]
Respecting all women
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “…for the Christian, every man and woman is a true sanctuary of God, and should be treated with the highest respect and affection.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7 Nov 2010) I returned recently from London where I participated in two conferences. Lord Dilgit Rana, President […]
Combating Diabetes
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice Today is World Diabetes Day. The theme selected for World Diabetes Day 2009-2013 is: Diabetes education and prevention. More needs to be done to raise awareness of diabetes; equip those affected by improving their knowledge of the disease and of ways of preventing complications; […]
Major steps to abolish death penalty in Caricom
by Mike James October 10 marked World Day against the Death Penalty. In the same week, on October 14 the Guyana Parliament by a significantly unanimous vote passed legislation to abolish the mandatory death penalty for people convicted of murder unless they have been convicted of murder for a very restricted category of persons including […]
Genuine dialogue the only path to peace
by Mike James The General Assembly of the UN meets from September in New York each year, when world leaders take the opportunity to address key issues for promoting world peace and development. This year in his address to the UN Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican secretary for relations with states reminded the world’s nations that […]
Pray and work for justice
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “A full Christian life includes both prayer and social action. Without prayer, our apostolic work lacks a solid foundation. But without social action, our prayer is sterile and fruitless” – US Bishop Thomas J Tobin In today’s Gospel (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus uses the parable […]
Give thanks for God’s gifts
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Too often we pray to God for all sorts of things and when our prayers are answered, like the nine lepers in today’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), […]
Respect Life – invite Lazarus to the table
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice I believe that it is by divine intervention – as we begin Respect For Life Week, that the Gospel reading today (Luke 16:19-31) focuses on Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that the rich man […]
Ways to observe Respect for Life Week
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice On Friday, September 24, Republic Day, Sir Ellis Clarke TC, GCMG, will share with us from his storehouse of knowledge, the story of our journey to becoming a Republic. Join us on this public holiday at Living Water Community, Frederick St., POS (4.00 p.m. […]
Countdown to Respect for Life Week
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice CCSJ will be sending to parishes copies of the September issue of our Parish Link Newsletter which contains articles to assist you as you prepare to observe Respect for Life Week Sept 26 – Oct 3 The Newsletter is also accessible on CCSJ’s website […]
