Addressing the plague of human trafficking
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?”, cried my friend in frustration after reading about the 19 young Venezuelan women, between 15 and 19 years old, who were rescued following police operations in West Trinidad. The media reported that police have cracked a major drug and prostitution ring. […]
Let’s celebrate World Day of Social Justice
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “None of us can think we are exempt from concerns for the poor and for social justice…Jesus tells us what the ‘protocol’ is, on which we will be judged. It is the one we read in chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel” (Pope Francis). On Tuesday, February 20, […]
No to privatising prisons
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI It is with great sadness that CCSJ noted the suggestion made by former National Security Minister, Gary Griffith, in Newsday on Friday, January 26. As reported, during a discussion on ISAAC 98.1 FM, entitled: Looking for Solutions, on January 24, and in light of the video on […]
Celebrating the life of a statesman
Professor George Maxwell Richards – served T&T with dignity, compassion, and dedication. By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI On Wednesday, January 17, T&T said farewell to one of our country’s great statesmen, our fourth president, Professor George Maxwell Richards who passed away on January 8, at the age of 86 years. He served […]
Bullying must never become the new normal
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI In March 2017, Diane Montagna reported on Pope Francis’ plea to about 80,000 young people, parents, and educators in Milan, Italy. He expressed “his concern about bullying, which he called ‘an ugly phenomenon in education these days.’ “He warned parents and teachers to be on guard against […]
Come and see
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI There are many nuggets of wisdom in today’s readings. Reflect on them. I wish to focus on Jesus’ response to the two disciples who asked Him where He lived. John the Baptist told them: “Look, there is the lamb of God.” On hearing this, they immediately followed […]
Remain in Christ, turn tests into testimonies
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today, the last day of 2017, we have an opportunity to review the past year and to plan for 2018. It was on December 28, 2016 that my father, Balgobin Ramdeen, passed away in hospital in London. My siblings and I were angry as we felt that […]
Saying ‘Yes’ to the Lord’s call
The Christmas tree is seen as Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26–38). Tomorrow we […]
Giving thanks for Archbishop Joseph Harris
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today we gather at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to give thanks to God for the vocation/fidelity to ministry of Archbishop Joseph Harris, the 10th Archbishop of our Archdiocese. In compliance with Canon 401(1) of the Code of Canon Law, His Grace submitted his resignation to […]
Promoting human rights
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Saturday, December 9 is International Anti-Corruption Day, and on Sunday, December 10, the world will observe Human Rights Day. This year marks the 69th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The foundation of all Catholic social justice principles is the inherent dignity of the […]
