Is our church prepared to be bruised, hurting and dirty? 

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman as he meets with people in a poor neighborhood in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this July 12, 2015, file photo. Pastoral care of the poor and those in need has been emphasis of the pontificate of Pope Francis. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See VATICAN-LETTER-LATIN-AMERICA July 14, 2016.  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, […]

Stretching forth our hand to the poor 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   “Lazarus is a good example of the silent cry of the poor throughout the ages and the contradictions of a world in which immense wealth and resources are in the hands of the few” – Pope Francis.  The Archdiocesan observance of Justice, Peace and Community Week (JPCW) […]

Praying for the dead and the bereaved 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “Remembering the dead, caring for their graves and prayers of suffrage, are the testimony of confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death does not have the last word on human existence, for man is destined to a life without limits, which has its roots and its […]

On our journey to sainthood 

St John Henry Newman  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.” -St Augustine of Hippo  Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints; the day when we commemorate all the saints of the Church. We live in a […]

Created out of love, to love 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  Today’s gospel, Matthew 22:34–40, is at the heart of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship. The Sadducees had already failed to trap Jesus. Now the Pharisees put Him to a test, asking Him which is the greatest commandment of the Law. There were 613 […]

Poverty and the dignity of the person 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   “Without a solution to the problems of the poor, we will not solve the problems of the world. We need projects, mechanisms and processes to implement better distribution of resources, from the creation of new jobs to the integral promotion of those who are excluded.” (Pope Francis)  […]

Recognising the rights of the girl child 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   “In order to stop violence against girls and women and instill the values of respect, dignity, honesty and morality towards all human beings, we must start from the family, which is the fundamental basis of society…What happens behind the walls of the home is reflected on a […]

The right to adequate shelter 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “Lack of housing is a grave problem in many parts of the world, both in rural areas and in large cities, since state budgets usually cover only a small portion of the demand. Not only the poor, but many other members of society as well, find it […]

Promoting integral ecology 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  CCSJ urges everyone to continue to pray and act during this final week of the Season of Creation, which runs until October 4, the Feast day of St Francis of Assisi. As you know, the theme this year is: Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope.  […]

Migrants and refugees, like Jesus, forced to flee 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020 (WDMR) will be observed next Sunday, September 27. The theme of Pope Francis’ message this year is: Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee reminding us that the young Jesus and His family were displaced persons and refugees, forced to flee […]