Equity and equality in Education  

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Pope Francis sees education as “an act of hope” and believes that “faith and the Christian vision of humanity fuel that hope” (Catholic Relief Service). Sadly, structural injustice in T&T may dash this hope for some of our students.  I share with you hereunder a letter that […]

Britain’s Youth 2000 – ‘A gateway back to God’ 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  Participants in this year’s Youth 2000 Walsingham Prayer Festival. Photo Youth 2000 Facebook page  Dioceses around the world are developing strategies to support and encourage the faith journey of young people. I had the opportunity to speak to a group of young people in London who attended the […]

Preparing for Respect for Life Week 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  This year, Respect for Life Week (RFLW) will run from October 4 – 11. This is an Archdiocesan event which was embraced after it was recommended during the 3rd sitting of Synod in 2009. The theme this year is: Transforming society to reflect Gospel values. This is […]

Govt must help ‘correct’ youth 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Clinical therapist/ trauma specialist and CEO of the Centre for Human Development, Hanif E Benjamin, said recently:  “The country has become a very cold and uncaring one… We are not taking charge in protecting our children, the most vulnerable. We are not treating the children like our […]

Govt must help ‘correct’ youth 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Clinical therapist/ trauma specialist and CEO of the Centre for Human Development, Hanif E Benjamin, said recently:  “The country has become a very cold and uncaring one… We are not taking charge in protecting our children, the most vulnerable. We are not treating the children like our […]

Working in the Lord’s vineyard 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  In today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-19), we read about Peter’s profession of faith. By our baptism we accept that Jesus Christ is the “Son of the living God”. Peter was the rock on which Jesus built his Church. Today, Jesus expects us, His followers, to continue Peter’s work.  […]

Fixing broken institutions 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Pope Francis’ 2nd encyclical has been released. It is entitled: Praised be to you: On the care of our common home. If you can’t read the entire encyclical at this stage, please read a summary or guide – online. Tune in to CCSJ’s panel discussion from8 – […]

Re-engineering the Criminal Justice System 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On Saturday, June 14, I was a panellist at a Symposium held at UWI in honour of the late Dana Saroop Seetahal SC. It was organised by The Foundation for Politics and Leadership and the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (UWI) and had […]

A child is not an accessory 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today is both Father’s Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. One of the greatest gifts that God gave to humankind is FATHERS.  I shall miss the Father’s Day party for my father who will be 89 years old in July. He is currently in London with […]

A refreshing break 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  At the time of writing this article, my team and I at the CCSJ are preparing for our annual one-day retreat on the theme: Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied (Mt5:6).   Too often we get caught up with the […]