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. – 6.00 p.m.). It is fitting to ask one of our icons to focus on our people and our land at the start of Respect For Life Week (RFLW).
When it was discovered that our planned Interfaith Service fell on the same day as the Inter Religious Organisation’s (IRO) National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, the Chairman of the IRO immediately agreed to merge the two events on Sunday, September 26. At a time when our world is plagued by religious intolerance, we must grasp opportunities to demonstrate that we can live in peace with each other. Interestingly, Pope Benedict XVI’s World Day of Peace message for 2011 is entitled: “Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace.”
He has said: “It is inconceivable that believers should have to suppress a part of themselves — their faith — in order to be active citizens. It should never be necessary to deny God in order to enjoy one’s rights.”
During RFLW, we should reach out to our brothers and sisters from various faith communities to identify areas of common concern and join forces to address these. Synod Resolution 3a:3 states: “Each parish to conscientiously, honestly assess how it respects life, in terms of facilities for and services to persons from all walks of life and implement systems accordingly.”
There is much that we can do. Parishes should identify those in our communities who are in need e.g. the elderly, shut-ins, the lonely, those who are sick, and children at risk. Draw up a Good Samaritan Action Plan to demonstrate your love for neighbour. Part of this plan should include advocacy and empowerment elements.
Schools have reopened and some families are truly in need of our help so that their young ones can attend school. Sometimes it takes a while for even emergency grants from the relevant Government ministries to be secured. In the meantime, some of our children remain on the margins, without a place at the table. Ring Sr Paul Clarke – 746-4535/648-7571 to assist in La Brea.
We can also honour those in our communities who are unsung heroes/heroines. I note with pride that on Tuesday, Sept ember 21, our High Commissioner in London, the Mayor of Camden, and the Chair of Nubian Jak Community Trust, will unveil a commemorative plaque to the late Trinidad-born Lord Learie Constantine (1901 – 1971) – “cricketer, author, broadcaster, barrister, diplomat, politician, and international statesman.”
Aurea Honore, CEBM, is a member of the Planning Committee for RFLW. She has discussed with principals of RC primary schools ways in which they can observe the week e.g. essays, drama, art competitions, rosary pledges – for forgiveness of sins that disrespect life, PTA seminars on the theme, Walk for Life/Walkathon, inviting resource persons to address students on the theme. I have written to the President of the RC Principals’ Association and hope that secondary schools will also find ways of observing RFLW.
Fr John Flynn reported on September 5 (Zenit) that a British professor proposes that “unfit” people should be sterilised as they are not capable of bringing up children in a responsible way. According to him the unfit include drug addicts, alcoholics and people with psychological problems. He said on a BBC radio programme: “…we’re not short of people, so we don’t need to use this right (the right to have children), even if it is a right, we’ve got rather too many people.”
We Catholics must swim against this culture of death. RFLW gives us an opportunity to stand up for what we believe. I call on all Catholics – including students at CREDI, members of all Catholic organisations and Archdiocesan Departments, to stand in solidarity for the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person – from conception to natural death. There can be no neutrality in the face of injustice. Are you a witness to the Gospel of Life?
Join us as we build a culture of life and a civilisation of love.
