CATHOLIC NEWS ARTICLES
The Catholic Commission for Social Justice has been around for over 20 years. Take a look through our history and browse our features in the Catholic News – dating back as far as 2009!
2023
An experience of social/social justice ministry in Mexico
By Fr Curtis Gaston Poyer Former Director for Social/Social Justice Ministry in the Diocese of Tampico, Mexico, 2004–2023 PART 1 In the new millennium, the
This Christmas story…
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR Imagine this: it’s 4.30 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023. I’ve just returned to the presbytery
Defending Church teaching on Gender against Relativism’s tide
Leela Ramdeen, Consultant at the Catholic Commission for Social Justice and an Attorney-at-Law, recently delivered a thought-provoking address at a significant conference organised by The
St Martin’s commitment to social justice
By Fr Stephan Alexander, General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR In a practical sense, why we do what we do should always be an important consideration.
2022
Roving CFS: learning spaces for vulnerable children
By Darrion Narine, CCSJ/AMMR Programme Coordinator Life has taken many twists and turns over the last two years and for many it has been difficult.
Catholic Church in T&T remembers 2022…
The year 2022 was momentous for the Catholic Church in Trinidad and Tobago as it joined worldwide Church in the synodal journey. In the last
CCSJ’s Year End Review!
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you
Gender-based violence, long talk and raising consciousness
By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member Governments, institutions, and civil society groups around the world annually mobilise for the Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
2021
Let’s celebrate Laudato Si’ Week
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI This year marks the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical: Laudato Si’, on care for our
Listening and Journeying Together-Laudato Si’ Week 2022Valuing workers who are on a mission
This year, we join the Catholic communities across the globe in celebrating Laudato Si’ Week from May 22– 29, 2022. The theme, Listening and Journeying
Give the gift of Love
By Darrion M Narine, Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR On the darkest day, the star of wonder must continue to burn bright. The world is going through
A Message of Peace
Message of the Holy Father Francis for the 55th World Peace Day: Dialogue between generations, education and work: tools for building lasting peace DOWNLOAD
2020
Christmas joy, sadness and solidarity
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI I pray that your journey through Advent was prayerful. As we waited in joyful expectation of the
Christmas joy, sadness and solidarity
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI I pray that your journey through Advent was prayerful. As we waited in joyful expectation of the
The virtue of Solidarity
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “While modern society places more importance on one’s own interests regardless of or even to the detriment
Promoting the dignity of migrants
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “All migrants are entitled to equal protection of all their human rights. On this International Day, I
2019
Attacking racism at its root
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Racism generates inequality…but inequality also fuels racism” —Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Dean, Faculty of Law, UWI STA. Many
Jesus, our North Star
St John of the Cross By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On Saturday, December 14 Archbishop Jason Gordon was the chief celebrant at
The Holy Family – a model for all families
Family life is important By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is celebrated
Continue support for those on the move
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI This week Archbishop Jason Gordon will be host to Fr Robert Stark SSS, Regional Coordinator, Migrants and
2018
Our hopes for the new year
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI We have come to the end of another year. Tomorrow, December 31, my sister, Kamala Ramdeen, Attorney-at-Law
Moved by the joy of the gift
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI In two days’ time, on December 25, we will welcome the birth of our Lord and Saviour,
Moving away from the death penalty
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI As Chair of the Greater Caribbean for Life, an independent not-for profit organisation devoted to working towards
Let’s help empower persons with disabilities
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more” (Robert
2017
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
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
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
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
2016
A Catholic perspective on Democracy
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI On Friday, September 15, the world will observe the International Day of Democracy. This year’s theme, Democracy
The rights of Indigenous Peoples
An indigenous woman greets Pope Francis during a meeting with participants in the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum of the International Fund for Agricultural Development February 15
The Word has become flesh
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.
A place at the table for migrants, refugees
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today the world observes International Migrants Day, a day when we should commit to stand in solidarity
2015
Show solidarity this season
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world … I would like
The value of a Past-Pupils’ Association
Leela Ramdeen (centre) with some of her classmates from 1961 at the annual dinner. Sitting in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during the December
Human rights from a Catholic standpoint
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “Sadly, even human rights can be used as a justification for an inordinate defence of individual rights
Restoring the horizon of hope
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today is the First Sunday of Advent; the beginning of a new liturgical year. In the Angelus
2014
Looking after God’s gift – our bodies
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminds us to give thanks to the Lord, “for he is good, his love
Are we following the Star?
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today, Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The word “Epiphany” means
Lessons of our ancestors
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “Let us fervently call upon Mary Most Holy, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, and St
Nothing is impossible to God
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today’s Gospel, the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), leads us to reflect on the humility of Mary, the Mother
2013
Sacredness down the slippery slope
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ Have you ever experienced a bad fall? Most of us might say yes to that. I’ve had
Recognise the rights and dignity of all workers
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ My recent focus on human dignity comes from the blessing of experiencing my blindness and how it impacts
Restoring our sight
By Fr Stephan Alexander, General Manager, CCSJ There are times when at the end of the day we are so tired that our tiredness becomes
A reflection on Dignitas Infinita
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ In the ever-evolving tapestry of Catholic social teaching (CST), the principle of human dignity stands as a foundational
2012
Blessed are the peacemakers – Pope’s Peace Message for 2013
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI As we come to the end of another year, let us look back in gratitude for all
Rejoice in God’s gift of Love, Jesus
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI On my return from attending an International Conference in Kingston, Jamaica on the theme: Human Rights, International
Human Rights
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI The theme for Human Rights Day December 10, 2012 is: Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Part 1,
Catholic Education and the 1960 Concordat (Part 2)
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI In my last article I shared the first four clauses of the 1960 Concordat. I now outline
2011
Educating young people in justice and peace
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “The world must be educated to love Peace, to build it up and defend
The true light that enlightens all
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice Rejoice! The Word, “the light that darkness could not overpower…the true light that
The line to see Jesus
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice I returned to T&T last weekend feeling a bit sad that so many of
Eliminating violence against women
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is
2010
Christ and corruption totally incompatible
by Mike James, member of the CCSJ “At this time, there are too many scandals and injustices, too much corruption and greed, too many errors
A season for giving things, and more
by Mike James, member of the CCSJ Catholics as well as other citizens of all different religious persuasions are outstanding for their generosity in giving
Farewell 2010, welcome 2011
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice On this last Sunday of the year, let us reflect on how we have
Dreaming of a just society
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “…a society unable to accept its suffering members and incapable of helping to share
2009
Speak, Lord, I am listening
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ You did not choose me, no, I who chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear
Our Prayers Go with Hanna
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in
Standing in solidarity to promote unity
Today, Sunday 20 December, the world marks International Human Solidarity Day to celebrate unity in diversity; to remind people of the importance of solidarity in
The Challenge of Copenhagen
The UN Climate Change Conference begins in Copenhagen, Denmark, tomorrow, Monday 7 December, and will run until 18 December. Climate change has many dimensions, for
