What is JPIC?

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation

JPIC Promoters’ Training Workshop 24 November 2010

JPIC is …

• JPIC is the conscious prayer and action to transform the world in the spirit of the Gospel through lives of justice, peace and care for the integrity of creation.

JPIC—Promote and Nurture the Reign of God

Prayer/Contemplation

• Being the Presence of God• Transformation through our

prayers • Seeing the love of God in all

creation

Mysticism

Action

• Creating a more just and peaceful world for all of creation

• Attending consciously to the Presence of Christ in others

• Honoring God in all creation

Prophecy

How JPIC arose in Church

• Scripture Values• Vatican Council II

– Pontifical Commission on Justice and Peace• Catholic Social Teaching

Scripture Values

• Mission of Jesus (Lk 4)– Preach good news poor,

set captives free, sight to blind,…

• Judgment Scene (Mt 25)– Give drink to the thirsty,

feed hungry, clothe naked, visit sick in those in prison

• Jesus Washes Disciples Feet (Jn 13)

Vatican II: Church in the Modern World

• Solidarity of the Church with the whole human family

1. The joy and hope, the grief and anguish of all in our time, especially the poor or afflicted in any way,

Paul VI—Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace

• “You represent for us the realization of the last vote of the Council (GS 90). Today, as in the past, once the construction of a Church or bell tower is finished, a rooster is placed on the top as a symbol of vigilance, for the faith and for the entire program of Christian life.

Paul VI—Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace

• “In similar fashion the Committee has been placed on top of the spiritual building of the Council, and its mission is none other than that of keeping the eyes of the Church open, its heart sensitive and its hand prepared for the work of charity which it is called upon to realize in the world…”

• “The Council will promote justice and peace in the world, in the light of the Gospel and of the social teaching of the Church (Constitution art. 142).

• Later addition of ecology by Pope John Paul II

Mission to the Church

Church

Sensitive Heart

Hands for

Charity

Eyes Open

Eyes Open

• We are called to be attentive to what is happening around us, to hear the cries of the world in which we live and to see life with the eyes of God.

A Sensitive Heart

• The work of seeing, becoming acquainted with and getting to know the reality of the poor, it must have an effect on us, it must reach down to the depths of our being, to the heart, and move us to compassion.

Hand ready for work of charity

• Charity is the love of God which we are called to make present in the world. Charity has different dimensions depending on the relationships:

• Interpersonal• “political charity” expresses itself in social,

structural or political relationships

Political Charity

• JPIC has a special calling to promote political charity, which seeks to eliminate the causes of poverty and violence. Its ready hand should foster the integral development of those sectors of society that are weakest and most marginalized, and work to transform the existing “structures of sin” which impoverish the lives of so many people.

Catholic Social Teaching

• Catholic Social Teaching has highlighted the dignity of people as the basis for promotion and defense of their human rights, solidarity and care for creation.

Franciscans

• Mission• Through living the gospel as it is discovered in prayer and in community,

we Franciscans witness God's love for all people and for the whole of creation, promoting peace, standing in solidarity with the poor, effecting reconciliation and bringing hope to all.

• Vision• Through our loving presence and service, we foster personal and

community growth as we respond to the needs of the Church and of our contemporary time.

• Franciscan Values• Four Franciscan values permeate all that we do in Justice, Peace and

Integrity of Creation: conversion, contemplation, poverty and minority.

Franciscan Third Order Regular Rule Chapter IX: Apostolic Life

• 29. The brothers and sisters are to love the Lord with their whole heart, their whole soul and mind and with all their strength, and to love their neighbor as themselves. Let them glorify the Lord in all they do. For He has sent them into the world so that they might give witness by word and work to His voice and to make known to all that the Lord alone is God. (cf. Mk 12:30, Mt.22: 30)

• 30. As they announce peace with their lips, let them be careful to have it even more within their own hearts. No one should be roused to wrath or insult on their account, rather all should be moved to peace, goodwill and mercy because of their gentleness. The sisters and brothers are called to heal the wounded, to bind up those who are bruised, and to reclaim the erring.

• However, by the way, no kind of loving works should be excluded from their love, which God gives occasion. FC 1 M. Clara Pfänder

Constitutions of Franciscan Sisters Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

• 8. According to the words of our foundress, love is the bond within community which reveals itself in mutual support, in apostolic activity and in openness toward all people. It will make us instruments of peace in the spirit of St. Francis; thus we can become a sign of hope in the world.

• 10. Through our Gospel way of life, which we live in contemporary manner, we become pilgrims and strangers, witnesses to the kingdom of God, free for service in the Church and contributors to the realization of peace, justice and unity. This demands a continual conversion of heart through which we collaborate in the renewal of the Church and of society.

• 22. We treat with reverence all things created by God; they urge us, as they did Francis, to praise of the Creator. We value all things created by humans for thee development and welfare of persons,

Actions

See (Eyes), Judge (Heart) and Act (Work)

Justice, Peace and Care of Creation

Social Justice

Local/Global

Development

Economy

Work

Poverty and the Distribution of Resources

• We are challenged to consider specific changes in the way we use resources.

• We look at the root causes of poverty, and work with other organizations which promote basic human rights -- the need for food, clothing, housing, education and employment.

• We support those corporations which promote progress, and consider social issues in addition to profit.

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation

Personal Peace

Weapons

Global Security

Terrorism

War

Peace

• Personal Peace• Questions related to war• Disarmament and the arms trade• International security• Violence in its various and ever-changing

forms

Peace Building

• As followers of St. Francis, promoting peace is at the center of all that we do.

• Globally, we protest military conflicts and the development and use of nuclear weapons.

• We have worked in conflict situations. • Locally, we know the value of witness as peaceful

people. Simply by our presence, we bring peace and compassion to all we meet.

• We have developed a nonviolence educational program used for personal growth and shared in our ministries and sponsored services.

Suffering and violence degrade human lives

OLA Nonviolent Zone Membership Card

Sign after commitment to Peace

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation

Impact on Environment

Responsible Use of

Resources

Ecology

Ecology

• Impact on the environment• Responsible use of Earth’s resources

Care of Creation• Integrity for Creation requires a commitment to an equal

share in the use of natural resources, the promotion of sustainable practices, and the development of renewable energy.

• Our Sisters and Associates have been involved in a number of educational opportunities on climate change, bio-diversity and Franciscan thinking as eco-citizens.

• We recycle and encourage the care of national parks and other places of natural beauty. We provided educational opportunities to learn about agriculture, keeping the environment clean and planting trees.

Advocacy Care for Creation

• Our advocacy includes the care of all creation and considers both the common good and the careful use of resources.

• We draw attention to destruction in our land

and water sources and propose a more sustainable and respectful use of resources now and in the future.

Care for Creation

JPIC Permeates

Religious Congregations

Global Awareness

How does our family upbringing affect how we view JPIC in our

congregations?

Mission patterned on the Pontifical Council which seeks:

• To enlighten the People of God, as well as the members of the Congregation, about issues

• To raise awareness among members of the Congregation of the need to rethink their style of life and mission in a world characterized by great injustice, violence and poverty, in order to make their actions consistent with their beliefs.

Congregations seek:

• To foster commitment on the part of religious, Christians, and all citizens in the area of socio-political and civic activities

• To promote actions in favor of justice, peace and human rights, that would concretize the contribution of the Congregation in these areas.

How are you inserted in the

situation?

The analysis that you have done and

continue to do

Concrete Plans Your vision/spirituality

Pastoral Cycle

Building the Reign of God

• Task demands evangelical discernment of the social reality

• Identification of systems and structures of injustices

• Determination of the root causes of the problems affecting the world

• Assimilation of teachings of scriptures and social teachings of the church

JPIC Integration

Process of Integration

Identity

Other Ministries

Structures

JPIC Identity

• Dimension of a congregation’s charism, a way of life and mission

• History of the congregation• General constitutions• Other congregational statements

JPIC Coordinators give life.

Animate

Coordinate

Communicate

Collaborate

Form

Coordinators Animate life:

• Coordination• Communication• Collaboration• Formation

Suggest: reflection and integration• JPIC is an attempt to live out the charism and

identity of the congregation– Reflection life of founder/spirituality of order

• Needs to be integrated into the life of the congregation– Highlight ways already involved in ministry

Suggest: Analysis and common areas

• Do social analysis both within and outside the congregation– How living, practicing within community, ministries,

advocacy

• Consider characteristics common to all the areas of the congregation– Find ways to ask questions for information looking to

find—similarities and ways to develop and build upon what is already happening

Congregational JPIC Team Assessment

Member Country Wksp Involvement

Hopes for the Team

Expecta-tions for Rome wksp

Areas of Interest

Contri-bution

Bulletin• Introduction•  • JPIC Team members. We are very grateful to these Sisters and Associate for their

willingness to serve the congregation in this way.• • Sr. Stefanie Müllenborn has worked with Caritas for 22 years in Germany focusing on the

concerns of immigrants and refugees.

• She counsels families and networks for their needs of education, food, and housing.

• Sr. Stefanie constantly advocates with government officials for a better quality of life for the immigrants and the victims of trafficking.

• Her work is well publicized and she has received awards for her efforts. •

Bulletin summarizes JPIC Focus• Experience and Advocacy Efforts•  • With our lives centered in prayer, we seek to bring the presence of 

Christ into our world.

• Throughout our Franciscan history, the members of our congregation have addressed very difficult situations and serious injustices. 

•  • The Congregational JPIC Team described seven areas where the 

Congregation is involved in social concerns. Our experience and advocacy efforts promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

•  

Migration: Immigration, Refugees and Trafficking

• Advocacy: We recognize an international effort is necessary to address the dire consequences.

• We promote legislation that is comprehensive and addresses the numerous interrelated services needed by immigrant peoples

Suggest: strategies and collaborate• Important to make sure strategies move with the

grassroots and have the support of authority– Work of the chapter—proposal Team– Finance Commission—recommendation finance

workshop

• Collaborate with other ministries– How works with housing, healthcare, education

Communicate and be Selective

• Communicate clearly and frequently– Share practices: Form questions to gain needed

information• Choose a small number of areas in which you

will work– Areas small, inclusive and integrative

Healthcare and HIV/AIDS• Through our sponsored healthcare systems, hospitals and clinics, we

are providing quality medical services around the world. We emphasis respect for all the stages of life from “womb to tomb.” We share our hospital supplies and equipment with developing countries.

• A common focus for our Congregation is the HIV/AIDS crisis which affects the quality of life of many countries. Access to HIV/AIDS medication and services are essential for the well being of persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.

• Advocacy: We advocate for essential healthcare treatment for all persons. This includes encouraging pharmaceutical companies to share medicines with developing countries.

Healthcare

Suggest: education and resources

• Consider both theoretical and practical education in effort to appeal to everyone at all levels– Principles to practice, spiritual values, prayer

• Become aware of human and material resources already available– Ask what sources are available

Suggest: what is common, achievable and concrete

• Use language and practices common to the majority– Find this out, support and move forward

• Begin with achievable expectations– Something you can do

• Promote proposals with small concrete steps– This what we can do: affirm, challenge, provide

resources and then follow-up

Care of Creation

JPIC is …

• JPIC is the conscious prayer and action to transform the world in the spirit of the Gospel through lives of justice, peace and care for the integrity of creation.

Resources

• Manual for Promoters of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation , JPIC Promoters Rome 1997

• Guide Us in Your Justice: A Formation Itinerary for a Prophetic Religious Life, JPIC Commission USG, UISG, Rome 2010

• Guidelines for the Animation of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), OFM Roma 2008

• Reflection Sr. Sheila Kinsey, FCJM, 2010