Justice, Peace Sunday at Aldona

PANJIM, AUG 21
The Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) will organise a programme on `Village Self Rule; Our Right’ at St Thomas Parish Centre, Aldona on August 22 at 4 pm.
The programme is being organised as part of the Justice and Peace Sunday, which is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of August.
“This year, we are reflecting on how the Church in India/Goa has been striving to meet the demands of the Millennium Development Goals. We hope these celebrations may inspire us to promote peace through justice,” states a press note issued by CSJP Executive Secretary Fr Maverick Fernandes.
“It is the right and duty of each citizen to be responsible for the sustainable development of the Indian Nation and in particular of her/his own State.”
The CSJP has suggested that Goans must contribute to the holistic progress of the State by being aware of all laws and amendments proposed in the Legislative Assembly, their scrutiny and in-depth analysis so that these laws are genuinely for the benefit of citizens.
Other areas recommended by the CSJP include an alertness on violations in any sphere and in any form and by taking remedial steps, an effective participation in all activities of local self-governing bodies and concern for and rendering selfless service to those in need.
The CSJP stated that the Church in Goa has localized the Millennium Developmental Goals Jesus’ Mission to inspire a new way of living – a Society where people liberate themselves by practicing values like justice, equality, freedom and human dignity as a constitutive element of their day to day lives.
“Convinced that holistic health of individuals, families and communities is a basic element for a productive life, the church in Goa has over decades conducted various projects to render active services in different areas of this discipline.”
“As early as the mid-eighties, the Church addressed the issue of adverse effects of tourism on the ethico-socio-cultural life of the people, especially in the coastal belt,” stated the CSJP press note.
“Different initiatives were introduced, culminating in the establishment of Federation of Small & Medium Guest Houses and Hotels in Goa (FOSAM) and Federation of Tourism Taxi Operators and Drivers (FATTOD), assistance to Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), formation of Self Help Groups of Local Beach Vendors and other similar initiatives under the Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT).”
The CSJP has also emphasised that the “fundamental need to education has an essential dimension of the Church’s Mission for decades.”
“The main aim is to impart integral education, based on Gospel values. Today, the primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions strive faithfully to fulfil these aims, irrespective of caste and creed, with special service to the underprivileged,” said the CSJP.
Stressing the importance of protecting and promoting environment, the CSJP stated that land not only being used but also abused, “causing irreparable degradation to the ecology.”
“Our life sustaining environment is threatened. Citizens of this state have awoken to this sad reality and are demanding that their rights for a creatively productive living forcibly denied, be restored.”
“The Church has over the years accompanied the people in these struggles and advocated at all levels to enable citizens to achieve their rightful goals.”
The CSJP also said the church has conducted programmes to uphold the dignity of vulnerable groups like women, children and youth.
“Many of them suffer mental, psychological and emotional torture because they are denied fundamental rights to a fulfilling life. Some are used as objects for the service and even pleasure of those who are in power or can buy whatever they desire,” remarked the CSJP.
Besides establishing a number of institutions to meet the needs of those deprived of family life, the CSJP said the church has also given attention to unemployment, underemployment and unorganized labour.
“Various avenues have been opened for empowerment of women through training and employment and also of those disabled but capable of earning their livelihood in suitable jobs,” the CSJP said.