St. Gabriel Technical School in Tanzania

2013

Skill Makes a Living

Editorial Word

Sustainable development is a wonderful project.

It is a visionary development paradigm; and

over the past 20 years governments, businesses,

civil society and religious congregations have

committed to sustainable development goals.

Maurice Strong, former Secretary-General of the

Rio Summit, remarked in 1998 that sustainable

development “has been embraced by people

throughout the world.” Despite recognition on

commitment to the principles of sustainable

development, action has not moved beyond the

margins and certainly has not led to the core

changes needed to support a transition

to sustainable development.

Despite an ongoing debate on

the actual meaning, a few common

principles tend to be emphasized. The

first is a commitment to equity and

fairness, in that, priority should be

given to improving the conditions of

the world’s poorest and decisions

should account for the rights of future

generations. Sustainable development

exemplifies integration, understanding

and acting on the complex

interconnections that exist between the

environment, economy, and society.

This is not a balancing act or a playing

of one issue against the other, but

recognizing the interdependent nature

of these intertwined pillars.

Notwithstanding a general acceptance

that sustainable development calls for a

convergence between the three pillars of

economic development, social equity

and environmental protection; the concept remains

obscure to many people at the local levels.

Passionists being concrete workers in establishing

the kingdom of justice among all the people while

focusing on the special goal of missionary activity

in implanting the church among the people or

groups in which it has not taken root. They have a

special complementary duty in social cooperation.

In most states we know for sure that local

people do not bother on what is being termed as

sustainable development. What is at their fronts is

poverty which is reflected in hunger, sickness, poor

housing and lack of schools, landless, water

scarcity. In all this the Passionists see the crucified

Sustainable Development: From Talk to Action

Fr. Stanley Baldon, a Passionist priest in the Philippines

ploughs an indigenous corn field.

Jesus. The confront centers on how to relate our charism

to such contextual human challenges. Moreover this is

compounded by another real and growing threat to the

planet’s wellbeing economic growth in developing

countries that follows the resource-intensive model of

developed countries. Without change and real action to

address levels of consumerism and resource use in

developed countries, one can hardly expect a receptive

audience among developing countries when attempts

are made to direct attention to their economic

development practices. Sustainable development need

new models which developed and developing countries

can venture at a level of dialogue, cooperation and,

most importantly, trust that simply is not reflected in

today’s multilateral institutions or regimes.

There is a huge gap between the multilateral

processes, with their broad goals and policies; and

national action, which reflects domestic political and

economic realities. A huge constituency around the

world cares deeply and talks about sustainable

development, but has not taken serious on the ground

action. Deep structural changes are needed in the ways

that societies manage their economic, social and

environmental affairs; and hard choices are needed to

move from talk to action.

Fr. Aloyce Babene, CP

Newsletter Editor

JPIC in the Philippines

Remembering Maguindanao Massacre

On November 23, 2009, 58 people were massacred

in an election-related violence in the town of

Ampatuan, Maguindanao Philippines. After 4 years,

the families of the victims are still fighting for justice.

The Passionist Center for Justice, Peace and Integrity

of Creation (JPIC) joined them in solidarity with their

fight. On November 23, 2013, Fr. Rey Carvyn Ondap,

a Passionist priest in the Philippines celebrated a Holy

Mass for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

They call this day (November 23) as “International

Day to end Impunity.”

Tattoo Removal Program in El Salvador

Goodbye Tattoo (El Salvador) is a specialized

tattoo removal program of the Padre Rafael

Palacio Clinic in Mejicanos, San Salvador project of

the Passionist Social Services directed by Padre

Antonio Rodriguez. Staff are specialized to deal with

issues facing youth seeking any type of tattoo removal.

Psychological counseling is provided as needed. The

clinic receives referrals from organizations which work

directly with gang involved youth.

Installation of Solar Panel took place at Arusha in

Tanzania at the Philosophy formation house. This

house accomodates students from Mozambique,

Kenya, and Tanzania. The project has changed the life

of students, formators and visitors who now enjoy a

warm shower. The project was sponsored by

Passionist Solidarity and Missions Office with an

amount of €3,500 Euros . Collaboration in Formation

strengthens the future of the Congregation in Africa.

Solar Panel Installation in Arusha, Tanzania

Bread-Making

The Passionist Kenyan Vicariate initiated a bread

making project at Kurungu in Kenya, as one of its

investment economic vision. Each community or

parish is encouraged to start and maintain its own

economic projects in support of its religious members.

This is a great idea from which many Passionist

communities in Africa can learn. The bread making

investment was sponsored by Valerio Zansone of

Vertova with an amount of 5000 euros.

Passionist Solidarity and Missions Office

Social Services - El Salvador

Investment Project - Kenya

You CAN sENd A ChECk to FollowiNg AddrEss:

P. Jesús Mª Aristín.Passionist Solidarity and Mission OfficePiazza Santi Giovanni e Paolo, 1300184 Roma. ITALIATeléfono: (39) 06 772711E-mail: cpmissioni@passiochristi.org

BANk trANsFEr to:

Bank: BANCA POPOLARE DI SONDRIOAddress of the Bank: Agenzia 24 di RomaVia San Giovanni Laterano, 51 A00184 Roma (RM)Count Number: 2650 / 35IBAN: IT68U 05696 03224 000002650X35Bank code: (Swift): POSO IT 22All donations are tax deductible.

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Contributions to our Passionist MissionsContributions to our Passionist Missions

Consecrated life and the social teaching of the Church

are knotted bonds that derive their energy from both

human realities at a very moment in history and the

eschatological goal. Vatican II signifies that earthly life

has a limit, and we know that God prepares a new life and

a new earth, in which justice dwells, and whose happiness

will satisfy abundantly the desires of justice which springs

from human heart. On the other hand Passionist Rule and

Constitutions are profoundly aware that the expectation

of the new earth should be viewed in line with the

incarnation and crucifixion of the love of God in human

history. Therefore, Passionists are in solidarity with

human sufferings through passion, death and resurrection

in the crucified people, nature and human rights.

“Guided with the teaching of the Church and our own

consecration to Passion of Christ, we strive to make our

lives and apostolate an authentic and credible witness on

behalf of justice and human dignity, accordingly, our life-

style must stand out as a prophetic condemnation of the

injustices among which we live; it should be a continual

witness against the abuses of a consumer society“(Areas

of our Apostolic Activity, Const. nº 72) Fr. Aloyce Babene, CP

Newsletter Editor