Justice and Peace – Page 4 – Missionaries of Africa

Builder of Bridges between People – Passion for dialogue

Our confrere Etienne Renaud passed away in June this year. From the many testimonies offered at his funeral, two phrases seem to summarize his missionary vision and life: Builder of bridges between people – Passion for dialogue. This is the legacy that Etienne passes on to us as we continue on our missionary journey in our stormy world.

I invite you to meditate on Etienne’s words which he pronounced in his homily, 25 years ago, when for the first time as Superior General, he received five young men – from different races and nationalities – into the Society on the day they made their Oath (Toulouse, 2^ndJanuary 1988):

“You are going to find a continent in search for unity, countries confronted with racial and tribal conflicts. The communities of the Missionaries of Africa, not only international but also inter-racial will be a sign and a call. The group you form today is a symbol of what will be our communities of tomorrow.

You are going to find a continent in search of justice, countries confronting the problems of corruption, violation of human rights, inequalities in the sharing of meagre resources. You will have to open your hearts to be in solidarity with the poor and the oppressed. The struggle for justice is not optional. The Church everywhere must be a sign of hope.

In the countries where you will be sent, you will find people marching on the way to God, using other paths different from the one that Jesus opened for us. I think, in a special way, of Islam and all types of religious movements springing up in Africa. Remember that the unique solution for a Christian is to go up to the end of the Gospel demands, to be contagious of Jesus Christ, in the respect of other religious paths.”

May his soul rest in peace.

Nnyombi Richard, M Afr.

See Video funerals of Etienne Renaud

And an article written by Fr. André Ferré

CJTR Lusaka Press Release September 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 16, 2013

In Uncategorized

Recent government’s position on the ATI bill: what‘s the real issue?

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) welcomes Government’s recent announcement from the Ministry of Information that a consultant has been engaged to harmonise the Draft ATI Bill with “13 other existing pieces of legislation. This is, indeed a very necessary exercise if this important piece of legislation is to realise its intended purpose. As JCTR, we remain committed to championing the enactment of the law and to work collaboratively with the government to ensure that the law is passed without any further delays. We appreciate the government’s effort in updating the public on the status of the bill this far and we want to believe that every explanation we have received so far is valid. “The only challenge we have is that these explanations seem to be isolated and somehow not foreseen”, says Sr. Kayula Lesa. FULL TEXT

JCTR urges caution on 2013 budget management

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On August 16, 2013

In News, Publications

Press Release 15^thAugust 2013

On Sunday 11 August, 2013, the Minister of Finance Honourable Alexander Chikwanda, held a briefing on fiscal and other treasury matters. The briefing was partly in response to various concerns bordering on the performance of the 2013 budget thus far.

Different sections of society have expressed fears suggesting a looming or actual budget deficit beyond the 2013 budget provision of 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “While the government made assurances that the perceived budget deficit is within manageable limits, it is important that the government is seen to manage the deficit in ways that do not worsen the livelihoods of the majority poor’’, notes Daniel Mutale, Social Conditions programme manager. READ MORE

JCTR BASIC NEEDS BASKET Lusaka July 2013

JCTR urges government to tackle escalating cost of food

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On July 18, 2013

In News, Publications

Press Release, 9^th July 2013

JCTR urges government to tackle escalating cost of food

In May 2013, government sequentially scrapped off fuel and maize subsidies contending that the measure would free resources for infrastructure development and poverty reduction among others. This change in subsidies has generated a debate with various actors voicing varying views.

At household level, the effects of the subsidies removal on prices of basic commodities are still being felt two months afterwards. According to Daniel Mutale, Social conditions programme manager, ‘‘the effects of removal of subsidies on basic food items are deepening.’’ This calls for an urgent response to address the rising food costs. READ MORE

COST OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE IN LUSAKA

Be aware of human trafficking during UNWTO – UNICEF Expert

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On July 15, 2013

In News, Publications

Livingstone, July 14 2013

UNICEF Child Protection Officer Edwin Mumba says it is disappointing that most Zambians remain ignorant on the dangers and gravity Human Trafficking posses on society. And a representative from Justice and Peace, Sister Lynette Rodrigues, says there was great demand for commercial sex nowadays which many vulnerable women were ready to engage in regardless of the consequences. Mr. Mumba has noted with concern that due to poverty and vulnerability of various groups, it was easy for unscrupulous individuals to traffic unsuspecting citizens within and outside Zambia.

He for this reason cautioned Livingstone residents to be wary of such individuals ahead of the The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly to be co-hosted between Zambia and Zimbabwe. “These unscrupulous people would use the UNWTO summit it as an opportunity to traffic unsuspecting Zambians,” he said.

Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) reports that UNICEF Child Protection Officer said this today during a stakeholder’s workshop on Human Trafficking ahead of the UNWTO General Assembly, organized by the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone. He said the tourist capital would have an influx of people from different parts of the world during UNWTO General Assembly and as such, precautions had to be taken to protect Zambians, especially children and the youths, from being trafficked.

Mr. Mumba stated that human trafficking was a major challenge for the country as Zambia was a source, transit and destination for human trafficking victims. “Many of you may not be aware but men, women and children are trafficked to, through and within Zambia,” he said.

He however, commended government for its response to the vice such as formulation of the Anti-Trafficking Act Number 11 of 2008 and the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Trafficking. Mr. Mumba emphasized the need to prevent human trafficking as it was almost impossible to retrieve people once they were trafficked due to weaknesses in the country’s legal system.

Meanwhile, a representative from Justice and Peace, Sister Lynette Rodrigues, says there was great demand for commercial sex nowadays which many vulnerable women were ready to engage in regardless of the consequences. “There is great demand for commercial sex and people are ready to supply regardless of the consequences…that is the reality of our world,” she said.

Sister Lynette lack of statistics underplayed the extent of human trafficking in Zambia. Sr. Rodrigues cited porous borders, poor implementation of laws and the country’s economic status as factors that hindered the fight against human trafficking.

Breathing Forgiveness on Facebook

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On July 5, 2013

In Publications

In this page we are invited to explore and expand our Consciousness of the reality of Slavery through Awareness, Compassion and Forgiveness.

Timber rackets, gas booms in Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On July 5, 2013

In News, Publications

As the gas industry opens up the north, generals and politicians are smuggling hundreds of tonnes of timber and ivory to China

As the booming trade in smuggled ivory and timber devastates northern Mozambique’s environment, Attorney General Augusto Paulino has launched an investigation into the claimed involvement of Agriculture Minister José Pacheco and his predecessor Tomás Mandlate. Both face accusations of involvement in timber smuggling in cahoots with Chinese companies. Both Pacheco and Mandlate deny all wrong doing. READ MORE

7 June 2013 • Vol 54 – N° 12 • Africa Confidential

Missionaries of Africa Ghana-Nigeria JPIC-ED Newsletter – June 2013 Volume 1

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On June 27, 2013

In News

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. This is to say Ghana-Nigeria JPIC-ED continues to seek the best ways to contribute towards a peaceful and just society living in a clean and suitable environment and evaluating our peaceful coexistence among regions, tribes and nations. With this in mind, we present today our Newsletter focussing on the 125^th anniversary of Lavigeries’ involvement in his antislavery campaign. BULLETIN

Clenerius Mutale Chimpali, M.Afr

CfSC May 2013 Basic Needs Basket and Press Statement

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On June 12, 2013

In Malawi Sector, Publications

The Centre for Social Concern (CfSC), has worryingly observed that the 2013/14 national budget, just like the preceding 2012/13 national budget, is not people centred. While acknowledging the fact that the current budget has been framed in the context of a stagnating economy that is struggling to emerge from a downturn, CfSC believes that government should have balanced the twofold equally important tasks of stabilising the country’s economy by giving incentives to the private sector (as the engine of growth) and also protecting the vulnerable through adequate social spending to reduce poverty.

While acknowledging the troubling reality that Malawi is now back under the wings of the Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF and World Bank) CfSC believes that in engaging these institutions Malawi government should do so in cognisance of the lessons learnt from the recent past. READ MORE

Zambia: Bring Black Friday Attackers to Justice – Catholics

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On June 10, 2013

In Zambia Sector

Zambia: Bring Black Friday Attackers to Justice – Catholics

By Peter Adamu, 5 June 2013

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has condemned last Friday’s attack on the church during a Black Friday procession to protest the Patriotic Front’s poor governance record and removal of subsidies on maize and fuel calling on government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement by JCTR’s Faith and Justice programme manager Brian Banda, the Catholics are demanding assurance on the promotion of a society where human dignity, which is the bedrock of human rights and democracy, is respected, promoted and protected in Zambia.