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CHURCH TEACHING:
Since the post-Vatican II years, the acronym JPIC has gained an added meaning.
It highlights the need for action towards structural changes that affirm human dignity,
personal responsibility and universal solidarity. To animate our group in the direction of
such action - at the personal level as well as a community - is a key challenge.
It is very true that the early CICM missionaries had not received any formation
specifically on JPIC, but their actions and active responses to the needs of the community
were already visible in their ministry. In this module, the interlink of justice and peace shall
be attended to. Integrity of Creation will be discussed in the next module.
THE CHURCH ON JUSTICE AND PEACE
1. JUSTICE
As discussed in CFE 102, justice is giving people what is due. Additionally, for us
Christians, we believe that the ultimate Judge of us all is no other else than God alone.
However, some judgments have to be passed on earth for some actions and these are
the duties of our judiciary. But how is justice going on in the world? Do we still have a just
world in terms of our relationship with one another and in terms of our relationship with
the society? Do we receive just wages in our profession? Are the prisoners treated
humanely and kept in good conditions? Or do we receive just and fair judgment in terms
of trial? These are some questions we can possibly raise to measure the condition of
justice in our present moment.
The ministry of Christ is a just mission. He never excluded anyone in his ministry of
healing the sick. He treated the ill with compassion and love. He hated inequality and
that made him attack those people who insisted on exclusivity (SDG 16). He insisted on
forgiveness rather than persecution. Humans created the most distractive punishment in
the history of the world, which is contrary to the will of God. So, when Christ came, he
never allowed people to be persecuted, rather he emphasized repentance. Christ’s
vision of justice is a harmony of the human heart and social order that gives respect to
human dignity, practice of the common good and constant practice of solidarity.
Justice for Christ is giving what is due to the people and to the society. In the words of
Pope John Paul II, “...all are called to live in Justice and to work for peace. No one can
claim exemption from this responsibility.” (Pope John Paul II, 1998)
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So, our response to Jesus’ Call for Justice is to be a responsible agent in doing a
just act, taking a just decision and leading a just life, to pay respect to the law of God
and society, and to participate in maintaining peace and order in the society.
2. PEACE
Peace is the harmonious environment achieved through the promotion of justice.
With everyone acquiring what is due to them, conflict and outcries would be minimized.
According to Pope Francis, “peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and
protected. Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war,
violence begets violence.” (Pope Francis, 2013) Justice does not support the “principle
of retaliation”. Christ wants us to promote love instead of hatred. - that is the true essence
of a peaceful relationship.
Peace is a gift and is not imposed by the way of force or any form of threat. Peace
must never be pursued though violence, class struggle or hatred. Peace must be sought
after as the fruit of shared responsibility in building the kingdom of God in our midst. In
the final analysis, our desire and commitment to seek and work for real peace is borne
out of our loving relationship with God because He Himself is our peace. (PCP II, 308)
There are references in the Old Testament of the Bible to warfare, it was thought
that victory would belong to the chosen ones. However, Jews were looking forward for
the coming of their Messiah and even considered him the “Prince of Peace” and his
coming would end war and peace would reign across the world. But the teachings of
Jesus did not support warfare.
Peace and Active Non-Violence
Peace is not merely the absence of war (Pope Paul VI, 1965). Peace is not simply
the avoidance of conflict nor the absence of war, war starts and can happen also within
us and in our human relationships.
Peace is a need deeply rooted in the heart of every man and woman (Pope John
Paul II, 2000). God created us in his image as good and loving people. So, despite of our
indifferences and errors, we still find peace in us because we were created out of love.
In Sirach 10:6, it states that: No matter the wrong, do no violence to your neighbor,
and do not walk the path of arrogance. Temperance is the right word for this. Christ
wants us to do no harm against anyone no matter what happens. In the end, there are
reasons why people commit mistakes and we are not supposed to hate the doer but his
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actions only. In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, he said: “Our duty is to hate the sin, but
love the sinner himself for what he is.”
Our response to Jesus’ call for peace is to control our emotions and anger, to live
a holy life, and treat humans with dignity, obey the law and follow the will of God.
THE CICM, JUSTICE AND PEACE
Like the prophets, followers of God are called to uphold Justice/ Righteousness.
For where justice is upheld, peace flourishes. As advocates of justice and peace, the
CICM spearheaded and supported programs that protect righteousness and harmony.
One of the best models of the CICMs who fought for Justice and Peace in their
community would be one of the forefathers of CICM, Bishop Ferdinand Hamer, CICM.
As briefly discussed in CFE 104, the bishop was assigned in a province of China.
Due to famine and political intrigues, the rebels blamed the aggressive expansion of
Europeans on the farmlands and a propaganda was triggered against Christians,
particularly European missionaries. The old bishop chose to stay with his people and
advised the young missionaries to run away. The escapees carried with them Bishop
Hamer’s final letter which read (CICM Philippines, 2020):
“Reverend Fathers,
You will understand that this is not the right time to write a lot. The men who are
bringing this letter can tell you everything.
I remain here, sacrificing myself entirely for the sake of the Vicariate, the Reverend
Missionaries and the Christians. May my sacrifice be pleasing to the Lord and may
it be of benefit to the missions. This I hope to achieve through your prayers.
I thank all of you and everyone individually for your zeal, for the assistance and
consolation that you have brought to me, and – as far as I may have offended
you, or misled through my bad example – I ask you for forgiveness, and request you
to remember me in your prayers and holy offerings.
I embrace you in the Holy Spirit and give you my episcopal blessing.
+ Ferd. Hamer Vic. Ap.”
Bishop Hamer fought the torturous actions done to him with his unyielding faith
and died a martyr. His life and death are still an inspiration to the members of the
Congregation. Like the bishop who stood beside his community, the CICM missionaries
dedicate themselves to programs to protect those who cannot protect themselves, show
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compassion to the abandoned, and stand side by side with the marginalized
communities. Even today, programs towards the accomplishment of Justice and Peace
are being formed for a more harmonious society.
Another example of the CICM advocating Justice and Peace would be Rev. Fr.
Alex Ulpindo, CICM and the actions he performed in his mission area, the Dominican
Republic. He and his co-missionaries were mainly assigned in the slum area, an area
neglected by the government without clean water supply and good roads. In one
Palm Sunday procession, they organized it into a protest march against the lack of
basic public services in the barrio. They offered prayers and asked God to help them.
Their work paid off and the mayor sent some help to repair the roads and build a
cistern. (Ulpindo, 1992)