Community Life Communique #6
Mary Nordick, Chairperson
January 26, 2010

Welcome to a New Year and a new decade. It would be easy to feel discouraged as many of the issues members have been working on during the last year and decade and indeed, those of the last century, still exist, for example, human trafficking, human rights violations, violence against women, child poverty, etc. Members, however, are Women of Peace and Hope and the gospel message followed and proclaimed is one of hope, especially to the poor, persecuted, and marginalized of the world.

There are small signs of hope.

Aid for Haiti
First: The outpouring of aid for Haiti shows that human hearts can show compassion and reach out to brothers and sisters in need. There may be another way to help by supporting the federal government’s efforts to urge international creditors to cancel Haiti’s debts. Note, Canada cancelled Haiti’s debt of $2.3M to Canada in July 2009.

Support for Africa
Second: While in Africa this fall, the delegation from the Canadian Catholic Organization of Development and Peace (CCODP) heard a lot about and witnessed the difficult plight of women. An encouraging article, “Zambian churches vow to fight violence on women”, was published in the Prairie Messenger on January 13, 2010. The article reported that ZEC, the Zambian Episcopal Conference, has joined with other groups to lobby the government and to promote programs to eliminate violence against women. The CCODP Report to the CCCB Annual Plenary Meeting October 2009 highlighted the hope that is there in Africa. The report emphasized the importance of recognizing, respecting and supporting the remarkable achievements accomplished by Africans to overcome misery and put Africa ‘on the map’ internationally despite being challenged by war,corruption and HIV/AIDS.

So, how can the League help sisters and brothers in Africa to cultivate a society of peace, justice and hope? Join them in faith through prayer. Donate to CCODP. The Share Lent campaign will be starting soon; please encourage members and councils to participate in and promote the campaign in their parishes. A brochure is available on order from national office entitled, “Women Changing the World” (item #205). It outlines the 1% Program and describes the national voluntary fund.

World Day of Peace: If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation
Pope Benedict’s World Day of Peace message on January 1, 2010 contains some good reading, especially in regard to the environment, economics, war spending and economic refugees. The message noted “Our present crises − be they economic, food-related, environmental or social − are ultimately also moral crises, and all of them are interrelated. They require us to rethink the path which we are travelling together.”

Parliament Prorogued
As you know, the prime minister has prorogued parliament until March, after the 2010 Olympics. As a result, many important bills, (some listed in communique #4) died as well as the ongoing investigation of human rights violations in Afghanistan. Members upset with prorogation are encouraged to contact the prime minister and members of parliament. Members are also encouraged to urge that important legislation ended through prorogation be brought forward in the new session.

In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness
On December 8th, a report entitled In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness was tabled in the Senate. The report is 290 pages and contains 78 recommendations. The issues addressed are certainly of interest to community life. The report may prove to be fertile ground for resolutions and is worth closer examination.

In peace and hope, may we, in the words of the prophet Micah, continue to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God.