Members of the International Commission of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation embarked on a pilgrimage into the heart of Dominican life and preaching to discover ways of doing justice together in a world in crisis. In our biennial meeting in Santa Sabina, Rome on June 15-20, 2003, we reflected with great hope on our common mission, evaluated our common action in a spirit of collaboration and contemplated new possibilities that would render more effective our commitment to justice and peace.
We wish to share with the Dominican Family the most important issues that were raised during our meeting. First of all, we reminded ourselves that the promotion of justice and peace is a priority for all baptized persons and a prophetic mission of the Church. From these fundamental beliefs and because of our charism, it follows that all men and women of the Order are called to make the truth known about the situation of peoples in different regions of the world. We also recognize that this task is not limited only to those brothers and sisters who are involved systematically in the struggle for justice. For us today, this call is our way of implementing and making real Dominic's compassion as well as the examples of Fray Antonio Montesinos and Fray BartolomŽ de Las Casas, in a world characterized by massive violations of human rights and tainted by sinful structures which govern nations. We can be proud of our brothers and sisters who are involved in situations of crisis or conflict (lieux de fracture), often at the risk of their own lives. They need our encouragement, our support as well as our prayers.
The International Commission, conscious of the mission it inherited from our Dominican tradition, as men and women belonging to the same family and inspired by the same charism, has taken on a more inclusive nature. We therefore welcomed the recently appointed Promoter of Justice and Peace for Dominican Sisters International (DSI) in the person of Sr Marie-ThŽrse Perdriault, OP. She will share the task of promoting justice and peace with the Order's General Promoter, fr Jo‹o Xerri, OP. Her appointment also signals growth in our awareness of brothers and sisters working together. In line with the principle of inclusivity, the Commission is seeking also to integrate representation from the laity.
Recommendations to the Dominican Family
Formation
The International Commission recommends that formation leaders integrate, in an inclusive manner, training in areas of human rights and of systematic analysis of situations of crisis or conflict, both in the initial and permanent formation of brothers and sisters.
Situation in Iraq
We recognize the activities on behalf of the Iraqi people which are carried out worldwide by members of the Dominican Family. We acknowledge in a particular way the actions undertaken by the US Dominican Sisters during the past years, in solidarity with the Iraqi Dominican Family and the people of Iraq.
We recommend that the Dominican Family continue to work for the welfare of the Iraqi people as a sign of solidarity, following the devastating war and the 12 years of sanctions.
We recommend that the representatives of the Dominican Family at the UN, in Geneva and New York, continue intervening at the UN on the question of the reconstruction and restoration of Iraq.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
We recommend that the promoters for Africa help the Dominican Family to understand the basis of the problems related to the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its impact on the people of the country.
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
In view of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, especially between Israel and Palestine, we recommend that members of the Dominican Family urge their respective governments to press the international community to seek a solution to the conflict.
We encourage the Dominican Family to develop creative ways to come to the humanitarian aid of the Palestinian people.
We also encourage all to support the micro-economic Palestinian Solidarity Project sponsored and organized by Dominicans.
Non violent action
The International Commission recognizes the examples of non violent action by members of the Family on behalf of refugees and for disarmament. We further acknowledge the courage and faith-based actions that resist structures that are destroying lives. These actions are done in accord with Dominican tradition. It is important to involve brothers and sisters before undertaking an action as well as to show solidarity with them afterwards.
The spirituality of non-violence requires that we bear the consequences of our acts as a community, that we go the very end. We are invited to encourage and pray for those who act even though we ourselves could not be involved in such actions.
We recognize that such non-violent actions are signs of hope for those suffering in the world, for example as in Iraq and Palestine. We recognize that there are also intolerable situations such as the Congo which disturb our consciences and call for our solidarity.
Presence of the Dominican Family at the UN
The International Commission discussed means of enhancing the collaboration between the Dominican offices in Geneva and New York. The Commission recognized the importance of the Dominican presence at the UN both in Geneva and in New York, for furthering the work of justice worldwide.
The presence of Dominicans at the UN will be identified as that of DLC in New York and Dominicans for Justice and Peace in Geneva, highlighting their distinct roles and their complementarity in terms of issues.
The web sites of the Family will indicate that the presence of Dominicans at the UN is represented by the two NGOs. This would be communicated to the webmasters of various Dominican web sites. (Presently, both the DLC and the Dominicans for Justice and Peace have links to each other's websites.)
The representatives of DJ&P and DLC will speak of each other as partners and colleagues referring to the presence of the other whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Issue of Gender Equity
The International Commission dealt with gender equity as a justice issue. Following discussions in small and large groups, members drafted the following recommendations and commitments related to the issue.
On a personal level, the following recommendations were: make sure that inclusive language is used; ensure that tasks are gender balanced; place the issue of gender on agendas for discussion; link gender issues with other issues; listen without prejudice; live differences with equality.
On a national level, share positive experiences; request that formators and others be aware of and provide a forum for discussing the gender issues; include elements of the gender issue at our assemblies and chapters; be aware of language in our documents; encourage dialogue between men and women; include the issue of homosexuality.
On the level of continents: promote gender analysis in congregations, provinces and institutions; make connections between the issue of gender and the preaching promoters; establish a minimum standard for formation in peace and justice; encourage theological formation for all members of the Dominican Family; encourage formation in justice and peace spirituality for formators; create links between gender and culture.
On an intercontinental basis: share experiences across continental lines; make statements about gender equality in ministry.
Justice and Peace Workbook (no. 8)
The Commission received the Justice and Peace Workbook (no. 8), entitled: Women's Rights are Human Rights, with gratitude and appreciation. It will be available for distribution in the near future.
Conclusion
All pilgrimages are hope-filled and we as pilgrims maintain our hopes and dreams for a new world. Our footsteps will now take us into deeper relationships between regional and congregational promoters that will stimulate each one of us in our prophetic mission and build stronger ties of justice and peace in the Family.