ROME – The May issue of Contact, the newsletter of the Order’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office of the General Curia, focuses on climate change.
The newsletter includes reflections on “Climate Change: A Threat to Us All” and “Sustainable Development” as well as reports about events around the Order of Friars Minor.
JPIC director Joseph Rozansky, OFM, co-coordinated the office’s annual JPIC course, April 17 to 27, at the Pontifical University Antonianum. The theme of this year’s course was “Peace and Reconciliation.” Friars from around the world participated, including those from the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Peru and Kenya.
Ecology-focused Program
In January, more than 35 persons attended the Thematic Social Forum held in Brazil. The forum centered on Mother Earth and how the Franciscan charism can help further the idea that a better world is possible.
The 5th Franciscan Ecological March took place May 20 in Mount Ybytyruzu, Paraguay. The event featured ecological celebrations and reflections, a talk on the ecology and global warming, and a Mass held in the Grotto of the Virgin.
JPIC-related Book
The newsletter also announced a book to be published in October by Orbis and available through pre-ordering on Amazon. What’s So Blessed About Being Poor? Seeking the Gospel in the Slums of Kenya, written by Susan Slavin and Coralis Salvador, explores how happiness and holiness can exist in the midst of poverty and illness.
The two lay women, Salvador, a Maryknoll missioner, and Slavin, a New York attorney who is working with the Franciscan Mission Service in Kenya, met in Africa.
The May issue of Contact, as well as other 2012 issues, can be found on the JPIC publications section of the Resources page of the HNP Justice and Peace website.
— Wendy Healy is a Connecticut-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to HNP Today.