Monday, January 18, 2010
4:32:45 PM
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the Good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour”( Lk.4:18-19)
Diocesan Justice and Peace Coordinator Mr. Joel Ndingi
Overview
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) was founded in Kenya in 1988 as the executive organ
of the Kenya Episcopal Conference to promote Justice and Peace while challenging oppressive structures in society,
while in the Catholic Diocese of Kitui CJPC was founded in the year 1992.
It now constitutes one of the departments of the Kenya Catholic Secretariat for National Coordination and forms part of the Diocesan Secretariat.
Mandate
CJPC is mandated to promote research, education and advocacy on social justice, peace and human rights; in keeping with social teaching of the church.
Objectives
To advice and inform the Bishop on matters and situations of injustice, or affecting the dignity of the human person. The Commissioners act therefore in agreement and harmony with the local Ordinary, and under his guidance.
To develop programmes for the education of people towards a stronger sense of justice. These programmes should be directed firstly towards making individuals more conscious of requirements of justice especially by recognizing the human person and the inherent human dignity; and secondly study the application of justice to the attitudes and structures of the wider society.
The ideals of social justice within the community can only be developed, when individual members practice justice towards each other; justice lived with charity.
To guide and coordinate pastoral action on fostering justice and peace within the church, and to catalyze as an arm of the Church that it be lived in the social, economic and political life of the country.
CJPC shall facilitate the divulging and greater understanding of the Social Doctrine of the Church. It shall promote the availability of copies of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, and also elaborate a simplified version of the Catholic Social Teachings. It shall seek the use of media to educate and inspire people to responsible action.
To work for the eradication of injustice wherever it is seen to exist, for instance: the question of land distribution, violation of human rights, unfair practices in agriculture, education, health, media, tourism, housing and habitat among other human needs. Here it should be noted that complex situations of injustice can have not only religious and spiritual implications, but also anthropological, cultural, legal, economic or political dimensions. For this reason it may often be necessary for the commission to enlist the aid of experts in these fields for adequate analysis being always guided by parameters of ethical principles and therefore guiding to the right action.
To give advice, encouragement and support to all those involved in the promotion of justice and in opposition to injustice.
In the spirit of collaboration and ecumenism, the commission (where necessary) therefore works with other Christians and all people of good will.
To conceptualize, formulate and implement the Annual Lenten Campaign, in harmony and collaboration with the Parish Priests and other Diocesan Structures.
CJPC is charged with the responsibility of Coordinating the Lenten campaign at the Small Christian Communities, outstations, Parish, Diocesan and National Level.
Jurisdiction
In Kitui Diocese, CJPC is spread throughout all the church structures right from the Small Christian Communities. The overall coordination of all CJPC Programmes in the Diocese is done at St. Augustine’s Secretariat, in the Development Department by the Justice and Peace Programme Coordinator, under the direction of the Bishop.
