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Saturday 2nd February, 2002.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

I am very grateful to Pablo and Gonzalo both of whom accompanied us in Barbados during the week of January 14th 2002. Following from a discussion I had with Fr. Clement Paul, the Regional Prior, we decided to organize a short workshop for the brothers and sisters working in the Vicariate of St. Luis Bertrand. The Vicariate comprises of the islands of Grenada, Barbados and Jamaica.

There were ten of us gathered at the Marian Retreat House from Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th. On the agenda were an analysis of the islands and the involvement of the Dominican Family in the work of same. Secondly, there was a presentation on the use of the Orders workbooks. Thirdly, there was an established set of goals for the vicariate for the immediate and long term future.

The brothers and sisters ably undertook as in-depth an analysis as was possible into the current reality of the three islands, which make up the vicariate. The areas of analysis were social, economic, religious, and political.

Two main issues emerged at the top of the agenda for the vicariate at this time: a greater sensitization of the members of the vicariate of justice and peace as a priority of the Order and the need to address the escalating violence in Caribbean society.

The onus is now placed on the Regional Prior and the Vicariate Council to promote and encourage the need to revitalize justice and peace as a priority for the Vicariate and to encourage greater participation in moments which give opportunities to work for a more just land among all the brothers and sisters in Grenada, Barbados and Jamaica.

Again, I express my heartfelt thanks to Pablo for being present to us. It truly represented the tremendous support of the Order and an ongoing strengthening of our solidarity. My heartfelt thanks also, to Gonzalo. His presence reaffirmed the valuable ways of collaboration and possible networking in our region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Now that we have taken this step, my hope is to realize another workshop to deal with the specific issue of human rights.

Fr. Ferdinand Warner, O.P.
Co Promoter for Justice and Peace
for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sunset over the Ocean

130th Anniversary Celebration of the Dominican Laity in Trinidad & Tobago.

On Sunday 21st October 2001, approximately 80 members of the Dominican Laity in Trinidad & Tobago gathered in Holy Cross Chapel, Arima. The occasion was the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the presence and activity of the Dominican Laity in Trinidad & Tobago. The day was divided into three sections: a talk on "the contemplative life of a Dominican", a talk on " justice and peace: a dimension of contemplative life", and the celebration of holy mass.
Sr. Martin Joseph, O.P. (Sinsinawa Dominicans) presented on the contemplative life of a Dominican. She drew from Meister Eckhart, Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P. and the sacred scriptures. Her insights called for reflection on personal prayer and quiet time for contemplation, the traditions of the Order and her personal experiences.
Fr. Prakash Lohale, O.P. (of the Indian province) presented on justice and peace. He highlighted the workbooks of the Order on justice and peace, making specific mention of each booklet's intention and use. Fr. Prakash is a former promoter for justice and peace for the Asia-Pacific region. His six years as promoter and personal experiences greatly enhanced his sharing. Some members of the gathering already had limited prior experiences with the booklets. This will be another opportunity to renew interest in the booklets.
To start off his talk, Fr. Prakash made everyone remove one shoe and toss it into a heap. Then each person was to take up a shoe. The owner of the shoe one took became the partner with whom that person shared something about themselves. For those who tried on the shoe they picked out, became aware of what it is like to be in another's shoe.
"Being in another's shoe is the first stage of working on behalf of justice and peace", Prakash said. We begin to feel with the other: their life, circumstance, condition. Fr. Prakash then went on to explain the purpose of each of the six booklets and the ways in which they can be used for reflection and action. Without a contemplative heart, work for justice and peace is difficult, impossible even.
The day was characterized by a healthy spirit of sharing. Each Chapter brought one dish for lunch which was shared among all. We were treated to a delicious plate of vegetable rice, baked chicken, pigeon peas and green salad. There was also a sharing of cakes and coffee after the evening mass.
I was the celebrant at the evening mass. During mass several people were received and into the Dominican Laity formally, several made their first promise and some made their final promise.
Much preparation went into ensuring that the day was fruitful. It was meant to rekindle the spark of a Dominican vocation and renew spirits. From what I have noticed most everyone left with high praised and renewed energy for the journey.
Each Chapter put up a booth displaying their membership, activities and projects for the future. It would have been extremely difficult to give a prize for the best display, for the most informative display. Truly, the booths were of good quality, the presentations were great and the participation was enlivening.
The Dominican Laity in Trinidad & Tobago accounts for 10 chapters. From 1871 to the present there has been an active presence in various areas. Among are work with battered women and children, addicts, catechetics, home visitations, sale of religious books and articles and intercessory prayer.

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Journey to Vieques

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press conference in Vieques

            The Assembly of CODOCAR XXI (Conference of Dominicans of the Caribbean) and the CIDAL coordinating Team met for their annual session in Bayamón, Puerto Rico from April 8 to 11, 2002.

            An entire day was dedicated to justice and peace issues.  Out of concern for the human rights violations and environmental damage caused by the military presence in Vieques, the assembly felt it absolutely necessary to express its solidarity and support to the people of Vieques.

            On Wednesday, April 10, 2002, a delegation of 17 persons traveled to the island of Vieques.  This visit is also a part of the process already taking place at an international level in the Dominican Family since two representatives from Vieques, Mr. Carlos Ventura and Ms. Linda Backiel together with Fr. Pablo Romo, O.P., General Promoter for Justice and Peace, are participating in the Human Rights Commission in Geneva. The visit to Vieques included:

  1. A meeting with the parish priest of Vieques, Fr. Nelson.
  2. A visit to Camp Justice and Peace, a resistance group located outside the entrance to the military base, Camp Garcia.
  3. Participation in a press conference organized by the resistance movement.
  4. Visit to the many abandoned military bunkers, previously used as ammunition storage facilities.

 

Appalled at the various human rights violations and the negative impact of military activity on human life and the ecosystem, we strongly call on the U. S. Government to:

1.      Stop human rights violations in Vieques.

2.      Stop the bombing in Vieques.

3.      Permanently remove all military presence from Vieques.

4.      Clean up and remedy all environmental damage done to Vieques.

5.      Return all expropriated lands to the people of Vieques.

 

Signed:

 

Fr. Ferdinand Warner, O.P. (President of CODOCAR, Equipo CIDAL)

Fr. Thomas Lawson, O.P. (Regional Prior, Trinidad & Tobago)

Fr. Jean Max Hugues, O.P. (Vicar, Haiti)

Fr. Toine Frehe, O.P. (Vicar, Curacao)

Fr.  Miguel Angel Hullon, O.P. (Representing Vicar of Dominican Republic)

Fr. Mario Rodriguez, O.P. (General Vicar, Puerto Rico)

Fr. Joao Xerri, O.P. (Socius to the Master for Latin America and the Caribbean)

Fr. Enrique Sariego, O.P. (Equipo CIDAL)

Fr. Manuel Martinez, O.P. (Equipo CIDAL)

Fr. Jose Luis Burguet, O.P. (Equipo CIDAL)

 

"Are We Less than Animals?"

 

Iraqi Dominican Sisters Appeal to President Bush, American People

 

March 14,  2003

 

To all people of good will round the world,

Love and Peace of Christ be with you.

 

We are addressing President Bush and all the American people as human beings, not as a president of United States. We presume that as Christians you have hearts full of love and compassion. You will pity our Iraqi children, our elderly, and our youth that have no hope in a better future and a decent life. We, Dominican sisters and brothers in Iraq, are living and sharing with our people in their sufferings. The Iraqis have been going through hard times for twenty-three years, for they have witnessed two disastrous wars. If President Bush starts another military attack against Iraq, we think this will be a catastrophe. We believe that you can feel the danger that is looming over the Iraqi civilians. That is why millions of people from different countries round the world are demonstrating, writing letters and trying to put pressure on President Bush not to initiate a new military attack.

President Bush defends the rights of animals. Have we less value than animals? He claims that he is trying to defend human rights in Iraq. He is willing to build a new Iraq. He tried to convince the people in the US and the peoples round the world that he will only bomb the army and the weapons in the country. He promises that he is not going to bring any harm to the civilians. Is he throwing flowers on people? He is going to use mass destructive weapons, which are going to result in great damage to our culture, our land, and history, and cause the death of thousands of our innocent people of all ages.

As some of you who have visited Iraq may know, the army camps are very close to people's houses. We have two convents: one at the beginning of the army camp and the other at the end. Will the bombing kill the soldiers or the people? We are living in great fright, panic, and extreme worry. We are suffering not only a military war, but also we have been suffering from very hard psychological situation since President Bush has started his inhuman threats to initiate another war on our people. The uncertain moments and the hard current times have made us wait for our death in no time. Everyday we thank God for being alive because we do not know what tomorrow has hidden for us. The nightmare of the new war is haunting us always and everywhere.

God has granted us life freedom as His precious gifts. Why Does President Bush want to take it away and deprive us of our freedom?

You cannot imagine that even our children can no longer stand these threats and can no longer bear the psychological tension and despair. They inquire, when will the war begin?

You are deceived and we are captured by your mass media, which is the biggest liar. Our children, women and people are dying of malnutrition and starvation because of the inhuman sanctions. The sanctions have caused the death of one million and a half of Iraqi people, mostly women and children. Why do you want to finish them by a new war?

We will ask the American youth, "Do they face or wait for their death every single moment? If so, will they not explode?"

Why should the American people have the right to live in peace, safety and prosperity? Is their life more valuable than the life of other people, for instance the Iraqi people?

Our university students have waved goodbye to each other on Saturday, the 15th of March and they are prepared for the war. They have no mood for study. We think they are right because they are disappointed and hope for them seems the most hopeless thing.

A couple of days ago, we could dream of safety and peace, but now we no longer know what these words mean because violence, suffering, and fear are enfolding us.

At last we would like to say that we are not cured of the Gulf war. How can we persevere the effects of the new one, which will be even worse?

The war is not only disastrous and destructive in its direct effects, but also in its lasting effects. The innocent people will not only be the victims of the bombing, but also the preys of contaminated drinking water, polluted environments, depleted uranium, inadequate medical supply, and crippled electric power.

We ask all of you who have compassionate heart and love for humanity to bring the suffering and the worry of the Iraqi people in every pulpit, every classroom, and every place where the Word of God is preached. Let everyone hear about the truth of the Iraqi people's pain. Please listen to the cries of the Iraqi children and double your efforts to stop the new war from happening. In this way only you can eliminate the anguish, calm down the cry of the Iraq Children in the midst of their sleep: "Here are they come to bomb us and bring about our death."

Is it fair to be going through all this? Is it acceptable? Is our crime that we are floating on a huge sea of black gold? What is the use of it, except to pay for our death? Why are we unable to dream of a bright future and a decent life?

We greatly appreciate your efforts on our behalf and also your prayers. Love and prayers can work miracles.

 

God bless you all!

 

Your Dominican Sisters in Iraq