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“Justice is not enough…”

“Justice is not enough…”

On March 24, 1980, St. Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was martyred while celebrating the Eucharist. It is fitting that during March, the month of his death, we remember that day on October 14, 2018, when Pope Francis canonized him in St. Peter’s Square along with Pope Paul VI, Sr. Nazaria Ignacia March, Sr. María Caterina Kasper, Fr. Francesco Spinelli, Fr. Vincenzo Romano, and layman, Nunzio Sulprizi. That event caused many from around the world to rejoice, especially those who identify themselves with either Romero’s strong testimonials or with the way he followed the Lord. Here are a few reflections from Bishop Romero that can help us in our work as Friars Minor, especially in our work with JPIC.

The problem of water is partly an educational and cultural issue

The problem of water is partly an educational and cultural issue

“Even as the quality of available water is constantly diminishing, in some places there is a growing tendency, despite its scarcity, to privatize this resource, turning it into a commodity subject to the laws of the market. Yet access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights.

Blessing of the “Pope Francis Hospital Ship”

Blessing of the “Pope Francis Hospital Ship”

During the World Youth Day in Brazil, 2013, Pope Francis visited a hospital that is under the care of the Fraternity Saint Francis of Assisi in the Providence of God. During this visit, Pope Francis, in a conversation with Fr. Francisco Belotti (Superior General), asked him if the Fraternity had a presence in the Amazon, and encouraged them to carry out some project in the region. After that, the friars were motivated to attend to this request and presented the model of what would be a “hospital ship” to the Holy Father in the Vatican on November 5, 2018.

Course on Environmental Responsibility, Malta

Course on Environmental Responsibility, Malta

The Maltese OFM Province of St Paul the Apostle has teamed up with the Centre for Environmental Education and Research of the University of Malta, and the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment to launch a course designed to inspire and empower participants in taking a stand on sustainability, both in their personal lives and in their communities.

OFM JPIC Webinar on Migration

OFM JPIC Webinar on Migration

The JPIC Office in Rome has planned a series of webinars for 2019 on the four topics that are the general directions of JPIC promotion decided at the last International Council for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Verona, Italy. The topics...
15M: Climate Strike, Franciscan reflection on the new global movement

15M: Climate Strike, Franciscan reflection on the new global movement

Here is a girl from Sweden. Her name is Greta Thunberg. She is 16 years old. She started her solo protest of “School Strike for the Climate” in front of the Swedish parliament on August 20, 2018. The slogan of her Friday protest was “Why Study for a Future We Might Not Have?”

Towards an integral ecology

Towards an integral ecology

The Pontifical Antonianum University has recently put the fruits of four interdisciplinary seminars on integral ecology, held in the last two years to productive use.

A hidden ecological gem in Washington DC

A hidden ecological gem in Washington DC

The products are used in the friary kitchen and also to feed the poor who seek help from the various religious houses in the area. The project has stimulated ecological interest by young and old alike. Today many groups from schools visit the Franciscan agricultural project. Surely this is very positive and encouraging signal for the future.

Care of the environment, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

Care of the environment, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

We believe that the care for the environment must be transversal and must involve all people, along with politics, religion and economy. As we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the encounter of St. Francis with Sultan Malik al-Kamil (1219), the JPIC Course 2019 takes into account the ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, because we are convinced that the solution has to come from everyone.