Justice & Peace – Introduction

Before giving the floor to our brother Pablo Romo I should like to say a few words

In reading Is. 45:18 we are reminded that God did not make a world of chaos but one to be lived in. When we go to Lk 3:10-14 we hear that when some soldiers asked what to do for salvation Saint John the Baptist’s instructions were simple and to the point; no mugging nor extortion, just be content with your pay ! But private morality also requires public morality, that is the rule of law based on justice. This is the contrary of chaos, soldiers and tax collectors risk being corrupt if there is no funding system based on sound rule of law.

Our concern as Christians and Dominicans for Justice and Peace is not some option that we might casually pick up as a hobby, rather it reflects a profound manifestation of our calling. Many have given there lives promoting the cause of Justice and Peace, and we note that the former is a precondition for peace. In February this year it was announced that the tomb of our brother Antonio Valdivieso had been found. A friar and a bishop in what is now Nicaragua, he was murdered in 1550 for defending the indigenous people from the injustices of the Conquistadors. And this drama continues even now, many of us had an e-mail from Pablo containing an impassioned plea for solidarity with one of our lay Dominican brothers Dionisio, who is being threatened with assassination because of his defence of the landless in Brazil.

I have brought a video cassette in French on Bartolomeo las Casas and life in modern Chiapas which will be shown at a convenient time. In this video you will find aspects of Pablo’s habitat in Mexico before he took on the job of Justice and Peace for the Order. After his presentation there will time for questions and comments. Even better, Pablo will be with us for the rest of the day, so we can meet with him on a more personal basis.

Pablo, over to you!

Robert de Viana

ECLDF member 1998-2001