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(Gabrielist Secretariat for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation)
For us Brothers, the idea of promotion of justice and peace is not
an unknown land where only a few explorers have gone. There is a
close connection between the educational service of the poor and
the promotion of justice. In fact my question has always been:
what does it mean to serve the poor if not to begin by facilitating
minimum of justice through their access to education? Wherever
we are, we can lead people/students/collaborators/parents and
friends of Brothers to participate effectively in the struggle for
justice and peace to which the Church also calls us in the world
today.
Our Rule of life Art. No 64 invites all of us for this task. It says:
“With your Brothers, you will seek out what is most urgent for the fulfilment of this task. Near you
or in far-away countries, they await your fraternal love and your help, to make them conscious of
their human dignity, to free them from oppression of every kind, to dispel their ignorance...”
Often times we reflect on our Rule of Life. According to me the only article that speaks
directly and forcefully about our school education as education for justice and human progress is
Art. No.14. We need to reread this article to understand the spirit of our pioneers. “Your total
oblation to God demands a dedicated dynamic love for all men (women). Mindful of the poorer
ones among them you will play your part in humanity’s struggle for progress, more particularly
through educational activities.” How can we make our present day school education as education
for justice and peace?
Education for justice should not be merely a specific subject area but a common thread that
runs through the entire curriculum. This common thread should be reinforced by daily practice
within the school. It is important to create a kind of micro-climate which offers an alternative,
miniature model that does not support the anti-values which society often presents to us: market
worship, corruption, fighting, competition and consumerism. It is important that within the school
there exists an experience of justice in which values, such as solidarity, communion, and
participation are top priorities. Otherwise the school runs the risk of duplicating the system and
preparing students for a society of privileges, training them in the competitive struggle where there
is no solidarity.
Fr. Kolvenback, former Superior General of the Jesuits, in a meeting with former students in
Bolivia, in 2001, spoke about the tremendous pressure which is placed on schools in the global
jungle in which we operate where only the most prepared do survive. He added: “Naturally we have
to prepare our students so that they can compete in the market and ensure that they obtain one of
October 2012 Fratelli Di San Gabriele, Via Trionfale, 12840, 00135, Roma, Italy. ISSUE: 8
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the relatively few jobs that are available. But if that is the only criteria that we have to evaluate our
institutions, we can consider them as having failed. If all they achieve is simply to turn men and
women into being “for themselves and their friends,” and not “for others,” especially for the poor
and excluded, our education will not have achieved its objective and we will not have educated for
justice”. Can we draw some lessons from his observation? (31st GC Nos.10 & 16-17)
In education for justice, it is important to be familiar with reality. Montfort was deeply
moved and concerned about the world. If we are not so moved, we run the risk. We need to respond
to this world adequately through our Christian education. May our 31st General Chapter inspire us
in this journey: “We are convinced that, for us Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel, our education
mission is the most suitable means for creating a just and fraternal world. We are challenged to be
truly convinced...” (No.10).
F. PAUL RAJ
ASSISTANT GENERAL
Is our world in peace? Many remain skeptics when faced with
this question. In an environment like ours, strewn with injustice, social inequalities, corruption,
criminality and intolerance, unemployment, armed conflicts, it is
difficult to speak about peace.
Which god do we believe in? If God is Truth, Justice, Love, Beauty,
Goodness, Light… as the majority of the religions teach us, it is
convenient to ask ourselves about the meanings of the concepts
such as ‘’globalisation”, “living together”. Amos however says to
us: “I hate, I despise your feasts; I take no pleasure in your solemn
assemblies. When you bring me burnt offerings and cereal
offerings, I will not accept them; your peace offerings of fatted
beasts, I will not look upon. Away with the noise of your chanting;
away with your strumming on harps. But, let justice flow like
water and righteousness like an ever-flowing river.” (Amos 5, 21-
24).We have, certainly, reason to fight against the material poverty which threatens us with the
threat of death, daily, but the principal root of our evils, according to me, is spiritual poverty
which dries the hearts and makes us torturers of each other.
Bro. Ambroise Désiré NDOUGOU – Executive Secretary
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Daniel Faivre A Gabrielist Model for Interreligious Dialogue. In Southall, in the western suburbs of London, where he
had resided for almost thirty years, BrotherDaniel Faivre
had been the man of interfaith (inter-beliefs), the builder
of bridges between all the religions. He founded the
Westminster Interfaith Group, an interdenominational
movement which served as footbridge between all the
religions. He was appointed as advisor to the bishops of
England and Wales on interreligious issues. He visited the
dioceses, gathered together the people interested and
launched groups. A builder of peace who had never ceased living the spirit of the large assembly that Pope
John-Paul II had gathered in Assisi on October 27, 1986, with leaders of the world great religions.
On Saturday 29 September, 2012, a good number of people (approximately 200), belonging to various
religious affiliations, gathered at 3 p.m., at the Saint-Anselm’s Church of Southall, for the inauguration of
the plate/plaque to the memory of Brother Daniel Faivre. The ceremony was presided over by Mgr Alan
Hope, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. Fr. P. Gerard Mitchell, sj, the Parish Priest, acted as the master of
ceremonies. Among the authorities, one could note the presence of Mr. Virenda Sharma, member of the
Parliament from the town of Southall, Mr. and Mrs. Aslam, Mayor and Mairesse of Ealing (Muslims), Mr.
Dineshchandra A. Pandya (Hindu), Mr. Harbans
Virdee (Buddhist), Mr. and Mrs. Ajit Singh (Sikhs), Fr.
Michael Barnes, sj, former person in charge for the
Interfaith Movement of Wesminster, and Mr. Jon
Dal Din, the current person in charge. The Brothers
of Saint Gabriel were well represented by Claude
Marsaud, Provincial Superior of France, Georges Le
Vern, Secretary General, representing the Central
Administration in Rome, John Hegarthy of Ealing,
George Vazhayil and Mathew Pannathanath of the
University College of Saint-Anselm in Kent, Robert
Euzen and Joseph Allain of France. The family of the
Brother Daniel was represented by his nephew
Dominic, his wife and one of their sons.
Here is the testimony of Father Michael Barnes, a former person in charge for the
Interfaith Movement
When I think of Daniel I have two figures in mind. The first is the inspiration behind inter-faith
dialogue; the public figure; founder of Westminster Interfaith; leader of the annual London peace
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pilgrimages; organiser of seminars and liturgies and events of all kinds; author of prayers and
compiler of anthologies of religious wisdom; teacher, guide and mentor to all of us, whatever our
faith.
I saw a lot of that Brother Daniel: meticulous, precise, well-organised, a man of extraordinary gifts
and enormous generosity of spirit. Perhaps the most important and unforgettable thing we ever
did together was the great prayer service in Westminster Cathedral after the first Gulf War.
The format was pure D: dead simple - the lighting of a lamp followed by prayers and readings from
different traditions, received in respectful silence by some 3000 people. The sort of simple format
of attention to the sacredness of the moment we keep here today in his honour.
But the work it took - to gather reps together, to cope with suspicious officialdom, to keep
everyone happy and on time - was enormous. We finished with St Francis's prayer said together -
'Master, make me a channel of your peace' - while everyone held up a sprig of an olive tree
brought in from Assisi. It was that sort of attention to detail which marked Daniel out. Prayer was
at the centre of everything he did.
And prayer was not a matter of words but an act of the whole person gathered to the Lord of All -
an act which expressed a movement of head and heart and body, using silence and symbols and
gestures. He prayed in this church every day; just there, near the plaque. Those words a fitting
reminder of who he was.
But I also think of another Daniel. A more private Daniel. When I came to live in Southall, I would
spend time with him - usually over a simple but beautifully prepared meal, and always with a
bottle of good French wine. He would meet me in the street or call on the phone: 'what are you
doing tonight? I have a fish'. It was always a good fish. But that was not what I most remember.
Often he had an idea and he would run it past me - or I would have an idea and run it past him. He
would stroke that great white beard and say, 'Well, mon ami,...' I could tell a lot from the quality of
that 'well'.
Sometimes it spoke of approval; sometimes he was more doubtful. Uncanny - his instincts almost
always turned out to be right. Daniel a highly intelligent man, but also practical and incredibly
shrewd; knew what worked, and what didn't, or - more exactly - what you need to do to make
something work.
As I say these words, I can still hear him: 'Well, mon ami,...' Would he have enjoyed seeing his
name on a plaque in the middle of his beloved Southall? I suspect not; he was far too self-effacing
a man for that. Would he have enjoyed seeing his friends and family gathered here, celebrating
that mystery of the loving God who holds us all together? That's different.
He used to talk about people of faith - every one of God's creatures as a 'unique manifestation of
divinity'. Faith is not a capacity to believe strange things; it's a quality of our shared humanity, the
conviction that each and every one of us, despite tragedy of human folly and sinfulness, has a
certain capacity for God. Gift shared by all - but never in same way. Expression of gift unique.
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Years ago I dedicated a book to Daniel. He read it carefully, making notes, and as I might have
expected came back to me with one of those 'well, mon ami' moments. The last chapter, he said,
leaves us on the threshold of something important. 'Yes?' - I asked, eager to get his wisdom. 'But
you do not take us further.' 'Further to where?' I queried. 'Into the lives of those who haven't got
the time and inclination to read the book', he said.
Typical but right. Point that there is no intellectual/theological answer to issues of division and
difference and discontinuity unless we are prepared to make the effort to cross the boundaries, to
engage with others, and to learn from them about the extraordinary richness of the ways of God.
Takes effort/risk to confess that each person is a 'unique manifestation'.
Paradox that it is also strangely liberating: the moment when we stop getting caught up in self and
receive real grace, a gift from the other person of faith, which is also a gift of Godself. Thanks for
giving us your uniqueness, Daniel; may your inspiration go on guiding each one of us to realise and
share generously that unique manifestation of God which we are called to become.
Fr Michael Barnes sj
.
Freinds of Brother Daniel Bouddhist Monk
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Save my creation, says God
On May 31 last, the Network Saint-Gabriel, reunited its members
once more, for a fraternal meeting. We owe it to Brother Yves
Ladouceur, who had heard Mr. Norman Lévesque at a meeting, the
presence of the young speaker for whom protection of the
environment manifests itself beyond science and recycling. Since
the years ‘60s, we started talking about pollution of water, air and
soil for all the reasons we know. The discourse has changed with
the theme with the use of the real word that very few people had heard earlier, "Ecology". This new
password has gained importance because it makes the link between the physical conditions of the
environment, the consequences on the climate, the geology, the food and the inhabitants of our
planet.
Over time, the discourse became more targeted towards the protection of the environment, creating
Cutting the cake by Brother John Hegarthy
Canada
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among other agencies, ministries of environment. Their actions, however, are limited because they
have a notable opponent: overconsumption; this has made the humans indifferent to the grave
consequences of this devastating consumption With Mr. Lévesque emerges another way of talking
about the environment. He proposes a reflection which makes a reference to the Creation, the
Garden of Eden and the role of the Creator in this masterpiece of work which is the earth. He
demonstrates starting from the Bible that we have not decoded the messages, the warnings, the
cautions that the Creator has instilled in Biblical scholars through the ages.
The overconsumption, supported by a vicious marketing cycle that promises happiness, that has
built individualistic societies without real values, dependent on false needs. The speaker opens us a
channel: the new theme of Green Churches, color of Ecology and of hope, which gives the
protection of the environment a spiritual value, which risks the stimulation of the faith of the
indifferent, awakening some consciences asleep in well-being and above all in questioning our
passage on this earth in a perspective of reflection in the face of divine creation.
Thank you Mr. Levesque for accepting our invitation. In his thanks, Brother Raymond Leroux has underlined
that after hearing the speaker, the protection of the environment takes on another meaning and gives a
new dimension to the Network's first objective: "Building a just and fraternal world" by working to save the
planet. The success of our meeting deserves underscoring the external helps: Mrs. Sylvie Venne for the
presentation of folders that everyone appreciates, the green touch to the circumstances which demands
patience: Sister Brigitte Michaud, DW, and Mrs. Priscilla Gagnon, Friends of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, have
participated in the planting of young seedlings. A big thank you to all!
Jeanne Le Sauteur Gilbert Goulet, f.s.g., photographer
SENEGAL
Education with values occupies a place ever more important in the pastoral plan of the
Montfortian Brothers of St. Gabriel of the Province of Senegal. In a globalized world, it is a
question of preparing and teaching the students how to live together and harmoniously with all
creation, respecting the dignity and the convictions of each one. Among the values to be greatly
promoted are Justice, Peace and the Love. Many actions are undertaken by the Brothers in
collaboration with the laity and the priests at the level of the schools, associations and movements
to help men, women and especially students to acquire these values. Unfortunately, we still struggle
to make them known due to lack of means the lack of camera and even more of video equipment.
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We are happy to share with you two activities: The fourth edition of the day of Peace at
Saint-Pierre School, and the involvement in the electoral process of February and March 2012
which saw a second peaceful change of regime in the political history of the country.
The fourth edition of the day of Peace was fully lived at Saint-Pierre’s College of Greater
Dakar. The theme selected “Sports at the service of Peace” was inspired by the world context of the
organization of the Olympic Games at London in 2012.
The official ceremony, co-presided by his Excellency the Ambassador of the United
Kingdom to Senegal and Madam, the Vice President of the national Olympic Committee, was very
beautiful because of the rich interpellations, the colours and the rhythms. All started with the arrival
and installation of the authorities.
His Excellency greets Brothers His Excellency and Madame Vice President
surrounded by the academic authorities and DIDEC
We then successively lived the following powerful moments: arrival of the Chief of the
School Government, followed by that of the Minister for Sports and Leisure in the dress of the
President of the World Olympic Committee, arrival of the procession of the Queen of England, of
the various delegations who carried each one the name of one of the winners of Nobel Prize for
PEACE. All the parts were played by students.
We then listened to the speeches: The Chief of the Government, the Minister for Sports and
Leisure (President of the CIO), the Ambassador of the United Kingdom followed one another at the
platform, the first for the words of welcome, the second to praise the virtues of the sport, and the
last to express his joy of chairing the ceremony, of evoking the joy of the Olympic Games of
London and of encouraging the young people to practise the sport.
After the speeches, we received the oaths of the athletes and the judges before welcoming
with grand pomp the Olympic flame. The climax of the ceremony was the official declaration of
opening of the Olympic Games of Saint-Pierre’s 2012 by her majesty the “Queen of England”. This
declaration was immediately followed by the demonstrations of the clubs of sport and enacting the
scene relating to violence against women, presented by the Spanish Club.
The ceremony finished with a superb choreography executed by the cheerleaders. Before we
parted, the educational family of the School complex of Saint-Pierre made a point of sharing their
project to build a large hall of sports Pierre de COUBERTIN. Admittedly the financing was not
finalised but we carried out the laying of the first stone thus expressing our attachment to this
project.
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The Brothers were not inactive during the pacification of the electoral process of our
country. They all enrolled in the electoral rolls to be able to correctly fulfil their duties as citizens
while taking part in the vote.
In addition, in the schools, the movements and associations, the parish committees of justice
and peace…, they have taken part to pacify the elections by promoting the culture of nonviolence.
At the Sainte-Therese parish of Greater Dakar for example, one can see Brother Alphonse
TINE animating with Mr Jean Baptist DIOUF, mayor of the commune of Greater Dakar, a
conference on the topic: The Christian Actor of Peace in the Electoral Process.
This conference was followed by a Vigil of prayer for PEACE in the Country. Thanks be to
God who heard and answered favourably the supplications of his people. May this PEACE which
we wish for everyone in the world, reign in our hearts, to transform us and make us artisans of
peace.
Brother Alphonse TINE
THE NEXT ISSUE OF "GABRIELITE VOICE" WILL BE PUBLISHED
IN JANUARY 2013. ALL THE PROVINCE COORDINATORS OF JPIC
ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR NEWS BY 15th OF JANUARY TO:
[email protected] and the postal address is: GSJP, Fratelli di
San Gabriele, Via Trionfale, 12840, 00135, Roma-Italia