Background of CJPC
The Second Vatican Council instilled a concern for the world in the church. Consequently, Pope Paul VI established the Pontifical Justice and Peace Commission Justicia et Pax’ on 6th January 1967. “Taking into account immensity the hardships which still afflict a large section of humanity, and with a view to fostering everywhere the justice and love of Christ for the poor, the council suggested that it would be most opportune to create some organization of the universal church whose task would be to arouse the Catholic community to promote the progress of areas which are in want and foster social Justice between nations. After ten years’ period, Paul VI gave the commission its definite on 10th December 1976 and in 1988, Pope John Paul II changed its title from Pontifical Commission to a Pontifical Council.
In Kenya we still use the term Catholic justice and Peace Commission (CJPC)
Objectives and Mandate of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Pastor Bonus, the Apostolic Constitution of 1998, defined the objectives and mandate to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in the following terms:
- The council will promote Justice and peace in the world, in the light of the Gospel and of the social teachings of the church.
- It will deepen the social doctrine of the church and attempt to make it widely known and applied, both by individuals and communities especially as regards relations between workers and employers. These relations should be increasingly marked by the spirit of the Gospel.
- It will assemble and evaluate research of issues related to Justice and Peace, development of people and violation of human rights. When appropriate, it will inform the local ordinary for Episcopal conclusions.
- It will foster relations with all organizations that are sincerely committed to the promotion of values of Justice and Peace in the world, whether they are Catholics or not.
- It will heighten awareness of the need to promote peace above all on the occasion of World Day of Peace.
Activities of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
- Justice:
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is concerned with everything that touches upon social Justice including work conditions, international justice issues and problems associated with development, especially its social dimension. The council also promotes ethical reflection on economic and financial systems, including their impact on the environment, and the ever changing forms (terrorism, piracy, radicalization, exaggerated nationalism etc.). It also considers the question of political systems and the role of Catholics in the political arena.
- Human rights:
The Human Rights have assumed increasing importance in the mission of the church and consequently in the work of the Pontifical Council. The Catholic Social Teachings has highlighted the dignity of human person and of the peoples as the basis for promotion and defense of their inalienable rights.
- Integrity of creation:
The first United Nations conference on ecology was held in Stockholm in 1972 and raised a world-wide alarm. It was in the time of John Paul II that the Church developed a greater sensitivity to the issue of ecology. In fact, John Paul the II dealt extensively with ecology in his teachings. Pope Benedict’s XVI Encyclical Caritas in veritate 3 and Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si affirm the need to be actively involved in the care of creation for the good of the human person and of the people.
The first European Assembly in Brazil (1989); and the world Ecumenical assembly in Seoul (1990) entitled “Justice, peace and integrity of creation” linked ecological problems with those of justice and peace. These two assemblies helped to popularize the expression ‘the integrity of creation which has since been incorporated into justice and peace organs of religious congregation.
- Peace
The pontifical Council reflects on a broad range of questions reflected to war, Disarmament, Demobilization Reintegration (DDR), Arms Trade, international security and violence in its various and ever-changing forms (terrorism, exaggerated nationalism etc.). It also considers the questions of political system and
CJPC in Kenya
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) was formed in 1988 as the executive arm of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on matters of peace and justice. The CJPC works to fulfill one of KCCB objectives, that is, to promote justice and challenge oppressive structures in society. CJPC’s broad aim is to sensitize individuals, communities and the whole nation on justice, peace issues and their respective roles and duties in addressing peace development, human advancement and human rights.
The Vision
To be a witness of love reflecting the church of Christ where ALL are dignified.
The Mission
To fulfill the mission of Christ through evangelization and promotion of integral human development.
The Goal
To sensitize Christians on their roles and duties in addressing peace, sustainable development, human, rights, and reconciliation.
Responsibilities of CJPC Promoters and Commissioners
- Formation:
It is the duty of promoters and commissioners in liaison with the archdiocese CJPC office to form each other and other members of the faith community in values and dispositions of justice and peace within the context of the Social Teachings of the Church.
- Coordination:
Commissioners and promoters are required to coordinate the justice and peace work taking place in their jurisdiction. This should be in acknowledgement that justice and peace initiatives can be generated by any section of the faithful.
- Collaboration:
Promoters and commissioners are required execute their work collaboratively with the parish priest, within the Justice and Peace structures, with other church structures and beyond the church structure, provided the initiatives are consistence with the Social Teachings of the Church.
- Communication:
Commissioners and promoters have a duty to communicate within the commission, the local church and the archdiocese on matters concerning justice and peace. The CJPC policy recommends that the structure of CJPC shall form legitimate channels of communication from national office to the SCC and vice versa.
It is the role of diocesan justice and peace office coordination office to foster communication among all stakeholders in the archdiocese. Th archdiocesan justice and peace coordination office maintains a data base of all contacts (phone numbers, email addresses, face book, skype addresses and other necessary contact details) for promoters, animators and commissioners.
Promoters and Commissioners are obliged to make their contacts available to the diocesan justice and peace coordination office and inform about any changes. Every commissioner and promoter has a duty to participate in the dissemination of information relevant to the cause of justice and peace within the archdiocese. The use of social media (twitter, WhatsApp, face book, mass sms) is encouraged but MUST be used according to regulations of state law especially the Communication Authority of Kenya.
Important Days in CJPC Calendar of events:
| Date | Theme |
| 1st January | World day of peace |
| 8th March | International Women’s Day |
| 21st March | International Day of forests |
| 22nd March | International Water Day |
| 22nd April | Earth Day |
| Date | Theme |
| 1st May | Labour Day |
| 5th June | Environmental Day |
| 16th June | The Day of the African Child |
| 24th August | Father John Anthony Kaiser memorial |
| 21st September | International Day of Peace (UN) |
| 1st October | International Day for Elderly People |
| 3rd November | Justice day |
| 14th November | World orphan’s day |
| 1st December. | World Aid’s Day |
Structure of CJPC
The structure of catholic Justice and Peace Commission in the Archdiocese of Nairobi is formulated and designed to increase awareness and participation of the faithful in applying their faith in doing Justice and promoting peace.
The structure is meant to affirm that the promotion of justice and peace is a substantive element of evangelization. The work of promoters and commissioners is meant to affirm and complement the pastoral work in the archdioceses as it serves reconciliation.
Small Christian Community Level
At the S.C.C. a team of justice and peace promoters and commissioners is drawn from that particular S.C.C and any other ecclesial group, movements and association recognized by the archdiocese through the pastoral office.
The Justice and Peace promoters / commissioners in the liaison with SC.C. elect two people from every SCC to represent it in the CJPC of the local church or chapel. It is recommended that these representatives should be of the opposite genders but in cases of inadequacy either can do.
The team of promoters/ commissioners have the task of promoting values of justice and peace and care of creation through their way of life, movements in the communities they serve and through both words and deeds.
Whenever possible, other justice and peace promoters / commissioners of any institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life resident within the jurisdiction of a given
S.C.C. are required to form part of the team of promoters at the level.
Local Church Level
At the local church, the CJPC is formed by the two representatives of S.C.C. ecclesial groups, associations, devotional groups and movements. The justice and peace promoters elect their five executive members from among themselves. Meetings at this level are held on a monthly basis.
Parish Level
At the parish level, the CJPC is formed by the five executive commissioners/promoters elected at the local church. At parish level five executive members shall be elected. Meetings should be held at least every three months.
The promoters/commissioners at the parish level may co-opt a person (s) who is (are) not elected from within the structure but of the value of justice and peace cause. Such members shall be non-voting members in meetings but play an advisory role and may contribute to the implementation of decisions.
Deanery Level
At the deanery level, CJPC is formed by the elected executive members of the respective parishes. At this level, five executive members shall be elected from among the commissioners. Meetings shall be held at least four times a year and whenever need arises.
Archdiocese level
At the archdiocese level, a team of commissioners / promoters representing all the deaneries are elected. This becomes the archdiocesan justice and peace commission. At least five executive members from each team of deanery executive and 5 co-opted members shall constitute the archdiocesan executive committee. Meetings shall be held at least four times a year and whenever need arises.
Principles Governing CJPC (CST)
Catholic social teaching (CST) is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition. Pope John Paul II wrote, “The Church’s social teaching finds its source in Sacred Scripture, beginning with the Book of Genesis and especially in the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles.
The Catholic Social Teachings form the foundation of the functions and operations of the CJPC. The ten (10) major themes of the catholic social teachings are presented below.
Human dignity
Community
Rights and duties
Option for the poor
Participation
Economic Justice
Stewardship of Creation
Solidarity
Role of Government
Promotion of Peace
.