Promoting a Just World Report

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Promoting a

Just WorldProject Report

‘In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.’ (Psalm 71:7)

Prepared for Philippa Bonella, Head of Communications & Education, SCIAFPrepared by Marie Cooke on 14.11.2012



Promoting a Just World Project 2

Executive Summary

* See Appendix 1 for a visual overview of known areas of diocesan support at present -

clearly showing how much work still needs to be done – and Appendix 2 for summary of

the key themes that emerged from the research

This short piece of research clearly identified a unanimous respect and appreciation

for the staff of both SCIAF and J&P, for their commitment, skills and personal passion for

social justice, which provides a powerful inspiration to others.

A key finding was that the contacts databases for both agencies need radical updating

and revision. It is therefore not possible at present to give a truly accurate picture of

the individuals and locations where currently active local support exists.

While there are clearly many areas of collaboration in place already – both at parish

level and in inter-agency work – there is certainly room for development and toexpand this collaborative approach to include information sharing with other groups

who also appeal to Catholic parishes and schools for money and support.

A Promotion campaign across all the dioceses to explain the mission and methods of

both agencies is seen as an imperative as activists report a widespread lack of

understanding about the range of activities they engage in. SCIAF is well known for its

Lenten campaign and its fundraising for disaster relief – J&P is not so well known and

like Catholic Social Teaching seems still to be ‘the Church’s best kept secret’

All across Scotland there are parishes, schools and individual Catholics concerned with

injustice and issues that threaten peace and the common good. Often, however there is

little understanding that the church teaches that “Action on behalf of justice and

participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive

dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church's mission for

the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation.”

(The 1971 Synod of Bishops ‘Justice in the World’ report n.6) The common consensus is

that there needs to be a widespread Catholic Social Formation.

SCIAF is perceived as a large, professional, well equipped and funded agency – perhaps not quite the reality - but is seen to need a strengthening and consolidation of

its workforce to enable relationships to be built and supported in parishes and to

continue and develop its successful schools work.

J&P entered a brief period of expansion after an inspirational Review in 2002 but in

recent years with the reduction of the office staff to two part timers, the work is seen to

have been, of necessity, more of maintenance than mission. The excellent website and

informative magazine are widely lauded and the efforts of Carol and Tim are praised as

nothing short of miraculous yet all agree there must now be an increase in staffing and

resources if this vital work is to be wider known and to have greater influence.




A widespread concern is that support is drawn mainly from an older constituency for

both agencies, so there is an urgent imperative to inspire and equip younger people to

work for a just world in partnership with the Church.

Background

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), founded in 1965, is the officialaid agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland. SCIAF supports development

programmes in 16 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through the work of

their partners they support the efforts of local communities to improve their lives

through water, food, agriculture, training, health and income generating projects.

SCIAF also help them deal with the many challenges they face including HIV/AIDS,

conflict and climate change.

In Scotland, SCIAF seeks to educate the Scottish public about the causes of global

poverty and to encourage supporters to take action to create a fairer world. SCIAF’s

campaigns and advocacy work challenges politicians, decision-makers and the

corporate sector in the UK to develop more just policies.

Much of their work aims to provide opportunities for action at individual, school and

parish level. In each diocese they have a volunteer ambassador responsible for

promoting SCIAF’s work to the diocese, making links with diocesan activity and

supporting parish volunteers. Having recently created a new post of Parish Officer,

SCIAF is keen to better understand how their work can relate to existing diocesan

activity and where links can be strengthened. There are clear natural connections with

Justice and Peace groups and other local church structures on which they can build, if

they have the necessary information.

The Scottish Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (J&P) was formed in 1979. It is

the Scottish Commission of the Pontifical Council ‘ Justitia et Pax’. From the outset, the

Commission combined its function as the Bishops' advisory body on issues of social

justice, international peace and human rights with the responsibility for networking

existing and newly formed local parish groups. This dual direction has continued ever

since and gives the Commission a certain balance. Throughout its history, policy has

been formulated at all levels under the supervision of the Bishops' Conference.

The constituency of Justice and Peace is over a thousand people out of an active

Catholic population in Scotland of about 190,000. Each of Scotland's eight dioceses is

entitled to send an official representative to the National Commission. There are also

places for religious, missionary and secular clergy; youth and ecumenical

representatives; and SCIAF, their sister agency. Along with the Bishop President and

Chair and Vice-Chair these constitute the voting strength of the Commission.

The Commission meets quarterly. A Standing Committee of President, Chair, vice-

Chair, and National Secretary may convene for urgent decisions. The Commission is

serviced by a part time National Office staff of two – there is no current National

Secretary. A magazine is issued six times a year with a circulation of over a thousand

copies going to about 650 locations.

SCIAF commissioned this short research project in partnership with the Justice and

Peace Commission in Scotland.




AimThe aim of the research project was to identify existing activities to promote a just

world at parish and diocesan level in Scotland, and opportunities for each agency to

better support local activity.

ObjectivesSpecifically the research was focused on:

Reviewing the records held by both agencies regarding diocesan and parish-

level contacts and the level of activity in support of SCIAF and Justice & Peace

Identifying geographical areas strong in support of these agencies, and areas of

weakness

Identifying models of good practice, where local involvement is well supported

at diocesan or national level

Identifying feedback from dioceses which may help both agencies to improve

joint working Collating recommendations to both agencies, suggesting improvements to the

support they provide to local activities, opportunities for joint working, or other

developments which would further their aims within the dioceses.

Research Method

Working with the staff of both agencies the researcher undertook

Desk review of SCIAF and J&P records on local and diocesan groups and

activities

Interviews with SCIAF ambassadors, board members and J&P commissionmembers

Interviews with relevant staff and volunteers in both agencies

Review of diocesan and other Catholic websites

To draft, discuss and agree a report with findings and recommendations for both

agencies

To present the report to the J&P national commission and the SCIAF leadership

team.

The research project began with a meeting of the researcher with key staff from both

agencies on 25

th

May 2012. Milestones were set, namely September and December fordraft reports to agencies – with the final Report to be presented to the Bishops

Conference at their spring meeting in 2013.

The next step was a meeting with J&P staff on 29 th May followed by the researcher

giving a presentation to the J&P Commission meeting on 2nd June in Edinburgh. The

aim and objectives of the project were explained and submissions requested from

each diocesan representative present. The researcher then met with SCIAF staff on 18 th

June to discuss the objectives and collect opinions and suggestions from them.

The researcher also attended a meeting of the CRS links group on 22nd June in Glasgow

to canvass their opinions, as the Religious have always been generous and activesupporters of work for a just world in Scotland.




Due to the restrictions of data protection it took some weeks for names and email

addresses of key SCIAF/J&P contacts to be released to the researcher. Emails were

sent to 114 individuals i.e. 5 SCIAF Ambassadors – 39 Craighead Institute former

students - 10 bishops and 60 J&P contacts – some submitted by Edinburgh’s J&P office.

SCIAF and J&P also contacted their own supporters directly to advise them of the

research and to invite them to contribute their thoughts and suggestions.

SCIAF had released the details of the 124 parishes on their database – out of a possible

452 in Scotland - but without contact names because of data protection. The

demographic split by diocese showed 12 in Aberdeen – 3 in Argyll & the Isles – 14 in

Dunkeld – 15 in Galloway – 23 in Glasgow – 14 in Motherwell – 10 in Paisley – 33 in St

Andrews & Edinburgh. J&P had also submitted a list of the parish groups on their

database and these have been matched with the SCIAF list – providing the data for the

graph in Appendix 1

The researcher had also been collating information from diocesan and other Scottish

Catholic websites and reading SCIAF reports, the reports on the Craighead Institute

course and the J&P Review Report from 2002.

The researcher set up ten meetings with individuals or groups known to be very

involved within the Catholic community with social justice issues to solicit opinion.

Due to poor response to the email appeal the researcher then set up telephone

interviews with the SCIAF Diocesan Ambassadors and some other contacts, thus

extending the number of submitted responses to 50 in total.

It should be noted that all the feedback came from people who were known to the

agencies – no wider call for comment was instructed.

Research Findings

Considering the number of people who were contacted, by the two agencies and by

the researcher, the number of responses was disappointing but is indicative of the

current state of communication and a general lack of energy and enthusiasm at

present.

‘ I know that people – including bishops – do get tired of b eing ‘assessed’ and also organiz ations and commissions similarly being ‘assessed’.

Those who did respond however, were very frank and honest in their comments and

many submitted either fulsome reports or engaged in substantial interviews, which

were both illuminative and indicated hopefulness that development would be

forthcoming. Respondents included Bishops, Priests and Religious but the majority

were Lay - women and men - reflecting their specific bridging role between church

and society.




Perspectives

A key finding unanimously expressed by all respondents was that few people in

parishes are aware of the breadth of SCIAF’s work – and even fewer know about the

work of J&P Scotland.

‘ For many of us putting money into the SCIAF appeal is our only response - we are not made uncomfortable enough about the need for

a more just world and our personal responsibility as a Catholic community to do more than just put money in the box.’

‘ I don't think people know what J&P is/does and I think SCIAF is associated with fundraising and Lent.’

Indeed some of the respondents - although actively engaged in work for social justice

personally - were yet unable to differentiate or describe the work of both agencies.

‘I think there is still a perception that J & P is something 'done' by the Church - or certainly by a group of people who are 'them' and not 'us'.

‘I get the feeling that it is seen a middle class organisation mo re intent on “social” meetings than communicating and acting with local initiatives at ground level and so people overlook it and go

straight to the agency on the ground.’

‘I don’t think people at my parish level know much about J& P as an organization or what it does. I think Justice and Peace is viewed as having more of a “political only for the activists” focus than SCIAF.

‘J&P is no longer exciting – there are no longer lo cal networks’

‘J&P s een as leftist, Guardian reading individuals, whereas average clergy are Telegraph readers with SNP affiliation - Antagonism to

political class & siege mentality of clergy are problems …How to involve priests in work for justice? Not through politics but through faith based

approaches - praying for justice as introduction to campaigning for justice’

Strengths

People:

Staff members - praise for the personal dedication and expertise of staff from both

agencies which is both appreciated by, and inspirational to, all those they deal with.

‘SCIAF is the jewel in the crown - best loved organisation in Scotland ’




‘J&P fulfils the call of Vatican II that the laity should be actively

engaged in work for the good of the church and the world ’

Volunteers - those individuals who actively support both agencies are tremendously

generous in the time and effort they dedicate to educating themselves about the issues,

disseminating information, campaigning and fundraising. Among them there is a vast,

and often untapped, plethora of skills and experience.

‘It all h inges on the passion a nd enthusiasm of individuals’

‘ All of us are keen that Justice and Peace becomes more effective. Often

as we join non-Christians in protest they are impressed by the fact

Catholics stand side by side with them ’

Places:

Parishes - every diocese has parishes where work promoting a just world takes place,

addressing local issues as well as international concerns. Some of these efforts are

ecumenical and involve many other agencies as well as SCIAF/J&P. Many parishes

raise substantial funds for SCIAF.

‘ I think SCIAF is well supported through the parishes in the

Diocese and by committed individuals, and I would hope that this will continue - it is a charity though and depends on the generosity of the donors.’

‘ As regards J&P, as a "brand" it is well known; people are

generally sympathetic to its causes; its presence is strong in some

communities and less so in others.’

Schools - SCIAF is well known and supported in Catholic Secondary Schools as an Aid

agency and also increasingly in non-denominational schools.

Services:

SCIAF – the Lenten campaign is seen as highly effective and fundraising for SCIAF

projects is an on-going and very well supported activity all across Scotland

J&P – The magazine and ebulletins are much appreciated by all who receive them.

‘The articles, diary etc in the magazine are excellent and useful to keep abreast of what’s going on politically, socially and spiritually’




Communication:

Both agencies have excellent websites for the promotion of campaign issues and the

dissemination of information

‘ I did know that J&P had a website, but to my shame, I didn’t look

further into it, incorrectly assuming that it would simply detail names of officers and publicise the magazine. I have now rectified this flawed

thinking and, yes, it is a brilliant resource ’

Weaknesses

People

Staff members - SCIAF’s turnover of staff in recent years has led to a breakdown inrelationships between the agency and parishes.

‘ Mary's meals has caught the imagination in ways SCIAF hasn't –

offering direct contact which SCIAF has lost in recent years – people

don’t know who to contact there? ’

‘Have felt very much the l ack of leadership as SCIAF has been for so

long without a “head” and alt hough I am supporter of, involved with and contribute to J&P I don’t even know if there is a chairperson’

J&P have struggled on with a reduced staff for some years which has prohibited any

attempt at development

‘ Staff reductions mean no resources - no energy to take on new

methods and actions ’

Volunteers - the supporters of both agencies are mainly older people, often retired, who while still as passionate and committed as ever have less energy and more

demands on their time. A ‘silo’ mentality has developed with people only interested in

their own work and not interested in sharing information or working to recruit new

members

‘ Need for volunteers to be treated professionally & recruited more widely rather than from usual suspects ’

‘ I'm the SC IAF rep …don't do too much other than highlight Lenten

and Advent appeals and hand out bulletins ’




‘ ‘Needs new blood’

‘ From my own experience it is difficult to establish and sustain

parish activity without the full support of the Parish Priest.’

‘ I have only limited experience as because of lack of interest in our

parish, I became more and more interested in the national scene.

To be honest, I find the current scene pretty bleak, not only for J&P

but also for the Church in general.…h aving said that like you, I do

not give up hope’

‘Our PP’s description was that such groups often became talking

shops for middle class people to drink coffee etc. ‘

J&P Commission – lack of full membership inhibits communication and development

‘T here is no one with a diocesan J & P remit. There was a very devoted

lady for many years, but she has now retired and not been replaced to

date.’

‘H ow are commission members appointed? – what is their remit ? – who

do they report to and from ?- I don’t know ! ’

Places

Parishes - there are a substantial number of parishes, across all dioceses, which do not

have a designated contact link with either agency. This restricts the flow of

information, both from and to the agencies, and hampers the dissemination of

resources.

‘ Within the diocese I feel a little isolated ’

‘ What support is drawn from SCIAF ’s T in the Park presence etc? – What

about the Catholic base? ’

‘J&P as a group has crumbled in our parish and little if nothing is being done.’

‘ We do not have regular events to support either J&P or SCIAF although

materials are distributed and events publicized. However, the parish is very charity friendly ’




‘ As far as I am aware any Justice & Peace work that happens depends on the initiative of individual priests or committed lay people who

have taken an interest in these matters ’

‘ For years, our parish has paid lip service to SCIAF and had little or no

involvement with Justice & Peace...we have neither sought to initiate activity nor been encouraged by an organized, communicative

Diocese.’

Schools – J&P has lost their one-time stronghold in schools and with both teachers and

pupils largely unaware of their existence there is little involvement with their work for

a just world. While SCIAF’s fundraising efforts are supported well in Catholic

Secondary Schools, less well known or understood are SCIAF’s advocacy and

development education work – as already identified in the Evaluation report on

SCIAF’s schools programme (June 2012)

‘SCIAF really only gets publicity via Catholic churches and schools so it

is seen as 'churchy' by any younger people who hear of it at all, and in

general, as young people don't go to church, they never hear of it in

the first place ’

Services:

SCIAF – much of the agency’s activities are unknown to the majority of Catholics in

Scotland

‘ How are the web sites of SCIAF and J&P? Are they into social media?

Do they send out regular emails which people can sign up to? ’

‘ Mary's Meals and school trips to Africa have caught the imagination.A parish priest having Mary's Meals volunteers in his parish and kids

heading off to build a school in Africa will feel no urgency to create other structures.’

J&P – while the Magazine is an excellent resource it has a low circulation and is still

largely unknown in parishes or schools

‘Who i s the magazine actually for?’

‘ I believe structures have to be dismantled and rebuilt. The world is

radically different from what it was 10 years ago not to mention the 20 years ago when Justice and Peace was a strong force in parish life.’




Communication:

Due to the work needed on the contacts databases of both organisations, poor

communication is seen as one of the common negative perceptions by respondents –

with no contact or multiple contacts from agencies at times - and few availing

themselves or being aware of the excellent material on the SCIAF and J&P websites.

‘ Mailing lists/databases need to be overhauled as it is off putting to people to be inundated with mailings – or to still be receiving info as contact person for parish when that is now role of someone else ’

‘I am a SCIAF supporter yet have had no contact for some time ’

Models of good practiceOne Scottish diocese has employed a Justice and Peace worker – i.e. St Andrews’ &

Edinburgh. Miriam McHardy is doing wonderful work - building on the foundations

laid by Fr. Chris Boles SJ - to support, encourage, train and resource people in

parishes. This is a model other dioceses could perhaps look to in their pastoral

planning, bearing in mind that experience has shown that adequate working hours are

needed to fulfil expectations and that advisory and facilitation roles are crucial to the

job specification.

‘ I have always seen my role not as the person who does justice & peace

in the diocese, but as someone who offers support, advice, training and encouragement to those active and doing, as well as

encouraging, informing and offering opportunities to those who are

not already involved but are curious. Part of my role for both groups is

making the links between faith and action, and something I have

viewed as essential is offering opportunities for spiritual reflection and

support to support and sustain action for justice and peace. It’s also

not my role to set up groups …that’s why I work with the other agencies

in the diocese to try and embed J&P in all the ir work.‘

In several areas of the country, parishes have formed joint groups – often with

ecumenical partners – to great effect. This networking has enabled a greater pool of

activists with a wider diversity of skills. This format is a particularly valuable model for

rural areas.

‘ Lots of people from all parts of the Christian community have worked

together for many years as a sign of the unity of the church in this town ….the group was ecumenical right from the beginning. I think




this is important to us because whichever congregations we come

from we have always felt a real 'o wnership’ of the work and fellowship

we share. We are open to all, including people with no church

affiliation who share our concerns for justice and peace in the world.

One of our very active members joined us after seeing a report of our activities in the local paper.’

Another model reported had arisen when individuals shared a common interest – e.g.

in Refugees or nuclear weapons – and have collaborated via email to campaign and

share information. In a digital age where attending meetings or belonging to groups is

seen as less attractive this may provide a model for future networking and support.

‘ Irvine started a campaign – as a town – against detention of children

at Dungavel – Motherwell diocesan J&P support this and go to

Dungavel 2/3 times a year for protest.’

‘ Yes people support local causes and national campaigns on any number of Church related issues but I can't see any appetite for

structures and local committees.’

‘We don't have a committee, only office bearers and our monthly meetings when we plan activites are open to all members. About half of

them come when they can - the others come for our public events as

and when they can. Everyone gets minutes and of course in this day of e-campaigning much work can be done from home!

It has to be mentioned that many of the areas that are most active do so independently

of SCIAF or J&P, or using resources from them but also from other agencies such as

Christian Aid, Mary’s Meals, CND etc.

The list is very long of the organizations and causes we have taken up over the years. Groups such as ours couldn't function without the

resources of, for instance, Christian Aid, Jubilee Scotland,Landmine Action, Stop the Traffik, etc etc as well as SCIAF an d J&P’

‘The J&P group do not want to be affiliated to SCIAF only, not just because it is an ecumenical group and the Catholic connection may

in fact put people off participating, but because the group supports charities and organizations working locally and is interested in topics such as Trident, poverty, trafficking and other social justice

issues facing Scotland.’




Recommendations

Witness of love in action

In ‘ Deus Caritas Est ’ Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that ‘a s a community, the church must

practice love. Love thus needs to be organized if it is to be an ordered service to the

community’ (n.20)

The work of both SCIAF and J&P is then essential for the credibility of the Catholic

Church in Scotland – not an optional extra – as the faith community puts itself at the

service of all whom God has created, out of love. As such this work needs to be staffed

and resourced effectively if it is to be a beacon of hope and witness to the Christian

commitment to recognise the equal dignity and value of every human person and to

promote the common good of all.

‘ Volunteers are great but paid staff are needed to ensure continuity ’

Practical support from the Scottish Bishops:

Earlier this year the Secretary of ‘Cor Unum’ – Monsignor Dal Toso – speaking to a

meeting of CIDSE was unequivocal - ‘Bishops also have a special duty not to abandon

their charitable organizations, but rather to help and promote them, and consider them as

a central aspect of their pastoral responsibility towards the People of God, along with the

ministries of Word and sacrament.’

There is a consensus in the responses that calls on the Bishops Conference for strong

leadership and practical evidence of their own commitment to a preferential option for

the poor and dedication to work for peace and justice in the church and in the world.

I get the feeling that Justice & Peace Scotland does not get the support

it deserves within parishes and certainly within the Diocese.

Not sure why.’

The enthusiasm of Catholic individuals still exists but is tempered by the perception of institutional apathy and lack of promotion of the centrality of work for justice so

opportunities to be informed and energised which stem from the Bishops would be

very well received.

‘ It isn’t difficult in a parish like ours to live comfortably with our

church and the wider community, be very busy and have noble

thoughts. But it seems to me that something is missing in this vision if

our faith takes us no further than considering and acting to improve

our own “good” living, while relegating only to intellectual

consideration, the clear injustices in the world around us.’




Lay people experience many priests as uninterested, or even antagonistic, to issues

relating to social justice so a gentle encouragement of them, by the bishops, would be

appreciated.

‘ I also think that the clergy in the Diocese should be encouraged to

show more support by attending and involving themselves in such meetings and events. I recognise that there are few (young) priests

around and that there is lots to be done but burying your head in the

sand is not an answer.’

‘ The message of the need for us all to work for a more just society and world should be heard in our Churches - it is the message of Christ.’

Catholic Social Formation

The largely untapped wealth of Catholic social teaching needs to be better known and

utilised. J&P could be the conduit for providing information, resources, and formation

in the Scriptural and magisterial sources of CST and their application to human life – for

parishioners, teachers and young people.

‘Promoting CST has mileage in recruiting people’

‘People are hungry for justice so are open but need formation’

‘Not nearly enough opportunity for Adult formation of any kind’

‘Younger c hildren understand charity, while teenagers are more interested in action’

Charity is rated highly and raising money for humanitarian disasters or poorer peoples

of the world goes on apace – but there seems to be little reflection or engagement with

the issues causing the poverty or human distress – and little knowledge of what

Scripture and Church teaching tells us Christians should do to address these matters.

‘ Capacity building - invest in leaders - train people in justice and

peace and take projects to the parishes - with themes rooted in the

scriptures ’

This would entail an expansion of the workforce and resource bank but if funding is

sourced from external charitable trusts then this development would benefit Scottish

dioceses without being an additional budget expense. The experience gleaned from

the Craighead Institute course on action for justice – funded by SCIAF – that had noinbuilt follow up process was that this resulted in a lost opportunity to retain the

contacts made. It is therefore essential that any participants in training receive regular




communication and support afterwards to ensure they are encouraged to put their new

knowledge and skills into good use in their local communities.

‘ The Craighead Course has helped me to direct my faith into action

within the parish and recognize my personal vocation to more openly

express my faith and values.’

‘ I value the e bulletins and links to other agencies. I value networking

events and workshops. It's good to connect and learn from others, it's

very motivating.’

Tool of the new evangelisation

‘Take …a handful of Christians who, in the midst of their own community, show their

capacity for understanding and acceptance, their sharing of life and destiny with other

people, their solidarity with the efforts of all for whatever is noble and good … Such a

witness is already a silent proclamation of the Good News and a very powerful and

effective one. Here we have an initial act of evangelization’ (Evangelii Nuntiandi 21)

Work for social justice is not only of benefit to every member of society but is also a

powerful witness to the integrity of the faith community and their fidelity to the teaching

and example of Jesus Christ. Those on the margins or disengaged from faith practice

or disillusioned by contemporary revelations of the reality that the church is a ‘refugeof sinners’ are yet attracted by authenticity and selflessness.

‘ What keeps you still thinking of being a Catholic? For some young

people it will be because of parents - for others it will be because of the

church's care for the poor and work for justice and peace’

As Monsignor Dal Toso identified this is incarnational theology when ‘charitable activity

becomes an open door for the faithful to grow in their knowledge and love for the Lord.’

Young people particularly are still passionate about justice issues and this could be a

means to retain their involvement or reconnect them with the faith communities they

belong to, and who desperately need their presence and participation.

‘ Pope Bene dict XVI chose “Educating Young People In Justice And

Peace” for the 45 th World Day of Peace. We have heard little about this

in parishes.’

The promotion of justice and peace does not just involve campaigning and advocacy or

fundraising – it hinges on catechesis and formation and is rooted in prayer. Moreopportunities for prayer services on justice and peace themes would involve a wider

constituency and remove any remnants of a stigma that social justice is party political,




exclusive, or subversive. Indeed the recent Synod of Bishops endorsed this formation

in their Proposition 24 on the Social Teaching of the Church:

‘ In order to advance a New Evangelization in society, greater attention should be given to

the Church’s social doctrine, understanding that it is …an irreplaceable means of

education in the faith (cf. Caritas in V eritate, 15). This embrace of the Church’s social

doctrine should permeate the content of catechesis, Christian education, formation of

seminarians and religious, the continuing formation of bishops and priests and most

especially the formation of the laity.’

At a deeper level than religious education, catechesis does not simply pass on the

truths of faith but makes these a present lived out reality in the world and in the lives of

believers. More than a body of doctrine, catechesis transmits a way of living, in

conformity with the example of Jesus Christ. A principal goal of catechesis is

conversion, bringing a person to a new understanding of themselves and a fresh

orientation to the world they live in. Both agencies have a role to play in this area of religious formation, with Catholic social teaching both an intrinsic part and the medium

by which people assimilate Gospel values into personal practice.

Promotion

As a first step both agencies are encouraged to make contact with every Catholic

diocese, parish, school and group website to ask them to link to the SCIAF and J&P

websites.

‘ If there is a need for wider engagement perhaps the agencies could

jointly organize a 'Roadshow' of so me sort ‘

This countrywide ‘Faith in Action Fest’ would be a means of promoting SCIAF and J&P

by increasing understanding and support for both agencies, inspiring and encouraging

new volunteers, strengthening ecumenical and interfaith links on common issues, and

providing a very positive public relations exercise for the Catholic Church in Scotland.

‘Various priests, Religious, and lay people who have visited overseas

could be used to go out and give talks to parishes ad schools to relate

personal experiences’ - relationships make issues alive’

Organising meetings at central points in dioceses would make these more accessible

for a wider range of people and should ideally involve bishops, clergy, religious and

laity of all ages together.

Pope Benedict stressed that ‘the laity in the Church should be considered not as

“collaborators” with the clergy, but as persons truly “co- responsible” for the being and

activity of the Church’ (Address to the International Catholic Action Forum 24/08/12) – so these




meetings could be opportunities to develop this new sense of shared responsibility -

by all for the good of all.

‘ I also think a series of events around each diocese with joint J & P

and SCIAF input could help spread the word …and could allow people

to see that they ARE Justice and Peace and they ARE SCIAF.’

Support

‘Without vision the people perish.’ (Proverbs 29:18) A strategic plan will be needed to

ensure that the promotion and recruitment drive is accompanied by appropriate

support structures to encourage and resource these new activists.

‘ Need for clarity of direction and nurturing of supporters/volunteers ’

Earlier initiatives have largely failed because the enthusiasm generated by

inspirational visits and talks was dissipated by a lack of follow up. It is also essential

that resources are not merely produced but are also promoted and accompanied by

training to ensure they are fully utilised.

‘ Goodwill is out there but interest fades when it is not harnessed’

‘Groups everywhere are struggling – need to look at other methods

of generating activity’’

At the Second Vatican council Cardinal Cardijn described his See-Judge-Act method

for social discernment as a key means for developing the "interior freedom" that "exists

in germ in every human person as a natural gift” but which requires a “ long education”.

This can also be translated as Observe – Reflect – Act condensing to ORA – aptly, a call

to pray. Therefore, work by the agencies on prayer resources would be appreciated

by parishes, schools and individuals, as would their organisation of special prayer

events focused on social justice themes to support people in the development of their

lives of prayer and service to others.

Networking

A common request was for more networking between the Catholic agencies working in

Scotland. There are many requests made to our parishes and schools for fundraising

and campaigning but often these are not co-ordinated or cohesive and so confuse and

give the impression of competition and duplication.




‘ A void splitting the audience – waste of resources – giving a false sense

of competition between agencies – prevent a Catholic ghetto ie work for

a just world is done by m ore than just church agencies ‘

‘I t is time to rethink the parish based J&P group model. Instead there

should be area groups who campaign, put on events, organise prayer services on social justice issues, train people of all ages in CST, work

ecumenically/interfaith ’

Both SCIAF and J&P already network widely, both with other faith organisations and the

voluntary and statutory sectors, but this needs to be made universally known.

‘We don’t really make enough use of the Deanery Group concept – Parish Priests are very much seen as being the person in charge and

collaboration with neighbouring parishes does not seem to be encouraged by the clergy’

‘ SCIAF are working on a new RE resource to add to This Is Our Faith in a joint project with Missio and J&P - hopefully the start of greater

collaboration re work in schools ’

Young People

Any organisation that does not have an inbuilt mechanism for ‘handing on’ to future

generations is seriously deficit – no work can truly flourish if it is dependent on a few

individuals or a restricted group.

‘ Every group needs to start by thinking about how you handover to

others ’

There is a consensus of concern about the ageing profile of supporters for both

agencies and although no one suggests a definite solution as to how to attract and

engage young people this is seen as a top priority to be addressed. The wisdom andexperience of the older Catholic workers for justice needs to be shared with others to

inspire and activate a new generation.

‘ Older people need structures - younger people need movements ’

The good work already accomplished by SCIAF in schools needs to be built on as

these young people enter the world of work or further study to ensure they retain a

passion for justice as adults. Both agencies can contribute to strengthening the school

– parish – home link which is essential if there is to be on-going formation of young

people to ensure they make the most of every opportunity to fulfil their potential

benefiting themselves and society.




Conclusion

This research is timely as the Church begins a ‘Year of Faith’ focused on re-energising

and refocusing the People of God on their mission to bring the light of Christ and the

values of the Gospel to our world and its peoples in all their ‘ joys and hopes, griefs and

anxieties’. (Gaudium et Spes 1)

‘This project to think through how to develop interest in J&P and SCIAF is a good way to mark the Year of Faith’

‘Justice and peace is vital as a ‘ginger group’ – keeping the bishops and laity informed – cultivating the environment that support for

SCIAF can flourish in – and forming a new generation of people with a social conscience which they can use for the good of the church and

the world.’

There is clearly widespread concern that injustice, violence, and inequity are

experienced by far too many people across the globe and there is great goodwill for

making a personal effort to effect a positive change in society. This however needs to

be channelled and supported which is why SCIAF and J&P are needed more than ever.

‘ Change in attitudes in medicine and teaching - need to be echoed n

the church. J&P should be the church's RAC breakdown service - can

be the catalyst to bring people back to faith praxis ’

‘ Something has to be done now – J&P is exactly what lay people can

engage with, no need for clerical oversight, brings reflection and

involvement with the issues they meet in their daily working lives ’

This is also a time of reflection on Vatican II’s call to a perennial aggiornamento and

ressourcement by the followers of Christ so surely nothing could be more appropriate

than a consideration of how the Church in Scotland can read and respond to the ‘ signs

of the times ’ (GS 4)

‘ I hope some of the people who did not listen to Vatican II the first time round are listening now! ’

SCIAF and J&P, as agents of the Church, must remain focused and be fully equipped if

they are to be able to f aithfully implement the Council’s instruction to

‘ promote among humanity a sharper insight into their full destiny, and thereby lead them

to fashion the world more to humanity's surpassing dignity, to search for a kinship which is

universal and more deeply rooted, and to meet the urgencies of our ages with a gallant

and unified effort born of love.’(GS 91)




Proposals for Action

I. Joint SCIAF/J&P working on:

New Hunger campaign – launching in January 2013

Planning for Deanery level initiative on Eco-congregations

The production of new parish resources

Initiatives to form wider networking, e.g. with SCES, parliamentary office and

other agencies raising funds for overseas aid and development in Scotland

A This is our Faith justice and peace resource

Environmental justice issues

II. A specific joint SCIAF/J&P project for the Year of Faith:

A Year of Faith magazine - one off /issued without cost/print run of a reasonable

number but also available electronically – including a new manifesto of work for a just

world by both agencies

The April Conference - Pentecost - Sat 13th April 2013 - could launch the magazine and

also facilitate the distribution of a pamphlet informing people of what SCIAF/ J&P do

and inspiring them to get involved

III. Both agencies will:

Develop a new educational thrust and development of parish contacts

Overhaul and develop contact databases

IV. Justice & Peace:

Will apply for external funding to deliver a Catholic Social Formation project

across Scotland. This will enable new workers to be recruited who can roll out

cascade training in CST across dioceses to inspire new volunteers and empowerand nurture existing activists

This CSF pro ject will also be a promotion ‘Roadshow’ for both agencies –

disseminating information and resources, enlarging the contacts network and

providing the contact and support requested by parish volunteers

Develop an ebulletin – sending out CST quotes for inclusion in parish bulletins

J&P Commission to aim to achieve a full and active membership – aided by the

development of a Role & Responsibilities agreement so that Commissionmembers clearly understand what is expected of them



21

Appendix 1

Illustration of proportion of Scottish parishes known to be involved with SCIAF/J&P –

yellow columns indicate parishes not listed as currently involved with either agency

01020

30405060708090100

A b e r d e

e n

A r g y l l

& t h e I s l e

s

D u n k

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G a l l o

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G l a s g o

w

M o t h e

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S t A n

d r e w

s & E d

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SCIAF

J&P

SCIAF/J&P

Other parishes

Appendix 2

Summary of key themes that emerged from the research:

Expansion of Justice & Peace workforce

Recruitment Road show

Promotion campaign

Catholic Social Formation

Information Network - all Catholic agencies concerned with social justice

Promoting a Just World Report

Documents

Transcript of Promoting a Just World Report