Annual JPIC Course

The General Office of JPIC in Rome offered its annual course on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation from April 17-27, 2012, at the Pontifical University Antonianum, in collaboration with the Chair of JPIC at the University. The course was coordinated by the directors of the Rome JPIC Office, Br Joe Rozansky and Br. Fabio L’amour, and the theme of this year’s course was “Peace and Reconciliation”.

JPIC animators participated from various parts of the world, including friars from the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Peru and Kenya.

Morning sessions were devoted to the specific formation of JPIC promoters and dealt with the Values and History of JPIC; the Role of the Animator; Collaboration between JPIC and Formation; Collaboration between JPIC and Evangelization; an Introduction to the Mandates of the General Chapter of 2009; a deeper look at the book “Pilgrims and Strangers” and at the booklet “Ecology in the Daily Life of the Friar Minor”; developing a JPIC program for the Entities of the Order.

Afternoon sessions were dedicated to the continuing study and understanding of issues related to Peace and Reconciliation presented by professors from the Antonianum, as well as by visiting professors who specialize in these topics. The first week of the course dealt with “Hermeneutical Aspects of Peace.” The second week employed a practical and experiential approach and focused on understanding the “Work for Reconciliation and its Effects”. Simultaneous translation was provided in the three official languages of the Order.

On the weekend between the first and second part of the course participants had the opportunity to go to Assisi (Saturday) and to visit the General Curia (Sunday). These visits offered a more relaxed moment for fraternal interaction and sharing of personal experiences.

Br. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, Minister General, and Br. Michael Perry, Vicar General, both visited the participants during the course. They thanked those present and stressed the importance of engaging the Order on matters related to Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, and of deepening the spirituality of JPIC in each Entity

Participants offered a very positive evaluation of the course, and are enthusiastically promoting next year’s version, which will address the question of Environmental Justice.