New Delhi (CBCI News): The CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development organized a two-day workshop on Catholic Social Teaching at Satyodayam, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, September 26- 27. Fr. Bala, Regional Secretary, Justice and Peace Commission and Director of AP Forum, was the local coordinator and organiser. The Workshop was attended by a group of priests and nuns and lay activists from different dioceses in Andhra Pradesh.
Ms. Sandhya, Founder and President of Progressive Organisation for Women (POW), Bro. Varghese, Human Right Activist, Mr. Philip, Expert in Children Rights and Fr. Charles Irudayam, Secretary, CBCI-JPD Office, were the resource persons for the workshop. Inaugurating the workshop, Fr. Bosco, SJ, said that the Catholic Church has to move beyond doing social charity to social activism. Being inspired and motivated by the best social teaching of the Church and following the example of Pope Francis we need to go to the poor and marginalised in the society, he said.
Fr. John Vattamattam, SVD, while moderating the session insisted on safeguarding the rights of Women and Children. Ms Sandhya speaking on the rights of Women invited the participants to move from patriarchal family to democratic family and abolish power relations at home and in the society. Bro. Varghese presented his paper on “Human Rights and Mission” and said that the foundation of human right is human being. He also quoted a few Vatican II Council documents and called for egalitarian model of society for today.
Mr. Philip, Children rights expert explained the various rights of the children. Referring to 1989 UN Child Rights Convention and charter, he said that Children are the first ones to receive the relief services always. He called to treat children not as properties but as subjects of their own and highlighted the fact that today is as important as tomorrow. He further focused on abuse, exploitation and neglect of different rights of the children.
Fr. Charles Irudayam, Secretary, CBCI-JPD Office, while presenting his paper, “Catholic Social Teaching – A Call to Social Activism” explained why, Catholics are very much involved in human rights issues. It is because human beings are created in the image of God, we have a mandate to respect human dignity and teach others to do so. He pointed out the different principles of Catholic social teaching and asked the participants to put into practice these principles in their daily lives and get involved in social activism more and more in their social mission works.
Rev Dr Charles Irudayam, Secretary, CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development