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Ever since the General Chapter of 1971 the call to justice and peace has appeared frequently in the statements and in the commitments of the Carmelite Order. Over these years Carmelites have worked on the question of justice in the world through study, reflection and ministry to and with the poor and the other victims of injustice in the world. Carmelites recognise the need to respond to the situation of the poor, to the demands of the Gospel, to the social teachings of the Church and to the rediscovery of the Order's identity and charism in the years since the Second Vatican Council. This kind of understanding
has come as the result of many meetings, much research and a deep desire
to be faithful to the calling of Carmelites in the world of today. United
in prayer and fraternity, this service of justice forms the pattern of
life for Carmelites today: prayer, fraternity and service integrated in
one approach to life in the convent and among the people. Over the years
various forms of service have emerged. In many parts of the Order there
are Justice and Peace Commissions whose task it is to motivate the members
by reminding them of what the Order and the Church have said and guiding
some of the initiatives the members might decide to take. In many places
there are centres to take care of the poor, with food, clothing, health
and hygiene, counselling. Many of the churches of the Order are located
in places where the vast majority of the people are very poor. By basing
their preaching on the scripture, and with a keen eye to what is happening
in society, Carmelites are giving a message which is aimed at moving people
to conversion of the kind that leads to action for justice as well as,
and sometimes instead of, the traditional devotional practices of the Church.
In some instances, such as the Philippines, Zimbabwe and Brazil, Carmelites
have engaged in the struggles of the people against oppressive regimes.
Some members have stood out for the radical nature of their commitment.
For Carmelites this call has become part of their identity. The Constitutions of the Order give a clear statement to this effect. The Carmelite way of being in the midst of the people "is a sign and a prophetic witness of new relationships of fraternity and friendship among men and women everywhere. It is a prophetic message of justice and peace in society and among peoples. As an integral part of the Good News, this prophecy must be fulfilled through active commitment to the transformation of sinful systems and structures into grace-filled systems and structures" (C.24). The Carmelite commitment to justice and peace looks towards the building of liberating relationships between people and God, between people among themselves, between people and the whole of creation. The ancient Carmelite Rule, far from being a dead letter, captures this kind of integration and balance in relationships, uniting the wisdom of the 13th century with the wisdom and needs of today. For further information please contact Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Via Giovanni Lanza 138, 00184 – Roma (RM) – Italia tel: (+39) 064620181 / fax: (+39) 0646201847 email: jetp@ocarm.org |
Justice and Peace Issues |
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In addition to what Carmelites share with all christians, there is a
further motivation to be found in the history, spirituality and traditions
of the Order. The following of Jesus urges Carmelites to stand by the
poor and to proclaim Good News for them and among them. The law of love
demands that all the children of God be loved and come to their full
dignity as brothers and sisters of one another in the human family. The
early christian community inspires Carmelites to dwell on the Word of
God, to share their goods, to prayer together for the coming of the Kingdom
and to build communion through the Eucharist. Mary as Mother, Sister
and Virgin is a model of new relationships based on listening to the
Word of God and responding in total obedience. She unites her song with
the hopes of the poor and looks forward with them to a world of justice
among the marvels worked by God in her. Elijah, the prophet, the other
great inspiration for Carmelites, stands in the presence of the living
God. Torn apart by the destruction of his people he opposes the idolatry
of king Ahab and queen Jezabel which causes that destruction, and he
proclaims the justice of the one true God. As a prophet he mapped out
the way of solidarity by standing by the people, the way of justice by
restoring their human dignity, and the way of conversion by giving back
to the people their sense of identity through their faith in Yahweh. 