Justice and Peace Commission

Province Aids Justice and Peace Projects

The Augustinians of the Midwest annually offer a limited number of small grants to support projects concerned with peace and justice in which Augustinians are involved and which have as a goal the production of systemic change for a more just society.

By offering funds, the Province hopes to encourage its Augustinian Friars to take an active role in such projects.

Upon the recommendation of the Justice and Peace Commission, two projects have been awarded 2008 grants. They are

• St. Jude Parish Social Justice Ministry, New Lenox, Illinois, to educate parishioners on issues surrounding extreme global poverty and to support actions that make grassroots systemic changes which address these issues.

• San José Obrero Parish, Chulucanas, Peru, to involve parishioners in resolving the environmental and health-related issues which face them.

Funds for Africa, Missions in Peru Support Developing Countries

Since 1964 the Augustinians of the Midwest have sponsored missions in northern Peru. This is an area where large numbers of people are extremely poor. Augustinians from North America, working with a growing number of Peruvian Friars and trained lay Church leaders, minister to the material and spiritual needs of more than 500,000 people in the Peruvian desert and Andes Mountains.

The Augustinians of the Midwest maintain a Mission Office which raises funds to support the Church in Peru.

       » Learn more about the Augustinian Missions in Peru

The most recent Augustinian General Chapter called upon the entire Order to give special attention to the needs of the Church in Africa.

An International Augustinian Fund for Africa has been established at the Augustinian Generalate in Rome. The Fund helps Augustinians in Africa to care for the physical and spiritual needs of the Church and the people there. Augustinians of the Midwest have raised more than $26,000 for the Fund for Africa to date.

The first project to be funded by the Augustinian General Curia is the Baba Dogo Community Based Home Care project in Baba Dogo, Kenya. Baba Dogo is a sprawling slum housing complex mainly made of mud huts. Residents are very poor and lack many necessities. There is much illness, but people there cannot afford even minimal-fee medical care. The Augustinian parish has developed a special ministry to the sick, particularly those with H.I.V./A.I.D.S. or Tuberculosis. Volunteer health workers visit patients daily. Those who are bedridden receive nursing care at home. Those who have a bit of energy but cannot walk are taken to the Clinic in a wheelbarrow or hand cart. Health services are free and available to all of whatever religious faith.

The parish in Baba Dogo also operates a primary school with 857 students in a severely overcrowded building. The Augustinian friars in Baba Dogo hope to build a six-room addition to the existing school. During 2007, the Augustinians of the Midwest raised more than $24,000, enough to pay for two new classrooms in this much-needed addition. This was double the original goal of funding the construction of one classroom. The school provides access to a quality Catholic-based education for the poor children of Baba Dogo.

       » See photos of Baba Dogo

Province Commission on Justice and Peace

Members of the Province Commission on Justice and Peace are named by the Prior Provincial (regional superior) and the Province Council. They serve a four-year term.

Commission members currently serving are

• Robert F. Dueweke, O.S.A.

• John D. Merkelis, O.S.A.

• Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A.

• Thomas Taylor, O.S.A.

The Commission is implementing a program designed to increase awareness and justice and peace issues on the part of the friars, and to encourage ministry related to those issues.

Promoter of Justice

The most recent General Chapter called for a more decisive commitment to the promotion of justice and peace according to the social doctrine of the Church. This is required by the Gospel as well as in response to the signs of our times, the Chapter said. The Chapter determined that each geographical area of the Order is to have its own Promoter of Justice and Peace.

The Promoter works in conjuction with the International Secretariate for Justice and Peace and with the Province Commission on Justice and Peace. He receives information from the International Secretariate and makes that infomation available to all the Friars of the Province.

He is a resource to raise the awareness of the Friars, and to encourage and increase the effectiveness of their justice and peace ministry.

Upon the recommendation of the Commission, the Provincial and Council appointed Br. Thomas Taylor, O.S.A. Promoter of Justice for the 2006-2010 term.