standup.comboniyouth.org.uk

In the Beginning

A well quoted Malawian proverb for beginners says: "Pang'ono, Pang'ono ndi mtolo" meaning how women would pick up many sticks, twigs and little branches to make a fire. So, I started collecting all the J.& P. material I came across at our house in Carmyle. It took me almost two months to select, divide by titles and file the huge pile of written matter that Fr. F. Chemello laid on my desk as a heritage from Fr. J. Clark. With great patience I am still learning how to move in the archipelago of the e-mails which keep coming from Fr. Zolli in Rome. That saved our Provincial the task of having to mail me the documents each time and again. Then rumors of a creepy war unsettled my smoothly program and all attention was focused on the U.S. attack against IRAQ.

Here in Glasgow, a Coalition for 'Justice not War' gathered many souls of the peace movements, promoting a conference and several marches on the eve of the military intervention. From our community, myself, Fr. Chemello and Sr. Aurora went to take part in the main event of February 15th. Among the 50,000 that marched that day, I realized how many ordinary citizens are committed to having a say in world affairs, and maybe also feel the duty to do some-thing for the 'most abandoned and down-trodden of our brothers and sisters'.

Here in Scotland, election campaigns are on the way for the renewal of the local parliament on 1st May and the issues at stake are very much the local ones: housing, health care, police, education. A broader view of the world affairs is required for our politicians. A big help can come from establishing a Scottish J&P Commission, a dream come true, as soon a secretary is appointed. Our province, along with other religious societies based in Scotland, have donated £3,000 for the next three years.
I attended the second J&P 'Link Person' meeting held in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago.

Now I am about to set off for Madrid where a continental meeting of the coordinators of J&P will take place. Within our congregation, I will be the voice of the London Province for a summary of all the activities promoted in the field of J.&P. in the past six years.
I received a questionnaire for the province, which I have attached as Appendix 1. Feel free to give your contribution during the mini-assembly at Sunningdale. Meanwhile, I am sharing with you some of my findings in what I reckon is good material which you may request from my office at any time.