RAPPORT DE LA COMMISSION DE LA PAIX ET DU DÉVELOPPEMENT DU SECAM (JPDC) 17ème ASSEMBLÉE PLÉNIÈRE DU SECAM 2016 LUANDA, ANGOLA

Présentation

Les Commission de la justice, de la paix et du développement est l'un des bras clés des évêques d'Afrique pour répondre aux défis auxquels le continent est confronté, en particulier les questions de gouvernance, de justice, de paix et de développement. La Commission est en train de permettre aux Eglises locales, à leurs structures nationales et régionales, de réagir à l'évolution politique et socioéconomique de leurs conséquences sur les processus de pauvreté, de justice et de réconciliation. Certaines structures nationales Les Églises en Afrique commencent à représenter les besoins des pauvres par rapport aux institutions politiques pertinentes en ce qui concerne les processus régionaux et internationaux. La Commission est en train d'aider les Eglises locales à dialoguer avec leurs gouvernements et d'autres forces sociétales.

Les 16^ème L'Assemblée plénière du SECAM tenue à Kinshasa en RDC en juillet 2013 a présenté des résolutions et des recommandations très importantes pour le SECAM et ses commissions. Les résolutions et recommandations ci-après ont été mises en œuvre par le Comité dans le cadre de diverses activités et programmes :

1. Examiner des Deux postes Synod Apostolique Exhortations "Ecclésia en Afrique" et "Afriquee munus" comme lignes directrices essentielles pour l'engagement de l'Eglise-Famille de Dieu sur notre continent.

• Plusieurs engagements ont été pris pour donner suite aux recommandations de la Conférence Exhortation apostolique post-synodale : Afrique Munus et Ecclésia en Afrique. Des réunions ont été organisées avec divers groupes, tels que tous les secrétaires. national et régional.

2. Spic fort et de poser clairement des actes significatifs afin que l'Eglise-Famille de Dieu puisse vraiment être au service de la réconciliation, de la justice et de la paix à traverspays africains

• Le JPDC a lancé une visite de solidarité très réussie du SECAM au Burundi en collaboration avec AMECEA et SACBC du 08 au 12 juin 2016.

• Faciliter et organiser des réunions de dialogue sur la réconciliation et assurer le suivi grâce à des documents d ' orientation sur les campagnes panafricaines de réconciliation.

• Une proposition de projet a été élaborée pour la justice réparatrice par l'intermédiaire de l'apostolat de la pastorale pénitentiaire.

3. Uerge tous les dirigeants chrétiens à tous les niveaux pour ne pas céder à la tentation de monopoliser le pouvoir et d'accumuler des richesses, mais pour avoir une relation saine avec le pouvoir et l'argent comme moyen de lutte pour la justice, la protection de l'environnement et le développement, dans une conscience renouvelée et le cœur converti.

• Avant le sommet UE-Afrique, tenu à Bruxelles, BELGIQUE, du 2 au 4 avril 2014, la Commission présenté, à l'UE et à toutes les missions diplomatiques d'Afrique et des pays européens accrédités auprès de l'UE, un exposé de position intitulé: La gouvernance, le bien commun et les transitions démocratiques en Afrique: “Investir dans la paix et le rôle de l'UE dans le soutien à la paix en Afrique." Le document a souligné la contribution de l'Eglise à promotion de la bonne gouvernance et des transitions démocratiques en Afrique et comment l'Union européenne (UE) pourrait-elle soutenir les capacités africaines de gestion de la sécurité sur le continent.

• Des exposés de position ont été présentés à l ' Union africaine en ce qui concerne le financement du développement en Afrique (FFD3), qui s ' est tenu en Éthiopie en 2015.

• Une déclaration a été présentée par les évêques lors d'un événement parallèle organisé par le SECAM et la CAFOD au FFD3.

• Par l'intermédiaire des bureaux de liaison catholiques (CPLO), la Commission a pu renforcer la visibilité de l'Église et sa voix dans les milieux décisionnels, en initiant dans les régions un cadre de dialogue et de consultation avec le monde politique. Débat sur les politiques publiques, pour faciliter et promouvoir les transitions pacifiques, la démocratie et la bonne gouvernance. Inviter les dirigeants africains à éviter de manipuler la loi fondamentale pour perpétuer leur mandat politique.

• The experience acquired so far in these functional offices has inspired the project to support and facilitate the establishment of Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Offices (CPLO) in the following French speaking Episcopal Conferences: Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo. Thus the project has coordinated the first Francophone Advocacy Training for the CPLO in collaboration with the Office of the CPLO of the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conferences (SACBC) in Cape Town in June 2015.

• The Commission has started a process to establish an Ecclesial Network for the Congo Basin Forest (REBAC). It is a grouping in particular of neighboring countries of the Equatorial Forest i.e. the Congo Basin Forest for transparent and responsible management for this common legacy which is meant for the entire humanity.

• Also networking with other organisations such as REPAM (CELAM) and commitment to work together from now onwards. This was expressed in a meeting held in Madrid, Spain in April 2016 between REBAC (SECAM) and REPAM (CELAM).

• The Commission has tackled the role of governments in land grabbing, through an International Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2015 and a follow up meetings on Lusophone countries held in Lisbon, Portugal with (CIDSE FAST Working Group) and in Beira, Mozambique in June 2016.

4. Commit to establish “Justice and Peace” committees in all dioceses where they do not exist yet and strengthen where they exist, by ensuring the training of their leaders.

• The Commission has been able to encourage a direct engagement in the understanding of the complex systems of injustices through the formation of justice and peace commissions (JPCs) in many Episcopal Conferences in Africa, which has been a positive step to the reconciliation processes.

• A close working relation has been established with the Regional Episcopal Conferences to make follow ups on how the local Église and its structures have been able to respond to political and socio-economic developments with regard to consequences on poverty, justice and reconciliation.

• JPDC have continued to revitalise and coordinate the contribution of the working groups in order to assist the Bishops in taking socio-political decisions i.e. Migration, HIV and AIDS, CPLO and Governance Working Groups.

5. Commit to celebrate a year of reconciliation at continental level to respond to the appeal of the Pope in “Africae munus” (cf. A.M No. 157).

• Through the themes and strategies proposed by SECAM Justice and Peace Congress held in Namibia in 2015, the Commission managed to join together the people of Africa in carry out a Lenten Campaign in 2016 in celebration of the Year of Reconciliation in Africa with hope and faith.

• The Commission has been vigilant and engaging in public affairs, to know how to courageously alert the International Community through a wake-up call for them to work for governance. SECAM has recommended the celebration of the Year of Reconciliation in Africa from 29 July 2015 to 29 July 2016.

6. Incorporate SECAM pastoral strategic plan at all levels of the Church to better ensure the implementation of “Africae munus” so that the Church-Family of God in Africa may effectively be involved in the service of reconciliation, justice and peace.

• The Commission has been actively involved in the implementation or domestication of the SECAM Strategic Plan by being involved in inclusive activities of SECAM, such as the Secretaries General meetings, planning and hosting of SECAM meetings, writing and forwarding project proposals to partners such as Missio, Propaganda Fide, USCCB etc.

• The Commission has developed an Advocacy Strategic Plan to guide all its activities. It has already been approved by the SECAM Standing Committee.

7. Promote ecumenical dialogue and fraternal relations with the new religious movements with an open mind and witness

• The Commission co-organised, planned and facilitated the African Faith Leaders Summit on Post-2015, which was held in Uganda. Its aim was to review the African Faith Leaders position and strategy papers on sustainable development and the Post 2015 Agenda and was part of an initiative to build the capacity of African faith communities on sustainable development and the Post 2015 Goals.

• Inter-religious dialogue coupled with good governance practices by our African leaders constitutes a genuine engine for the integral development of our countries.

8. To responsibly work for the development of the continent and to resolutely address the structures that cause poverty

• The JPDC is in the process of implementing the recommendations of the Summit on Land Grabbing in Africa, which was held in Kenya in 2015. It’s a process of denouncing the practices of land expropriation of which peasants or farmers are victims in Africa (Land Grabs).

• The Commission has advocated for fair distribution of income from natural resources through transparent, responsible management and exploitation through Development Agendas i.e. Agenda 2063 and SDGs.

• A position paper on Development Agendas has been developed by the Commission.

• Following the signing of the SECAM-AU MoU, a SECAM- Liaison Office has been established by the Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and development of an Advocacy Strategy to help it carry out its mandate. The strategy will strengthen capacity at continental, regional and national level in evidence-based advocacy. This will be done through training and information sharing, but much is likely to be done in practice through well-thought joint advocacy work.

9. Guarantee the rights of children to life, family, food, health, education and peace so that their future and that of their society are insured

• The Commission has responded to the health crisis in Africa, which includes the Ebola virus, the HIV and AIDS pandemic and other diseases such as Malaria. The Commission has intensified its significant role by promoting social cohesion and national health policies through the implementation of the SECAM Pastoral Training Manual on HIV and AIDS.

• Episcopal Conferences are being encouraged to fully participate in Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) in order to access funding from Global Fund and influence HIV and AIDS policies at national level.

• The Commission has held two training workshops on the Manual i.e. Anglophones and Francophones. The Lusophone training is being planned for.

• The Commission has been focusing on migration through a theology of mobility i.e. viewing the movement of people as a spiritual pilgrimage and as a significant impulse towards the unification of many cultures and as universal fraternity. Migration is full of diversity, universality and happiness which lead to development.

• The Commission has also recommended for programmes to be done with regards to Restorative Justice in Africa.

Conclusion

Most of the programmes and activities done by the Commission were implemented at the Regional and National Conference levels. This has helped it to fulfill its role of animation, facilitation and coordination as well as foster collaboration among Regional and National offices/commissions in the area of justice, peace, development and reconciliation. From the Bishops assembled here the JPDC would want to kindly ask for your continual support both spiritually and physically. May you kindly encourage your various Commissions and structures to respond positively and quickly to requests from SECAM. Help us identify need areas or critical areas which need to be addressed and redressed by our programmes and mobilise local support towards our programmes. Lastly but not least my Lord Bishops allow institutions of higher learning, such as universities, to propose critical areas for research to SECAM.