BACKGROUND
The original trace of the call for the establishment of Justice and Peace begins already at creation. This is depicted from the very creation story as everything was set beautifully in orderliness, and humanity was encamped right on the summit of creation for sacred governance and promotion. This was paradise for man, and therefore justifiable for man to live happily. Today, in our yearning to make our world a better place for everyone to stay, it is agreeable that we are short of peace. Man became selfish, and sin was the order of the day, thus, justice and peace were like no more.
Once again, in scripture, God did not give up on humanity. God sends to us the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who inspires man through his liberating message of scripture, which advances his mission in the world as he proclaimed in the Synagogue: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good tidings to the poor. To proclaim liberty to captives and restoration of sight to the blind and let the oppressed go free, “LK 4:8.
As a response to the above message, Jesus gave a command to go to the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole of creation. MK 16:15.
This is the foundation for the Catholic Social Teaching upon which the Church, through the magisterium of our principle teachers, Pope and the Bishops, etc invites all of us members and all people of good will to task ourselves to continue Jesus’ mission.
That is where the Church’s mandate to carry out the Justice and Peace work springs from. As early as the beginning of the church, after Christ’s resurrection, they began owning everything they had in common. Acts: 2:44ff.
The Justice and Peace Department
The Department is mandated with the promotion of justice, peace, human rights and dignity inspired by the Gospel and social teachings of the Catholic Church. It not only contribute to the overall development goal of the government plan, but also to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 16: Promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development; provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
VISION: A People with power and control over their own lives in a just and peaceful society throughout Kampala Archdiocese and beyond.
MISSION: To promote awareness and provide constructive response to issues of Justice and Peace in the Archdiocese of Kampala and beyond.
The realization of the above Vision and Mission hinges on the promotion and observance of the key principles of the Catholic Social Teachings through the Archdiocesan structures. This contribute to the nurturing of the targeted communities holistically through preaching, teaching/training and caring to continually enhance human dignity in abundancy in collaboration with like-minded partners.
PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING ON JUSTICE AND PEACE
- Upholding life and dignity of a human person.
- Call to family and community participation. (Human beings are naturally social and live in family and community. Ensure that each member participates.
- Respect for human rights and good governance i.e. fundamental rights with corresponding responsibilities (duties) originating from social nature.
- Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable (the needs of the poor and vulnerable in society are prioritized).
- The dignity of work and rights of workers. [Originates from its being essential for individual and community development|.
- Common good. The common good is all that is necessary for the people either as group or as individual, to reach their human fulfillment physically and spiritually.
- Care for God’s creation. Creation belongs to God; we are stewards.
- Promotion of peace. Pursue integral harmonious living among humans
- Principle of Subsidiarity: The functions of institutions should be performed at the lowest level possible as long as they can be performed adequately.
- Principle of Solidarity: Humanity is one, therefore, whatever affects the other should be the concern of all.
