Our Justice and Peace ministry, linked with the diocesan CJPD (Catholic Justice and Peace Department), involves both a formal committee and a broader group of interested parishioners. Their mission is to promote social justice, human rights, peace-building, and care for creation in line with Catholic Social Teaching. This group meets to reflect on societal issues in light of the Gospel – whether it’s corruption, tribalism, crime, or environmental degradation – and then plan a response, however small, as a parish.
Activities of Justice & Peace include:
– Civic Education: They have organized forums to educate people on their civic rights and duties, e.g., around election times (encouraging peaceful voting, avoiding bribery and hate speech). They also host talks on topics like the Church’s stance on human trafficking, or peaceful parenting to prevent domestic violence.
– Peace Initiatives: Malindi being a multi-religious area, the J&P group has spearheaded interfaith dialogues and peace prayers. For example, in October 2023, during a tense period nationally, they coordinated an interfaith prayer for peace where Christian and Muslim leaders planted an “Olive tree of peace” together on our parish grounds as a symbol. They also promote harmony within the community – if there’s a local dispute or family feud, often a Justice & Peace member mediates with prayerful presence.
– Social Outreach: They collaborate with SCCs and CWA/CMA on charitable outreach but focus on addressing root causes. For instance, rather than just giving food, they started a small pilot “kitchen garden project” teaching families to grow vegetables organically, tackling food insecurity sustainably. In times of emergency (like floods or drought which sometimes hit the coast), they coordinate relief collections and distribution, working with Caritas. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the J&P identified 20+ especially needy families and delivered food, water, and masks to them[17].
– Environmental Action: Many J&P members are at the forefront of our green initiatives. They have conducted tree-planting drives (we have a goal of at least 100 trees planted annually in parishioners’ homesteads). They promote proper waste disposal and even introduced energy-saving cookstoves to some homes to reduce charcoal use (a cause of deforestation). One signature project is establishing a tree nursery at the parish – in progress – to supply quality fruit and shade tree seedlings for free or minimal cost to the community (Strategic Plan SI#7 action). Beach clean-ups in Mayungu and partnering with local environmental NGOs are also on their agenda.
In summary, the Justice and Peace group lives out the Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers” and the call of Micah 6:8 to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. They invite any parishioner passionate about making the world a better place – in small or big ways – to join them. As our patron St. Charles Lwanga stood for justice (refusing unjust commands even unto death), we too, through this ministry, stand against injustice and witness to the Kingdom of God in society.
(Coordinator: Mr. [Name], also parish council rep; Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Damas, SJ)