SSpS Province of Austria

Sr. Felixine Kofler, SSpS

Riport 7

1) Themes of self-awareness carried out in a concrete way:
· Trafficking women in Austria and Europe (Angelika Kartusch)
· A series of reports about Islam (P. Dr. Markus Solo)
· Workshop on Reconciliation in every day life Dr. Pete Hämmerle)
· Persevering development (Dr. A. Strigl)
· Forming Creation and Preservation - a Contradiction? (Dr. W. Stark)
To all these meetings were invited our sisters and people from the parishes.
· Workshops "Christian Hospital" for the leading members of the staff by Dr. P. Zulehner.
· Seminars: to get off drugs, alcohol, smoking
· Evaluation-Day "Coping with conflict and stress-situations"

2) Participation in Signing Actions (CSI, AI), yearly March of Demonstration in Silence for the persecuted Christians; candle of Hope
3) Supporting GFS-magazines: "Ost-Westwind", "Pax-Christi", "Unser Projekt", „Missio"
4) Fair trade: EZA and Bio products from small shops in the surrounding area
5) Some community have their own bio garden
6) Cooperation with Local Authorities in cleaning promenades of the river banks.
7) Donations for Projects producing lasting energies (wind, sun, foto voltaik)
8) Very important is the direct contact to people in need: cooking and distributing soup
to the homeless; one sister gives medical help; counselling of people (Oase); Hospiz; Caritas work in the parish; commitment regarding threatened unborn life - accompanying traumatized women; women in crises and language-students can live with us for a
limited time; eg. 4 Sisters from Zambia stayed with our Vienna-Community a few months A new challenge is our own school with ever more children from different cultures and Churches.
Hospital-projects: "Village of Peace". "International Alliance for children", sick, handi­capped children from war-torn countries get medical help and care. Our senior-nurses give special attention to patients before and after operation. Club-food-project in Mali/West Africa. The same Orthopedic Hospital releases doctors 3­4 times a year for this mission. Pro iect "Donationsbox" for HIV/AIDS. Project "Family-friendly-Hospital" to make life easier for nurses with a family.
9) Attitudes
Mediation of peace; simple life style; second hand-clothing; getting together with neighbours and owners.
Careful and gentle way with the gifts of the creation and gratefulness for the beauty of The nature. Trips with public traffic whenever possible.
10) Celebration - Prayer: Day of Creation and "Erntedankfest". Prayer-Hotline:
We notice a growing interest for GFS. Yet our co-responsibility of the consumer-goods of our Western World - as we are part of it - is in need of improvement.

As women following Jesus, we are happy to give our power and voice to the poor who challenge us and enrich us with their gifts.

Sr. Felixine Kofler SSpS

SVD, Irish & British Province (IBP)?

Fr. Finbarr Tracey, SVD

Report 6

1. What are the JPIC ministries in the Irish & British Province (IBP)?

a) Migrant and Refugee ministries. There are now 10 confreres working in with migrants and asylum seekers, eight on a full-time basis and two on part time basis. There are three serving the Polish Migrants in three different dioceses in Ireland, one serving the Migrants from Brazil in a fourth diocese, and another serving the Filipino Migrants in the Diocese of Bristol in England. One confrere in the Archdiocese of Dublin is working with Asylum Seekers and Refugees under the auspices of the Jesuits. Part-time work is carried out for the Slovak, Filipino and Brazilian Migrants in Dublin.

b) Justice and Peace Issues and Media
- with reference to poverty, religious and cultural differences, anti-racism, etc. JPIC is working with Kairos Communications on TV programmes which focus on these issues.

c) Advocacy covering a range of issues through special committees. This work is carried out in conjunction with the Conference of Religious in Ireland (CORI) cf. www.cori.ie/justice and the Irish Missionary Union (IMU).

2. What groups do you work with collaboratively?

a) Ten of our members are working in the migrant ministry in collaboration with parishes and various
dioceses.
b) We have one confrere working closely with the Jesuits in the area of refugees and asylum seekers.
c) Our work in the media is in collaboration with Kairos Communications, an SVD media ministry.
d) The JPIC coordinator works with the Conference of Religious in Ireland (CORI) and the Justice
Commission on a range of issues related to a more equitable economy. The CORI Justice Commission has a g
good deal of influence in its social partnership role with the Government and works on a variety of issues
related to poverty and migration, housing, health and education.
e) The World Magazine also publishes JPIC articles. RESPONDING TO CONFLICT (RTC)
f) The Mission Secretary works closely with the Irish Missionary Union (IMU) and the Irish Missionary
Resource Service (IMRS) in providing funds for overseas development projects.
AEFJN, ISE, RTC. IRISH SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS (ISE), FRONT LINE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS


3. How do you perceive your role as JPIC coordinator? Do you think it is important? Is JPIC dimension and ministry considered important by your province?

The role of the JPIC Coordinator is most essential in setting the agenda for such a ministry. A lot will depend on the coordinator in relation to the direction the province will take on these issues. He can set new agenda, (which may call for research), link with Vivat International, help to coordinate the various projects within the province and in general raise the profile of JPIC among the confreres.

Traditionally the SVD in Ireland have not understood JPIC work to be an important part of its ministry. With the influx of migrants from different parts of the world it has increased in significance and the IBP was among the first to respond to the needs of migrants. The SVD always recognized the work of development agencies like Trocaire, Concern, GOAL, etc. But global issues related to sustainable development, the environment, human rights etc demand a new commitment from missionary orders.

4. Have you/do you work with VIVAT International? How might VIVAT better serve your needs as a JPIC coordinator?

I am presently linking up with Vivat International for research work with a two-fold purpose, a) academic; and b) in relation to how best to promote a greater degree of solidarity in our work, particularly in reaching a consensus about SVD priorities and goals.

7. Expectations from the generalate JPIC coordinator?

I would like the JPIC coordinator to build a consensus among the provinces in regard to how we might best respond to present global issues in development. The history of our society’s involvement in JPIC and how it sees itself in relation to the Social Teachings of the Church, the practical way in which we engage with issues of faith and justice, all require a new impetus.

8. Name and province:

Finbarr Tracey, IBP

ITA SVD PROVINCE

Fr. Paulino, SVD

Report 5

ITA SVD PROVINCE (1947-1965): The ITALIAN Province was established in 1965 as a separate unit from Switzerland. Now it extends over three countries: Northern Italy, Romania and Moldova with four principal languages: Italian, German, Romanian and Russian. The four SVD houses in Northern Italy (Vicenza, Varone, Bolzano, and Oies) are part of the province: the communities in Rome and Nemi are under the direct administration of the Generalate.

JPIC REPORT (as of April 02, 2008)
Specific JPIC animation of the entire SVD Province was not done much in the last five years. However, wherever we work we seek to promote: justice, peace and the integrity of creation, giving special attention to the poor, the marginalized and the aged.

Yet, as an SVD Province, in line with this mission: It exists an attention and a promotion of the dignity of the person and a help in difficult situations of the migrants and the refugees.

In Italy (1947-1965), we give particular attention, especially in Vicenza (1980) and in Bolzano (1960), to intercultural and inter-religious dialogue with immigrants; in other houses to a dialogue with faith seekers as we collaborate in the work of evangelization. Pastoral ministry to the Filipinos, Ghanaians, and Africans in general, some Asians origin were being accompanied by three confreres namely Fr. Paulino, a Filipino confrere, Fr. Joseph, an Indian confrere, and Fr. Stephen, a Ghanaian confrere. They do it as a migrant commission together with others in the Diocese of Vicenza. There is also collaboration with the works done by the Caritas regarding the migrants' situations, gypsies or Roma in our areas. It does exist also a collaboration and animation with regard to this aspect of JPIC, it was organized an ONLUS VAROM, a lay organization to give support to the Romania mission in terms of humanitarian help with their basic needs, and another thing was also considered the involvement of AMICI VERBITI, a lay group for the animation of mission needs and help in solidarity forms.

In Moldova 1996, we give particular attention to dialogue with faith seekers. lt does exists also in our parish Stauceni near the capital of Chisinau, meals help for the scattered flocks of children and adults in need, medical assistance to the sick and aged people in their homes, also an offering of lodging and food for those without houses.

In Romania 1991, we give particular attention to dialogue with the poor and marginalized and especially to ecumenical dialogue with the members of the Orthodox Church. lt does exists also for so many years now, initiatives for the poor and the needy together with Caritas di Iasi, a promotion and support of Anti Alcoholic Club and work for logopedia for those victim most, and a help for young mothers and a help after the school classes.

This brief report was prepared by:

Fr. Bumanglag, eimer agcaoili svd (PAULINO)

In the name of the Responsible JPIC Coordinator ITA SVD Province Fr. Franco Pavesi, svd

SSpS of Netherlands Province

Sr. Yuliana, SSpS

Report 4

In our Province there are two communities in which our Sisters specially work in the "migrant mission". And they are Tilburg and The Hague communities. These are international communities.

What are they doing there?
I can mention a wide range of activities.
First, Tilburg: the members of the community are supporting different organisations as: Economic Resource Centre for Migrants and Overseas Filipinos.
- aid to refugees/giving guidance and accompaniment to two families
- two Sisters are 'crisis buddies' for foreigners especially coming from Africa who are HIV-infected.
- one Sister works in an organisation called "De Ketting" (Chain) - this helps women to become aware of their dignity so they can stand for their rights. It is women empowerment.
- One Sister works in an organisation called "Mission Service Centre"- this gives help and assistance to the marginalized of the society - drug addicts, homeless, persons with psychological problems, people who cannot cope with the demands of the fast moving and fast changing society. She also works for ex-psychiatric patients by holding an evening where they can come together, relax and eat together. She is also responsible for a Children's Clubhouse, a group of children coming from poor families; they come together for recreation and socialisation. There is also involvement in an organisation or foundation "Religious Against Trafficking of Women."
Many Sisters of the Dutch Province are also involved in writing letters and Christmas cards to political prisoners and they do this via Amnesty International.

The Hague: What are the Sisters doing in The Hague?
- Until now there are still refugees waiting for the decision of the Dutch government whether they will be allowed to stay or to be sent back to their country of origin. The Sisters refer them to some organisations to be given the necessary help. Visiting them and listening to their stories are a good help. They encourage them also to learn the Dutch language. They also come to the Sisters' home for counselling or for language learning. These refugees come mostly from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Dutch government is becoming stricter to them and many were already sent back.
- One Sister coordinates with the Commission for Filipino Migrant Workers. By networking with other organisations, they hope to be granted amnesty by the government. -The alarming existence of youth delinquency and family problems are everywhere. The Sisters respond to this by continuing contact with parents and youth in the area. Through Humanitas, an international organisation, the Sisters reach out to many families. The aim is always to come to dialogue, whether through cultural or religious activities. This is our mission. In the process of doing this, we learn that real dialogue starts in our hearts.

We always hope that all our efforts be fruitful and be blessed by the Lord, the GOD of justice and peace.

Written by: Sister Imaria Niessen, SSpS

SVD Province of Spain

Fr. David Antona, SVD

Report 3

I cannot give a detailed report because it is only a short time since I was appointed for this job of JPIC Coordinator of our SVD Province.
We want to create a team of four people, waiting for one more to come from the house of formation. I hope we will be able to work as a team.
This now is in brief what we are doing in the field of JPIC:
A - In Madrid:
- We have a Filipino chaplaincy with a SVD priest from the Philippines.
- We have a Polish chaplaincy with two Polish priests from Poland.
- The community of Madrid supports this one.
B - In other parishes:
We work for justice and peace, taking as a priority the care for migrants and the poor.
C - In the parish of Sevilla, where I am working:
1) Migrants
Seville and the South of Spain as well, is the entrance door for migrants coming from Africa: Morikis, Sub-Saharans, Magrebhins, Nigerians etc. Many of them coming in the "bateras" - small boats - died, drowned in the sea. Others were taken back to their countries.
But we have also migrants from Latin America, from China and Eastern Europe: Romania, Poland and Russia.
We help them when learning the Spanish language and with the work-centres and provide for their legalization. We support them with money for renting a house through the parish Caritas.
They attend our religious celebrations, especially the Eucharist.
On April 26, 2008, we shall celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter with the Orthodox Christians from Romania.
When there is any Muslim migrant attending our Eucharist, we take the first reading from the Koran.
We held to interfaith prayer meetings with Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims.

2) - People, addicted to drugs
We visit them in prison, helping them on the social and psychological level. We pay attention to their families. We go on the streets and to places with young people who do not attend school. We work in colleges in the line of prevention.

D Participation in the issues of JPIC with CONFER - Confederation of religious congregations.
Thanks a lot for your understanding for not speaking English. For me it was like a new Pentecost because "love is the language that all people can understand". Although 1 did not understand so much, I have learned a lot.

David Antona, SVD

SSpS of SPAIN/PORTUGAL

Sr. Ma. Mendes, SSpS

Riport 2

1. MISSION WITH AFRICANS, FILIPINOS AND TIMORESE

Aware of the priority presented by our Congregation regarding our presence among Migrants, Sister Quintinha is accompanying a group of Africans who animate the Mass every Sunday at 6:30 pm in Odivelas Parish. Most of them are student workers, some are working and others are only studying. The group has weekly Christian formation and a Retreat every four months prepared by Sr. Quintinha.

Once a week she works as a volunteer with Missionaries of the Holy Spirit attending the migrants who need help to get a medical doctor, a lawyer, documents, food, clothes, etc. ...

As a community of Casal de Cambra, we felt the need to extend our Apostolate (Catechesis, formation of Catechists...) and assisting the elderly, the sick who live alone with a minimum of resources, families in conflict, suffering women, the youth and children in situation of risk in the neighbour community of Casal da Mira where most of them are migrants coming from African Countries and others from Brazil. Very often, we are the "Voice of the voiceless" being the "bridge" between the poor and those in public authorities, asking for health treatment, housing, food, documents, social security, jobs, etc...

Sr. Iracema Casarotto is the one directly accompanying and attending this community. She together with the Sisters in the community feels that we are not sufficiently prepared for the challenges of different cultural expressions, traditions and behaviour of this people. They feel the incapacity of acting or responding to these cultural shocks, discrimination of migrants, lack of unity among the leaders, fear and lack of openness to new ways. ... Therefore, they feel the need of learning or deepening and valuing the people's culture in order to facilitate the promotion and their closeness to each other for greater integration in the community.

Before this challenge, the community decided to invite Sr. Quintinha being an African to help in this apostolate and she, together with Sr. Iracema attend this community twice a week.

The youth in the street involved in drugs; alcohol, prostitution violence, many single mothers, a great number of unemployed, people suffering from depression and many recent cases of suicide, is another concern of ours.

Regarding the inter-religious dialogue, we do little about the families who follow other believes.

Sr. Maria Mendes accompanies two other communities: the Timorese and Filipinos. She tries to support and help the Timorese who are studying in Portugal and/or who need help to get documents. Some of them are living in apartments, others with their relatives; the ones living with their relatives seem to have more possibilities to overcome the difficulties of migrating to an unknown country.

Periodically, Sr. Maria Mendes together with Timorese young people, gather to celebrate the feasts of Christmas and Easter. Besides this, with her support, the Timorese community is getting involved in diocesan events as well as national ones; a concrete example of this was the participation in International Congress of new Evangelization in 2005 where the group represented the voice of Timorese Migrants. Through these activities the young people seek to deepen their own culture.

Regarding the group of Filipino Migrants, most of them are women working as domestic helpers and in foreign embassies in Lisbon. The main problem encountered by these people is the difficulty of language. This Filipino community belongs to a movement called "Couples for Christ". Even being married, the women migrate to Portugal looking for "Green Pasture" in order to support their family, while the husbands stay behind in the Philippines to take care of the children.


This is a well committed group in living and witnessing their faith as Christians. Sr. Maria Mendes gives Spiritual Formation to these Migrants every first Sunday of the month through the participation in the Eucharist and preparation of themes that are in the programme according to the statute of the group.


2. MISSION WITH MIGRANTS – JESUIT REFUGEES SERVICE (JRS)

Considering our option for Migrants, Sr. Maria Jose started a work of presence in Jesuit Refugees Service (JRS) in Lisbon in February, 2007.

JRS is an International Non Government Organization founded by Jesuits in 1980 and has the mission to accompany, serve and defend the Refugees and Migrants, giving priority to those in vulnerable situations. This Organization is present in five Continents in more than 40 Countries.

In Portugal, JRS was founded in 1992. During the first six years, JRS made an investment of another work of helping in awakening the Portuguese society about the problem of Migrants. From 1999, JRS opened the Centre for attending the public then step by step, different kind of services were offered to the migrant population.

Today, in this Centre JRS-Portugal are different kinds of service offered to the migrants, like social support particularly to those in situation of great vulnerability; support in looking for a job and house; support in recognizing those who are academically qualified; medical and psychological support and in situations of living legally; etc.

After arriving from Australia, Sr. Maria Jose made herself available to start a work-mission among the Migrants accompanied by JRS. She started the work as a volunteer in February 2007 and in July she was employed full time by the organization.
Sr. Maria Jose gives her psychological/emotional support to the migrants and as assistant of the Director of the Institution.

In our Mission in Portugal we try to reflect and share our experiences of encounter with migrants seeking to be open to the needs of people of our time.

Sr. Maria Mendes

REPORTS OF THE JPIC - COORDINATORS SVD/SSpS

Fr. Valentim Gonsalves, SVD

Report 1.

Christian-Muslim Dialogue in view of our Migrant Ministry

SVD in PortugalWhat about our mission on this aspect ?
Since the beginning this is a Christian country
According the census 2001:
84 % catholic (< 12 aged)
18,7 % "praticantes"
10,3 % take the holy communion
Other Christians (mainly in the line of evangelical groups) - 2%

Jews - 1.800
Hindus - 15.000
Muslims - 30.000 - 40.000
Other Christian denominations (mainly in the line of evangelical groups) – 2 %

Islam in Portugal

The Arabic/Muslim presence in our territory lasted for more than 4 centuries (714-1247) marked our culture, our history, our language (with more than 1200 words of Arabic origin, as regarding the capital: Lisboa=Al-Uxbûna)

Christians, Jews and Muslims lived together and peacefully. In the time of Crusades, they began to be expelled. The main task of first kings was the fight against the Moors. Our common imagery has a lot of legends about moors; since then they were out of the country, but not so far, and the fight continued sometimes in North Africa.

After colonial period, with the independence of former colonies, some people decided to maintain the Portuguese citizenship and came do Portugal. Many of them were Muslims, especially those from Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.

The CIL (Islamic Community of Lisbon) was created in 1968 by a group of Muslim students, come from colonies. Before the creation, a commission of 10 elements (5 Muslims and 5 Catholics) asked the Municipality a ground for the building of the mosque. This was only achieved in 1977 and in 1985 the first part of the mosque was inaugurated; it was built with the Support of Islamic countries, and the Support of the Presidents of Lisbon Municipality.

Now the Muslim communities spread around Lisbon and some towns.
We cannot ignore their presence even in the urban scenery.

In our missionary ministry, how have we dealt with this ?

We have begun with the concern of being close to the people and especially with those in need of respect and friendship; this has been our way through the inter-religious dialogue.
Since the beginning of nineties in our work with migrants we walked together. The religious dialogue was a normal expression of our journey together.
The Kimbangist (African Christian group from Zaire/Angola) could use our space (room in the quarter), and some evangelical groups as well.
We made a journey of some years with some Muslims struggling for better conditions for the slum-dwellers and when new houses were available for them, a space for worship was built: a place for Christians (and it was offered to the Catholic parish, but in an "ecumenical spirit"): for some years it was used by Catholics, Adventists, Pentecostals, etc. Nowadays they have their own space. At our side the Muslims received their space, today transformed in the local mosque. The relationship Catholics /Muslims is very friendly. Sometimes we go to the mosque and to the church.

After September 11th, the concern about Islam increased a lot. Since the first moment we (I was member of JP Commission of the Religious in Portugal) made clear that we could not identify terrorism with Islam.
When celebrating the Ramadan, following the appeal of John Paul II, we went along with the Muslim community, and for the first time two Catholic priests took part in Idu-al-Fitre in the Central Mosque of Lisbon. This gesture was repeated there and in other places.

Important for us is to try to better know Islam. More important still is to try to make a common way for well-being, brotherhood and peace in our society. Sometime ago the JPIC of the Religious organized a meeting for Religious in the Central Mosque. The Imam welcomed us, began with a prayer for the Pope who was ill at that time, and gave us a lot of information on Islam.

In front of our house in Lisbon we have the "Ismaili Centre", a wonderful place of the Ismaili Community, a centre for science, culture, and religion. With them I have worked in a mixed group (Diocese of Lisbon/Agha Khan Foundation) dealing with social questions.

On July 2006 the so called "Forum Abraâmico de Portugal" was officially created, creating the dialogue among the believers of the three Abrahamic religions, and aiming to show the people that harmony and peace are possible.
In the last October 7 we all have attended the Religious Ceremony in the Jewish Cemetery in Lisbon, after the vandalizing of some tombs.
In the line of a suggestion of the Forum our JP Commission, invited the Religious communities to send a special season postcard to several Muslim communities in Portugal (around 30).

Some weeks ago, the leader of Muslim Community in our quarter Terracos da Ponte was invited to speak to volunteers that are preparing for their task in the missions. They appreciated it a lot.