CARE FOR THE EARTH

There is an urgent call for us at this time, as individual sisters and as congregation, to care for the earth. Already we are feeling the effects of the misuse of the environment, for example in global warming resulting in extreme weather patterns, in the extinction of various species, in the destruction of agricultural land and in a reduction in the earth’s resources- particularly water and oil.

The precious gift of creation which we hold in trust for future generations is both beautiful and fragile. The present consumerist lifestyle has accelerated the earth’s natural cycle of warming and cooling. While all of humanity will be affected, those who will suffer most will be the poor, especially children and the elderly.

We take this call seriously at this time, coming to us as it does through Scripture, our spirituality of finding God in all things, the signs of the times and our own Documents.

NEW LIFE AND FORMATION

Conscious of the inter-connectedness of initial and ongoing formation and our work with lay colleagues, the Chapter sees the need to develop new models of formation. These will take into account the different contexts, diverse backgrounds, cultures and life experiences of the people involved.

We are also conscious of a strong desire to share the gift of our charism ever more deeply with each other, with the poor and disadvantaged, with our associates, co-workers, laity, volunteers and with young adults.

SPIRITUALITY

In our world today there is a powerful hunger for spirituality. This is experienced in a variety of ways as people struggle to cope with loss of meaning, isolation, poverty, war, addictions, exploitation and disillusionment with organized religion.

Some experience this hunger as the need for something that will give them the inner strength to cope with life. Some long for connection and for healing as they feel cut off and isolated. For others this hunger is quite simply a longing for God.

All of this calls us today as Religious Sisters of Charity to find ways of bringing hope and consolation to our world by deepening our spirituality and sharing it with others.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Human trafficking is a global problem in the 21st century. Women, men and children of all ages are being kidnapped or lured away from the poor families with the promise of education, employment, money and a better life. Instead they are being used for the sex trade, pornography, cheap labour and the pleasure of the rich.

Human trafficking is an internationally organised crime that violates human rights and is a modern form of slavery. The ‘poor’ are targeted and most at risk.

"SERVICE OF THE POOR TODAY"

From the time of Mary Aikenhead, we as a congregation have been involved proactively in the ‘Service of the Poor’ in a variety of ways in response to the needs of any given time.

In our world today there are many who are excluded and exploited by our increasingly globalized society: people who are displaced, people who are deprived, people who are oppressed and people who are marginalized.

CARITAS SOLIDARITY FUND

This calls us to respond proactively and in collaboration with others in particular areas of poverty today. An exciting development is the setting up of the ‘Caritas Solidarity Fund’. The fund will fund programmes or projects that:

• Alleviate ‘poverty’
• Create awareness of ‘poverty’
• Help transform attitudes towards the ‘poor’
• Help to influence the understanding of ‘poverty’ and its causes
• Influence public policy in an effort to eliminate and eradicate the root causes of ‘poverty’

Through this fund, we will continue the tradition of the congregation of sharing our resources, both human and material, with the ‘poor’ and vulnerable.