SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Teacher Education and Humanities
Christian Faith Education

INDEPENDENT LEARNING GUIDE on

JUSTICE. PEACE and INTEGRITY OF CREATION
Since the post-Vatican II years, the acronym JPIC has gained an added
meaning. It highlights the need for action towards structural changes that affirm
human dignity, personal responsibility and universal solidarity. To animate our
group in the direction of such action - at the personal level as well as a
community - is a key challenge. Take for example is the urgency to promote a
change in lifestyle, advocacy and networking to safeguard the Integrity of
Creation. (Carrying on the Mission-100 years of CICM in the Philippines, p. 92)

The vocation to proclaim the Kingdom in the “people’s own God-given

context” impels a CICM missionary to confront the environment of blatant
inequality that people plough through in their daily routine. Uneven
opportunities to services, self-development, and employment are often woven
in the fabric of societal relations. Respect for fellow humans and equal rights
are sorely lacking in the world today. (Carrying on the Mission-100 years of
CICM in the Philippines, p. 91)

The mission of the CICM missionaries towards Justice, Peace and Integrity
of Creation targets its concern to the needs and issues of a community like
peace making among soceities (Human Rights and Non-Violent conflict
resolutions) and respect for all created things (ecological issues) and people
(prisoners and less fortunate people) in society as they bring life to the Gospel
and the Gospel to life. Like Fr. John Couvreur, he campaigned against illegal
logging in Isabela. Here, it exemplifies that a CICM missionary does not only
evangelize the word of God but also puts these teachings of the Church
through action by responding to the call of just and peaceful world and respect
for the environment.

Long before Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation were formally

introduced, applying Christian social teaching was already a constitutive
element of each missionary’s proclamation of the Kingdom. A heart in search
for the lost and the marginalized treads the less trodden path when organized
groups, communities or parish structures tend to gravitate toward power, honor
and wealth. (Carrying on the Mission, p. 91)
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Teacher Education and Humanities

Christian Faith Education

It is very true among early CICM missionaries that even though no

education were conducted on JPIC, their actions and active responses to the
needs of the community were already visible in their ministry.

1. JUSTICE

Christians believed that the ultimate Judge of us all is no other else than
God alone. However, some judgments have to be passed on earth for some
actions and these are the duties of our judiciary. But how is justice going on in
the world? Do we still have a just world in terms of our relationship with one
another and in terms of our relationship with the society? Do we receive just
wages in our profession? Are the prisoners treated humanely and kept in good
conditions? Or do we receive just and fair judgment in terms of trial? These are
some questions we can possibly raise to measure the condition of justice in our
present moment.

The ministry of Christ is a just mission. He never excluded anyone in his

ministry of healing the sick. He treated the ill with compassion and love. He
hated inequality and that made him attacked those people who insisted
exclusivity. He insisted on forgiveness rather than persecution. Humans created
the most distractive punishment in the history of the world, which is contrary to
the will of God. So, when Christ came, he never allowed people to be
persecuted rather he emphasized repentance. Christ’s vision of justice is a
harmony of the human heart and social order that gives respect to human
dignity, practice of the common good and constant practice of solidarity.
Justice for Christ is giving what is due to the people and to the society. In the
words of Pope John Paul II, “...all are called to live in Justice and to work for
peace. No one can claim exemption from this responsibility.” (1998, Pope John
Paul II. World Day of Peace Message)

So, our response to Jesus’ Call to Justice is to be a responsible agent in

doing a just act, just decision and just living, to pay respect to the law of God
and society, and to participate in maintaining peace and order of the society.

2. PEACE

According to Pope Francis, “peace is a precious gift, which must be

promoted and protected. Never has the use of violence brought peace in its
wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.” (2013, Pope Francis.
Angelus) Justice does not support the “principle of retaliation”. Christ wants us
to promote love instead of hatred. - that is the true essence of a peaceful
relationship.

Inspired by Mission 1/F RT Bldg., Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Driven by Excellence Tel. No.: (078) 321-2221
www.smu.edu.ph
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Teacher Education and Humanities

Christian Faith Education

Peace is a gift and is not imposed by the way of force or any forms of
threat. Peace must never be pursued through violence, class struggle or hatred.
Peace must be sought after as a means for shared responsibility in building the
kingdom of God in our midst. In the final analysis, our desire and commitment to
seek and work for real peace is borne out of our loving relationship with God
because He Himself is our peace. (PCP II, 308)

There are references in the Old Testament of the Bible to warfare, it was
thought that victory would belong to the chosen ones. However, Christians
looked forward for the coming of their messiah and even considered him the
“Prince of Peace” and his coming would end war and peace would reign
across the world. But the teachings of Jesus did not support warfare.

Peace and Active Non-Violence

Peace is not merely the absence of war. (1965, Pope Paul VI. The Church
in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes) Peace is not simply the avoidance of
conflict nor the absence of war, war starts and can happen also within us and in
our human relationship.

Peace is a need deeply rooted in the heart of every man and woman.
(2000, Pope John Paul II. World Day of Peace Message) God created us in his
image as good and loving people. So, despite of our indifferences and errors,
we still find peace in us because we were created out of love.

In Sirach 10:6, it states that: No matter the wrong, do no violence to your

neighbor, and do not walk the path of arrogance. Temperance is the right
word for this. Christ wants us to do no harm against anyone no matter what
happens. In the end, there are reasons why people commit mistake and we are
not supposed to hate the doer but his actions only. In the words of St. Thomas
Aquinas, he said: “Our duty is to hate the sin, but love the sinner himself for what
he is.” Our response to Jesus’ call for peace is to control our emotions and
anger, to live a holy life, and treat humans with dignity, obey the law and follow
the will of God.

Ezekiel 45:9
Thus, says the Lord God: Enough, you princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression,
and do what is right and just! Stop evicting my people! Says the Lord God. Hate begets hate,
love begets love. We are called to purify our thoughts and minds by living a just and holy life.
Put no anger or hate among others.

Inspired by Mission 1/F RT Bldg., Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Driven by Excellence Tel. No.: (078) 321-2221
www.smu.edu.ph
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Teacher Education and Humanities

Christian Faith Education

3. INTEGRITY OF CREATION

According to Pope John Paul II, “world peace is threatened not only by
the arms race, regional conflicts and the continued injustices among people,
but also by the knack of respect for nature.” (1990, Pope John Paul II. Peace
with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation) When God created the world,
he made it pretty sure that it would be wonderful and very good. But mankind
little by little neglects the chance to enjoy it due to some irresponsible actions
and decisions that devastate the God’s creation. But the challenge to make it
still a better place to live lies into our own human hands.

The cry of humanity now is forr human interaction as our world is getting
smaller and smaller, we are gettingg farther and farther from one another.
Mission would need to bring back that closeness of the presence of Jesus
through flesh and blood, men and women: spending quality time with people,
especially those who are abandoned, those who are neglected by society and
the general culture. (2006. Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle. CICM-RP Centennial
Celebration) (2007. Carrying on the Mission: 100 Years of CICM in the Philippines,
p.89) Bayanihan goes into the roots of unspoiled Filipino spirituality to build and
uplift the community through cooperation and collaboration. Mutual assistance
takes many forms such as transferring a house, planting and harvesting,
cleaning the neighborhood, or carrying out a crusade. (2007. Carrying on the
Mission: 100 Years of CICM in the Philippines, p.89) Our social responsibility is a
communal activity driven with passion to initiate our own care and concern for
the world and humanity.

Humans as steward of God’s creation

We are called to be stewards of God’s creation. Educating people is one

of the necessary means to understand our role a human in the world. Everyone
is aware of the danger of dumping garbage anywhere in our surroundings. That
is just one part of messing with the environment. Destroying the sanctity of the
environment from its natural condition is destroying the habitat of humanity itself.
So, it is a call for everyone to have social awareness about the 3 R’s (Reduce,
Reuse, Recycle) to help lessen the impact into our environment. This is our world
and it is our social responsibility to take good care of it.

The Missionary who Planted trees

“Try another lifestyle, a Christ-like way of life. Simplicity of life: sharing the
superfluous,” Fr. Ben Erkens, CICM, once wrote Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist
Rina Jimenez-David. “That changes our attitudes, our environment.” In a
nutshell, this was Fr. Ben’s way of main wishes and dreams come true.

Inspired by Mission 1/F RT Bldg., Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Driven by Excellence Tel. No.: (078) 321-2221
www.smu.edu.ph
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Teacher Education and Humanities

Christian Faith Education

Growing up in scenic Hooland, Fr. Ben brought his passion for plants and trees to
the Philippines when he arrived here as a CICM missionary in 1995. The lush
forests, gurgling streams, graceful hills and verdant valleys of his youth helped Fr.
Ben to develop a deep affection for plants. He loved them, cared for them and
grew them in every available space. SMU (St. Mary’s University) Reforestation
Project and Ecological Station is one of the examples of Fr. Erkens legacy
towards the environment as the students continued Fr. Erkens’ tree-planting
crusade so that the forest will come to life once more. Fr. Ben’s “unusual
scholarship and environment project” really has gained admirers, like the
Inquirer’s columnist David, who has asked readers to support him.

The apostolate that gave joy to Fr. Ben in his ministry is expressed in his love
for the environment. CICM missionaries exemplified these courageous acts of
concern towards the environment regardless of any cultural conflict among
areas in the Philippines. Their love for the mission is what God wants them to be.
It is their passion towards their mission that gave them strength to do it.

Preserve the forest

Trees help us not only in providing us furniture and other things, but most
importantly by purifying the air and also hold the soil with their roots to stop soil
erosion. We are stewards of God’s creation. We must be responsible in all the
things we do concerning our mother nature. We are called to help protect and
preserve our natural resources.

The Philippine Environment Code is composed of the Air Quality

Management whose purpose in section 2 of the Article is to achieve and
maintain such level of air quality as to protect public health, and to prevent to
the greatest extent practicable, injury and/or damage to plant and animal life
and property, and promote the social economic development of the country.

Another concernn of the Philippine Environment Code is the Water Quality

Management of section 14 whose purpose is to prescribe management
guidelines aimed to protect and improve the quality of Philippines water
resources through: Classification of Philippine waters, establishment of water
quality standards, protection and improvement of the quality of Philippine water
resources, and responsibilities for surveillance and mitigation of pollution
incidents.

Section 42, Waste Management, has the purpose to set guidelines for
waste management with a view to ensuring its effectiveness, to encourage,
promote and stimulate technological, educational, economic and social efforts

Inspired by Mission 1/F RT Bldg., Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Driven by Excellence Tel. No.: (078) 321-2221
www.smu.edu.ph
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Teacher Education and Humanities

Christian Faith Education

to prevent environmental damage and unnecessary loss of valuable resources

of the nation through recovery, recycling and re-use of wastes and waste
products, and to provide measures to guide and encourage appropriate
government agencies in establishing sound, efficient, comprehensive and
effective waste management.

Selected Readings:

Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Carrying on the Mission: 100 Years of CICM in the
Philippines, CICM-Philippines, Quezon City, 2007.

Tagle, Luis Antonio. Bishop’s speech at the opening of the CICM-RP centennial celebration. 28 November
2006.

Pope John Paul II. Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation

(1990) Presidential Decree No. 1152. The Philippine Environment Code.

Inspired by Mission 1/F RT Bldg., Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Driven by Excellence Tel. No.: (078) 321-2221
www.smu.edu.ph