THE STATEMENT OF
THE JESUIT MADURAI PROVINCE ASSEMBLY HELD
AT ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, TIRUCHIRAPALLI
ON 27–28 DECEMBER 2008

TOWARDS COMMUNION WITH MOTHER EARTH IN
HUMAN SOLIDARITY


The Context

We stand at a critical moment of Earth’s history and we perceive more clearly than ever before that Mother Earth is groaning under the impact of environmental degradation. We also note with grave concern that Mother India is being subjected to the onslaught of communalism, fomented and nurtured by the Hindutva forces.

We realize that in this context of very grave threats to ecology and human solidarity, the religious minorities, women and children, the poor and the marginalized, particularly, Dalits and Adivasis, whom we have preferentially opted to serve are the most affected. We, the Jesuits of Madurai Province, in the light of the challenges of our General Congregation 35 (GC 35), rededicate ourselves in the spirit of the Ignatian magis to the service of the poor and the marginalized with renewed social responsibility and firm determination to face the twin challenges of environmental restoration and communal harmony together with our partners and all people of good will.

Promoting Ecological Justice

The cry of the wounded Mother Earth caused by the unprecedented environmental destruction through depletion of natural resources, desertification, global warming, pollution and widespread displacement of people caused by ill-conceived developmental initiatives is echoed across the universe (GC35 D3/33). This denial of ecological justice caused by the profit-driven capitalist and consumerist culture and the impact of globalization further aggravate the untold sufferings of the poor and the marginalized. They get systematically excluded from their means of livelihood and are being even displaced to the extent of becoming forced migrants in their own land (GC 35 D3/39v). In fact, the very survival of the earth community is being endangered. This calls for urgent intervention with effective advocacy to restore the environment as the sacramental site of salvation (GC 35 D3/35). Ecological justice demands a just sharing of the cost of restoring the environment by developed economies in proportion to the magnitude of damage caused.

Taking an earth-affirming stand, we realize, at the same time, that there can be no global or environmental ecology without upholding human ecology which calls for restoring the human dignity and equality of all people created by one and the same God.




Celebrating Diversity-in-Unity

In today’s global context of growing fundamentalist ideologies based on religion, the secular and pluralistic image of our own country is being tarnished with ever increasing virulence by fascist Hindutva forces. The equation of Indian national identity with a Hindu religious identity and the claim of monopoly over the nation’s cultural heritage sow seeds of fragmentation instigating organized hate campaigns and heartless terrorism. Religion is used as a weapon with a hidden and sinister political and economic agenda of perpetuating the present system of caste hegemony. The recent communal attacks in Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and other parts of India bear witness to it. Here again, the poor and the marginalized become the easy victims of the well-orchestrated violence.

The victims themselves as well as the leaders of democratic institutions and the media are subjected to and at times are carried away by the insidious, ideological propaganda of the Hindutva forces. We need to counter this. We should not be mute and passive spectators to the violation of human rights in our country but act as a protest force raising our voices unitedly against such inhuman acts. In this context, we pledge to promote the culture of dialogue and reconciliation across various sections of our country appreciating pluralism. We hope thus to build up a harmonious and equitable society which upholds the inalienable human rights and dignity of all (GC 35 D3/22).

Journeying Together

We acknowledge humbly that our response so far to the ecological disaster and the onslaught of fundamentalism has been minimal and uncoordinated. We are grateful to all people who, with their enduring search for human dignity, permit us to accompany them in this historical striving for eco-restoration and human solidarity. We look forward to collaborate and network with the vast array of people’s movements, human rights associations, NGOs, political parties and religious leaders that are willing to cast their lot with our “option people” who are affected.

We derive our confidence and inner strength from the fact that we in our efforts would be collaborating with the God of History who is ever present and labouring in creation (Spiritual Exercises 236) and human society to bring everything together into perfect unity (Eph.1,10). “Into that haven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake!” (Rabindranath Tagore).


Strategic Action

While making relentless efforts at greening the environment and creating the culture of dialogue and reconciliation we need to bear in mind the following perspectives:
• It is 60 years since the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ensuring its implementation is our objective and we will do it in the spirit of the UN-proclaimed International Year of Reconciliation, 2009.
• Inclusiveness, interconnectedness and interdependence have to permeate all our perceptions and actions. We have to forswear every form of domination. On the other hand, we must celebrate the organic link between nature and culture, microcosm and macrocosm, individual and society.
• As citizens of India we have to claim the civil space with its constitutional guarantees enabling us to claim our rights (freedom of belief and speech, freedom from fear and want, faith in the dignity and worth of human person and the promotion of universal respect).
• Political issues are to be encountered basically on a political platform. However, our political action must be inspired by ethical principles.
• We have to keep our “option people” at the centre of all our efforts and fight for sustainable development, democratization of the economy and self-determination of the poor and marginalized.
• We must maintain accountability regarding our action plans.

Action plans

Province-Level Commitments

• Constitute at the province level a Commission for environmental ministry and a Taskforce to initiate and sustain our efforts in combating communalism.
• Encourage and promote advocacy with well-documented data on ecological concerns and communal harmony.
• Prepare personnel for environmental ministry.
• Conduct regular eco-audit of campuses and ministries.
• Fight against global warming; plan, execute monitor and evaluate ecology projects sector-wise.
• Plant indigenous trees and promote of afforestation in our campuses and land holdings.
• Encourage organic farming, vermi-composting and the use of bio-pesticides.
• Promote the use of herbal and indigenous systems of medicine.
• Foster during formation eco-spirituality and an involvement in interfaith dialogue.
• Encourage pastors in parishes to promote eco-consciousness and our tertiary level institutions including faculties of Philosophy and Theology to bring out publications on ecological issues and communal harmony.
• Organize events to mark the year 2009 as the International Year of Reconciliation.
• In all our institutions and ministries organize an Ecology and Harmony Day and conduct meaningful programmmes.




Work/Institution/Community-related Commitments

• Persistent campaigns for ensuring that the natural resources are accessible to our people
against unjust allocation of land to the SEZs at the cost of the rural poor/dalits against alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.
• Continued interdisciplinary research supported by communication networks to sustain all our efforts.
• Sensitizing our collaborators over the urgency of intervention.
• Social monitoring and lobbying for people-friendly priorities as opposed to corporate-friendly priorities.
• Revamping our value education to include eco-consciousness and communal harmony.
• Keeping campuses clean, green and plastic/polythene-free.
• Adopting effective waste management and recycling.
• Phasing out incandescent bulbs and geezers and phasing in energy efficient CFL bulbs and electrical appliances.
• Maximizing the use of solar energy and minimizing the reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
• Sustainable and frugal use of water, rain water harvesting, and waste water management.
• Budgetary provision for promoting eco-consciousness.
• Active involvement of our institutions in the training given by the Anglade Institute, Shembaganur.
• Effective implementation of the 4R’s to avoid environmental degradation:
1. Refuse things which spoil the environment
2. Reduce things that harm the environment
3. Reuse things to minimize wastage
4. Recycle things to safeguard natural resources
• Summer camps/programmes on ecology and fundamentalism.
• Concerted efforts at countering and exposing the false propaganda of the communal forces.
• Preventive, proactive and post-active campaigns and legal interventions.
• Networking and issue-based collaboration in ecological restoration and communal harmony with civil society, like-minded orgnizations/groups and people’s movements.
• Talks by eminent leaders and scholars of different religions, reactivation and expansion of Thiruvarul Peravai.
• Introspection into personal and communitarian ecology and attitudes towards other religions.
• Focus community worship and common prayer on interfaith dimension and eco-themes (Spiritual Exercises, 60 and 230-237)

Personal Commitments

• Develop respect for mother earth and adopt eco-friendly lifestyle (limiting use of water, electricity, vehicles and plastics).
• Sustain interest in ecological issues and communal harmony.
• Create and promote awareness on ecology and communal harmony among ourselves through various effective means of communication including email.