Action on behalf of justice, peace and the integrity of creation is an integral part of evangelization…
Whatever their work, Oblates will collaborate, according to their vocation and by every means compatible with the Gospel, in changing all that is a cause of oppression and poverty. They thereby help to create a society based on the dignity of the human person created in the image of God.
CC&RR, Rule 9a
Fr. Kennedy Katongo’s last testament to us on this Constitution concludes with his listing the four Oblate priorities in the ministry of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.:
HUMAN RIGHTS
We commit ourselves to work especially in promoting the rights of all peoples, as individuals and as communities, with special emphasis on indigenous peoples and migrants. We commit ourselves so that all peoples should be respected in their right to life from conception to life’s natural end and to have access to basic human needs as well as the right to enjoy the free exercise of civic, political, social, religious and cultural rights, and to have a healthy community to live in.
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
We are also attentive to include in the initial and ongoing Oblate Formation curriculum the specific training in the area of conflict resolution and reconciliation at the social, religious and political levels, for instance between ethnic groups in the regions that we are currently ministering.
ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
We commit ourselves to an integral relationship between humanity and nature as gifts of God, and protection of the environment and commitment to ecology.
EDUCATION AND FORMATION
We are committed to the promotion of basic literacy and education as a fundamental right so as to empower people in their search for greater dignity and opportunities. We believe that preparation and updating for this dimension of our mission should be included in all of our formation programs. This includes the different stages of initial formation, ongoing formation and leadership training programs that are planned at different levels of the congregation. We act so that lay people and Oblates together assume responsibility for our mission. Catholic social teaching and JPIC training needs to be an integral part of our formation programs for Oblates and the laity.
Kennedy Katongo OMI (http://www.omiworld.org/en/content/news/3805/towards-a-spirituality-of-jpic-the-oblate-charism-at-the-service-of-the-poor/ )
“Every minister worthy of the name has to walk the line between prophetic vision and spiritual sustenance, between telling people the comforting things they want to hear and challenging them with the difficult things they need to hear. In Oxford, my father began to feel as though all the members wanted him to do was to marry them and bury them and stay away from their souls.” Timothy B. Tyson
Fr. Kennedy Katongo’s last testament seems very holistic. I think of St. Eugene’s telling us: “We must lead the people to act like human beings first of all, then like Christians and finally, we must help them to become saints” and Fr. Katongo’s statement completes Eugene’s with what I would call the 4 pillars, the cornerstones as to how the community, the Oblate Family will go about doing it. One of those 4 pillars alone will be good, but together they become whole.
I am struck with awe at the wisdom and grace of each of the Rules and how they are laid out. No one person could do them alone but many persons together it is more than just a possibility – for I have seen how it is real and alive, from the beginning 200 years ago to the present and then as we all move forward. I am once again keenly aware of how the Oblates continue to move with the times and are able to show us relevance in today’s world. “Witnessing Jesus Christ faithfully through our Oblate Charism demands that we put these priorities into practice.” A tall order yes, but not impossible.
As I begin my day I find myself again looking through eyes filled with gratitude.