Social Justice

From CTCT In the presence of friends, family and well-wishers, the Conference on Theology in the Caribbean Today (CTCT) presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Anglican […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org Party done! Covid-19 testing was available on Ash Wednesday with the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and their partners, the Pan […]

SOCIAL JUSTICEv– rcsocialjustice.org By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR   In early 2012, during my first year of Seminary formation in the Dominican […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan CCSJ Board member Pope Francis has a planned visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan (January […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member In Lima, Peru, a woman, holding a plastic rosary, like the ones my aunts and grandmother […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan CCSJ Board member For 2022, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) noted an alarming increase in accident-related deaths […]

By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member Governments, institutions, and civil society groups around the world annually mobilise for the Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign. […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member People who identify as Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago form the second largest religious grouping in […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan CCSJ Board member As a boy, I dreamt that I raised my hand during Mass to ask a question. […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member What is the position of the Church in the world today? This question invites reflection on […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member My first experience of meaningful exchange with people from the Deaf community was in the Church […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Marcia Tinto, Member, CCSJ Management Committee   Trinidad and Tobago is the only country in the English-speaking Caribbean that retains the […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member Fr Gerard Pantin CSSp, the university trained, island scholar and widely respected priest was so transformed […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member In an interview with Maria João Avillez of CNN Portugal, Pope Francis reiterated his commitment to […]

By Amílcar Sanatan CCSJ Board member – rcsocialjustice.org Outside of formal duties, community workers provide social support for the least served needs of people. This can […]

By Amílcar Sanatan, CCSJ Board member Peace is the fruit of justice. We are reminded that, “Peace is not merely an absence of war; nor can […]

By Darrion Narine, Acting Chair, CCSJ and Programme Manager, AMMR The Archdiocese Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR) supported a migrant football team in the annual […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Darrion Narine Acting Chair, CCSJ and Programme Manager, AMMR World Youth Skills Day was recognised on July 15, 2022. The globe […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Darrion Narine CCSJ/AMMR Programme Coordinator Rwanda experienced one of the worst atrocities in human history 28 years ago. A genocide against […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Darrion Narine, CCSJ/AMMR Programme Coordinator Earlier in June, we celebrated World Oceans Day which brings awareness to the biodiversity and importance […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org By Leela Ramdeen Consultant, CCSJ/AMMR & Director, CREDI My many years of service as Episcopal Delegate for Social Justice/Chair of CCSJ & […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org Matthew Pierre, Community Liaison Officer, AMMR The underlying challenge causing all other challenges faced by migrants and refugees is the lack of […]

By Marcia Tinto Member of CCSJ’s Management Committee This Sunday is World Environment Day. The United Nations has been commemorating this day on June 5 annually, […]

By Dominique Heffes-Doon Integrated Communications Lead, Camsel It takes a village to care for a child. The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and the Archdiocese’s […]

By Darrion Narine, CCSJ/AMMR Programme Coordinator Life has taken many twists and turns over the last two years and for many it has been difficult. Children, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI This year marks the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical: Laudato Si’, on care for our common […]

It takes a village to care for a child. The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR) with […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI In November 2017, in a letter at the conclusion of an international conference at the Vatican on work […]

By Darrion Narine Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR “A Mother’s love, you never forget” – Sundar Popo There are pop culture phenomena like ‘Thank you, Mama’ by Jamaican […]

By Darrion Narine Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR Once upon a time, not too long ago, I was a ‘meat mouth’. In every house lime or all-inclusive party, […]

By Darrion Narine, Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR On Friday, March 25, the United Nations recognised the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The Institute of International Relations (IIR) at UWI, St Augustine and the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) […]

By Darrion M Narine Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR   On Saturday, March 5, the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR) conducted its first Roving Child-Friendly Space […]

The Feast of St Joseph is March 19, which is closely followed by the United Nation’s International Day of Happiness on March 20. This year’s happiness […]

The social doctrine of the Catholic Church has been described as one of the best kept secrets of our modern times. It is believed that the […]

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) is calling for an end to the war in Ukraine and for peaceful solutions to be found to address […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Do you live what you believe?” —Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975) The diocesan phase of the global […]

social justice – rcsocialjustice.org As we journey through the Synod together, the CCSJ recommends that each member of our Church adopts an approach of listening, not […]

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR) extend deepest condolences to the family and all those affected […]

Social Justice: rcsocialjustice.org “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace” (Is 52:7). On February 4, the United Nations (UN) […]

By Dominique Heffes-Doon CCSJ/AMMR   To commemorate World Day of the Poor, November 14, 2021, CCSJ hosted, with His Grace, an interfaith conversation, comprised of key […]

A fruit of the Holy Spirit is peace. The path to the Spirit is “integral human development”, which is a key component of Catholic Social doctrine. […]

SOCIAL JUSTICE – rcsocialjustice.org “God must be a Trini.” He is fully present and experiencing life with each person in our nation. Our diversity in race, […]

By Darrion M Narine Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR On the darkest day, the star of wonder must continue to burn bright. The world is going through a […]

By Marcia Tinto, Member, CCSJ & AMMR Christmas is a stressful time for families who are on strict budgets and especially for those surviving below the […]

The annual Spoken Word Competition organised by the Catholic Commission for Social Justice was held Saturday, November 20 under the theme The Ever Wider We.  Here […]

The annual Spoken Word Competition organised by the Catholic Commission for Social Justice was held Saturday, November 20 under the theme The Ever Wider We. Here […]

The annual Spoken Word Competition organised by the Catholic Commission for Social Justice was held Saturday, November 20 under the theme The Ever Wider We. Here […]

By Fr Curtis G Poyer, CCSJ/AMMR During the 1980s, human rights movements emerged in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. This was because from […]

By Klysha Best The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ)/ Archdiocesan Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR) hosted a virtual session to discuss the fifth World […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, […]

Suggested format for service in parishes and schools, homes, prayer groups…wherever the family of God may be gathered. Submitted by Archdiocesan Catechetical Office: Andrew Fernandes, Antonett […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR “Generosity is the predisposition to love open-handedly. Our hands matter, both literally and symbolically. In the open hand, our […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR The CCSJ is currently coordinating activities for our Archdiocese’s upcoming observance of Justice, Peace, and Community Week (JPCW), Saturday, […]

By Kaelanne Jordan Email: mediarelations.camsel@catholictt.org The sanctity of life and the dignity of each human being, made in the image and likeness of God, is the […]

By Zahirah Mohammed Child Friendly Spaces Support Officer, CCSJ/AMMR   “None of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The theme is: Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, […]

By Shelly-Ann T Simon Case Management Officer – Alternative Care, CCSJ & AMMR, rcsocialjustice.org Very often, we hear conversations about poverty where there is always some […]

By Dominique Heffes-Doon Social Media & Research Officer, CCSJ/AMMR, rcsocialjustice.org This year the United Nations (UN) World Habitat Day falls on October 4, which is also […]

By Darrion M Narine Programme Coordinator, CCSJ/AMMR, rcsocialjustice.org This Sunday we celebrate the 107th World Day for Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) which “is always an occasion […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair CCSJ & AMMR & Head Animator of Animators, Laudato Si’ Movement – TT Chapter “We must open our hearts, believers and non-believers […]

By Shelly-Ann Simon Case Management Officer – Alternative Care, CCSJ/AMMR, rcsocialjustice.org There are many versions of the family. One thing we can say for sure is […]

By Matthew Pierre Community Liaison Officer, CCSJ/AMMR In our present experience living amidst a Covid-19 pandemic, globally, we can see the importance of having a job, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR On Tuesday, August 31, we will celebrate the 59th anniversary of T&T’s Independence. Let’s give thanks to God for […]

By Zahirah Mohammed CCSJ/AMMR, Administrative Facilitator There are over 7.5 billion persons on Earth (US Census Bureau, International Data Base). Each individual is created in God’s […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR As disciples of Christ, each of us has a duty to use our God-given talents to promote integral human […]

By Ambrosio A. Valerio Rojas CCSJ/AMMR, Migrant Support Officer/Translator “The distinguishing mark of the Christian, today more than ever, must be love for the poor, the […]

Fr Curtis G Poyer, CCSJ/AMMR In August and September of 2020 at the height of the pandemic, we celebrated the Sacraments of First Communion, and Confirmation, […]

By Dominique Heffes-Doon, CCSJ/AMMR In the Gospel of John, 19:25–27, Mary is recorded to have been at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified. […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & AMMR “My hands used to be sweaty, but Grandma didn’t mind. She would hold on to my sweaty hand as […]

Archbishop Jason Gordon met with Miriam Aertker, the head of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, TT office on July 8 at Archbishop’s House, Port of […]

By Dominique Heffes-Doon, Research and Social Media Officer “Grief is the acute pain that accompanies loss. Because it is a reflection of what we love, it […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as […]

By Darrion Narine Programme Coordinator, CCSJ and Archdiocesan Ministry for Migrants and Refugees In a world where social ills continue to dominate our society, it is […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today, Sunday, the world observes Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, which aims to raise public awareness […]

By Kaelanne Jordan Email: mediarelations.camsel@catholictt.org As the nation joined the world in celebrating Father’s Day Sunday, June 20, Archbishop Jason Gordon proposed that fathers adopt St […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Every family needs a father – a father who shares in his family’s joy and pain, hands down […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today’s gospel, Mark 4: 26–34, reminds me of the way in which the many gifts in our Archdiocese […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against […]

For the parents hesitant to take the Covid-19 vaccine, Dr Michele Monteil, asks them to consider their children “dying a different kind of death” not being […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. As baptised Catholics, we belong to the Family of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today we celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost. We recall how, on the evening of His Resurrection, Jesus […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI ““…in this time marked by the pandemic we are more aware of the importance of caring for our […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “A world that looks to the future without a mother’s gaze is shortsighted…In today’s fragmented world, where we […]

By Darrion M Narine,Programme Coordinator, CCSJ. ammr@catholictt.org An old man who lives alone in his apartment, is sitting in front of the TV watching the 7 […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI What are you doing to observe the Year of St Joseph? You will recall that to mark the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI It is always heartening to read comments from persons who access CCSJ’s resources on our website. I recall […]

By Darrion M Narine, Programme Coordinator, CCSJ, ammr@catholictt.org Imagine you lived in a country for 50 years of your life and then it disappears under rising […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today’s gospel, Luke 24:35–48,  reminds us of what it means to be a witness to Christ. In order […]

By Darrion M Narine, Programme Coordinator, CCSJ ammr@catholictt.org We now exist in a society where the quality of health care accessed is directly linked to the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Recently, I was interviewed by Onika James of radio i95.5FM, about the killing of two minors, Simeon Daniel, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI What joy! What an amazing gift! The tomb is empty! Christ is risen! The Scriptures have been fulfilled: […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Palm Sunday tells us that … it is the cross that is the true tree of life.” —Pope […]

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants & Refugees (AMMR) have embarked on a healthcare outreach campaign across Trinidad and […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today, March 21, the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The theme this […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Last August, as Vatican News reported, “Pope Francis said that prayers and little gestures silently sow the seed […]

By Lara Pickford-Gordon Email: snrwriter.camsel@catholictt.org Twitter: @gordon_lp Catholics have a responsibility to get involved promoting social justice in the society. This message was stated in different […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Open your heart to Jesus’ mercy! Say: ‘Jesus… Come, cleanse. Cleanse with Your mercy, with Your tender words, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “”… the first duty of the Christian is to listen to the Word of God, to listen to […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Lent is a time for deeper dialogue with God through prayer, for renewed gratitude for God’s mercy and […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “They are not cockroaches.  They are not monsters. They are of us. Raised for better or worse by […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The theme of Pope Francis’ message for the 29th World Day of the Sick on February 11 is: […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “The true worth of the different countries of our world is measured by their ability to think not […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI After the recent insurrection and assault on the Capitol, the seat of Democracy in the United States, I […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “We are asking people, stop seeing bad things happen and remaining quiet” — ASP Claire Guy-Alleyne, Head of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI I pray that your journey through Advent was prayerful. As we waited in joyful expectation of the birth […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “While modern society places more importance on one’s own interests regardless of or even to the detriment of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “All migrants are entitled to equal protection of all their human rights. On this International Day, I urge […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Thursday, December 10 is Human Rights Day. The theme, Recover Better— Stand Up for Human Rights relates to […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI International Day for the Abolition of Slavery will be observed on Wednesday,  December 2. As the UN states: […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ King of the Universe. Pope Francis urges us to “embrace […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “Lazarus is a good example of the silent cry of the poor throughout the ages and the contradictions […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Remembering the dead, caring for their graves and prayers of suffrage, are the testimony of confident hope, rooted […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.” -St […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today’s gospel, Matthew 22:34–40, is at the heart of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Without a solution to the problems of the poor, we will not solve the problems of the world. […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “In order to stop violence against girls and women and instill the values of respect, dignity, honesty and […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Lack of housing is a grave problem in many parts of the world, both in rural areas and […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020 (WDMR) will be observed next Sunday, September 27. The theme of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Racism generates inequality…but inequality also fuels racism” —Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Dean, Faculty of Law, UWI STA. Many […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Let’s commit to observe the Season of Creation, an annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect […]

Love for others, and in the first place, love for the poor, in whom the Church sees Christ himself, is made concrete in the promotion of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Over the past few weeks, before and after our General Election on August 10, it has been sad […]

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice is calling on all citizens to denounce racism. Following is the Commission’s full statement: The Catholic Commission for Social Justice […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Recently I visited Mt St Benedict. Since my childhood I have always found it spiritually uplifting to pray […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On Monday, citizens will go to the polls to vote in our General Election (GE), to elect the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Compassion allows you to see reality; compassion is like the lens of the heart: it allows us to […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “We pray for those suffering from addiction may be properly helped and accompanied.”—Pope Francis In Pope Francis’ prayer […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Violence is not the cure for our broken world”—Pope Francis Let’s pray for members of the recently appointed […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Pope Francis has asked the faithful not to forget the poor and vulnerable during the pandemic. Let’s reflect […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “When Jesus wants to teach us how a Christian should be, he tells us very little, but he […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Where there is no honour to the elderly, there is no future for the young…We must reawaken our […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “When injustices around the world are screaming ‘your life is of no value’, the Church cannot remain silent. […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI June 1, the world will observe Global Day of Parents. As the UN states: “The Global Day provides […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Our bodies are ours to use, but we have to account one day to the Lord as to […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who will come after us, to children […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “It’s necessary to rediscover the plan drawn by God for the family, to reaffirm its greatness and irreplaceability […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Every vocation is born of that gaze of love with which the Lord came to meet us…Vocation, more […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “We don’t want our institutions to become petri dishes” —US Attorney General William Barr Like the US Attorney-General, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “”…let us thank the Lord for having entered through our closed doors with his mercy, for calling us, […]

“Let us not keep our faces bowed to the ground in fear, but raise our eyes to the risen Jesus. His gaze fills us with hope, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Everyone is a leader of conscience…. When our hearts are calm and pure, our wisdom will be unleashed…If […]

Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  I share hereunder a speech I delivered in London at a Thanksgiving Service organised by my now deceased friend, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronisingly, but as […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!” Martin Luther King Jr. As I watched a programme on […]

Jesus wants evangelizers who proclaim the good news not only with words, but above all by a life transfigured by God’s presence. (259) —Pope Francis, Evangelii […]

By Dianne Wells Fifty years after, yes 50 years done gone and my little mind can only say commemorate the anniversary of the Black Power movement […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ The theme of Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2020 is: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God, […]

There is no dichotomy between man and God’s image. Whoever tortures a human being, whoever abuses a human being, whoever outrages a human being, abuses God’s […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   As thousands prepare to ‘play’ themselves over the next two days of Carnival, CCSJ urges citizens and […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The theme of CCSJ’s Panel Discussion on Tuesday, February 18 to mark World Day of Social Justice, February […]

There are not two categories of people. There are not some who were born to have everything and leave others with nothing and a majority that […]

CCSJ Social Justice Education Committee By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On Tuesday, February 4, the world will observe World Cancer Day and the […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “…the virtuous finds shelter in his integrity…Virtue makes a nation great; by sin whole races are disgraced.” (Proverbs […]

The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked; the gold you have hidden in […]

Peace is not merely the absence of war; nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies; nor is […]

The dignity of the human person and the common good rank higher than the comfort of those who refuse to renounce their privileges. When these values […]

The majority of people living on our planet profess to be believers. This should spur religions to dialogue among themselves for the sake of protecting nature, […]

God loves all men and women on earth and gives them the hope of a new era, an era of peace. His love, fully revealed in […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   On this second Sunday of Advent we will light the second candle on the Advent wreath—the Bethlehem […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today, Sunday, December 1, is World AIDS Day. The theme this year is: Communities make the difference. “A […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI How I wish that all of us would hear God’s cry: ‘Where is your brother?’ (Gen 4:9). Where […]

Truth and justice must stand above my comfort and physical well-being, or else my life itself becomes a lie. Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, para 38 […]

“Never hesitate to hold out your hand; never hesitate to accept the outstretched hand of another.” Pope Saint John XXIII CCSJ Social Justice Education Committee By […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI November is the month dedicated to those who have died. November 2, All Souls’ Day, is commemorated the […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI One of the joys of being a citizen, is the fact that we have learned over the years […]

Let us ask the Lord for the grace that a new wave of love for our neighbour may sweep over this poor world.   Venerable Pope […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The Dignity of Work is the theme for the 2019 Justice, Peace and Community Week, October 19–26. See […]

On Thursday, October 10 the 17th World Day Against the Death Penalty will be dedicated to children whose parents have been sentenced to death or executed. […]

“Poverty is not just a lack of money; it is not having the capability to realise one’s full potential as a human being” —Amartya Sen By […]

On September 24 we celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Trinidad & Tobago becoming a Republic. We gained independence on August 31, 1962 and Republican status on […]

“The Church is on mission in the world. Faith in Jesus Christ enables us to see all things in their proper perspective, as we view the […]

By Leela Ramdeen Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “God does not reveal himself in the abstract, but by using languages, imagery and expressions that are bound […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” The quotation […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On Saturday, August 31, we will celebrate 57 years of independence. Firstly, let us give thanks to God […]

Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On August 12, the world will celebrate International Youth Day. It is worth noting aspects of the UN’s statement: […]

By Leela Ramdeen,                       Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, for though others may free the body, none but […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated”—Helen […]

By Leela Ramdeen,  Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI A democratic parliament is one that is representative, open and transparent, accessible, accountable and effective (Inter-Parliamentary Union) On Sunday, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “A spirituality of migration has less to do with ‘being nice to refugees’ and more to do with […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair CCSJ & Director, CREDI This Sunday (June 16) I celebrate my birthday. Each day I thank God for the many blessings He […]

By Leela Ramdeen,  Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Let us welcome the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday and open our hearts to be renewed by […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair,                                  CCSJ & Director, CREDI Good news! Pope Francis has appointed the first female Consultors—four, including three religious—to the Secretariat of the Synod […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The world is craving for peace. In today’s gospel (Jn 14:23–29), Jesus tells His disciples that the peace […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI How is data in the education system in T&T used to ensure that behaviour and exclusion practices do […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On Wednesday, May 15, the world will celebrate the International Day of Families. The 2019 theme is:  Families and Climate […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI In 1995 Pope St John Paul II stated: “The value of democracy stands or falls with the truths and […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Christ is risen, Alleluia! The blogger, Phil Newton, wrote: ‘9 ways Christ’s Resurrection gives us hope for today.’ Numbers […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI Today, April 7, we observe World Health Day. The theme is: Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere. The World Health […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Migrants and refugees do not represent a problem to be solved, but are brothers and sisters to be […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI The world will commemorate the UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave […]

By Leela Ramdeen,       Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “Everyone you meet always asks if you have a career, are married or own a house, as if […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI On March 8 the world observed International Women’s Day (IWD). The 2019 theme is: Think equal, build smart, innovate for change. […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI IT was with great joy that many of us gathered at the Church of St Philip and St James, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI RECENTLY I gave a woman and her two young children a lift to their home. On the way the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI “WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?”, cried my friend in frustration after reading about the 19 young Venezuelan women, between […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair,   CCSJ & Director, CREDI I watched the video clip on Facebook in which six girls in school uniform at a school in […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI It may be timely to remind ourselves of legislation that exists in T&T to deal with various kinds of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Recently someone remonstrated, stating that the Catholic Church should […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. On Thursday (January 24) the world will observe the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. T&T is caught up in the worldwide change in […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today, Sunday, January 6, we celebrate the Solemnity of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. We have come to the end of another year. […]

By Leela Ramdeen,  Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. In two days’ time, on December 25, we will […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. As Chair of the Greater Caribbean for Life, an […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “There is no greater disability in society than the inability […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. As you reflect on the draft Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. CCSJ and the Youth Commission are pleased to share […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. CCSJ would like to thank all those who observed […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “Literacy is the skill that unlocks the gates of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “Experiencing the need for change is the first step towards […]

In a media release the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) calls for an urgent response by all citizens to the prevalence of domestic/intimate partner violence […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. The archdiocesan observance of ‘Justice, Peace and Community Week’ on the theme: Caring […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. While I was in London in August, a 10-year-old […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. On September 24 we celebrated the 42nd anniversary of T&T’s […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “The Church is ever mindful that Jesus Christ was […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “The world must be educated to love Peace, to build […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Initially, this article was titled: ‘Cleaning the Augean stables’. However, […]

Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. On Wednesday September 5, the world will observe the International […]

By Leela Ramdeen,  Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “…to be free is not merely to cast off one’s […]

By Leela Ramdeen,  Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today’s gospel, John 6:24–35, offers us an opportunity to […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Tomorrow, July 30, the world will observe World Day against Trafficking in […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “World Youth Skills Day is calling on global communities to engage […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI,Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. We should heed Pope Francis’ warning in his homily at a Mass […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. The term ‘Windrush generation’ refers to the immigrants who […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. On Tuesday, June 26, the world will observe the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today is Father’s Day! Let’s take some time to reflect […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “We must move much faster if we are to honour […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “…the Church proposes a form of justice that is […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair,  CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “The political and social climate that prevails in the world today […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. In today’s Gospel reading (Jn 15: 9–17) we focus on the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in […]

By Leela Ramdeen,  Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more “Our planet is a mother for all of us. We […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director CREDI On Wednesday, April 4, the world marked the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “The family is important, and it is necessary for the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “Christ has really, truly, and substantially risen, Body and Blood, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today, Sunday March 25, the world marks the International Day […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. The world will observe The International Day for the Elimination […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. The world observed International Women’s Day (IWD) last Thursday (March […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. On Tuesday, February 20, I attended Vision on Mission’s […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair,  CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today’s Gospel, Mark 9:2–10, tells the story of the transfiguration of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. In case you did not have an opportunity to read Pope […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. “None of us can think we are exempt from concerns […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. It is with great sadness that CCSJ noted the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. In March 2017, Diane Montagna reported on Pope Francis’ plea […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI. Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. There are many nuggets of wisdom in today’s readings. Reflect […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. As we celebrate the solemnity of the Epiphany of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI Visit rcsocialjusticett.org for our columns, media releases and more. Today, the last day of 2017, we have an […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org & Director, CREDI Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26–38). Tomorrow we will celebrate the birth of our […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI Today we gather at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to give thanks to God for the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI Saturday, December 9 is International Anti-Corruption Day, and on Sunday, December 10, the world will observe Human […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ                (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI At the end of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis initiated the World Day of the Poor. […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI Tomorrow, Monday, November 6, the world will observe the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI On behalf of members of CCSJ, I extend sincere congratulations to Archbishop-elect Jason Gordon. Since my return […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI “It is time for fathers and mothers to return from their exile, because they have self-exiled from the […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI For the rule of law, the death penalty represents a failure, as it obliges the state to kill in […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ     (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI  Today Trinidad and Tobago celebrates our 41st anniversary as a Republic. My father was an MP in the first […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI On Thursday, September 21, the world will observe the International Day of Peace. The theme for 2017, “Together for Peace: […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI  On Friday, September 15, the world will observe the International Day of Democracy. This year’s theme, Democracy and conflict prevention “focuses on […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI “Unless those who call themselves Christians live to serve, their lives serve no good purpose” (Pope Francis). On September 5, […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI “It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI “A Christian who doesn’t safeguard creation, who doesn’t make it flourish, is a Christian who isn’t concerned […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI Saturday, August 12 is International Youth Day. The theme this year is: Youth Building Peace. As the UN states, “there is […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI “We must not ignore those who claim the status of First Peoples in this country as owners of […]

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI “…Human trafficking and slavery radically strips a person of … fundamental dignity, reducing them to the status […]