ABOUT US
JUSTICE & PEACE COMMISSION
The Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission [JPC] was established in 1992 to inspire and motivate the Church in Mumbai to involve itself in social problems concerning justice, peace and development. Justice and Peace Commission is registered as “Centre for Peace Trust” with the Charity Commissioner on 2nd January 2004 bearing registration no E-21447 Mumbai.
In its preamble it defined its objectives as follows:
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Identify issues regarding social justice that should be of concern to the Catholic community
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Study such issues and advise the Archbishop or his delegate as to the stand the Church should take in that regard
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Inform and instruct the Catholic community about issues of social concern​​
Cardinal Oswald Gracias
PRESIDENT
Bishop Allwyn D’Silva
DIRECTOR
Fr. Felix D’Souza
SECRETARY
The Archbishop/delegate is the president of the Commission.
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The members of the Commission comprise representatives of deaneries and bodies of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The Chairman and Secretary are appointed by the Archbishop.
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The JPC is also associated with other services/organizations that share its vision and cooperate in its mission of respecting and upholding the dignity and rights of the human person.
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JPC was inaugurated on November 13, 1993 by Cardinal Simon Pimenta.
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JPC aims at creating a society in which the dignity of human beings is respected and their holistic growth encouraged, but in a special way it caters to the marginalized. The process used is participation in self-development and empowerment. The focus is the community and the transformation of society. For this reason, JPC networks with non-governmental and community-based organizations and socially committed individuals who have a similar vision.
JPC has the following activities: TRAINING & LEGAL AID
TRAINING
The JPC recognizes that individuals and communities are not mere recipients of information, but active participants in social transformation, with the capacity for critical thinking and action. Hence, the training methodology is participatory and focuses on development of right attitudes and perspectives based on social justice.
OBJECTIVES
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To enhance and strengthen the capacities of social activists through information, skills and attitude building
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To conduct training programmes for grassroots workers keeping in mind changing social realities
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To equip leaders/trainees to be resources for their local communities.
LEGAL AID
Despite the protective measures and lofty ideals contained in the Constitution to secure social, economic and political justice to all its citizens, large sections of the population, especially the marginalized, are exploited and denied their rights. In order to afford easy access to justice for all, the Legal Aid Cell was established in 1995. In 2001, an extension, Ashadeep Legal Aid Cell was set up at the premises of St. Michael Church, Mahim.
OBJECTIVES
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To provide legal assistance to the poor
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To conduct paralegal courses for community workers
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To promote and build legal cells in Mumbai
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To review socio-legal issues affecting the marginalized
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To promote the concept of mobile courts for speedy dispensation of justice
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To strengthen the government's legal aid programme
Federation of Centres for Community Organisation (FCCO)
One of the important functions of JPC is the Federation of Centres for Community Organisation (FCCO)
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Translating faith into action in real life is the essence of witnessing. The Church in Mumbai has always worked at developing methods and strategies to redress injustice and provide relief to the downtrodden. Over the years, centres for community organization [CCOs] were set up in various parishes to address the needs of people of all faiths and to empower the poor and marginalized. As the number of centres grew, it was decided to create a common platform whereby the centres could collaborate and share resources, information and expertise for the common good.
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The Federation of Centres for Community Organisation [FCCO] was established on 17 October 1994. The aim is to foster a solidarity movement, which will enlighten and empower peoples' organizations to bring about social transformation based on the principles of justice and peace.
OBJECTIVES
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To encourage and motivate individual CCOs to adopt the participatory human development approach in their work
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To provide guidance and consultancy to CCOs to further the process of participatory human development approach
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To disseminate information to CCOs on vital issues affecting society
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To encourage networking between CCOs as well as with other non-governmental organizations.
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To initiate common programmes from time to time to enable individual CCOs to participate in joint ventures.
ASSOCIATIONS
The following associations operate from the office of
Centre for Peace Trust (Justice and Peace Commission)
Justice and Peace Commission Members
Fr Camrelo D'Mekar
South Bombay Deanery
Fr Glasten Gonsalves
North Bombay Deanery
Fr Trevor Miranda
Bandra Deanery
Fr Joshua DSouza
Central Suburbs
Fr Frazer Mascarenhas
Andheri Deanery
Fr Joseph Gonsalves
Borivili Deanery
Fr Robinson Kinny
Kurla Deanery
Fr Ajit Tellis
Thane Deanery
Fr John Pereira
Bhayander Deanery
Fr Francis Noronha
Navi Mumbai Deanery
Fr Godfrey Malu
Raigad Deanery