Mission Update

United States Vol. 114, No. 4

Catholic Mission Association Winter 2005

MISSION CONGRESS 2005 WE PRAY...

Jennifer Taylor
St. Vinvent Palotti Center

Mission Congress 2005 gathered 335 missionaries in

sunny Tucson, Arizona October 13-16, to explore new
For people all over the
models for mission in the context of globalization. world searching for
Mission Congress 2005 focused on the theme,
Horizons and Possibilities: The U.S. Church in God and truth: may
Mission with the Global Community. Sr. Irma Isip
and Roberto Chen facilitated the Congress, which they encounter the
engaged participants in deep listening and dialogue. Through lively discussion,
challenging speakers and celebrative multicultural prayer and liturgies, the
Lord Jesus.
participants reflected on the question: What is the responsible contribution of the
Church in the United States in mission with the global community? - Holy Fathers Prayer Intentions
Sr. Eva Lumas, SSS, challenged participants to consider the power of faith and
culture as integral to the witness of the gospel. Eva shared the powerful story of her
life as an African American woman in the Catholic Church who experienced racial
In This Issue
challenges growing up. She found ways to build bridges with her surroundings and
is now a model for multi-culturalism as well a voice for the voiceless. MISSION CONGRESS 2005...................COVER
Most Rev. Gerald Kincanas, Bishop of Tucson welcomed the Mission Congress MESSAGE FROM USCMA DIRECTOR;
attendees to the Diocese of Tucson and challenged the group to be transformed by STAFF............................................................2
their experiences on the border. He affirmed the mission spirit with an anecdote
about a young childs response to the question, Whats the most important part of BOOK REVIEWS; MISSION APPEALS
the church? The child responded, The exit sign, because that tells us to take what 2005.................................................................4
we learned and go out to help others!
RECONCILIATION AS A NEW PARADIGM OF
Mission Congress 2005 also urged participants to reflect on the meaning of solidarity MISSION............................................CENTER
as it calls us to transformative reconciliation and
peacemaking. An Assistant Professor of Cross-Cultural DEBT: SOLUTIONS AND PROBLEMS..............5
Studies at Catholic Theological Union, Dr. Michel
Andraos, who has had a personal experience as an USCMA 2005 RESOLUTIONS, USCMA
immigrant, stressed that reconciliation must be integral ANNUAL MEETING.......................................6
to mission. Thirty million people worldwide are in
refugee camps and the political war on terror has shifted RESOURCES AND UPCOMING EVENTS; ORBIS
attention away from the failure of systems, Andraos BOOK LIST..................................................7
stated. Today, we need a theological response to the
war on terror, in order to begin to model the role of SEASONS GREETINGS...................................8
reconciliation in peacemaking.

One of the unique aspects of the Congress was that it

offered a retreat-like atmosphere. Instead of the typical

Continued on Page 3
U.S. Catholic Mission Association
Mission Update Winter 2005

FROM THE DIRECTOR continued

MICHAEL MONTOYA, MJ
of stories are what make the Annual Conferences even more
I began my term as Executive Director on December 1, 2005. For
exciting and life giving.
the month prior, Sr. Rosanne Rustemeyer had been very generous
in sharing her time and wisdom, making sure I learned as much as
USCMA is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is a time to
possible and meet as many people as permited by time constraints.
give thanks for all the blessings received. While USCMA traces
In a period of two weeks, we had 19 meetings. By the end of the
its roots from the Mission Secretariat in 1949, which later became
month, it felt as if I had been at the office longer than I actually
the United States Catholic Mission Council, its present mode was
had been. Words do not suffice to say how grateful I am for what
approved by the Annual Assembly of the Board of Directors in
she has shared. Thank you, Sr. Rosanne, for all you have done and
May 1981.
for all that you continue to do for USCMA! Numerous members
have sent their best wishes and prayers; allow me to add mine as
Our history as an Association and the story we choose to tell is
well.
filled with faces and stories of people and missioners in the field
who have continuously inspired the Association in kindling the
In this issue of Mission Update, you will see and read about the
fire of mission in the US Church. We celebrate this passion for
Mission Congress 2005 held in Tucson, Arizona, October 13-16,
Gods mission as together we enter our 25th year as USCMA. And
2005. The pictures and articles offer but a glimpse of a rich, deeply
as Dag Hammarskjld said, For all that has been, thanks. For all
spiritual experience. The multicultural and intergenerational make-
that will be, YES!
up of the group gave a broader and deeper perspectives of mission
as has been lived and experienced by the participants themselves.
Their passion for mission was palpable. Thank you for your support
in making this event a success!
From Mission to Mission Celebrates 25
Years!
We have chosen Reconciliation as a New Paradigm of Mission Since 1980 From Mission to Mission has assisted returning
by Robert Schreiter, C.PP.S for our Periodic Paper to further missioners as they process their mission experience and transition
deepen our reflection on mission today. As he has written, The back to their home culture. Lay missioners, priests, religious have
experience of coming to terms with a violent past, the need to end participated in facilitated workshops that help them rediscover
hostility, and the slow work of reconstructing broken societies the gifts of their mission experience within their current reality.
have pushed reconciliation into the limelight, especially bringing This can be a difficult period for missioners no matter how long
it to the attention of those concerned with the work of the Church. one has been away. Many returning missioners have found these
We cannot agree more. This article is both timely and relevant. workshops an invaluable part of their transition process.

Still basking from the spirit of Mission Congress 2005, we now From Mission to Mission recognized its 25th anniversary with a
enter this new year renewed and full of energy. We already started wonderful celebration at Mission Congress 2005.
the preparations for our Annual USCMA Meeting and Conference
to be held at Notre Dame, IN October 1-3, 2006. We will relay
**CORRECTION**
In the Fall 05 issue of Mission Update, the Periodic Paper was
more details as soon as we have them. Meantime, please mark
inadverdently attributed to John Fullenbach. Eleanor Doidge
your calendar and plan to join us. Your presence and your sharing
and Roger Schroeder, SVD co-authored the article. We
apologize for the mistake.

USCMA Staff
Michael Montoya, MJ, Executive Director
Charlotte Cook, Associate Director
Kathleen Bullock, Associate for Operations
Anne Louise Von Hoene, MMS, Accountant
Questions / Comments re: Meetings & Conferences
[email protected]
Questions / Comments re: Mission Update / Current Topics
[email protected]

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Mission Update Winter 2005

Continued from page 1 Although Mission Congress 2005 addressed many of the negative
effects of globalization, the Congress made a point to also celebrate
table discussions usually the gift of Christs mission at work in the global community. This
found at conferences, the celebration included a diverse representation of cultures through
Mission Congress consisted prayer, food, dance and music. Some of the highlights were the
of several dialogue First Nation peoples that led the Congress in a traditional prayer;
communities that gathered the evening spent braving the unusually cold and wet weather at
periodically throughout the the historic San Javier Mission; and the musical dance performance
Congress to discuss questions by the Tongan community during Saturdays Mass and banquet.
and themes from speakers, The closing ritual was a particularly poignant moment when each
presenters and dialogue participant was asked to take a piece of yarn from the table
sessions. These communities centerpieces and bless one another as the yarn was tied around
were one way that participants each others wrists. These blessings were the final words spoken
could incorporate the at the Congress before parting ways.
reconciliation model for
mission by creating safe Sr. Rosanne
spaces that encouraged R u s t e m e y e r,
enhanced listening and the meaningful sharing of stories and SSND and Mary
perspectives. Jo Klick, who
served as
With this model of reconciliation and desire for understanding, it coordinators of
was only appropriate for the Congress to utilize its proximity to the Congress,
the border to address the issues of immigration. Rev. John Fife, expressed
Pastor at Southside Presbyterian in Tucson, spoke about the work gratitude for the
of Humane Borders and No More Deaths, which deal with the willingness of
growing number of deaths of immigrants crossing the border. He participants to
warned of the dangers of unrestrained capitalism that leads to the share so
unequal distribution of wealth, exploitation of labor and the personally from
devastation of the environment, which are felt much more intensely their mission
on the border. For Fife, The Church is the only institution that experience. We feel that this was the major reason for the
meets the criteria needed to address these problems and realities fulfillment of our hopes for Mission Congress 2005. We believe
faced on the border. from the experience of the Congress that global community is not
only possible but already exists. To become aware of this
Immersion trips to the U.S./Mexico border and area Native communion is a graced moment.
American reservations challenged Congress participants to envision
a community free of restrictive borders. BorderLinks, a nonprofit There were an increased number of young adults in attendance
that offers year-round immersions, organized opportunities for compared to Mission Congress 2000, which was evidence of the
participants to experience the reality of the border in a way that efforts of the Congress organizers to encourage participants to bring
hearing about it third-hand could not have provided. a more diverse group from their congregations and organizations.
A five member delegation from Bolivia found the Congress to be
Some Congress participants an excellent venue for dialogue about migration issues and
experienced the Asian economic justice.
Catholic community in
Tucson. In a visit to the local Mission Congress 2005 was sponsored by the Catholic Mission
Vietnamese parish Forum, a collaborative effort of Catholic Network of Volunteer
Vietnamese, Koreans, Services, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Leadership
Filipinos, Chinese and Sri Conference of Women Religious, Society for the Propagation of
Lankans joined to proudly the Faith, United States Catholic Mission Association, USCCB
share their arts, foods and Committee on Home Missions, USCCB Committee on World
religious cultures. During the Mission, USCCB Secretariat for the Church in Latin America.
post-lunch tour of the church
the host group impressed the REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
visitors with the strength of
their traditional faith. All The Year 2006 has been designated UN Year of Deserts and
Asian communities share a Desertification. We are interested in learning about any related
common heritage of early programs our members are involved with. Please contact us at
persecutions and reverence for the sacrifice of early martyrs. [email protected] with names and contact
information. Thanks so much.

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Mission Update Winter 2005

BOOK REVIEWS

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wo books recently published by Orbis are a must for anyone cannot be separated from the reality of the world with AIDS.
working or interested in the area of HIV/AIDS: Grant Me With questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each
Justice! HIV/AIDS & Gender Readings of the Bible, edited chapter this book can be used in a variety of settings from personal
by Musa W. Dube and Musimbi Kanyoro andWhen Gods People reflection to classroom discussions.
Have HIV/AIDS by Maria Cimperman, OSU.
Both books exhort Christians to read the signs of the times and
The former is an excellent resource written by women of the Circle to respond as Jesus would.
of Concerned African Women Theologians with the Bible as its
base. Over half of the Africans living with HIV are women. But ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
African women have heeded the challenge in Proverbs (24:10)

U
Dont give up and be helpless in times of trouble. With justice sing 235 proverbs familiar to Americans, Stan Nussbaum,
as its central theme this small volume offers readers justice- in his recent book American Cultural Baggage: How to
oriented ways of re-reading the Bible in the light of HIV/AIDS. Recognize and Deal with It, has provided a unique way
The current times force African women to think about life and its for Americans to look at themselves as they enter into a different
meaning in different ways. Using texts from Genesis, Job, culture. Nussbaum provides questions that non-Americans might
Ezechiel, Matthew, Mark and John, the contributors challenge ask their American guests about US culture, especially when our
readers to re-look at some of the myths held as beliefs for too cultural norms seem in conflict with one another and with non-
long. Some of these are: women are not victims; women are American norms. Also included in this small but valuable volume
resilient; adolescent girls are at particular risk; not all women who are cautions to Americans about potential conflicts that can arise
are infected or at risk of becoming infected do not practice high- between themselves and their non-American hosts over cultural
risk behavior; affected people are vital to the process of effective values. Nussbaum has provided us with an easy-to-read book
change; and change is possible. that should become part of the preparation program of anyone
planning to work in another culture. He has used the experiences
Gods people have HIV/AIDS, and our calling as disciples is to learned from living and working in Africa for many years. This
bring our theological and human resources to the service of Gods book might also be useful to share with people in the host country
people. Cimperman asks the challenging question What kind with whom Americans will be living and/or working. Recent
of moral theology must we engage in, in a world where we immigrants might also find this book useful as they try to
encounter HIV/AIDS? She points out that theology and praxis understand their new country of residence.

2005 MISSION APPEALS

USCMA is grateful to have been invited by seven diocesan Mission Offices to participate in the Mission Coop Plan. We thank each
of these offices and the 19 parishes that welcomed us. The generosity of the parishioners to whom we spoke has been most
gratifying. We give special thanks to each of you who spoke on our behalf.

Brooklyn Las Vegas

Blessed Sacrament Octavio Duran, ofm St. James the Apostle Anselm Nkuanga, CICM
Epiphany Joe Regotti, MLM
Our Lady of the Presentation Gabriel Garcia Paterson
Gonzalez, ofm St. Mary Girard Kohler, C.S.Sp.
Sacred Heart Octavio Duran, ofm St. Rose of Lima Girard Kohler, C.S.Sp.
Chicago Philadelphia
Immaculate Conception Patrick Rearden, op Old St. Josephs Bill Christy, C.S.Sp
St. Bartholomew James Chukumwa Okoye, C.S.Sp. St. Josephat Girard Kohler, C.S.Sp.
Sts. Peter and Paul Rose Cecile St. Mary of the Assumption Charlotte Cook, staff
Espinoza, SSND
Los Angeles Youngstown
St. Paul of the Cross Rosalie Callen, CSJ & Immaculate Conception Girard Kohler, C.S.Sp.
Eleanor Ortega, CSJ Sacred Heart of Mary Anthony Anomah, C.S.Sp.
St. Philomena Manuel Baeza, mccj St. Patrick Freddy
St. Stephen Arturo Aguilar, SSC Washington, C.S.Sp.

U.S. Catholic Mission Association Page 4

 Periodic Paper #4
Winter 2005

RECONCILIATION AS A NEW PARADIGM OF MISSION

Robert Schreiter,C.P.P.S.
Robert Schreiter, C.PP.S., is Vatican Council II Professor of Theology at Catholic Theological Union, and Professor of Theology
and Culture at the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands. He has written extensively both on questions about mission and
on reconciliation. Among his books are: Reconciliation: Mission and Ministry in a Changing Social Order (1992), and Mission
in the Third Millennium (2001). He serves as theological consultation for reconciliation and peacebuilding programs to Caritas
Internationalis, the umbrella organization for 162 relief and development organizations in the Catholic Church.

The Emergence of Reconciliation in the Discussion of Mission It is the Apostle Paul especially who sets out the Christian
understanding of reconciliation. For Paul, God is the author

T
here have been references to, and echoes of, the theme of reconciliation: about this he has no doubt. We but
of reconciliation in the theological discussion of mission participate in what God is bringing about in our world. One
throughout the previous century, but it is only in the last can discern three processes of reconciliation in which God
decade and a half that it has emerged as an important way of is engaged. The first is Gods reconciling a sinful humanity
talking about Christian mission. David Boschs 1992 to Gods own self. This is set forth especially in Pauls
magisterial work, Transforming Mission, makes no mention of Letter to the Romans (5:1-11), where Paul describes the
it. Stephen Bevans and Roger Schroeders recent book, peace we now have with God, who has poured out love in
Constants in Context published in 2004, on the other hand, has our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to
multiple references to reconciliation. What has happened? us. We have been reconciled to God through the death of
his Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that we have now
The experience of trying to come to terms with a violent received reconciliation. This act of Gods, reconciling us,
past, the need to end hostility, and the slow work of rescuing us from our sins, is sometimes called vertical
reconstructing broken societies have pushed reconciliation reconciliation. As such, it is the basis for all other forms of
into the limelight, especially bringing it to the attention of Christian reconciliation. It is also central to Pauls own
those concerned with the work of the Church. The fact that experience of Christ, having been converted from his
many recent conferences on mission have been taking up persecution of the Church to being made, out of due time, an
this theme, and that it figures in the title and preparatory apostle of Jesus Christ.
documents of the Conference, indicates how far we have
come. The second kind of reconciliation of which Paul speaks is
brought about between individual human beings and groups in
In this presentation, I would like to explore how society. The paramount example of this reconciliation is
reconciliation might be seen as a paradigm or model of between Jews and Gentiles. Here the description of how this
mission. I begin by looking at how the idea of reconciliation reconciliation is effected through the blood of Christ is presented
might be seen as revealing to us the heart of the Gospel. in Ephesians 2:12-20: the Gentiles, without hope or promise,
Then I will look at the understanding of reconciliation today, are made alive together in Christ, who has broken down the
both as a process for engaging in mission, and as the goal wall of hostility that divided them, and made them fellow
of mission. citizens in the household of God. This second kind of
reconciliation is sometimes called horizontal reconciliation.
RECONCILIATION: THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL
The third kind of reconciliation situates Gods work through
Although the word reconciliation does not occur as such Christ in the context of the whole of Creation. In the hymns
in the Hebrew Scriptures, and only fourteen times in the beginning the Letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, God is
New Testament, the Bible is full of stories of reconciliation, seen as reconciling all things and all persons whether in
from the stories of Esau and Jacob, and Joseph and his heaven or on earth in Christ (Eph 1:10), making peace to
brothers, to Jesus parables, especially that of the Prodigal reign throughout all Creation through the blood of Christs Cross
Son. These stories show the struggle that goes on in trying to (Col 1:20). This kind of reconciliation is sometimes called
achieve reconciliation. Many of them end before reconciliation cosmic reconciliation, and represents the fullness of Gods plan
is actually reached something that mirrors much of our own for Creation, to be realized at the end of time.
experience.
Paul sees the Church participating in the reconciling work
of God through a ministry of reconciliation, captured

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Periodic Paper #4 Winter 2005

succinctly in Pauls presentation of this in II Corinthians wrongdoer. Neither should be annihilated; both should
5:17-20: be brought to a new place, a new Creation.
4. Christians find a way out of their suffering by
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything placing it in the suffering, death and Resurrection of
old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All of Christ. It is this patterning of our suffering in that of
this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, Christ that helps us escape its destructive power. It also
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ engenders hope in us.
God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their 5. Reconciliation will only be complete when all
trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of things are brought together in Christ (Eph 1:10). Until
reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since that time we experience only partial reconciliation, but
God is making his appeal through us. We entreat you on behalf live in hope.
of Christ, be reconciled to God (cf. NRSV).
THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION AS PROCESS

I
t is the vertical reconciliation that makes the horizontal and
cosmic dimensions possible. It is within this framework of How does the Church participate in this reconciliation?
vertical, horizontal, and cosmic reconciliation that we are What concrete forms does it take? Because of the wider
to see Christian mission. That mission is rooted interest in reconciliation in the world today
in the missio dei, the going forth of the Holy it is far from being only a Christian concern
Trinity in the acts of creation, incarnation, G OD IS THE the language of reconciliation is often
redemption, and consummation. Through the AUTHOR unclear. At times it has been manipulated and
Son, God has brought reconciliation to the world, distorted to serve other ends. As Christians
overcoming sin, disobedience and the alienation OF ALL we need to be as clear as we can about what
we have wrought. Christ reunites us with God we mean by reconciliation and how we go
through his saving death, which God confirms GENUINE about the ministry of reconciliation.
in the Resurrection and the revelation of RECONCILIATION
transfigured life. The Holy Spirit empowers the Let me begin by saying that reconciliation is both
Church to participate in this ministry of the Son a process and a goal. It is both an ongoing work
and the Spirit in reconciling the world. The Church itself is in in which we participate and a final point at which we hope to
need of constant reconciliation, but becomes the vehicle for arrive. Let us first look at it as a process. I will focus here on
Gods saving grace to a broken and disheartened world. the horizontal or social dimension of Reconciliation. The
Church participates in the vertical dimension through its
One might summarize this biblical understanding of sacraments and in the cosmic dimension as well, both in its
reconciliation under five brief headings: liturgy and its concern for all of Creation. These too constitute
part of reconciliation as a model of mission. But because the
1. God is the author of all genuine reconciliation. thinking on the horizontal dimension is more recent and new
We but participate in Gods reconciling work. We are, to many, I will devote more time to it here.
in Pauls words, ambassadors in the name of Christ

P
(II Cor 5:20). articipation in the horizontal dimension of
2. Gods first concern in the reconciliation process is reconciliation is about participating in Gods healing
the healing of the victims. This grows out of two of societies that have been wounded deeply and
experiences: the God of the great prophets of the Hebrew broken by oppression, injustice, discrimination, war, and
Scriptures and the God of Jesus Christ cares especially about wanton destruction. This healing begins with truth-telling,
the poor and the oppressed. Second, so often the the breaking of the codes of silence that hide wrongdoing
wrongdoers do not repent, and the healing of the victim against the poor and vulnerable members of society. Truth-
cannot be held hostage by unrepentant wrongdoers. telling also means overcoming and correcting the lies and
3. In reconciliation, God makes of both victim and distortions that bring unearned shame on the innocent and
wrongdoer a new Creation (II Cor 5:17). This means isolate people from one another so as to exercise hegemony
two things. First of all, in profound wrongdoing it is over society. Truth-telling has to be a constant effort to tell
impossible to go back to where we were before the the whole truth, both for victims and about wrongdoers.
wrongdoing took place; to do such would be to trivialize Truth-telling as a practice in this sense must encompass four
the gravity of what has been done. We can only go things: It must be a truth that resonates with my experience
forward to a new place. Second, God wants both the of events, it must be in language I can understand, it must
healing of the victim and the repentance of the

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Periodic Paper #4 Winter 2005

conform to my drawn over the past. Forgiveness is not about forgetting the
understanding of wrong done, but about coming to remember it in a different
WITH truthfulness, and it must way a way that removes the toxin from the experience of
TRUTH COMES come from someone I can the victim and creates the space for repentance and apology by
trust. the wrongdoer. Forgiveness means remembering the past, but
THE PURSUIT OF remembering it in a way that makes a different kind of future
For a Christian, truth- possible for both victim and the wrongdoer.
JUSTICE. telling is more than
relating facts in a credible
manner. It involves also RECONCILIATION AS GOAL
God, who is the author of all truth. Truth in its Hebrew

T
sense (emet) is part of the nature of God: it is reliable, it is ruth-telling, struggling for justice, working toward
enduring, it is steadfast, and it is faithful. It is truth-telling forgiveness: these are the three central dimensions
at this deep, theological level that is the basis for healing a of the social process of reconciliation. In all the
broken society. What that means on a practical level is that situations I know, they are never undertaken on a level
the Church must endeavour to create safe, hospitable spaces playing field; the consequences of oppression, violence, and
where truth can be spoken and heard, where the silence can war are not predisposed to honesty, justice, and even the
be broken, where pernicious lies can be laid bare and good intentions of all parties. Nor are the processes, for the
overcome. most part, orderly. And they never seem to be complete. In
fact, we usually experience them as truncated, prematurely
With truth comes the pursuit of justice. To seek justice with no foreclosed, hijacked by the powerful. What are we to do?
effort to establish the truth runs the risk of engaging in vengeance This brings me to the other understanding of reconciliation;
instead of true justice. The struggle for justice (and it is a namely, reconciliation as goal. Talk of reconciliation skips too
struggle, wrondoing does not give up easily) is many faceted. easily from the end of overt violence to an imagined peace. It
It involves punitive justice, that punishes wrongdoers in a lawful circumvents the messy and protracted process of truth-telling,
way to show that a renewed society acknowledges the seeking justice, working toward forgiveness. We expect
wrongdoing that has been done and will not tolerate it in the peace to blossom and flourish after long periods of war.
future. Second, it involves restorative justice which restores We expect democracy to rise up, phoenix-like, from the ashes
the dignity and the rights of the victim. Third, it requires of dictatorship and authoritarian rule. But such is not the
distributive justice, since the unjust wresting of a persons goods case. We can find ourselves acquiescing to half-measures,
makes healing and the creation of a just society nearly half-truths, compromised solutions.
impossible. Finally, it requires structural justice, that is, the
restructuring of the institutions and processes of society so that It is important not to confuse reconciliation as process with
just action becomes part of the rebuilt society. Reallocating reconciliation as goal. In order to follow the process, we must
resources, equity in human rights, guaranteed access to health, fix our eyes on the goal. For Christians, it is God who is working
shelter, food, education and employment are all part of creating reconciliation; we are but agents in the process, participating
a just society. in what God is doing. God is our strength; God is our hope. It
is God who is bringing this about. Here we experience the

A
third aspect of reconciliation as a process is the difference between optimism and hope. Optimism is what
rebuilding of relationships. Without relations of equity grows out of the confidence in our own resources and capacities.
and trust, a society quickly slides back into violence. It comes out of us. The enormity of wrong and sin that we face
Work on these relationships has to happen at many levels. For in protracted war and oppression far exceeds what we are able
victims, it involves the healing of memories so that one does to accomplish. Hope, on the other hand, comes from God. It is
not remain beholden or hostage to the past. It is an overcoming God leading us forward, like he did Abraham and Sarah. We
of the toxin that memories of violence, oppression, and live in faith, the assurance of things hoped for (cf. Heb 11:1).
marginalization contain. It means repentance and conversion With our eyes fixed on God and Gods promises, we can
on the part of those who have done wrong, acknowledging the maintain the strength of heart, of mind, and of will to continue
wrongdoing and taking steps to approach the victim in order to our participation in what God is doing for the world.
apologize and make reparation. It means making the difficult
journey toward forgiveness. Here the process of rebuilding THE CHURCH: A COMMUNITY OF MEMORY AND OF HOPE
relationships is often short-circuited. Amnesty is given or
impunity is bestowed on the wrongdoers even before the victims So where does this place the Church? Its participation in
are allowed to speak. A shroud of forgetfulness and oblivion is the missio dei, understood here as Gods reconciling the

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Periodic Paper #4 Winter 2005

world to Himself, is marked especially by three things. First, But we hold this treasure in clay vessels, so
the ministry of reconciliation makes the Church a community that it may be made clear that this extraordinary
of memory and, second, a community of hope. Its mission, in power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted
word and deed, of the message of reconciliation makes possible in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
what is perhaps for many the most intense experience of God driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
possible in our troubled, broken world. struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in
the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus
The Church is first of all a community of memory. It does may also be made visible in our bodies (cf. II Cor
not engage in the forgetfulness urged by the powerful upon 4:7-10).
the vulnerable and poor to forget their suffering, to erase

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from their memories what has been done to them, to act as econciliation belongs to God; not to us. Despite all
though the wrongdoing never happened. The Church as a we go through, we do not lose heart, since we carry
community of memory creates those safe havens where the death of Jesus in our bodies, so that through us
memories can be spoken of out loud, and begin the difficult his life might be made visible. This is the vocation of the
and long process of overcoming the rightful anger that, if Church, its calling to the ministry of reconciliation, its
left unacknowledged, can poison any possibilities for the future. proclamation of the death and Resurrection of Christ in the
In safe spaces, the trust that has been sundered, the dignity that Churchs own body. So, Gods reconciling work can be
has been denied and wrested away, has the chance of being made known to a broken world as he entrusted to us the
reborn. A community of memory is concerned too about truthful ministry of reconciliation (II Cor 5:18) through our
memory, not the distorting lies that serve the interests of the preaching. Mission, as our Orthodox brothers and sisters
wrongdoer at the cost of the wronged. A community of memory have so helpfully reminded us, is the liturgy after the liturgy.
keeps the focus of memory as it pursues justice in all its Our action is not just political action or action for justice
dimensions punitive, restorative, distributive, structural. Not (although it is also all of these). It is participation in
to pursue and struggle for justice makes the truth-telling sound something much larger than ourselves: the work of the Triune
false and the safe spaces created barren. A community of God in bringing about the healing of the world.
memory is concerned too with the future of memory, that is,
the prospects of forgiveness and what lies beyond. The difficult
ministry of memory, if it may be called that, is possible because Ref.: Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, Come
it is grounded in the memory of the passion, death, and Holy Spirit - Heal and Reconcile (Called in Christ to be
Resurrection of Jesus Christ: the One who was without sin and Reconciling and Healing Communities) Athens, Greece, 14
was made to bear our sin, so that we might become the justice May 2005.
of God (cf. II Cor 5:21).

L
iving in the memory of what Christ has gone through *************************
suffering and death, yet not forgotten and indeed raised
up by God is the source of our hope. Hope allows us
to keep the vision of a reconciled world alive, not in some Reprinted, with permission, from SEDOS Bulletin,
facile utopian fashion, but grounded in the memory of what Vol. 37, NO. 7/8 - July-August 2005
God has done in Jesus Christ. Paul captures this well in another
passage in the Second Letter to the Corinthians:

Periodic Papers are published by the U.S. Catholic Mission Association (USCMA). They feature short
reflections on issues pertaining to mission. Additional copies may be requested from:
USCMA
3029 Fourth St., NE
Washington, DC 20017-1102
Phone: 202-884-9764
Fax: 202-884-9776
E-Mail: [email protected]

U.S. Catholic Mission Association Page 4

Mission Update Winter 2005

DEBT: SOLUTIONS AND PROBLEMS Lucianne Siers, OP

R
emember the efforts of Jubilee 2000 when many Malawi is training 3600 new teachers
of us joined the campaign to cancel the debts of every year and has abolished primary school
poor countries? Were there any successful fees.
governmental initiative as a result of our efforts?
But in spite of this progress, HIPC is too limited. Only 38
As you may recall, poor countries were lent money at very countries are eligible and of these only 28% have qualified
low interest rates in the 1970s. The price of oil soared to enter the initiative preliminaries. Countries which are
making oil producing countries rich. They deposited their extremely poor and severely indebted are not even eligible
profits in Western banks to earn interest. The banks for HIPC.
subsequently loaned the money to developing countries

T
at a very low interest rate. Some of these loans were for he current problem with the HIPC initiative is that
useful purposes but much of this money was used to benefit the process is decided and controlled by creditors.
dictators rather than benefit the people. Furthermore, crises for indebted countries are
caused by the demand for cuts in health care and education
When the recession hit the industrialized world in the or privatization of basic services. Rather than promoting
1980s the banks raised interest rates. Many countries still growth, poverty reduction or stability, the measures are
owed more than the original loan even after years of designed to protect the assets and interests of the creditors.
repayment. At the same time poor countries were earning Elected parliaments and civil society of the HIPC nations
less from their exports as prices were falling. In addition, do not have a voice in these decisions.
lenders often attached conditions to debt relief such as
demanding privatization and forcing cuts in public Hence, there is still a great need for the Jubilee debt
spending including buying basic medicines and employing cancellation campaign and other initiatives that promote
teachers. a just cancellation of debt.

In 1996, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) The issues continue to be:
initiative was set up by the World Bank and the Calling for cancellation of unpayable and
International Monetary Fund to reduce poor countries odious debt for all countries with no harmful
debts. It was reformed in 1999, but it is still failing the conditions attached.
worlds poor.
Only an established rule-based

A
s of 2005, eighteen countries have completed the independent framework for managing
HIPC process and are now receiving some debt sovereign debt disputes can bring about a
relief. These countries are: Benin, Bolivia, structural shift in the way debts are generated
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, and managed.
Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua,
Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Finding ways in which the poorest and
most indebted countries can become eligible
The HIPC initiative is not designed to cancel 100% of for cancellation of their debts through HIPC
debt but to reduce debts to a level which the creditors claim or another program.
is sustainable. Where debt has been cancelled, it has made
a real difference. For example: For more information contact:

Mozambique has introduced free Jubilee USA Network: www.jubileeusa.org

immunizations for children. Jubilee Debt Campaign: www.Jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk
Benin invested in rural primary health and Catholic Agency for Overseas Development:
HIV programs, safe water supplies and anti- www.cafod.org
malaria programs. Center of Concern: www.coc.org
Tanzania abolished primary school fees American Friends Service Committee: www.afsc.org
leading to a 66% increase in attendance.

U.S. Catholic Mission Association Page 5

Mission Update Winter 2005

USCMA 2005 RESOLUTIONS USCMA ANNUAL MEETING

Three resolutions were presented to and passed by the US Catholic The highlight of the 2005 Annual Meeting was the introduction
Mission Association membership at the Annual Meeting in Tucson, of Michael Montoya, MJ as the new Executive Director of U.S.
AZ in October 2005. Areas of need targeted for attention include Catholic Mission Association.
northern Uganda, Immigration Reform and Millennium
Development Goals. Each of these resolutions challenges This meeting of the US Catholic Mission Association took place
members to take action as individuals and as religious in Tucson October 16, 2005. The approximately 150 participants
communities. Members elected four new members to the Board of Directors
and re-elected four Board members for a second term.
A joint resolution with Africa Faith and Justice Network focuses
on the civil war that has been raging in northern Uganda since Deacon Mickey Friesen, Director of the Center for Mission in
1986. Children in particular have been targeted for abduction to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Bill Morrell, OMI,
serve as child soldiers and/or as sex slaves. We are called upon to Vicar Provincial and Director of Mission and Ministry in the US
urge both the US Government and the Government of Uganda to Oblate Province; Rachel Tomas Morgan, Director of international
take actions to bring about a peaceful negotiation and to make the Service Learning and Justice Education at the Center for Social
protection of children a priority. Concerns of the University of Notre Dame; and Andrew D.
Thompson, National director of the St. Vincent Pallotti Centers
The resolution on immigration reform acknowledges that the were elected for two-year terms. Thomas Johnson, FSC, Michael
current US militarized border enforcement is a failed policy. Linden, SJ, Suzanne Moore, MM and Wilfred Steinbacher,
Members agreed to support the efforts of the US Conference of GHM were re-elected for a second term.
Catholic Bishops call for reforms in The Catholic Campaign for
Immigration Reform. We are challenged to study Catholic Social Presentations to the membership included the Annual Financial
Teaching regarding migration. Report, information about the 2006 USCMA Conference, and an
update on the Continuing Committee on Common Witness
The final resolution is a follow-up to one passed in 2004 on the Consultation in Liberia in January 2006. The new website was
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Following the G-8 shown and some of its features were highlighted. The responses
Finance Ministers plan for multilateral debt cancellation in June from the Missioner Survey are being tabulated and will be
2005 this resolution asks members to learn more about the MDGs published in spring 2006. Three resolutions were presented to
and to urge the US Government to use these Goals as a basis for and passed by the membership.
foreign development assistance. The resolution also expresses
support for the JUBILEE Act (HR 1130) which would require the Ted Keating, SM outgoing Executive Director of CMSM and the
US Treasury department to work in appropriate multilateral Mission Committee of CMSM were recipients of the US Catholic
settings to achieve 100 (percent) cancellation of the debts of 50 Mission Award. Ted was recognized for his insightful leadership
impoverished nations so that the money can be used to achieve with the Catholic Mission Forum and his tireless efforts in
the Goals. highlighting mission issues for the membership of the Conference
of Major Superiors of Men.

The next Annual Meeting will take place during the 2006
Conference at the University of Notre Dame, October 2006.

ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS FOR GLOBAL PEACE WITH JUSTICE

Make All Things New
Washington, DC
March 10-13, 2006
www.AdvocacyDays.org

U.S. Catholic Mission Association Page 6

Mission Update Winter 2005

RESOURCES & UP-COMING EVENTS

Orientation Days to the UN Global Economics Workshop

May 17-19 May 31-June 2, 2006
Church Center, 777 UN Plaza, NY City Church Center, 777 UN Plaza, NY City
Contact: Lucianne Siers, OP Contact: Lucianne Siers, OP
Telephone: 201-333-2454 Telephone: 201-333-2454
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Maryknoll Mission Institute Overseas Ministries Study Center

March 20-24 The Psalms March 6-10 Mission to Children at Risk
Maryknoll Sisters Center March 20-24 The Psalms
Ossining, NY March 27-31 Culture, Interpersonal Conflict & Christian
Telephone: 914-941-7575 Mission
Email: [email protected] April 3-7 The Family in Mission
April 17-20 Christian Approaches to World Religions
Cross-Cultural Re-Entry Workshops May 1-5 Isaiah 40-55: Gods Mission, Gods Servant
February 14-24, 2006 May 8-12 Personal Renewal in the Missionary Community
San Antonio, TX 490 Prospect Street
March 23-26, 2006 New Haven, CT 06511
Rosemont, PA (near Philadelphia) Telephone: 203-624-6672, x 315
Contact: Julie Lupien Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 720-494-7211
Email: [email protected]

ORBIS BOOKS RECEIVED AT USCMA

A SELECTION OF BOOKS PUBLISHED BY ORBIS BOOKS, MARYKNOLL, NEW YORK

Korean Women and God: Experiencing God in a Multi-religious Colonial Context, Choi Hee An, 2005
Whats Faith Got to Do With It? Black Bodies/ Christian Souls, Kelly Brown Douglas, 2005
Small Christian Communities Today: Capturing the New Moment, edited by Joseph Healy and Jeanne Hinton,
2005
War and the Christian Conscience: Where Do You Stand?, Joseph J. Fahey, 2005
Christianity in Culture: A Study in Biblical Theologizing in Cross-Cultural Perspective, Charles H. Kraft,
Revised 25th Anniversary Edition, 2005
Dispossessed: Life in Our Worlds Urban Slums, Mark Kramer, 2005
Practical Theology: On Earth as It Is in Heaven, Terry A. Veling, 2005
Torture: Religious Ethics and National Security, John Perry, 2005
Globalization and Catholic Social Thought: Present Crisis, Future Hope, Edited by John A. Coleman and William
F. Ryan
The Evangelization of Slaves: And Catholic Origins in Eastern Africa, Paul V. Kollman, 2005

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION
UNITED STATES CATHOLIC MISSION ASSOCIATION (USCMA)
The Administrative Assistant is responsible for the editing, proofreading, design, layout, printing and distribution of the Associations
publications, website, for maintaining and updating the Associations database, for serving as liaison with the Associations members,
partners and vendors. The A.A. is also responsible for processing all incoming payments (check or credit card). Experience in cross-
cultural mission desirable. Familiarity with Catholic Religious Congregations preferred. Proficient computer skills: MS Access,
Word and PageMaker desktop publishing. Strong communication skills essential, especially writing. Position is full time. Possibility
of flexible schedule. Salary negotiable. Excellent benefits. Application Deadline January 27, 2006. To request job description or to
send your resume (and three references) Contact Fr. Michael Montoya, 3029 4th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017 or via e-mail to
[email protected].
U.S. Catholic Mission Association Page 7
Mission Update Winter 2004

W
Wee ha ve seen his star
have
as it rose and have come
have
to do him homag e
homage

Merry Christmas &

Ha
Happppyy New Year
pp
from all of us aatt
USCMA!

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