The most recent scientific evidence (see Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC – report; www.ipcc.ch ) indicates that climate change, very likely caused by human activity, is endangering all life-supporting ecosystems.  The Integrity of Creation working group would like to facilitate a deeper appreciation of the centrality of the integrity of creation in evangelization today.

As a first step, we would like to build up a data-base on work being done by religious institutes across the world. This would be a very important resource in encouraging others to take initiatives to care for creation. We propose to make this information widely available via email and the web. We are also interested in sharing and developing ecological educational material suitable for our membership.

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Responses will be received until April 30, 2008

As we prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day again, here are four suggestions for learning more and becoming engaged with the international women’s agenda.

Since the last update on 5 February the three other African provincials have returned safely to their provinces. 

Rather than leaving the country after the evacuation of the other RSCJs from N'Djamena, Asunta Clausen and Juliette N'guémta were able to return to the community building that is on the campus of the secondary school. They immediately began to have meetings with representatives of the teachers, parents, etc. to see how to proceed. The most urgent task was to see to the removal of unexploded missiles from the property and assure the safety of the classrooms still standing.

Asunta Clausen, the Area Superior has remained in Chad. She and Juliette N’guémta, a Chadian Young Professed, are together in a secure military base. As soon as possible they will be taken to a religious community in a part of N’Djamena that has not been affected by armed conflict. The other six rscj from the communities in N’Djamena who were evacuated yesterday will leave Libreville (Gabon) Tuesday evening and should arrive in Paris on Wednesday morning.

Ursula Bugembe, Hoda Fouad and Bibiane Langa, the other African provincials, are currently in a camp in Gabon. They are in the process of arranging flights to their own countries.

The communities in Bongor and Guelendeng in the south have not been affected by the situation and wanted to assure us they were safe.

More troops are arriving in N'Djamena and we have just heard that our Sisters there, including those from the Atrone Community, must leave.  They are being evacuated from the school compound to a more secure location perhaps within the country. They will leave in their cars as part of a military convoy.

Mariado Górriz has safely arrived in Paris. She will return to Rome this evening.

for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 2008

“At the beginning of a New Year, I wish to send my fervent good wishes for peace, together with a heartfelt message of hope to men and women throughout the world. I do so by offering for our common reflection the theme which I have placed at the beginning of this message. It is one which I consider particularly important: the human family, a community of peace.”

Read the message by clicking here.

There have been many expressions of concern about the situation in Kenya following the presidential elections. Reports mention violence in Nairobi (particularly in Kibera) and in the Eldoret area, where some of our communities are located. We want you to know that our sisters are gathered at the noviceship in Mbiko, Uganda for their Assembly/Chapter which began on Friday, December 28 th.

Update of November 2007

On November 28, 2007, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) announced that the goal of the Billion Tree Campaign, set in 2006, has been met. To read the full news release, click here.

For the website of the Billion Tree Campaign, see www.unep.org/billiontree
campaign/