In memoriam: Fr. Jean-Marie Rocheleau, SJ
Father Jean-Marie Rocheleau died on May 20, 2019, in the infirmary of Richelieu, at the age of 101. Among other works, he was spiritual father of the students and professor of history at Collège Saint-Ignace, socius of the novice master at the novitiate, and assistant to the prefect of the Gesù church. But he devoted himself above all to the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises.
On July 31, 1985, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in the Society, the Superior General, Fr. Kolvenbach, wrote to him: “To review your journey in the Society, your life seems quite simple. Almost from the beginning, it has been a pastoral ministry that has been yours, and almost always the ministry of retreats. From the outside one cannot say anything, not that there would be nothing to say, but the King’s secret must not be disclosed”.
His complete biography can be found here, as well as a short portrait published in 2018, on the occasion of his birthday 101. And a longer story will be published next week.
The latest news from the Jesuit Committee on Investment Responsibility
Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mining complex in the Dominican Republic.
Last month was published the latest newsletter by the Jesuit Committee on Investment Responsibility (JCIR), which advocates corporate behaviour in line with Catholic social teaching through dialogue with companies, shareholder resolutions and proxy voting. Among other things, the committee initiated conversations with Barrick Gold about the social and environmental impacts of the Pueblo Viejo gold mine in the Dominican Republic. The JCIR also urged institutions that hold shares in GEO Group, Inc. to vote in favour of a shareholder resolution asking the company to report annually on the implementation of its human rights policy. For more information, click here.
Montreal archbishop, religious leaders oppose Quebec’s secularism bill
The archbishop of Montreal, Christian Lepine, worries that Quebec’s secularism legislation will affect religious liberties in this Canadian province. A few hours before the last day of public hearings on Bill 21 May 16, he said he feared the new legislation “will be at the expense of individual freedoms.” On the same day as Lepine’s reaction, 40 religious congregations in Quebec submitted a letter to the Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion, Simon Jolin-Barrette, to point out that Bill 21 goes “far too far”. While they “adhere to the basic principles of the project,” namely the religious neutrality of the State, gender equality and the duty of impartiality of the judiciary, Bill 21 “infringes on a fundamental right that must be guaranteed by our democratic societies”, they state.
For more information, click here.
It should be recalled that the Centre justice et foi also denounced this bill in the following press release.
New issue of the journal Théologiques
The most recent issue of the journal Théologiques (in French), devoted to the theology of migration, was launched on April 30 at the Dominican Pastoral Institute in Quebec. Frédéric Barriault, responsible for research and communications at the Centre justice et foi (CJF), took part in this launch, presenting a posthumous article by the late theologian Gregory Baum. A long-time collaborator of the Centre justice et foi and the Jesuits of Canada, Gregory Baum reflects in this article about the reception of immigrants in Quebec, through the thoughts of the CJF’s co-founder, Jesuit Julien Harvey.
Barriault pointed out in his remarks that it was a good idea to ask Gregory, the “smuggler”, to think about these borders and those who cross them – by will or by force. Not only that he reflect on it, but that he do so through the eyes of his Jesuit friend and colleague Julien Harvey, who had tried all his life to make this connection between faith and social justice, between national issues and openness to others, between concern for the fragility of the Quebec nation and the duty of solidarity towards these newcomers, whether they are refugees or immigrants. For an overview of the journal, click here.
Pope Francis denounces culture of waste and promotes the economy of circularity and solidarity
© Vatican Media
On May 18, the Pope received the members of the European Federation of Food Banks and thanked them for their work. He also took the opportunity to denounce waste. “Fighting this terrible plague of hunger means fighting waste,” he said. He also criticized the frenetic race for profit and promoted the circular and solidarity economy. According to him, we must promote “models of growth based on social equity, the dignity of individuals, the future of families and respect for the environment”. For more information, click here.
