December 2024
Christmas issue - YCW centenary - Migration - Human trafficking - Marc Sangnier
Christmas
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our Christmas issue in which we share a series of articles from a variety of sources, beginning with an article on how Vietnamese parishes are celebrating Christmas in an ecologically friendly manner.
More pragmatically, we highlight the problems facing migrants in so many countries of the world. We present a see-judge-act enquiry on slavery and human trafficking. Plus a video from Lebanese YCS leaders on the solidarity action they organised in the face of the recent war.
We note Pope Francis' peace message calling for forgiveness of the foreign debt of poor countries. And we share the petition launched by Caritas Internationalis on the same issue.
We look forward to the forthcoming centenary of the Young Christian Workers (JOC or YCW) movement that was so important to many of us.
Belgian historian Sam Kuijken presents an analysis of certain aspects of the history of the International YCW, particularly during the 1980s.
Pat Branson and Richard Pütz present our regular Gospel Enquiry and Cardijn Reflection features.
And we conclude with a series of social media snapshots of recent events and action from the Cardijn movements and groups.
We wish you all the best for the holiday season and look forward to serving you again in 2025.
The Centre International Team
Vietnamese parishes celebrate ecological Christmas
Volunteers from Thach Binh Parish in Thua Thien Hue province's Quang Dien district in central Vietnam have made 200 Nativity scenes and 400 lanterns using bamboo, branches, straw and old foam, and distributed them free of charge to local people, regardless of religion.
The group collected most materials from storm debris, fields and local donations, while they purchased plaster statues of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the cattle, along with colored paper and electric bulbs.
"Our goal is to remind people that it's time to build a cleaner, healthier environment by reducing waste," explained Ignatius Cao Tuan Duc, 40, a member of the group
Jesus, he said, was born into a pure and natural environment, but human greed, selfishness and disregard for nature are now polluting it and impacting the climate.
"We cannot worship God while damaging the environment," he said.
READ MORE
In Vietnam, Christmas crèches deck the halls in environmental awareness (National Catholic Reporter)
YCW celebrates centenary in 2025
In 2025, the YCW will celebrate its 100 years of existence. Although Cardijn created the first base group in 1912, 1925 was the year of the official registration of the men and women’s Francophone and Flemish Belgian YCW movement. It was also the year of recognition by both the local Church and the universal Church in the person of Pope Pius XI, who listened and responded to Cardijn's hope to "save young workers."
From that moment on, the YCW spread rapidly from Europe to the whole world, in a remarkable way, to organize young workers and fight for their dignity and future.
As a popular education movement, the YCW incessantly seeks to strengthen the leadership potential of all young men and women workers worldwide by developing actions at local, national and international levels.
Over those 100 years of existence and action, the movement has been composed and coordinated by young people at all levels - the definition of an ever-young movement!
READ MORE
YCW Centenary: 100 years of struggle for young workers! (IYCW)
Turn debt into hope in 2025: Caritas
Approaching the Jubilee Year in 2025, Caritas Internationalis launches the Jubilee 2025 ‘Turn Debt into Hope’ campaign. Inspired by Pope Francis’ message of solidarity, this global call advocates for debt justice and transformative financial reforms to bring renewed hope to communities burdened by unsustainable debt.
The world is facing an urgent yet silent debt crisis. Over 100 countries are struggling with unjust and unsustainable public debt, 65% of which is held by private lenders, slowing down, if not completely hampering, development and climate action. For low-income nations, 60% are nearing debt distress, limiting their ability to invest in people’s futures. As debt repayments outweigh spending on healthcare and education, 3.3 billion people are being denied vital services, driving poverty and inequality even further.
READ MORE
Turn debt into hope (Caritas Internationalis)
SIGN PETITION
https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org/
Migration is not a crime: International YCW statement
"A year ago, I left my baby and migrated to Brazil. I left my country, Venezuela, because I depended on day labour for survival. When I crossed the border, I ran out of money and had to sell bananas on the streets for a few months. I did everything I could to eat and survive. Sadly, those who took advantage of me were also Venezuelans, who made me work long hours, paid very little, and took a long time to pay. Now, I trust Brazilians more than my own compatriots. It has been very difficult to get used to a new language. I believe that states should promote information services on work and studies for migrants to facilitate adaptation to the changes in language and culture." - Alberto, Venezuelan, 21 years old.
On this International Migrants Day, we, the International Young Christian Workers, stand united in emphasizing the fundamental rights of migrants and championing a safe, orderly, and dignified migration process. Today, we shift our focus towards the challenges and opportunities surrounding migration – from integration and labour mobility to human rights and migrants' crucial role in sustainable development.
READ MORE
Migration Is Not a Crime: Demanding Rights Without Borders (IYCW)
Pope appeals for end to foreign debt
In his World Day of Peace Message for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis called for the cancellation of foreign debts of poor countries, proposed a new international financial framework and appealed for an end to the death penalty.
Following in the footsteps of Saint Paul VI and Benedict XVI, Pope Francis reiterated his appeal to divert “at least a fixed percentage of the money” earmarked for armaments towards a global fund to eradicate hunger and foster sustainable development in poorer nations, helping them combat climate change.
READ MORE
Pope appeals for end to foreign debt
Enquiry: Resurgence in detection of trafficking victims
AThe UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons provides a snapshot of trafficking patterns and flows at global, regional and national levels. The 2024 report covers 156 countries and provides an overview of the response to trafficking in persons by analysing trafficking cases detected between 2019 and 2023.
The report indicates that child trafficking, trafficking for forced labour and forced criminality are rising as poverty, conflict and climate chnage leave more people vulnerable to exploitation.
Key finding of the research behind the report include:
202,478 victims were detected between 2020 and 2023
39% of detected victims were women, 22% were girls, 16% were boys and 23% were men
42% of detected victims were trafficked for forced labour, a 42% surge in the number of detected forced labour victims
38% of detected victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation
Trafficking for forced criminality, including into online scams, ranks third in the number of victims detected
READ MORE
Enquiry: Resurgence in detection of trafficking victims (ACRATH/ACI)
Video: YCS leaders share experiences
IYCS leader, Roy Ibrahim, and Fares Azar, president of the Lebanon YCS, shared their experiences of war during the Australian Cardijn Institute Annual General Meeting on 26 November 2024.
Support their work by donating below.
WATCH THE VIDEO
DONATE
https://www.trybooking.com/au/donate/lebanonsolidarity
History: Democracy and dissent in the International YCW
The International YCW, established in 1945 and a key organisation of post-war Catholic internationalism, witnessed a crisis when several national branches left the international structure and founded the rivalling International Coordination of the YCW (ICYCW) in 1986, writes Belgian PhD candidate, Sam Kuijken.
This crisis is an interesting vantage point to rethink the history of the IYCW and more broadly of Catholic internationalism as it evolved after WWII. Seeking a comprehensive understanding of this scission and its significance in the broader field of Catholic internationalism, this contribution places the history of the IYCW against the backdrop of the supposed ‘fragmentation’ of the Catholic international landscape that occurred in the 1960s.
In doing so, it highlights longstanding tensions surrounding global expansion and institutional democracy, as well as the impact of ecclesial pressure on the jocist movement. In this light, the events of 1986 emerge as a combination of long-term rifts and short-term political manoeuvring.
READ MORE
Sam Kuijken, Unraveling Catholic Internationalism. Historicizing Democracy and Dissent within the Jeunesse Ouvrière Chretienne Internationale (1945-2000) (Vita e pensiero)
Gospel: Building on rock? or sand?
The Gospel Enquiry is a simple tool intended for the purposes of double transformation, meaning that those who engage in the practice of reflecting on the Gospel and acting on that reflection will be transformed through putting their faith into action … and so will the world around them, writes Pat Branson.
The focus must always be on transforming the world, not on self-fulfilment. Consider, for a moment, the Great Commission, that is, the mission given by Jesus to his followers:
Jesus said, “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
READ MORE
Reflection: Our mantra: See, judge, act
As we approach the new year, I'm excited to share that our mantra, which has been a guiding light for decades, will evolve in my posts. This evolution, inspired by the philosophy of Louis J Putz CSC (1909-1998), is a testament to the adaptability and growth of our teachings.
Louis J. Putz, CSC, a follower of the Jocist method and advocate for Joseph Cardinal Cardijn's work, tweaked the mantra without changing its original intent. For Louis, he called the JOC "a miracle of the 20th century."
When Louis started working with the formation of young students at Notre Dame and the Christian Family Movement (CFM) in South Bend and Chicago, he started using the mantra Observe-Discern-Act. There was a reason for this, as he told many, subtle but distinct. Later in life, he used the mantra to create new ventures, and he found himself as the Superior of Moreau Seminary during the 1960s. Because of his exposure in France to the many theologians who taught there and who now were the brain trust of Vatican II, it was ideal for him to take the job and prepare young men for ministry with the understanding and know-how of Vatican II.
READ MORE
Richard Pütz, Our Mantra: SEE-JUDGE-ACT (Cardijn Reflections)
News briefs and social media
MIJARC Asia complete training of trainers program
IYCS reps at COP29 in Azerbaijan
IYCW and ICYCW celebrate Cardijn's birth anniversary
Two French Prime Ministers at Marc Sangnier Conference in Paris
Former French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve (right) and incoming Prime Minister François Bayrou (centre) addressed the Marc Sangnier Conference at the Catholic Institute of Paris on 5 December 2024 as did current Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot. ACI secretary Stefan Gigacz also spoke at the conference, which was co-hosted by the Centre International Cardijn. The Sillon movement founded by Marc Sangnier was the precursor to the Specialised Catholic Action movements.
Editorial Note: The purpose of the CIC Newsletter is to share information and promote discussion. Citing or linking to articles does not imply any endorsement by CIC of the authors' views.
Centre International Cardijn
Contact: info@centreinternationalcardijn.org