Global Dominican Solidarity for Regions of the World Where Violence & War Cause Suffering
The purpose of the Dominican Month of Peace, which was started last year by the Order of Preachers, is to promote a global Dominican solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are trying to bring hope in situations of violence and war.
This year’s focus for the Dominican Month of Peace (December through World Peace Day on January 1, 2019) is the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been living through decades of devastating wars, with ongoing killings and human rights violations perpetuated both by government forces and many opposing armed groups. The country’s rich natural resources are being appropriated by foreign powers and foreign companies. In this immensely difficult situation, our Dominican sisters and brothers are doing their utmost to bring hope.
What are members of the Order of Preachers doing in the Congo?
Working beside people in the Congo to help the most vulnerable and to promote human rights are the Dominican Missionaries of the Rosary, Dominicans of Santo Domingo, and St. Dominic’s Parish in Kinshasa.
Dominican representatives are also working through civic and electoral education at the University of Uélé. This university is a public-sector academic institution managed by the Order of Preachers.
In collaboration with the University of Uélé, two additional initiatives are largely managed by the Dominican family: Observatory for the Exploitation of Natural Resources and Investments in the Uélé Basin (OBERIUELE). Through these initiatives, Dominicans accompany small scale miners and also work to prevent social injustice caused by multinationals establishing themselves in the Uélé region to exploit natural resources.
During the Month of Peace
Throughout the month of December and the season of Advent, we will highlight the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids and our Associates will be supporting the Dominican family in the Congo through preaching, study, and prayer.
For more information about
- the state of human rights in the Congo
- peace and justice efforts of members of the Dominican Family in the Congo
- how to send contributions
Contact: Brigid Clingman, OP, Promoter of Justice, Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids
