AFRICA-EUROPE FAITH AND JUSTICE NETWORK
RESEAU FOI ET JUSTICE AFRIQUE-EUROPE

174, rue Joseph II
B-1000 Bruxelles - Belgique
Tel. 32-2 234 6810 Fax 32-2 231 1413
aefjn@aefjn.org http://www.aefjn.org

UGANDA ANTENNA

FAITH AND JUSTICE NEWSLETTER
Issue no 14 APRIL 2003

SOS Water
A graceful Easter to all!

Stealing for your right to water!
David Shezi, from Dangaye in KwaZulu-Natal, sells fruit and vegetables to motorists, earning 100 Rand a month. Five years ago he had saved the 500 Rand for a pipe connection to his house. But then school fees, transport and food costs drove him into debt and he could no longer afford the monthly water rate. When the water supply was cut off, he bought water for three months at 25 liters for 1 Rand. That was too expensive! When his children begged for water from the neighbors, David could not stand the humiliation, he used a pipe to bypass the water meter. Then he was arrested for stealing water!
Unfortunately David Shezi is not the only one feeling the pinch! He is among one million poor in KwaZulu Natal who may be drawn to illegal practices to get the water they need for their households. How many people will have to "steal" water to which they are entitled by right?

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While the provision of clean drinking water is taken for granted in many places, it is a scarce resource for most people in Africa due either to inadequate water supply, contamination of its sources or lack of sanitation systems. An adequate supply of water is an inalienable human right and a public trust to be protected and nurtures by all peoples, communities and nations. But in many places in the world moves are on the way to make water into a commodity to be traded and sold for commercial gain. Water and sanitation services are fast being privatised and are increasingly run on a commercial basis in Burkina-Faso, Gabon, South Africa, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Sao-Tome, Uganda, Chad, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Angola, Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Niger.
The disadvantages and negative consequences of such a development are a cause of grave concern. Among these we can mention: a tendency to favour the rich at the expense of the poor, the use of expensive technical solutions rather than cheaper local alternatives, long term damaging effects on the community and on sustainable resources. The Church in Africa needs to take position concerning the current trend to privatise water distribution and basic sanitation services in Africa.

We bid farewell to Fr.Tony Wach SJ
who goes for a well deserved rest and a sabbatical.. Thank you for what you did to animate our JPIC effort. We hope to see you again soon

Next meeting of ARU JPIC May 23-24, at ARU Secretariat.

STAFF OF ARU
Sr. Mary Mukanyangezi, DST, Secretary General
Sr.Jacinthe B. Tumwine, OLGC, Ass. Secr. General
Sr.Dorothy Isinai, LSOSF Treasurer
Sr.Agnes Kansime, DOLF Cateress

They hope to start soon an Education desk

A REMINDER
Tel: 041-510 034 Fax: 041-510 033
E-mail:aru@utlonline.co.ug

FORUM FOR ACTION OF AEFJN : Evangelising the Political Process (from Editorial March 2003)

As international financial institutions and complex international trade agreements increasingly regulate national economies, we tend to back away from global economic policy issues. Yet those international policies do, and will, impact on people at the grassroots!
We cannot just stand back and watch how the poor are victimised by the greed of a few! Through analyses of economic policies that harm Africa and the actions proposed, our AEFJN network can help your community too to take its place among civil society groups in the struggle against poverty. It is one way to evangelise our economic policies and to beat poverty!

SEXUAL ABUSE
Press reports often mention facts of sexual abuse not excluding among religious people. The last meeting of ARU JPIC (Jan. 17, 2003) dared to talk openly about the subject.
Does Sexual Abuse exist among consecrated people-Religious men and women together with the diocesan and expatriate priests? What gives us the ground to speak about it?
In the history of the Catholic Church, we have married priests and Bishops. We have people who never valued celibacy. We have among us or we have heard of Religious men and women struggling and failing in celibacy. As followers of Jesus, we need to strive unanimously and ensure authenticity and credibility in living as celibates. "When we dream alone, it remains a dream. But when we dream together, it is the beginning of a reality" -H. Camara.
The dream could be commenced from the individual, then to community, congregation/society and then to the entire body of consecrated men and women.
Reference is made to the Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS activities 2001-2006 of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, to the message of the AMECEA plenary Assembly (2002) "You will be my witnesses", to the 2002 annual Conference of the Sisters of Eastern Africa (SEASC, now changed into ACWECA: Association of Consecrated Women of Eastern and Central Africa). The concern is well taken up by Bishops and Religious Superiors.

Some guiding principles to enhance ongoing and integral formation in this area:
1. The importance of being aware of what could happen in various relationships, admitting and naming the problem.
2. The importance of good screening of candidates.
3. Initial and ongoing formation in Human Sexuality and how to integrate it.
4. The true meaning of celibate love: it is freedom and responsibility.
5. Appropriate behaviour, knowing and keeping the boundaries in our relationships.
6. Beware of seduction. This can happen intentionally or unintentionally.
7. What is our attitude to priests? Do we make a distinction between them as human beings- weak and sinful, and their priestly office?
8. In openness and dialogue, speak to the Bishop about what is happening.

Poignant challenges:
1- What leads to sexual abuse and the possible solutions?
2- What can we do to care for some of the members of our congregations who are affected by HIV/AIDS in their families or personally?
3- Put in place strategic plans as a congregation in facing sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse in our midst will curtail our struggle for Justice and peace.
We are all friends of Jesus! Let us act as Jesus did"

PEACE WILL COME

(A litany)
If you believe that peace is possible,
Then peace will come.
If you pray for peace
Then peace will come.
If you believe that understanding is more powerful than dissent,
Then peace will come.
If you believe that forgiveness goes further than revenge,
Then peace will come.
If you know how to give freely a bit of your time to the one in need,
Then peace will come.
If for you, the other is first of all a brother or a sister,
Then peace will come.

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A Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace and Reconciliation in the North, on ASH Wednesday, March 5th, to be organised in religious communities, schools, houses of formation etc..
What did we do? (it was also asked by Pope John Paul for peace in the whole world)