KAIROS CANADA - Faithful Action For Justice
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November 11, 2021KAIROS celebrated 20 years of Faithful Action for Justice from October 26th to 28th. As many of you know, KAIROS is the Canadian Churches working ecumenically for Justice.
Twenty years ago the Canadian Churches saw that it was necessary to reformulate its response to the struggles for justice here in Canada and in many parts of the world. Before KAIROS came into existence in 2001, the Churches for 30 years had committed their attempts to live and witness to Biblical Justice through varied Church coalitions. The Redemptorists joined in this venture in 1974.
Redemptorists supported the work of these coalitions through finance and membership. We were members of the Task Force on the Churches and Corporate Responsibility, Canada Asia Working Group, Inter Church Coalition on Africa, Project North, to name but a few.
A moment arrived when the leadership of the varied Christian Churches saw that they were no longer able to finance and support, to the same degree, these varied coalitions so a new structure was needed - hence the founding of KAIROS.
When I returned from my work and life in Rome, I was asked to join the Board of KAIROS. Having been a member of the Church coalitions before leaving for my work in and out of Rome, I found membership a good way to break into Church life in Canada especially with the commitment to Biblical Justice. I was bringing an international perspective.
For six years I was a member of the Board of KAIROS and Chair of the Board for four of those years. The Redemptorists were and are committed to the witness of KAIROS for Biblical Justice. Even our Redemptorist finance officer was on the Finance Committee of KAIROS.
The three day celebration of KAIROS took a look back on these 20 years realizing that it is highly likely that new thinking has to now be initiated given the new demographics of Church life in Canada. The varied Christian denominations are losing membership and a vibrant future is in question. Canada is becoming more and more a very secular society. Covid-19 has also changed the profile of Church membership for many. And so this 20 year celebration of what is and was is also a call to rethink the future and committed work for Biblical Justice.
During the celebration we looked back on our history. Given the recent struggles of our Indigenous peoples, KAIROS tried to walk with these folks given that many of us are settlers and new comers. The cry of women and equal justice has become a major concern - Women, Peace and Security. Spirited action for Ecological and Climate Justice for many, leads the parade of concerns.
During these three days we were also joined by partners and supporters from the Global South. We have learned much not only from them and their struggles but also what a Faith that does Justice looks like.
Given that structures of Church life in Canada are radically changing as is that of Religious Life, the cry for Biblical Justice will have to take on a new form. Statistics show us that Religious Life in 10 years will be very different. Membership, presence and life of Catholic Religious in Canada is changing.
During these three days of celebration of 20 years, we not only thought on and appreciated the life lived and the commitments honoured we also dedicated ourselves to finding ways to respond to the new metrics of life. Biblical Justice will continue. The cry is louder now than ever for many. New forms of response are necessary and will be found.
