Reflecting back on the Mercy International Association (MIA) experience at the UN, what has stayed with me is a recognition of our oneness and the interconnectedness of the whole community of life with so many diverse expressions both at Congregational level and at global level and the need to address problems and issues from this perspective. The group that gathered for the week of 12-19th May for Advocacy training at the UN were Sisters of Mercy and partners in ministry from different countries – Australia, Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and the United States. We were from very diverse backgrounds, yet all of us were inspired by the same charism and call as that of Catherine McAuley – to serve/advocate for the poor and vulnerable. I was struck by the enthusiasm and energy in the group. Age was not an obstacle, most of us being mature in age and some well on in years. I was so impressed, re-assured and hope-filled by our four partners in ministry who were so immersed in Mercy.
U.N. Flags
Another aspect of this experience which was very striking was the level of influence we as Sisters of Mercy, through our representative Aine O’Connor, have at the UN. Even the ease with which she facilitated the procurement of badges for us, allowing us to attend any of the high level meetings that week was remarkable. Collaboration with other Congregations and groups was also evident from the different speakers engaged to share their experience and expertise with our small group at the Church Centre. One of these who spent a working lunch with us was Patrick Duffy, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, who gave us some insights into the inner workings at the UN.
At the different sessions which we attended – the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the ECOSOC and Climate Change meetings, there was a recognition of the seriousness of exploitation of the vulnerable especially women and children and the degradation of the planet. In relation to human trafficking, referred to as ‘modern day slavery’, it was acknowledged that this is a transnational problem and calls for a global response through prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. The advocacy role of NGOs in combating human trafficking was acknowledged. As well as gender inequality, poverty was seen as one of the root causes of both the sex trade and labour exploitation of women. Deprivation increases the woman’s burden to seek resources often in desperation to provide for herself and her family making her the perfect prey. What was coming through in the ECOSOC and Climate Change Sessions was that unless we address issues regarding degradation of the planet, poverty cannot be eradicated – the two go hand-in hand. The stable functioning of Earth’s life systems was seen as a prerequisite for a thriving global community. Thus protection of Earth’s life support systems and poverty reduction must be twin priorities for SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). There was a call to look at the limits of the planet and a suggestion to use a systems approach to solve problems e.g. bio-mimicry. I found the contribution on yogic farming very interesting. This way of farming combines thought-based meditative practices with methods of organic agriculture and is bringing economic and social benefits to smallholder agrarian communities in India.
Carmel Bracken rsm, Northern Province & Betty Lacey, Mercy International, Dublin at a UN session
The MIA experience was based on a theological reflection on advocacy developed by the World Council of Churches (WCC). The three main components of advocacy highlighted were praying, speaking out and acting together. We focused in particular on lamentation as a way of speaking the truth using biblical texts which portrayed those who suffer and grieve speaking of their oppression and domination. We also used the daily Mass readings leading up to the feast of Pentecost. A thread running through our reflection for the week was Jn 14:26 – ‘The Advocate, the Holy Spirit…….. will teach you everything.’ This was an invitation to be open and listen to what the Spirit is saying to us at this time in our evolving story. In our sharing, there was a call to see our present situation in the context of cosmology and living systems as well as using the lens of Scripture. We were also reminded of Albert Einstein’s remark that we cannot solve problems with the same consciousness that created them. ‘Behold I do something new’ (Isa 43:19) comes to mind and is an invitation to be open to the new which calls for letting go of some of our old ideas and ways of doings things. Even the use of exclusive language in our prayer and Liturgy may seem insignificant. Nevertheless, referring to God exclusively as male reflects that patriarchal and hierarchical mindset which allows domination of one group over another, male over female, human over Earth, and has thus contributed to the oppression of women and to the devastation of Mother Earth.
Marcella O’Connell rsm, Southern Province & Carmela Cabactulan rsm, Philippines at the Church Center for United Nations.
So when it came to putting together an action plan for each of our respective home countries, our Irish group saw the aspect of education as paramount and very much in keeping with how Catherine responded to the problems of her day. What we proposed was a process at grass roots level in our seven provinces of raising awareness of an emerging world view whereby the Sisters would become involved through a series of workshops on ‘interconnectedness.’ Out of the awareness generated through this process, issues like sustainability, extractive industries, and human trafficking would be addressed.
Marcella O’Connell rsm
Southern Province
