Although all Scarboro missioners are called to work for justice, peace and the integrity of creation, the Justice & Peace Office (JPO) was established in 1980 to provide a more effective coordination role. In 2014 the name of the Justice & Peace Office was expanded to the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office or JPIC Office.
From its beginnings in 1980 until its closing in 2018, the JPIC Office expressed Scarboro Missions' commitment to a more just and peaceful world by proactively participating on its behalf in the struggle for global transformation. This office shared information on and encouraged the participation of Scarboro members and supporters, as well as the public, in this responsible quest for a better world.
Work on social and ecological justice was done collaboratively and primarily through inter-church, ecumenical connections such as KAIROS, as well as interfaith and wider societal connections.
A group within the Church like Scarboro,
with its particular charism of service to universal mission,
is called to raise issues of injustice
especially those in which we as Canadians participate,
whether knowingly or unknowingly,
and which seriously affect the lives
of brothers and sisters who are far away.
–Statute 18.1, Scarboro Missions
Want More JPIC Info?
Check out our Resources section, which contains a full collection of Scarboro Missions Magazine articles on Catholic social teaching, economic justice, creation spirituality and more. These resources are useful for teachers, students and parish leaders.
Scarboro Missions JPIC Office closes after 37 years
At the end of December 2017 the JPIC Office was closed as part of Scarboro Missions’ process of transition. You are invited to read about the history of the JPO/JPIC Office in the final issue of Scarboro Missions magazine which was published in September 2018 and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society.
In February 2018 Karen Van Loon, coordinator of the JPIC Office since 1999, began work with Faith & the Common Good (FCG) coordinating their new program, Cultivating Care for Our Common Home for Catholic parishes or groups in Toronto who would like to explore and respond more deeply to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. She may be contacted at kvanloon@faithcommongood.org.
Starting in 2018 Fr. Jack Lynch jlynch@scarboromissions.ca will be the contact person at Scarboro Missions for any JPIC related inquiries.
New program!
Cultivating Care for Our Common Home — for Catholic parishes and groups in Toronto
Beginning in February 2018, Faith & the Common Good will offer a new program Cultivating Care for Our Common Home for Catholic parishes and groups in Toronto who would like to explore and respond more deeply to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. Karen Van Loon will join Faith & the Common Good in February to coordinate this program which will offer interactive presentations, workshops and collaboration to help lead faith into action for the common good of all creation.
“The gravity of the ecological crisis demands that we all look to the common good…”
Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ #201
Find out more here…