Anglican Diocese announces new Human Rights & Social Justice Commission

May 21, 2017 News

Anglicans are celebrating Anglican Communion Day today, and the Diocese of Guyana is introducing the newly formed Human Rights and Social Justice (HRSJ) Commission.
The local body is a product of the Provincial Commission on Human Rights and Social Justice.
It shall be the duty of the HRSJ Commission to keep under constant review, all matters relating to social justice and human rights in the Diocese of Guyana and to make recommendations to the Bishop on the development of strategies which will assist the Church in furthering its work on these issues.
It was pointed out in a statement that Anglican Communion Day is “an appropriate observance to announce this very important body, as the intention of the Commission is to reflect the true significance of Anglicanism”.
The HRSJ Commission is established to promote, encourage and support three of the five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion, which are: To respond to human need by loving service; To seek to transform unjust structures of society; To challenge violence of every kind; To pursue peace and reconciliation, and To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
The HRSJ Commission intends to: develop among Anglicans the awareness of their obligation, as Christians, to respond to human need by loving service; engage in theological reflection on social justice and human rights issues facing the society and to provide well informed Christian perspective on those issues.
It also seeks to raise awareness of human rights and social justice issues and encourage positive changes by facilitating training, workshops, seminars, meetings, discussions, debates and the production of IEC material; co-ordinate diocesan advocacy actions and assist parishes in their programmatic responses to social ills.
The Commission will also actively collaborate with government, civil society, private sector and other faith-based organisations to respond to human rights and social justice issues within society; work to ensure that basic human rights are respected within our communities, and keep the interest of marginalized groups in the forefront as well as spread awareness about the responsible use of creation and the care and protection of the environment.
The church has a significant role to play in addressing pertinent social issues affecting its congregations. In light of that, it has been emphasised that the HRSJ Commission will work assiduously to confront urgent social issues related to children and youth, family life, education and employment, religious and spiritual beliefs, the environment and climate change, discrimination (racial, against persons living with disabilities, sexual orientation and gender identity and torture) human trafficking and sex trade, sexual and reproductive health and rights, women rights, gender-based and domestic violence, gender policies, human sexuality, technology and its impact on the Caribbean and boarder advocacy issues, in accordance with the Anglican Alliance.
Schemel Patrick, Media and Communications Professional and Human Rights Advocate, who was appointed by the Diocese of Guyana to sit on the Provincial Commission is the Chairperson of the local HRSJ Commission, she is expected to serve on the Provincial Commission for the next three years.
The current membership of the local commission includes: Father Raymon Cummings (Clergy), Iris Tappin (Mother’s Union), Dionne Cush, Deon Williams, Deanna Walcott (Guyana Anglcian Youth Council) and Tracy Marks. The body will be officially commissioned at the Diocesan Synod in June.

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