Development & Peace

The Development and Peace program (D&P) was established in 1967 by Canada's Catholic bishops, laity, clergy and religious to find solutions to the causes of poverty and injustice. It serves as the international development arm of the Canadian Catholic Church. Supported by annual parish collections, individual donations and government grants mainly from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), D&P supports partners working to improve living conditions within 70 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle-East. The funds sent abroad support grassroots groups run by people who are leaders in their own communities.

Linked to a world-wide network of international Catholic Development agencies, the work of Development and Peace is supervised by a 21-member National Council composed of volunteers and two representatives of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

We at St. Ignatius are interested in achieving the dual objectives of Development and Peace:

1. To provide us all with a better understanding of the structures of the global economy.

2. To support more equitable and sustainable alternatives that promote peace, justice and sustainable development.

We co-ordinate the national Development and Peace programs at the parish level, and have delegates participate at the diocesan level.

We initiate prayer and spiritual experiences in solidarity with the poor through THINKfast (a Youth Ministry program), the Way of the Cross during Lent, and Solidarity Sunday (the fifth Sunday in Lent). We also plan the Fall Action Campaign, workshops and special information meetings to help educate our community concerning social justice issues that affect all of us.