Creating A Culture of Peace
In May 2004, Catholic Relief Services began an innovative conflict management and prevention project entitled, "Creating a Culture of Peace through the Catholic Church in Burundi." The project is a commitment between the Bishops Conference of Burundi (CECAB), and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The three-year project received funding from the USAID office of Conflict Mitigation and Management on October 1, 2004. It is one of the first times that USAID is calling on a faith-based institution to take a leading role in peacebuilding efforts.
Cardinal Mahony is welcomed to a parish.
The goal for the three-year program is the following: A culture of peace and reconciliation is achieved in Burundi through Catholic Church structures.
CRS and the Catholic Church plan to achieve this program goal through an integrated peace and reconciliation strategy, encompassing three strategic objectives:
- Strategic Objective 1: Increased capacity and influence of the Catholic Church in promoting peace and reconciliation in Burundi.
- Strategic Objective 2: Burundians demonstrate improved understanding of how to live together in peace.
- Strategic Objective 3: Increased solidarity between American and Burundian Catholic Church structures in support of peace and reconciliation in Burundi.
In order to develop an action plan, CECAB appointed a Burundi Catholic Church Peace and Reconciliation Commission (BCCPRC), comprised of twenty-one persons, representing the geographic, ethnic and social diversity of Burundi. On return to Burundi, the BCCPRC presented an action plan for peacebuilding activities to CECAB for feedback and approval. This action plan provided the foundation for the project currently being executed.
The projects shall have over 50,000 beneficiaries and encompass five areas of activity, each of which shall be implemented by a local partner connected to the Church:
- Peace and Reconciliation Education in Burundi schools: BNEC, The National Office for Catholic Education
- Sports and Cultural Activities for Youth: CEAL, The Episcopal Commission for the Apostolate of the Laity
- Trauma Healing: Partner to be determined
- Promotion of Human Rights: Episcopal and Diocesan Commissions for Justice and Peace
- Internal Church Reconciliation and Healing: The Bishops Conference of Burundi and the Association of Major Superiors
This project shall engage Catholics on all levels, from the Bishops to the Base Christian communities. It will also reach out to Protestant and Muslim groups, both to plan and implement peacebuilding activities, and as beneficiaries of the projects. In an expression of solidarity, Bishops and other members of the US Catholic community will visit Burundi each year throughout the life of the project. "Creating a Culture of Peace" is managed by one international staff member and two Burundian project managers.
