Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) is a social arm of the Catholic Church. It is a call by the second Vatican Council to create an organ of the church to be responsible for awakening in the faithful the urgent need of not only promoting the progress in the areas of need, but also to foster social justice among nations.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) established Justice, Development and Peace Commission in order to help people of all faith to break away from the cycle of poverty through community based sustainable development initiatives. JDPC of the Catholic Diocese of Awka was founded in 1986 and was registered as non-profit making commission under Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in 2003. It was formally incorporated with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in April 23, 2015 as Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Awka. The core values are: credibility, transparency, accountability and commitment.
The activities of JDPC border on charity, good governance and election observation, agriculture, correctional and community babies apostolate, educational scholarship, conflict resolution, human development, human right promotion, vocational training, budget tracking and empowerment. Most of these programmes are sponsored either by an individual or partners within and outside Nigeria. JDPC is grateful to them. Through these media, JDPC touches the lives of many less-privileged in the society.
Therefore, the 2023 annual JDPC week starts from tomorrow Sunday, September 3, 2023 to Sunday, September 13, 2023 in all the Parishes and Chaplaincies within Awka Diocese. The flag-off ceremony and fund-raising for empowerment of the less privileged shall take place tomorrow, Sunday September 3, 2023 at three Regions in Awka diocese. For Awka region, it will be held at Saint Matthews.
Catholic Church, Amawbia; for Adazi region, St. Andrews Catholic Church, Adazi-Nnukwu and for Nimo region at Saint Kevins Catholic Church, Nimo. The theme of this year’s JDPC week is Rebuilding Nigeria: Citizens Consensus at Engaging Post-Election Leaders. Some of the sub-topics to be discussed during the week include: Holding duty bearers accountable for responsive and inclusive governance; Political engagement as a spiritual duty: a consensus between the clergy and laity; Women participation in politics: the need for a feminine consensus in post-election activism; Youth alive: a call on the youth to reclaim Nigeria through activism; Citizens engagement for improved service delivery and sustainable development in Nigeria.
JDPC Awka remains eternally grateful to the diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor for his continual support and fatherly care in the work of JDPC. We also appreciate the availability and commitment of Rev. Fr Emmanuel Ofomata -Coordinator for Awka region; Rev. Fr. Michael Oguno, Coordinator for Adazi region and Rev. Fr. Mac-Ben Okeke, Coordinator for Nimo region. We also thank Hon. P.C. Adinuba, Chairman, JDPC, Awka, Sir Ogo Ezeonu, Chairman board of governors and all the members of JDPC.
Indeed, JDPC is the voice of the less-privileged; for while there is life, there is hope. We invite all to be part of this project.
JDPC—— Ife Ụmụ OGBENYE!
Written by REV. FR. LEVI NDUBISI UKOR
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