Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1982 - 1996 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
Extent43 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
In response to Vatican II, Pope Paul VI set up the Pontifical Commission for justice and peace in 1967. A justice and peace group was founded in Johannesburg in 1973/4. Bishop Orsmond later resuscitated the group. He appointed Fr. Emil Blaser O P as Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Reconciliation. The directive for justice and peace was integrated into the pastoral plan of the Catholic Church, the theme of which is Community serving Humanity. It was in this context that Justice and Peace, keenly aware that Apartheid has been a key characteristic of our situation set about addressing societal imbalances. Apart from its primary focus which is to raise awareness in the Catholic Community, Justice and Peace works closely with both local and international organisations (religious and lay) who are committed to transforming society through justice and reconciliation.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection is drawn from the Johannesburg Office of Justice and Peace. However it also contains material pertaining to national structures such as the SACBC and its various commissions including the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace with the Episcopal Vicar at its head.
This Office had painstakingly built up a resource centre which focused on certain topics such as Aids, Human Rights, Negotiations, Elections etc. In certain cases material which is duplicated elsewhere has been removed and reintegrated with other collections. This includes publications produced by The Black Sash, The Human Rights Commission, The Independent Board of Inquiry and Peace Action, all of whose papers are housed in Historical Papers. Journals which have been removed include: Constitutional Talk, RDP News, MPD News - Newsletter of the Institute for Multi-Party Democracy, Africa South, Work in Progress, NRDF Rural Monitor, Prodder Newsletter - Programme for Development Research and certain United Nations publications. All of the above can be found in various library depots situated on Wits Campus.