Alta. Oblate advocates for global justice

Fr. Piche to lead his order's justice ministry in Rome

- WCR photo by Ramon Gonzalez Fr. Camille Piche is the new worldwide director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
St. Albert

Just back from a five-month visit of Latin America, Father Camille Piche says Canada is not living up to its reputation as a just society.

Piche is incensed about the free trade agreement signed May 29 between Canada and Peru, which gives Canadian mining companies unparalleled rights and privileges, including the removal of the possibility that the Peruvian government will raise taxes, change its laws or expropriate properties.

"The agreement, which was completed in just five months and without any consultation, gives the mining industry an opportunity to make a lot of money, to exploit the resources of the land with very little environmental standards and also with very good conditions such as cheap labour," Piche laments.

"I always thought that Canada was a just society but I think right now we are just off the path."

Piche, 70, is the newly appointed director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Exposing multinationals

Part of his job is to expose greedy and heartless multinationals and the governments that support them. Piche spent the last five months in Peru and Bolivia working with the Oblates stationed there. He also visited the United Nations.

"I couldn't think of a better way to prepare myself for this job than to live for five months in Latin America and to see first-hand the work of the Oblates and the situation of the poor, of the indigenous peoples as well as the campesinos in those countries - how they are affected directly either by free trade or by mineral exploration," he said.

While in Peru in March, Piche visited the operations of Doe Run, a Missouri-based mining and metals company that extracts zinc and silver in La Oroya region.

"Father Miguel Cordova who works in the area showed me the farmlands that are been devastated by the pollution of that mine," lamented Piche.

The hillsides Piche saw are barren and sterile because of acid rain. The river is contaminated and its water undrinkable. "On top of that the pollution in the atmosphere and the air that is breathed by the children is killing the children."

The free trade agreement between Canada and Peru will only worsen the situation as more firms move in to exploit the resources, Piche contends.

Piche is expected to move to Rome in September to take over as JPIC director for three years.

Oblates want a say

The JPIC's main goal is to have an active presence where decisions are made affecting the marginalized. "As Oblates we want to have a say and some influence at the level of where decisions are being taken that affect the lives of the poor in different countries," Piche explained in an interview.

There are currently about 5,000 Oblates of Mary Immaculate working in 67 countries, mainly with the poor.

As JPIC director, Piche is expected to represent the Oblates at the United Nations and to assist provinces with organizing and animating their own justice and peace work.

"The work of JPIC really takes place at the grassroots - as it has in my case - with countless numbers of people working sometimes at the personal level or with others to give hope and combat poverty," Piche explained.

"Sometimes we are able to network with others, either Oblates, NGOs, or other socially conscious groups, to bring about structural change and improve the lives of many so that the poor will realize their dignity as beloved sons and daughters of God."

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