New York – General Shaw Clifton officially dedicated to God the work of the International Social Justice Commission at its new headquarters on East 52nd Street, Manhattan, New York, USA, in a gathering where international guests, representatives from the nearby United Nations and Salvationists joined the Director (Commissioner Christine MacMillan) in highlighting the commission’s aim: ‘Seeking Justice Together’.
The General, delighted to see his vision for this commission being fulfilled, announced, ‘This is an historic day for The Salvation Army. It is the official birthing of our International Social Justice Commission, not far from the United Nations. It is not a day to pat ourselves on the back but, rather, it is a day to give glory to God.
‘The establishing of our new International Social Justice Commission is designed to give strong and articulate support to social justice initiatives by Salvationists around the world. It will also allow us to network intelligently and sensitively with international bodies, like the United Nations in New York, in Geneva, in Vienna and in Nairobi. All this is, as far as we are concerned, simply a further step of obedience to God.’
The significance of his words was emphasised by the presence of the Army’s UN representatives from Vienna (Major Elisabeth Frei) and Geneva (Major Sylvette Huguenin).
The General continued: ‘I would not wish anyone to think that the Army has been uninvolved hitherto in matters of social justice or social action – far from it – but the creation of the Commission gives a renewed, modern focus to it all and provides a previously missing element of intentional co-ordination across the 115 lands in which currently we work.’
Adding weight to the ‘Seeking Justice Together’ theme, he also pointed out: ‘We do not think naively that we can solve the social justice questions by ourselves, but we will do what we can and we will partner with others. We seek to reaffirm and renew our role in social justice advocacy. We need to stand with Jesus!’
The General thanked Commissioner MacMillan and her staff, those who had helped the Commission become established, and USA Eastern territorial leaders (Commissioners Lawrence and Nancy Moretz) and the divisional leaders (Majors Guy and Henrietta Klemanski) for their timely help in acquiring and refitting the building in which the commission is now housed.
Emphasising that dealing with social justice issues can be rough and stormy terrain, with costly direct actions required, the General cited examples from the past when the Army had taken social action during difficult times. This included reference to General Bramwell Booth, during the First World War, threatening to open a series of bakeries to make and sell bread at cost price if commercial bakeries wouldn’t lower their prices to consumers. General Booth felt that the bakers were exploiting the crisis of war by profiteering. His threats worked and the prices came down, and the Army did not have to open their ‘at cost’ bakeries – it was a clear indication of social justice in action.
In addition, the General gave a contemporary example of social justice in the UK where the Army was involved, along with other Christian action groups, in getting sexual services advertising removed from free newspapers. It took persistent, widespread action, including continual letters to the editors for more than a year from several writers, including Commissioner Helen Clifton, but finally their actions were successful.
Commissioner MacMillan, in affirming the General’s comments, declared that ‘the price of silence is far too high’.
The representative speaker from the United Nations, the president of the UN Conference of Non-Government Organisations, Liberato Bautista, spoke of the essential need for God’s will to be done ‘on earth as it is in heaven’. Solidarity with the world’s poor, oppressed and marginalised is not optional, he said. ‘We embrace social justice principles so that the world might believe.
‘We are delighted to be co-members with you in the conference of Non-Government Organisations. We commend General Clifton and the Army for this vision. We feel that the Army’s Social Justice Commission exemplifies the active role of peace in seeking justice. The establishment of this Social Justice Commission is a cause to celebrate.’
At the conclusion of the formal dedication service, all in attendance were invited to the newly designed garden, which is surrounded entirely by high rise buildings. Here, the ‘Seeking Justice Together’ theme – which had been powerfully portrayed in ‘caged-bird’ art and drama, by multi-lingual prayers and the creative participation of children – was symbolically depicted as several white doves were set free, in recognition of the commission’s aims to help free millions around the world from the injustices that plague them.
Music was provided throughout by an ensemble of the New York Staff Band and Salvationist vocalists from the Greater New York Division.
Harriet Beecher Stowe praised him in the pages of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Novelist E. M. Forster compared him to Gandhi. Nelson Mandela recalled his tireless labours, calling Britain “the land of William Wilberforce—who dared to stand up to demand that the slaves should be freed.”
