Justice, Peace & Environment

The World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel is an annual World Council of Churches event held during the third week of September. The week aims to encourage people of faith to pray for, and work towards, an end to Israeli occupation and oppression allowing both Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace. This year the week runs from the 20th to the 26th September and the theme is 'We must giv... Read More

The UN Commission of Inquiry's finding today doesn't just confirm that David Lammy's letter to Parliament last week was 'wrong' regarding Israel's genocide. The true extent of UK Government complicity is far worse. In the letter, addressed to the Chair of the International Development Committee, the former Foreign Secretary told Parliament: "The Government has not concluded that Israel is acting w... Read More

Sr Katrina Alton, Pax Christi National Chaplain writes: 'Today, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry has formally concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. "It is clear there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set for on the Genocide Convention." The criteria include, mass killings, infliction of serious mental or physical harm, destr... Read More

In Germany, a 'wonderful' illustration of Isaiah 32:14 - "the castle will be forsaken, the noisy city deserted; citadel and tower will become wasteland forever" - is in areas where coal is mined, such as in North Rhine-Westphalia. Wastelands, as far as the eye reaches, villages are destroyed, people evicted just to feed power plants which belong to big corporations and thus sustain the power of th... Read More

With the epic treks made by millions of displaced Christians in mind, three charity workers walked on through downpours to help those persecuted around the world. Dr Caroline Hull, national director of Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), based in Sutton, was joined by colleagues John Pontifex and Nathalie Raffray as they undertook the Thames Moonlight 10 Miler Ultra Challenge on Frid... Read More

An alliance of more than 80 civil society organizations today launched a new campaign: 'Stop Trade with Settlements' , demanding countries to ban all trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including by major multinational companies and financial institutions sustaining the settlement enterprise. The 'Trading with Illegal settlements' report highlights h... Read More

The secretaries general of three major Catholic organizations -- Pax Christi International, Caritas Internationalis, and CIDSE - have published a statement in preparation for the UN's climate change conference, COP30, to be held in Brazil from November 10-21. "We unite our voices," the organizations said, "to affirm a simple yet urgent truth: there can be no true peace without climate justice, an... Read More

Is it still possible to build a political economy that serves people rather than systems? Can the reform of state institutions help restore the dignity of the human person? These are the urgent questions that will be addressed in the second lecture of Staying Human, the 2025 public theology series from Together for the Common Good. The talk, entitled Staying Human: Statecraft for the Common Good, ... Read More

Imagine a world where barren lands bloom into vibrant green and peace reigns not only among people but with all creation - this is the vision at the heart of the Season of Creation 2025. Inspired by Isaiah's words - "The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness, and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation" (Isaiah 32:14-18) - this year'... Read More

Mgr Paul Smith gave this memorable homily at Mass held in the woods, at the end of the Laudato Si' Animators Retreat at the Laudato Si' centre, Salford, on 6 September 2025. Once upon a time, in a world not very far away, in fact the very common home we inhabit today, walking the same surface as we do, our ancient ancestors roamed this planet. They beheld the amazing features that they encount... Read More

On Monday 9th September, over a hundred people of faith gathered outside the ExCeL Centre in London to mark the 'No Faith in War Day' at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair. In a world scarred by violence and injustice, participants chose the tools of prayer, presence, and lament, to challenge the global arms trade - particularly in light of the ongoing genocide in Ga... Read More

This year's Season of Creation theme, 'Peace with Creation', calls us to a profound reflection on the spiritual, relational, and ecological dimensions of peace-making. It reminds us that authentic and lasting peace is not complete without harmony in our relationship with all of creation. In Laudato Si', Pope Francis calls us to an ecological conversion, a transformation of heart and mind that reor... Read More

'A Patchwork of Positive Stories' event was hosted by the charity Catholics for AIDS Prevention & Support (CAPS) in central London yesterday, Monday 8 September. At the evening event two HIV-AIDS-Quilts were displayed for the first time. Together they represent the Church's response to HIV in the UK spanning the last 40 years. The first quilt, newly-reconditioned, displays patches created by t... Read More

Sr Katrina Alton, National Chaplain to Pax Christi England and Wales gave this reflection on Monday evening, at the start of the Silent Vigil at the DSEI Arms Fair. Friends Tonight we stand silent, but not silenced, on the threshold of hell - because this is DSEI 2025 - Defence & Security Equipment International. Behind the polished glass of the ExCeL Centre, men and women in suits are prepar... Read More