Justice, Peace & Environment

'And so this is Christmas' remains a festive favourite, 55 years after the song was written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. One day last week I heard it on the car radio three times! Its impactful words and catchy melody remind that whilst we are able to comfortably celebrate Christmas and the New Year, others aren't so lucky. The refrain, 'War is over if you want it,' prompts reflection, especially ... Read More

Since the current conflict in Ukraine started in February 2022 the Diocese of East Anglia has generously supported the Ukrainian people through prayer, giving to emergency appeals and welcoming refugees. To find out more about the current situation in the country Caritas East Anglia and CAFOD in East Anglia invite you to a talk from CAFOD's Ukraine Emergency Programme Officer Henry Wilson Smith ... Read More

As our global Laudato Si' family arrives at Christmas after this Advent pilgrimage, we pause at the manger-not as strangers, but as sisters and brothers who have journeyed together with hope in our hearts and creation in our care. This season, Pope Leo XIV reminded us that Advent teaches us to "wait in active hope". And that is exactly what our community has lived. Across languages, cultures, and... Read More

The Coventry Deanery Justice and Peace Group advocates for social justice in line with Catholic Social Teaching, upholding the dignity of every person, and fostering solidarity with marginalised people. Representatives from parishes across Coventry meet monthly to address concerns at parish, regional, and international levels. Current initiatives include supporting local food hubs, Baby Godiva, an... Read More

On Saturday morning, a group of young Christians staged a creative demonstration in front of St Paul's Cathedral, depicting Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in a contemporary refugee setting - in an orange dinghy and life jackets. Banners held at the event read: 'Jesus was a refugee' and 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me'. The demonstration took place on the morning of the Unite The Kingdom carol s... Read More

There was a living Nativity scene on the steps of St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square on Saturday morning - with Joseph and Mary carrying Baby Jesus, donkeys and sheep. They were surrounded by members of several different churches holding banners with messages such as: 'Refugees Are Welcome' - 'Jesus Was a Refugee' - 'Love Your Neighbours - That's Includes the Ones in Hotels' - 'God Loves ... Read More

Common Home TV has just released Episode 3 of In the Shadows of the Holy Land, titled Ancient Roots, Modern Fears: Christians in Palestine. This episode features an extensive and deeply personal conversation with Sami El-Yousef, CEO of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and a lifelong Christian resident of the Old City. Sami offers a rare, detailed look at the Christian presence across Palestine ... Read More

Jesuit groups who were at COP30 in Brazil took part in an online panel event to reflect on what they saw and heard at the climate talks - and what this means for our planet's future. Patricia Tahirindray from the Centre Arrupe Madagascar, Colm Fahy from the Jesuit European Social Centre, and Daniela Alba from the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat joined the discussion, which was co-hosted by ... Read More

As the war in Ukraine rages on, hundreds of thousands of people from both Russia and Ukraine are refusing to fight. A rare opportunity to speak with both Russian and Ukrainian conscientious objectors (COs), as well as campaigners from across Europe supporting their right to refuse to kill will take place next Tuesday 9 December, 6pm (UK time) - Online or in person. Speakers include: Mikheil Elizba... Read More

Two eloquent Palestinian speakers launched the Amos Trust Christmas appeal at St James's Piccadilly, last Saturday, in an evening of deeply contrasting moods and emotions. Gazan journalist Hala Hanina from Palestinian Deep Dive told a terrible Christmas story of a "brilliant, beautiful, powerful" young woman called Sara who lost all her family after an Israeli airstrike on her home on Christmas ... Read More

On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Saturday, more than 100,000 people marched in London to demand an end to Israel's genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians. This time, the Quaker Witness group led silent worship with the Christians for Palestine at the London Jesuit Centre in Mayfair, before setting out to join the national march via Pal... Read More

This Saturday, Christians For Palestine will be joining with the Quaker Witness group on the latest National March for Palestine. We will be meeting at the London Jesuit Centre by Farm Street Church, at 11.45am for prayers before setting out. This day is also the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine. All are welcome, as we continue to work for peace, justice and freedom for the Palestin... Read More

Today I joined more than a thousand other people in a packed Methodist Central Hall at the National Emergency Climate Briefing to listen to ten experts present their assessments of the current risks to the UK, and rest of the world, from the climate and nature crisis. Every parliamentarian was invited to attend (and many did), along with leaders from business, the civil service, judiciary, health ... Read More

The government has presented the Budget 2025 as a plan for stability and security, but the details tell a very different story. In the announcement, there is a clear pattern; rising taxes on ordinary people, deepening militarisation, renewed nuclear expansion, and a refusal to invest in real human security. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has confirmed that taxes have risen more under this ... Read More