New J&P co-ordinator appointed for Westminster Diocese

Colette Joyce has been appointed as the new Justice and Peace Coordinator for the Diocese of Westminster. She began her new job on Monday, 6 January.

Originally from Great Dunmow in Essex, Colette was previously working as a Parish Catechist at St Michael and St Martin's in Hounslow, West London, and has also served in the Catholic Parishes of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Stephendale Road in Fulham.

Colette has a particular interest in migration issues, and was the Coordinator of the St Mary Magdalene Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (now the Islington Centre) for five years from 2007-2011. She was a project worker for the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission during the year of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and continues to enjoy exploring the links between peace and sport. Colette has acted as an accredited representative for the Faith Workers Branch of the trade union Unite since 2010 and in 2018 was elected as the Equalities Officer for the National Executive of the Branch.

Commenting on her new job, Colette said: "Promoting justice and peace seems a very daunting challenge as we face the threats and uncertainties that have heralded the start of this new decade. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that 2020 will also bring many opportunities for dialogue and action to bring about positive change.

"In particular, all eyes will be focused this year on the COP26 Climate Conference to be held in Glasgow in November. I look forward to helping to encourage and promote the contribution of Westminster Catholics to that critical debate."

Fr Joe Ryan, former chair of Westminster Justice and Peace said: "Everyone is delighted that Colette has taken up this new post, working with the new Westminster J&P chair, Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, in collaboration with Caritas Westminster. I'm hopeful that they will encourage and inspire all in the diocese on environmental issues, justice and peace. We send them our best wishes and prayers."

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, said: "The work of justice and peace as a central core of Catholic life is more urgent than ever in our society so I'm really looking forward to getting down to working hard with our new co-ordinator Colette Joyce to support, promote, and discern vision for the impressive and vital network of initiatives through which Catholic Social Teaching is put into practice in the parishes, schools and chaplaincies of the Diocese.

"In conjunction with the Justice and Peace Commission and with the Caritas Network I hope we can as a team help to develop this work together. Colette's commitment, theological background, experience of work in the field and knowledge of the Diocese will bring an exciting new dimension to this work and I'm sure she will be warmly welcomed."

Colette is based in Vaughan House and can be contacted on colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk or justice@rcdow.org.uk

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