NJPN Day: Studying simpler lifestyles, creation-centred worship and just money

Ellen Teague
May 14th, 2025

Bokani Tshidzu and James Buchanan

Justice and Peace contacts from dioceses around England and Wales gathered last Saturday for a networking day on 'Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations'. It was the third meeting in the series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope organised by the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN).

Held at CAFOD's office in South London, it brought together around 40 participants from Arundel and Brighton, Birmingham, Brentwood, Cardiff/Menevia, Clifton, Hallam, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southwark and Westminster. They were joined by representatives of CAFOD, Religious Links, FCJ Sisters, Jesuit Missions, Columbans, Journey to 2030 and Laudato Si Animators.

The day opened with reflective prayer and singing of the hymn, 'Word of God come into this place,' by Ricky Manalo, led by Sr MaryAnne Francalanza of the London FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice) and Colette Joyce of Westminster Justice & Peace. .
The first speakers were Mary and Peter Johnson of the Livesimply parish of St Teresa of Lisieux Parish at Lexden in Brentwood Diocese, whose projects include creating a prayer garden, producing sustainable lifestyle ideas and creation-centred prayers of intercession, and making Laudato Si' better known. They are trained Laudato Si animators and are active with social projects of Caritas Brentwood and have helped organise the installation of 24 solar panels on their church roof. "The Season of Creation is now embedded in our parish," they said. There were plenty of ideas for other parish groups.

Mary Finnerty, Lead Economist at CAFOD, and Andrea Speranza of CAFOD campaigns talked on 'Tackling debt and the climate crisis in this Jubilee Year.' The meeting was urged to support and bring to Catholic parishes a Caritas Internationalis petition calling for debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries. It aims to reach 10 million signatures. CAFOD is also calling for a Debt Justice Law in the UK and a new comprehensive debt framework. Some in the room had been involved in Jubilee 2000 - which prompted the cancellation of $130 billion of debt 25 years ago - and endorsed a focus on structural change to try and prevent poor country indebtedness building up again. "There are structural issues keeping countries in debt that have never been addressed," said Andrea. Maria pointed out that there are particular opportunities for campaigning in the UK because 98% of the loans of poor countries are governed by English Law."

All were urged to attend and promotes a lobby of parliament on 9 July, which includes Christian development agencies and civil society networks, and will urge MPs to work towards the UK becoming a global leader in tackling climate change and restoring nature by 2030. "Faith groups have an important role to play," said Andrea. And then there will be a build up to campaigning for significant climate action at the UN's COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November.

James Buchanan of the Laudato Si Movement and Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah spoke to 'Greening Church Investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions.' Participants were urged to join the 'Big Bank Switch' and 'Share Action.' Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos in the Philippines sent a video message challenging extractive industries which harm the environment and urged ethical investment. He was particularly concerned about HSBC and Standard Chartered's financing of liquefied natural gas terminals and fossil gas power plants in the Verde Island Passage: Everyone clapped as he concluded with, "we hope we can count on you to join and support us."

The Muslim Director of Faith for the Climate, Shanon Shah, led group work on creation-centred theology - taken from 'Laudato Si', 'Laudato Deum' and the Muslim document 'Al-Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth.' Participants undertook to network more ecumenically and interfaith on justice, peace and ecology issues. Interfaith collaboration was also mentioned in a message from Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for the Environment in England and Wales. He welcomed initiatives in parishes and schools to care for the environment over the 10 years since the publication of Laudato Si'. And he added that, "internationally, there has also been good news, especially with the impact of the Islamic document 'Al-Mizan' which so closely mirrors the contents of Laudato Si'."

In the feedback at the end one participant reflected, "this is a great network of individuals, groups and organisations and we are strong when we work together." Inspired by the day, actions suggested for building a sustainable world included promoting CAFOD's Livesimply programme in parishes and schools and lobbying dioceses to have paid staff offering expertise on renewable energy projects and fossil-free banking. Creation-care should be embedded in Church liturgies and sacramental preparation. Church monies should be used ethically.

The next major NJPN event will be the annual national conference in Derbyshire 26-27 July. The theme will be: 'Towards a Just Peace - Challenging the Inevitability of Violence.' Keynote speakers will be Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury
and Dr Joanna Frew of Rethinking Security. All are welcome.

LINKS

Train to be a Laudato Si' animator (free): https://laudatosianimators.org/

Laudato Si' action platform: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/

CAFOD resources to promote the debt petition in parishes as well as the online petition version:
https://shop.cafod.org.uk/collections/frontpage/campaign

https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/161357/petition/1?locale=en-GB

Big Bank Switch: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/campaigns/have-you-joined-the-big-bank-switch-yet/

Diocesan divestment at: www.operationnoah.org/bright-now-campaign/church-divestment/

July 9 - Mass Lobby of Parliament for People, Climate and Nature. www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-change-forever

NJPN Annual National Conference in July: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference-2025/njpns-47th-annual-conference-25-27-july-2025/