Justice, Peace & Environment

As the COP28 climate summit begins today, the Lead Bishop for Environmental Issues, Bishop John Arnold, has reiterated his call for the nations of the world to act: "Whilst the extreme heat of last summer may be a distant memory for many of us, huge numbers of people around the world have had their lives devastated by climate disasters in the last year or so. Given that the impacts of climate chan... Read More

As the United Nations' COP28 on climate change opens in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (30 November - 12 December), Columban missionaries express our solidarity with people who bear the heaviest burden of climate change and with the earth itself. Columban Vicar General, Fr Brian Vale, says: "God has not given up on reminding us of the urgency of respecting creation and so we are urged to do more. Pop... Read More

Pope Francis has decided not to undertake his scheduled journey to Dubai to participate in the COP28 Summit this weekend, on the advice of doctors. A statement released this evening (Tuesday) by the Director of the Holy See Press Office said, "Even though the Holy Father's general health situation has improved in relation to the flu and respiratory tract inflammation he has been suffering from,... Read More

The annual Pax Christi Advent 2022 Peace Service and Fair will take place - this Saturday, 2 December - at 2pm in the Church of the Holy Apostles 47 Cumberland Street, Pimlico London SW1V 4LY The service will be followed by the Pax Christi alternative Christmas market with Fairtrade and Palestinian goods, crafts and gifts, books, cards, refreshments, and children's activities in the parish hall - ... Read More

More than 1,500 Jewish peace campaigners, together with Palestinians, rabbis, imams, pastors, priests, parents, and elected officials were risking arrest at Manhattan Bridge New York, around 5pm local time (1pm London time) on Sunday as they held up traffic in a demonstration calling for a ceasefire In Gaza. A statement on Twitter from Jewish Voices for Peace said: "We represent the majority of pe... Read More

A nationwide project to encourage local action against human trafficking and modern slavery in partnership with police and statutory agencies is being launched at a Catholic parish in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on Thursday, 30 November. The project aims to mobilise local communities across the United Kingdom to recognise and report the signs of human trafficking to the police and call on all governme... Read More

Members of the Church Leaders' Group,Ireland, warmly welcomed the cessation of armed conflict in Gaza and Israel, notwithstanding its temporary nature. Deeply mindful of the immense pain and hurt being experienced by so many on all sides, they prayed for all impacted by the terrible war and violence in the region. The Church Leaders called on everyone who has influence to work earnestly for a la... Read More

On #RedWednesday UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak endorsed the initiative raising awareness of the plight of suffering Christians around the world after hearing the heart-rending story of a nurse who lost both legs in a jihadist attack. At Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday (22nd November), Mr Sunak said: "#RedWednesday is an important moment to demonstrate our solidarity with Christians ... Read More

Sue Parfitt, 81, an active Anglican priest and retired psychotherapist from Bristol, and Judy Bruce, 83, a biology teacher from Swansea, disrupted the USA Thanksgiving Day service at St Paul's Cathedral on Thursday. They interrupted the service and held a sign saying: 'Will our children thank us?' and 'Just Stop Oil'. As the ladies took action, the vicar running the service, Rev Jennifer Mills-Knu... Read More

There are two bulletins for the month of November: NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin first November issue The escalating conflict in the Holy Land dominates the first November issue of the NW NJPN E Bulletin with opinion pieces from regular contributor Jon Kuhrt as well as Daniel Barenboim, founder of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra which seeks to build a bridge between Israelis and Palest... Read More

In this video, Pope Francis asks for prayers for peacearound the world - especially mentioning the wars near us in Ukraine and the Holy Land, that: "the difficulties resolve themselves in dialogue and negotiation and not with a mountain of dead." Watch the Pope's message on this video from the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network here: https://clicktopray.org/campaigns/934 Download the Novena here: ht... Read More

Today, the UK Government has published its UK International Development White Paper entitled 'International development in a contested world ending extreme poverty and tacking climate change' - it's first since 2009. Aid agencies have welcomed the Paper, but expressed concerns that it does not go far enough. SCIAF (Scottish International Catholic Aid Fund) "cautiously welcomes the UK Government's ... Read More

The names of dozens of people whose lives were cut short by homelessness in the last year, were read out at the annual Commemoration Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. This year's service on Thursday, 9 November included songs from people with experience of homelessness in 'The Choir with No Name' and 'Streetwise Opera'. A beautiful new composition 'Here I am' by Alastair Murra... Read More

Earlier today, representatives from the World Health Organisation described their visit to Dar al-Shifa, the Gaza Strip's largest hospital, as entering a "death zone", with a mass grave at the entrance and only 25 staff left to care for 291 seriously ill patients after orders from the Israeli army to evacuate the complex. This is the latest in a seemingly unending stream of catastrophic news for t... Read More