Justice, Peace & Environment

Ahead of the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si', Pope Leo XIV has sent a video message to the Network of Universities for the Care of Our Common Home, gathered at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. The Holy Father began by expressing his joy at the Network's commitment to "engaging in a synodal work of discernment in preparation for COP30". He acknowledged... Read More

Oliver McTernan will be the keynote speaker at Pax Christ's Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 7 June at Maria Fidelis School, Euston, London from 10.30am. Oliver is the Founder and a Co-Director of Forward Thinking, an independent charity working at a political level to find durable solutions to conflict in the Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf region. A long-standing friend of Pax Christi, O... Read More

More than half a million people marched through central London to Downing Street on Saturday - the 77th anniversary of the Nakba - appealing for the UK government to stop arming Israel and take action to end to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Protesters came from across the UK - there were many families with children, pushing prams and wheelchairs. Many faith and co... Read More

British actor Khalid Abdalla, who played Dodi Fayed in the Crown TV series and Amir in the Kite Runner, gave this heartfelt address to huge crowds gathered in Whitehall at the end of the march on Saturday, commemorating the 77th anniversary of the 'Nakba' - the 'catastrophe' during which more than 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes during the creation of the modern state of Israel... Read More

Professor Ian Linden gave the Middlesbrough Justice & Peace Commission Storey Lecture on 8 May 2025, entitled: Option for the Poor: Foundations & Spirituality. The full text follows: It is a pleasure to be with an audience that not only knows about the 'option for the poor' but, from your being on-line now, pursues its implications for us today. Sharing this search brings questions: not l... Read More

This month's Prayer Vigil for Migrants and Refugees opposite the Home Office, takes place today, Monday, 19 May, from 12.30 - 1.30pm. During the vigil the names of those known to have died trying to reach the UK in the past month will be read out. Prayers will be said for them and the many more unnamed victims; asylum seekers in detention centres; those who are homeless and those who struggle to ... Read More

Yesterday, on International Conscientious Objectors' Day, a Russian conscientious objector (CO) is calling on the UK and other European countries to grant asylum to those who refuse to fight in the war against Ukraine. Speaking out despite personal risk, the Russian CO has condemned the ongoing persecution of war resisters in Russia, and called for a future built on peaceful dialogue rather than m... Read More

Bishop John Arnold sent this message to the National Justice and Peace 'Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations' conference. I am delighted to be able to provide a few thoughts for the National Justice and Peace Network "Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations" conference which brings together Catholics and others to talk about and plan action on environmen... Read More

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 fr... Read More

Colette Joyce from Westminster J&P writes: A new date has been set for the joint event hosted by the Northern Dioceses Environment Group and the Southern Dioceses Environment Network to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'. The event originally scheduled for Thursday, 8 May, will now be held on Wednesday 4 June, 7-9pm. All Catholics and our friends are welcom... Read More

The May issue of the NJPN NW E Bulletin pays tribute to Pope Francis, giving thanks for his life and leadership. It's clear he touched the hearts of many, not just within the Catholic Church but to people of other faiths and none. The election of Pope Leo was a surprise to many but his focus on peace and building bridges offers the hope we so desperately need in these turbulent times. There can so... Read More

Christians for Palestine will be gathering for prayers on Saturday 17 May, from 12.15pm at St John's Waterloo, before joining the latest National March for Palestine with other faith groups as it passes the church. The march ends on Whitehall. The organisers write: "We will include in our prayers some video testimony from Palestinians living under occupation, and hope to have a speaker recently re... Read More

This Nakba Day, on 15 May, Pax Christi International invites the global community to join a collective action of memory, witness, and hope. Pax Christi says in a statement: 'In remembrance of the Nakba, the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians in 1948, we call on people around the world to hold up a simple symbol: the key. A key to a lost home. A key to dignity. A key to Just Peace. Thro... Read More

Sr Katrina Alton, Chaplain to Pax Christi England and Wales writes: In his first Sunday blessing, Pope Leo XlV, sent a clear message to all political leaders: "After the immense tragedy of the Second World War ended 80 years ago, on May 8, after having caused 60 million victims. In today's dramatic context of a third world war in pieces, as Pope Francis has repeatedly stated, I too appeal to the p... Read More