Justice, Peace & Environment

Aid agencies and peace campaigners have welcomed news of the Gaza ceasefire, but warn that there is a long road to recovery ahead. They point out that the current agreement is deeply flawed and does not offer Palestinians a just or lasting peace. Reacting to news that the first phase of a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD Country representativ... Read More

The latest National March for Palestine takes place in London this Saturday. The Christian Bloc will be gathering for prayers in Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, SWC2H 8EP at 12 noon before joining the march. We will then walk down and join the route for the march to Downing Street - usually after the Jewish Bloc. Please help spread the word! We will praying and appealing for an end to the fami... Read More

The Scottish Bishops Conference write today: We recognise that the situation in Gaza and Israel is changing rapidly, and in the coming days there may be announcements about possible peace agreements. Whatever happens, we continue to invite everyone to join us in prayer for peace on 7th October and if agreements are reached, that they may hold and bring lasting justice for all. The Bishops' Confe... Read More

The National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) has always been committed to walking together in faith, action, and hope. At our recent 'Away Days' in Wistaston Hall, Crewe, we reflected on the journey so far and looked ahead with renewed determination, reminded of the strength and importance of Catholic Social Teaching. Present at the NJPN planning days were Kevin Burr, Anne Wilkinson, Anne Peacey ... Read More

As I head for home from the Laudato Si Movement's Climate Conference at Castel Gandolfo with my portion of liquid glacier in my 'Raising Hope' water bottle, meeting so many environmental activists inspired by faith will stay with me. There was Franciscan Brother Rodrigo de Castro Peut, who works with the Catholic Church's Pastoral Land Commission in Minas Gerais State in Brazil. Tackling the destr... Read More

Every year the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is celebrated on the last Sunday of September but this year, to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants, the day will be celebrated over the weekend of 4 and 5 October. The theme is Migrants, missionaries of hope, emphasising the resilience and faith of migrants and refugees in the face of hardship. "It is our obligation to try and understand ... Read More

A survey of regular churchgoers in Britain has revealed that although over two-thirds of churches normally hold Harvest Festival services and events (such as the CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day), the practice varies markedly across denominations. While nearly all survey respondents from Church of England and Methodist churches, most Presbyterians and the majority of Roman Catholics indicated that th... Read More

A photo of Pope Leo blessing a melting piece of iceberg from Greenland has gone viral. He was lamenting the diminishment of glaciers globally due to global warming, while attending the Laudato Si' Movement's 'Raising Hope for Climate Justice' Conference in Italy on Wednesday. On the final day of the conference two days later, when the iceberg was reduced by half, Dr Lorna Gold, Executive of the Mo... Read More

Can we bring urgency and hope together in addressing the climate crisis? This was a key question on the second day of the 'Raising Hope for Climate Justice' Conference at Castel Gandolfo, organised by the Laudato Si' Movement and partners. Dr Lorna Gold, Executive of the Movement, reminded us of the heights of yesterday's inspiring celebration with Pope Leo. "The message of Pope Francis in Laudato... Read More

The Sumud Flotilla was intercepted on Thursday morning, 2 October 12.51am Palestine Time, sparking protests in many countries around the world. Pax Christi USA note that this was the International Day of Nonviolence. They say in a statement: 'As people of faith, we are called to challenge violence in all forms, engage in nonviolent resistance wherever possible, and resist complicity with injustice... Read More

Pope Leo XlV was described as an "action hero" today by no less than film star Arnold Schwarzenegger. The actor - known for his roles in high-profile action films, turned climate champion in his role as Governor of California for eight years, and head of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative - said: "I'm standing next to an action hero!" Pope Leo smiled while a huge audience cheered wildly. Yet, w... Read More

Brother Sun, Sister Moon - praying anew the Canticle of Saint Francis. A time of prayer and reflection to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures will take place in the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street, W1K 3AH on Thursday, 2 October. Mass for the Care of Creation takes place at 6pm, followed by a presentation and reflective spaces. At 7.30pm there... Read More

The dominant view in political theories, known as realism, and the resulting global order are based on the assumption that people are naturally greedy, selfish, and prone to violence for survival, as Thomas Hobbes and others have suggested. They are constantly in competition over limited resources. This view is rooted in an anthropology that denies the divine command to be stewards of creation and... Read More

To mark the tenth anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si', the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales is holding an event with the Church of England and Methodist Church at Methodist Central Hall, Manchester. The event will draw on the experiences of faith leaders and be opened by the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham. Speakers Bishop John Arnold, Dr Emma Gardner, Head of Environm... Read More