Category: Campaigns

12 July 2025 – Memorial Service for Victims of Knife Crime at Tollington Park

Outside St Mellitus, Tollington Park

By Valerie Flessati

Victims of knife crime in London were remembered at a memorial event held at St Mellitus Church, Tollington Park, in north London on Saturday 12 July. Fifty names were read out, and candles lit in memory of those young people: all under 30, many of them teens, of all ethnicities, and all leaving grief-stricken family and friends to cope with such devastating and senseless violence. Fifty, representing hundreds across London, murdered in recent years.

Parishioners of St Mellitus church, including some bereaved parents, were joined by leaders of the Finsbury Park Mosque, and Wightman Road Mosque, politicians, and partner organisations such as Caritas Westminster.

Sandra Campbell, CEO of Word 4 Weapons, described being a parent as ‘the hardest job in the world’, and identified with the difficulty of making choices which would best protect their children. Her charity installed (and empties regularly) a weapons disposal bin on the forecourt at St Mellitus. Word 4 Weapons has helped to remove tens of thousands of weapons from circulation, and is receiving an unprecedented number of new requests for bins from all over the country.

Speakers focussed on practical responses to knife crime, honouring the victims’ memory ‘not just with silence, but with purpose’ – as Islington Councillor Anjna Khurana put it. Islington Council ‘has been involved in the introduction of knife bins, “No Knife Shops” policies, and trauma-informed approaches to prevention and rehabilitation’. The Council supports local initiatives like the Targeted Youth Support service, parenting programmes, and the Ben Kinsella Trust, which offer young people positive alternatives and hope.

‘There’s lots for me to do as Member of Parliament, and there’s lots for us to do as a community,’ said Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet. At a recent meeting with knife crime specialists from the Metropolitan Police, her team had learned details about the glamorisation of knives online, how knives are sourced through online platforms, and about illegal knives getting into the UK through false shipping declarations.

A previous commitment kept Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, from attending the commemoration, but he sent a strong message to the gathering. ‘Essentially, we can only defeat knife crime through education, understanding, and a sense of community that makes sure that all young people have purposeful activities and options available to them in the crucial hours after school each day and during their free time.’

All the guest speakers concurred. Tackling knife crime requires a multi-faceted approach, including remedial actions, legislation and policing, but fundamentally a shift away from our violent culture. ‘As a community, we all must play our part to foster a culture of respect and nonviolence,’ said Councillor Khurana.

In this process the Church has deep truths to offer, as outlined during the Mass celebrated earlier for all victims of violence in London. ‘Anything that happens to any of us affects all of us… How do I live, in the world, that interconnectedness?’ asked Spiritan Father Pascal, as he viewed the day’s ceremony in the context of opposing all forms of violence and choosing life. ‘We all stand for life; we stand in solidarity with one another with an act of respect to human life and dignity. That is the cry, the longing and hope of our shared humanity.’

LINKS

Caritas Westminster – www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/

Word4Weapons – www.word4weapons.co.uk/

Bishop Nicholas Hudson Condemns Settler Attacks on West Bank Town of Taybeh

Bishop Nicholas Hudson

Source: CBCEW

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster with responsibility for Justice and Peace, Chair of the International Affairs Department of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and Moderator of the Holy Land Coordination, has condemned the alarming escalation in settler violence taking place in the West Bank town of Taybeh.

On Tuesday, 8 July, priests representing the town’s three Christian churches issued a joint statement about the repeated attacks on their land, holy sites, and property. They reported an account of arson that threatened the 5th century church of Saint George (Al-Khadr), one of the oldest religious sites in Palestine, and highlighted an on-going campaign of violence and intimidation that impacts on the security and stability of Taybeh.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson learned about the challenges facing the town and the local community when he visited the Catholic Church of Christ the Redeemer in January as part of an international delegation of bishops meeting in the Holy Land.

He said: “Just six months ago, I was in Taybeh visiting what is now the last remaining entirely Christian town in the West Bank, as part of the annual Holy Land Co-ordination meeting.

“We were able to hear firsthand from Fr Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of the Church of Christ the Redeemer, about the extreme pressure being placed on the local community by Israeli settlers acting with impunity.

“In recent days we have learned of an alarming escalation in settler violence and intimidation that is going unchecked by the authorities. The local churches have appealed to the international community for help and solidarity, and we wish them to know that we have heard their cry. We strongly condemn these attacks and all acts of intimidation perpetrated against civilians in Taybeh and across the West Bank, and we urge the relevant authorities to take decisive action to prevent such incidents from happening again.

“Taybeh, or ‘Ephraim’ as it is known in the Bible, holds deep significance to Christians. These deliberate and repeated attacks are a violation of human dignity and international law in a place that once offered shelter to Christ himself.

“The Palestinian Christians we encountered in January stressed to us that all they want to do is live and work in peace in their own lands, without the paralysing restriction of movement placed upon them, so they can provide for their families and live side-by-side with their neighbours.

“We encourage the Catholic faithful in England and Wales to pray for the suffering Christians and all those affected by this violence in the West Bank. Equally, we invite all people of goodwill to raise their voices in the face of oppression and injustice, urging our leaders to use their influence to bring an end to this persecution.

“It is important to echo the cry of the Taybeh church leaders when they say that the Holy Land cannot remain alive without its indigenous people. As they say, ‘Forcibly removing farmers from their land, threatening their churches, and encircling their towns is a wound to the living heart of this nation’. We stand in solidarity with the Christians of Taybeh and the wider Holy Land, who have a right to live in safety and security. With them, we have faith that truth with justice will prevail.”

Read the full statement by the priests of the churches of Taybeh: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52772

28 July 2025, 12.30pm: Westminster Justice and Peace to join Christian Service for Remembrance for the Gazan Dead

A Christian service of remembrance for those who have died during the war in Gaza will be held at the Foreign Office in King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH, on Monday, 28 July, from 12.30pm -1.30pm

During our prayer, we will read out some of the names from a list of 50,000 people who are known to have died so far in Gaza, (many thousands more are missing under the rubble) – a name for each 28th day of the month since the war started.

The killings of so many are not just statistics. They are individuals with faces and names. The families of many have not been able to honour their dead with dignity. In a token way, through this short service, we try to honour them by telling some of their stories.

Organisations coming together to pray include the following: Westminster Justice and Peace, The London Catholic Worker, Pax Christi.

For further information contact Barbara Kentish homeofficevigil@gmail.com

Refugee Week Home Office Vigil Report – Reflection by Bishop Paul McAleenan

Refugee Week Prayer Vigil 2025
Bishop Paul McAleenan (l) and Br Johannes Maertens at the microphone

Source: Barbara Kentish

The list of names heard at the vigil on 16 June outside the Home Office were numerous and distressing. They were a selection of people who died trying to reach Europe over the year from June 2023 to May 2024. 

The list was followed by a two minute silence to let the tragedies sink in, and then we heard a reflection from Bishop Paul McAleenan, spokesperson on migration for the Catholic Bishops’ conference. 

Attended by over 40 people, the ecumenical vigil follows the Christian imperative to mourn the tragic and horrifying deaths happening daily on Europe’s borders.

Bishop Paul, referring to the scripture account of the Flight into Egypt, said: ‘ Rachel mourned for the children killed as Jesus escaped with his family to Egypt. You are all ‘Rachel, mourning for her children, as you lament so many people fleeing persecution and war.’

This is an ecumenical vigil, on the third Monday of the month at 12.30pm. All are welcome.

Next Home Office Vigil: Monday, 21st July, 12.30pm.

There will be a further vigil on 28th July 2025, from the same co-ordinating group and co-sponsored by Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, for those who have died in Gaza over the last year. This will take place at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office off Whitehall, also at 12.30pm.

For information contact barbarakentish11@gmail.com or johanmaertens@hotmail.com

Bishop Paul McAleenan’s Reflection

To understand a person you have to know them. Knowledge of others is a necessary step towards understanding them. Often when migrants and displaced persons are spoken of what rises to the surface is statistics. Statistics reveal the extent and depth of affliction suffered by so many, but we must never forget that migration is about real people. When we encounter them, we know them as they really are and come to understand them.

Today we begin Refugee Week, the theme, ‘Community as a Super Power’. We salute the communities who this week through events and campaigns and initiatives are making a special effort to educate themselves and understand the realities behind migration. We honour the communities and individuals whose language and outlook is not, ‘we must protect ourselves’ but ‘we must listen and understand’. In listening we learn that migration for those without documents and status is not the result of a free decision. Within the term ‘enforced migration’ falls well known reasons, war, persecution, climate emergency, famine.

What about those whose details have been supplied to us whose names are contained within these the handouts we have received? Here we read of the man who left his home in Pakistan to earn money to repay his debts and support his family, of another who left home to earn money to support his disabled brother, and again of the one whose desire was to work so that he could build a roof for his family home.

To have to leave your country so that your family can have decent life is also enforced migration. The resources of our planet as we know are not for the benefit of a few. The principle of Catholic Social Teaching ‘The Universal Destination of Goods’ meaning the earth’s resources must be shared is not a principle for academia and debate but one which must have practical application. In other words people have right to leave their country to seek better opportunities for themselves and their families, they may not want to but they have to.

When migration is not the result of a free decision there is an even greater need to support that migrant, to accompany them, building bridges not walls, to expand channels for safe and regular migration, as Pope Francis, to whom we are so greatly indebted for his leadership on this matter said.

A community ready to welcome, protect, promote and integrate the newly arrived immigrant is essential.

Unfortunately there is not always a welcoming community. We are aware of the events in Northern Ireland last week. Incidents that the PSNI denounced as ‘racist thuggery’.

As we stand outside this building today conscious of the plight of refugees we think also of recently issued White Paper on Immigration We counter the introductory remarks on the White Paper with the reminder that essential work carried out every day by people in low paid, low skilled roles must be recognised and valued. For many migrants such jobs are the first step to becoming fully integrated. Without their contribution, dedication and hard work our hospitals, schools and care homes might not function. Their lives have enriched ours.

As we begin this year’s Refugee Week we implore all those involved in migration issues, be cautious in your words, let them be devoid of attempts to gain party political advantage; have listening and understanding as an essential component in your dealings with compassion in your decisions.

Despite our concerns there is room for hope. Today we express our support and admiration for those communities in our country who in this Refugee Week are implementing initiatives which reach out to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers offering them a welcome.

Revisiting Laudato Si’ – Report 7 June 2025

Watch the 60 seconds highlight video!

The Diocese of Westminster marked the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ – On the Care of our Common Home’ with an afternoon of celebration held at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice in Somerston, Euston, on Saturday 7th June 2025.

Fr Richard Nesbitt and John Paul de Quay were our guest speakers, as we also enjoyed prayer, workshops and home-made soda-bread! 

Watch the 60 seconds highlight video above!

The event was organised by Westminster Justice and Peace Commission in collaboration with the Westminster Laudato Si’ Animators and the FCJ Sisters.

FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice

Laudato Si’ Animators UK – Facebook Page

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

4 June 2025: Austen Ivereigh Speaks to the Northern and Southern Catholic Environment Groups

A very special combined event was hosted by the Southern Dioceses Environment Network and the Northern Dioceses Environment Group on 4th June 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis Papal Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ – On the Care of Our Common Home (2015).

Colette Joyce (Westminster) and Mark Wiggin (Salford) facilitated the meeting, with prayers led by Bernadette Jordan (Salford) and Siân Thomas-Cullinan (Brentwood).

We calculated that approximately 115 people registered for the event and we estimate 95 attended.

Our guest speaker, Austen Ivereigh, is a well-known Catholic journalist, writer and commentator with a special relationship with Pope Francis.

Austen helped us to reflect on where we have come in the last ten years and what we are being called to do in the next ten.

The publication of the papal encyclical Laudato Si‘ in 2015 galvanised Catholics around the world and in every country to unite with those of all other faiths and none in the common cause of caring for our home planet and all the people on it. Pope Francis urged us to integrate questions of justice into our debates on the environment, ‘so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ – for they are one and the same thing. (LS, 49). 

Austen deepened our reflection on the method that Pope Francis adopts to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, using a broad SEE-JUDGE-ACT model. The first stage is to enter the crisis and open our eyes to places where there is pain and suffering. What is happening to our Earth? The second task is discernment: finding where God’s action can be seen and what frustrates God’s action. The third was to move to proposals for action in line with the Kingdom, confident that what is aligned with the arc of the Kingdom is never wasted.

He suggested that the Laudato Si’ apostolate can be considered as enabling these three tasks: (a) helping people to see what is happening to our Earth and to help people experience grief and the desire to repent; (b) helping people enter into an understanding of what is happening (as does Laudato Si’ in chapters three and four); and (c) enabling processes of synodal discernment that move through these two stages into concrete actions.

A full report by Ellen Teague can be found here on Independent Catholic News

Supplementary Reading

AI – Artificial Intelligence and the Church https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html

Synodality – The Vatican’s Final Document on the recent world-wide process: https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/news/2024-10-26_final-document/ENG—Documento-finale.pdf 

Austen Ivereigh’s Publications Include:

  • The Great Reformer- Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope (2014). Biography of Pope Francis.
  • Let Us Dream (2020). Pope Francis reflection on what we learnt during the Covid pandemic.
  • First Belong to God: On Retreat with Pope Francis (2024). An eight-day Ignatian retreat drawing on the wisdom of Pope Francis and the spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Pope Francis and St Ignatius encourage us recognise our triple belonging: to God, to Creation and one another.

LINKS

Austen Ivereigh Website

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

Northern Dioceses Environment Group

Opening prayer: Bernadette Jordan (Diocese of Salford)

Adapted from a prayer by David Kossoff in ‘You have a minute, Lord?’ 1977

Lord, a word.
It’s about the world.
Your world that you made in six days,
Resting on the seventh and being pleased with your work.
And rightly so Lord.
It is a beautiful world you made.
Beautiful.
Well, Lord, it’s getting dirty.
We’re dirtying it, Lord.
You made the seas and the creatures therein, Lord.
And we are choking the creatures
with filth and oil, Lord.
You made all the creatures that
fly and swim and live on land.
And you looked on them and said, ‘Good.’
Well Lord, there’s quite a few
You wouldn’t be able to find.
Extinctions have happened and are happening right now.
We try to improve on your work, Lord.
We make a lot of noise and a lot of smoke.
And a lot of what are called waste-products.
Pollutants, Lord. Effluents and such.
Wonderful gifts you have given us, Lord.
Riches beyond imagination
Now we have the fastest roads and
The fastest cars and the fastest planes.
But sometimes we don’t stop to see the wonders
that are with us every day.
Every Spring you make it all new again, Lord,
Every summer it all grows.
Every autumn you show us colours to
Catch the breath, to swell the heart.
Every winter you remind us of your presence.
We need reminding, Lord.
We litter the place.
We clash with the colours.
And worse, to be quite honest, Lord,
A lot of us don’t notice.

Reflection from Bernadette
Pope Francis raised our awareness in his encyclical Laudato Si’ and coming together in celebration gives us hope. The natural world springs back new each year on Earth’s untrodden ground. This fills me with gratitude and thanksgiving. We are called to Hope that is linked to love and to a sense of responsibility for those who come after us. Lord, let us tread lightly on the Earth by reducing our demands and living simply.

Closing Prayer: Siân Thomas-Cullinan (Brentwood Diocese)

Loving God, as we close this time together,
we pause to recognise Your presence among us.

In our conversations, in our questions, and in our
shared commitment to care for this beautiful, fragile world
we carry with us the vision of Laudato Si’
A vision of a world
where the earth is treated not as a resource to be used,
but as a gift to be cherished.

A world where the dignity of every person is honoured,
where the vulnerable are protected,
and where justice and sustainability walk hand in hand.

Together, we hold onto the hope of a world that is fairer,
greener, and more deeply connected, where communities flourish,
creation is respected, and future generations can live with joy and peace.

As we step back into our daily lives, give us the imagination to dream big,
the courage to act boldly, and the grace to stay rooted in love for You,
for each other, and for our common home. Amen

9 July 2025 Mass Lobby of Parliament for the Climate

We need your voice!

On Wednesday 9 July 2025, thousands of people will be joining a mass lobby co-organised by The Climate Coalition

Register with the Climate Coalition

A mass lobby is an event where lots of people meet with their MPs on the same day to have powerful conversations about issues we care about.

Supporters of more than 100 organisations from across the UK will come to Westminster that day to ask our MPs to take action on climate, debt and nature.

In this Jubilee year, it’s vital that MPs also hear from people of faith. So please come along and promote this mass lobby in your local community and parish.  

Colette Joyce, the Westminster Justice and Peace Co-ordinator, will be based at the Faith for the Climate stall throughout the day in the QEII Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE. Call or message her on 07593 434905 if you would like to meet up on the day or assist for an hour or two on the stall yourself.

Catholics in Westminster are also invited to join the Lobby via CAFOD who will also have a strong presence on the day. There are travel subsidies available for those who would benefit from receiving assistance to get to the event. Follow the CAFOD link for details.

If you have joined in with previous mass lobbies, you will know how powerful these moments are and about the uniquely inspirational atmosphere generated on the day.

For those who haven’t attended a mass lobby before, this day will be a unique opportunity to join the Church’s global debt campaign and make our call for the cancellation of the debts of countries hit hardest by the climate crisis, loud and clear.  Even if you don’t get to meet your MP you can still be part of a big public act of solidarity and witness that will make a difference.

On the day, the Mass Lobby will end with Mass at Westminster Cathedral at 5.30pm! The Celebrant is Bishop John Arnold, Bishops Conference of England and Wales spokesman on the Environment.

Pope Leo XIV urges participation and discernment in developing the social doctrine of the Church

In an address to members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, Pope Leo XIV addressed the question of the development of social doctrine and stressed the responsibility of all the faithful to contribute to this process. In this way, he said, we would make a contribution to better understanding, hope and peace.

“I invite you, then, to participate actively and creatively in this discernment process, and thus contribute, with all of God’s people, to the development of the Church’s social doctrine in this age of significant social changes, listening to everyone and engaging in dialogue with all.”

Pope Leo XIV on Doctrine 2025 To the members of the %22Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice%22 Foundation (17 May 2025)Download

Two Free Places at the NJPN Conference, 25-27 July 2025, for Young Adults (18-35)

Westminster Justice & Peace has two fully-funded free places to offer to young adults (18-35) at the forthcoming National Justice and Peace Network Conference, 25-27 July 2025.

In return, we invite you to help as a volunteer at the event with tasks such as running our stall at the Just Fair, stewarding or helping with music and liturgy.

The Conference is being held at the beautiful Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU

All expenses will be covered including conference fees, accommodation, meals and travel.

Applicants must live, work or worship within the Diocese of Westminster.

To apply – please send a short message to the Co-ordinator, Colette Joyce, giving your name, address, phone number and email address and a brief description of why you are interested in this opportunity. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an online interview. Email: colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk

Closing Date: 2 July 2025

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

“War is a defeat for everyone” – Words of Pope Francis, quoted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re at His Holiness’ Requiem Mass on 26 April 2025.

“Peace be with all of you!” – The first words of Pope Leo XIV as he appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s in Rome having been just elected by the Conclave on 8 May 2025.

In this Jubilee Year, at a time of transition for the global Catholic community and great upheaval for the world, the National Justice and Peace Network invites you to our annual conference: ‘Towards a Just Peace – Challenging the Inevitability of Violence’

The weekend provides opportunities for networking and prayer with Catholics and others from across the country who share an interest in world peace and the promotion of social justice. There will be talks, workshops, prayer, a Just Fair with stalls from many different charities and organisations, and time for socialising.

Speakers this year include Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, who will address the theme, and Dr Joanna Frew of Rethinking Security, who will explore what real security looks like today.

Workshop contributors include Richard Solly of Jesuit Missions and Ellen Teague of the Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team who will explore links between violence and environmental problems. Another workshop will listen to the voices of bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who are committed to working together for a Just Peace. Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah will explore ‘Investing in Peace through Climate Action.’ Quakers in Britain will look at how local interfaith and intercommunal relations in Britain are impacted by international conflicts.

NJPN says: “Journey with us this jubilee year as we open the doors to a just peace for current and future generations. Join us as we commit to taking restorative action to bring about peace and justice for migrants, or people living in poverty and inequality and for a world in climate crisis. We owe it to future generations to make this Jubilee permanent”.

National Justice and Peace Network

Venue

The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU

Meals for Central London Catholic Churches Homeless Project Provided by Exclusive Mayfair Club

Clemente Attolico and colleagues with the delicious lunches they are taking to Farm Street.

By Nathalie Raffray

A prestigious Private Members Club in the heart of Mayfair has got involved with a project providing meals to people living on the streets.

Mark’s Club, in Charles Street, is one of several exclusive clubs to offer food donations to a homeless lunch project organised by the Central London Catholic Churches.

Annabel’s, George and Harry’s Bar, similarly exclusive clubs with a VIP list closed to most people, have also got involved, joining five-star hotels including the Connaught, Claridges and the Mandarin Oriental.

Set up in 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and supported by Westminster City Council, the homeless lunch service is run from Farm Street Church twice a week and can serve up to 180 people.

Clemente Attolico at Mark’s Club, told ICN that they heard about the project through Harry’s Bar.

They offer a variety of food, depending on the availability of the produce in the kitchen.

Clemente added: “We simply got involved so that we could participate more actively in our community’s wellbeing. A lot of properties were helping and it was only fair for us to participate as well. We are a small club, but we try to do our part.”

Father Dominic Robinson, parish priest at Farm Street church, said: “I’m so grateful to all the clubs for coming on board. It makes this such a wonderful community project which shows that a neighbourhood as wealthy as Mayfair also has a heart for the poorest.”

Besides the homeless lunch, served in the Arrupe Hall, the London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street, also hosts the Cana Lounge Café downstairs where they serve tasty treats, hearty soups, sandwiches and hot cooked meals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 11am and 2.30pm.

All items are offered for a reasonable recommended donation. All Café staff are volunteers, typically homeless or unemployed. The café’s mission is to help leverage skill development to get folks back into employment. Come and be a part of their journey. All food is made and prepared onsite. Daily specials, always fresh!

Takeaway and catering services are also available. For more details see links below.

LINKS

Farm Street Church: www.farmstreet.org.uk/

Cana Cafe: www.farmstreet.org.uk/cana-cafe

Mark’s Club: https://marksclub.co.uk/