Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato presented a King’s College webinar on investments and sustainability on 16th June 2021. Their book on the ethics of sustainability is due to be published by Panoma Press in November. Both David and Richard are participants in the London & South-East Care of Creation Monday Lunchtime Briefings hosted by Westminster Justice and Peace. Dr David Ko is the Justice and Peace Parish Contact for Our Lady of Victories, Kensington.
What is going on with sustainability? Why do we keep damaging the environment? What is really driving the problems? Is it the fault of the big businesses and the economy? Or, is it actually all on us? A case of “Lord make me pure, but just not yet”.
With three decades of investment experience working with pensions and savings institutions, Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato explored the ways in which we are all pushing the world beyond its limits. Our investments are draining the world of its resources just so we can hoard money for our individual futures – our retirement. If we are going to be sustainable, forget retiring – it is the ethical thing to do. If we can’t retire, what are we working for? If investing is unsustainable, should we save at all?
Speakers Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato are authors of a book on the sustainability issues of investments. After three decades in the industry, even as seasoned professionals they somewhat ashamedly admit to only recognizing recently the extent of the problems. We save to protect our own future, but the savings need to grow by so much that they destroy the future. The problem is our economy is not designed for a world with finite limits; an economic model for this needs to be centred on ethics and purpose. Having worked at renowned hedge funds such as LTCM and Millennium, and investment companies such as Henderson and Bank of America, they have recently left the industry so they may speak more freely.
The Webinar was hosted by King’s College Fellow, Dr Kamiar Mohaddes.
Watch interfaith messages to G7 leaders from an Interfaith Event organised by CAFOD at Truro Cathedral on the eve of the G7 Leaders meeting in Cornwall, Thursday 10th June 2021.
Truro Cathedral hosted an online ‘act of witness’ this evening, on the eve of the G7 summit. Participants sent messages to world leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States that people of faith in the UK and internationally expect the leaders at their summit in Cornwall to put in place plans for a global green recovery from Covid-19 and other crises.
The event was organised by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund, World Vision, Islamic Relief and Faith for the Climate Network. Speakers were from faith groups and from communities affected by the coronavirus, climate, and debt crises globally. Young campaigners who had travelled to Cornwall for the G7 summit were among around 80 people in the Cathedral but more than 1,000 joined online. Afterwards, CAFOD provided an online message board where anybody could send a message online to the leaders.
Ruth Valerio, Canon Theologian of Rochester Cathedral, welcomed everybody and homed in on the issues of vaccines, debt cancellation and climate action. She felt the G7 and COP26 in Glasgow in November provide, “huge opportunities for us to leave the damaging track we have been on.” Some hands of the ‘waves of hope’ initiative were waved in the cathedral.
Fr Augusto Zampini of the Vatican Covid-19 Commission called for better international access to vaccines and the suspension of intellectual property rights, which have held up vaccine distribution. He urged the cancellation of the debts of poor countries and called on G7 leaders, “to take seriously the commitment to care for our common home and implement the Paris Agreement of 2015”. He felt, we must “use creativity to improve our relationship with ecosystems” and “do our best to change this course of ecological destruction.”
Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam of Salisbury urged for political leaders “to put aside selfish concerns and work for the world’s common good.” He wanted the UK government to reinstate the full foreign aid budget which was reduced last year. His focus was a call for spiritual change and to rebuild human relationship with creation and the creator. “We cannot depend on techno-optimism” he suggested. Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth received a clap when, quoting from Laudato Si’, he said the Catholic Church stood alongside other denominations and faiths in listening “to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.” He urged a reduction in consumption, work for change in the direction of justice, and community conversion to act for the common good. And he touched on the need for structural change, particularly re-evaluating the current model of economic growth which promotes inequality and commodification of the environment.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and a young Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist called for moves towards a more sustainable relationship with nature. Andy Norfolk, Pagan representative from the Cornwall Faiths Forum, said faiths, “should find it easy to find a vision for a better world” and urged G7 leaders to look beyond short-termism and urgently address long term challenges. Davina Bacon of the Young Christian Climate Network spoke of the young people’s relay walk to Glasgow, starting on Sunday, recalling that “the tradition of pilgrimage is strong in many faiths.” She also highlighted that near the affluent G7 conference centre and local holiday homes around St Ives live many people on low incomes. She told the G7, “when you are making decisions – remember those made poor by systemic injustice; they don’t have a seat at your table.”
CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is live-streaming an event organised in conjunction with Christian Aid, Tearfund, World Vision, Islamic Relief and Faith for the Climate on Thursday 10th June at 7.00-8.00pm
It will be hosted by Truro Cathedral for people of faith to reflect ahead of the G7 summit and send a message to world leaders.
The G7 summit will see heads of government of seven of the world’s richest countries – including President Joe Biden – travel to Cornwall and discuss how the world can rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a crucial role to play, with the UK holding the presidency of the G7, CAFOD wants to send a message to him and the other G7 leaders that people of faith in the UK and around the world expect them to put in place plans for a global and green recovery from the crisis which leaves no one behind.
The pandemic means people can’t all travel to Cornwall to send this message to the leaders at the summit.
There will be reflections on the impact of the pandemic, rebuilding and sending a digital message to the presidents and prime ministers ahead at the start of their meeting the next day.
Join Colette Joyce, Westminster Justice & Peace Co-ordinator, for a circular Tree Walk from Westminster Cathedral, 3-5pm on Sunday 27th June.
Families and children welcome. Free.
Colette will help us reflect on the importance of trees within the Christian tradition and invite contemplation of some of the many beautiful trees within easy walking distance of Westminster Cathedral. As we walk, we will think about the nature and purpose of trees, especially their role in maintaining a stable climate that enables all life on land to exist and thrive.
Trees are essential to life on earth as we know it. They bind soil, remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, as well as providing a home for many species from birds to insects to squirrels.
Along the way we will consider, too, the significance we attach to trees – from the celebratory decoration of the Christmas tree to the solemn prayer before the wood of the cross.
This is an easy level circular walk. There is an option to leave the walk in St James’ Park, if you prefer, or to return to the Cathedral starting point by 5pm.
Advance registration will help us to meet health and safety requirements. Thank you.
Pope Francis has launched the Laudato Si’ Action Platform – 25 May 2021
Pope Francis’ has produced a video to introduce the new Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which is intended to aid Catholics worldwide take action to respond to the climate and ecological emergencies we are currently facing.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is offered by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development as a service to the universal Catholic Church and to “all men and women of good will.” (LS 3)
It features advice and resources for seven sectors:
Families and Individuals
Parishes and Dioceses
Educational Institutions
Healthcare Institutions
Organisations and Groups
Businesses, Farms and Co-operatives
Religious
More resources will be developed for the Platform as time goes on.
Westminster Justice and Peace extend congratulations to Ellen Teague and John Williams on receipt of the Pax Christi 2021 Peace Award. Both have a long association with Justice and Peace in the Diocese and we applaud this recognition of their labours over many years to bring faith to bear on many issues connected to peace-making and justice-building.
The gifts and talents of Ellen Teague and John Williams, recipients of the Pax Christi 2021 Peace Award, were celebrated with great thanks at the Pax Christi AGM on 22 May. Since 2001 Pax Christi has offered this bi-annual Peace Award to those who have shown a commitment for peace and justice but whose work may not be publicly recognised. Both happen to be Pax Christi members but the award sought to recognise the great breadth of their commitment to the Gospels.
Many would share our view that Ellen has done more than any other individual to bring together the strands of ‘justice and peace’, human rights and justice for the global poor, peace, disarmament and nonviolence, and environmental issues, particularly climate change. Her work in this field goes back decades. Ellen’s sheer hard work, responsiveness, commitment, skill, and efficiency is astonishing. As is her writing, from her editing for many years of the Columban journal Vocation for Justice to weekly Mass bulletins put out by the Redemptorists, the international St Anthony Messenger magazine, The Tablet, The Universe, and Independent Catholic News. Her personal integrity and honesty shines through especially about the Church, means that Ellen asks the awkward questions, however unpopular that might be with some church leaders put on the spot. People across the country value her warmth, concern for others, and encouraging friendship.
In accepting her award Ellen reflected on some of her experiences with Pax Christi since 1990: Some of the highlights have been editing the 1995 publication A Taste for Peace, taking part in a delegation to Palestine in 2015, kneeling outside the Ministry of Defence on Ash Wednesdays, playing the guitar at Pax Christi liturgies and much more.
“I also owe thanks to the Columban JPIC programme, where I have worked for three decades and greatly appreciate the strong links that have been established between Pax Christi and the Columban global family.”
It was encouraging to see Columban Lay Missioners and Columban priests at the ZOOM ceremony.
John Williams’ gifts have been especially expressed through his career in Catholic education. As a teacher in St Wilfrid’s School, Crawley, then as Head of RE and subsequently Deputy Head at St Peter’s in Guildford to his role in the Westminster Diocesan Education Advisory Team, John has championed the role of peace education and the social teaching of the church within Catholic schools. In all of this, he has been a close partner of Pax Christi and has given great support to successive Peace Education workers, a source of wise advice.
In his advisory work John coordinated a number of INSET days for teachers to explore issues of peace and nonviolence, especially in the wake of a number of knife crime incidents in Catholic schools in the Diocese. He took a lead role in developing a peace resource for schools for the London Olympics in 2012.
Within his parish Justice & Peace Group in Guildford John has helped to organise prayer vigils and memorial services including around the time of Remembrance and the 2014 WWI commemorations in particular
John continues to be valued Trustee of the Christian Peace Education Fund.
John said that he was accepting the award on behalf of all teachers who live peace through their skills in conflict resolution and in the way they present themselves to students. He reflected on the power of international visits, to schools and communities in Bethlehem in 2009 and to Malta in 2012, where he visited a church-base refugee project, as life-expanding experiences.
Both spoke with thanks of the role their families have played in supporting and forming them.
The medal they received was created by the artist Natasha Ratcliffe, its theme, PEACE, Please Enlist All Communities on Earth, an injunction certainly reflected in the life and work of both Ellen and John.
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Bishops’ International Affairs department has repeated calls for an end to “the occupation, discrimination and human rights violations that propagate violent attacks on civilians, standing in the way of a stable and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis.”
In a statement, Bishop Lang who is also Chair of the Holy Land Coordination of bishops which – before the pandemic usually visits the Christian community in Israel and Palestine once a year, says:
‘As people of peace, we pray for an end to the airstrikes, shooting, missile attacks, and communal violence engulfing the Holy Land.
Pope Francis reminds us that: “Every act of violence committed against a human being is a wound in humanity’s flesh; every violent death diminishes us as people.”
The local churches have clearly stated that peace requires justice. We echo their calls for an end to the occupation, discrimination and human rights violations that propagate violent attacks on civilians, standing in the way of a stable and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis.
We reaffirm our commitment to the internationally recognised status of Jerusalem, the Status Quo of its holy sites, and the equal rights of Jews, Christians and Muslims in the city.
At this critical time let us also offer our support to those humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to save lives and alleviate suffering.’
Open Letter from Dr David Toorawa, Lead Commission Member for Israel-Palestine
Dear Friends,
Some of you may have caught the interview today on BBC Radio 4 “Broadcasting House ” with Paddy O’Connell, where two friends from an Israeli village spoke about the madness which has overtaken two peoples yet again.
One was an Israeli Jew, the other an Israeli Palestinian. The village is Oasis of Peace ( Neve Shalom / Wahat al Salam).
I was privileged to visit and stay at Neve Shalom in 2013 in order to explore why a Catholic priest, Fr Bruno Hussar, should wish to found a community where Jews & Arabs could live in peace. He did so on land donated by the Trappist monastery of Latroun, a magical place. The story is likewise magical, but not accomplished without a great deal of prayer & hard work.
It was a revelation to sit in English classes for the children of both “communities” , where they were taught by a teacher moving with equal facility from Hebrew to Arabic to English.
The atmosphere at Neve Shalom needs replication throughout the Holy Land. Fr Bruno’s vision has yet to be tried beyond the original village….
Fr Bruno, who died in 1996, is buried in the village, overlooking the Ayalon valley . Also – see Joshua 10.v 12
Please take some time to visit the Oasis of Peace website and “Broadcasting House”….. the interview was circa 0930hrs
Those at the AGM of the National Justice and Peace Network, meeting on Saturday, were deeply shocked to hear of the attack by Israeli Police on Palestinians at prayer in the Al Aqsa Mosque on Friday evening. Palestinian worshippers have been denied access to the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan and this, along with the police and military incursions into this holy place, the use of stun grenades, rubber coated steel bullets and water cannons on those at worship, all contravene international law.
All of this is made worse by that fact that this is one of the most important times of the Muslim Year. Saturday’s attacks took place at Laylat-al-Qadr, the most holy day in the Muslim month of Ramadan, a time when Palestinians from all over the West Bank would attempt to pray in their most Holy Place. It followed the aggressive violence of armed Israeli settlers invading the communal Iftar meal of families in Sheikh Jarrah, upturning their tables, invading their homes and attacking women, men and children.
This excessive violence has continued since then and several Palestinian children are among the hundreds wounded. The violence has been described by some of the worst seen in Jerusalem for many years.
Palestinians are suffering the daily loss of their fundamental human rights, are constantly under threat of forced removal from their homes as in the Sheikh Jarrah district of occupied East Jerusalem.
Many news outlets are describing these incidents as ‘clashes’ and so inferring that these are incidents between equally armed sides. This is, of course, not the case. Unarmed worshippers were attacked by heavily armed police and at other times by even more heavily armed military.
We urge you and the Bishops of England and Wales to answer the call of the Heads of Churches in Palestine who say:
‘We call upon the International Community, the Churches and all people of goodwill to intervene in order to put an end to these provocative actions, and to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We join in prayer with the intention of the Holy Father Pope Francis that “the multi-religious and multi-cultural identity of the Holy City might be respected and that fraternity might prevail.”
We further ask you to:
– Tell our Sisters and Brothers in Palestine, and all those who are working for peace in Palestine and Israel, that we stand in solidarity and prayer with them in this on-going Nakba;
– Call for a day of prayer, in England and Wales, on Saturday 15th May for peace and justice in Palestine, and in particular in Jerusalem, as Palestinians recall the Nakba (the Day of Catastrophe);
– Publicly denounce the violent attacks on worshippers that have taken place in Sheikh Jarrah, the Al Aqsa Mosque and Haram al Sharif;
– Call on the Israeli Government, through the Israeli Embassy in London: to halt all forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, which if they proceed, will violate Israel’s obligations under international law; and to end the violence against worshippers and enable full access to all places of worship in keeping with international law.
You’ve probably all seen the shocking scenes from Jerusalem over the last few days. The violence in Jerusalem by heavily armed Israeli police, military and settlers, has escalated drastically in the last few days. Families in the Sheikh Jarrah district of occupied East Jerusalem have been the focus of excessive violence in which many have been traumatised when their homes were invaded and they were physically attacked and injured.
About 500 people are under threat of forced eviction from their homes so that a group of Israeli settlers can take them over. Last week as the families sat down to break their fast at a communal meal in the street outside their homes, they were interrupted by armed Israeli settlers who rampaged throughout the area, upturning the tables, attacking women, men and children and invading their homes. Many were injured and seriously traumatised.
During Ramadan, many Palestinians Muslims have been prevented from getting to the Al Aqsa Mosque, their most sacred place of worship. Last Friday and over the weekend, people at prayer in the Mosque were subjected to violent attacks by the Israeli Police and Military during which stun grenades, rubber coated steel bullets, tear gas and water cannon were used against them. Since then the violence has escalated and more worshippers have been attacked whilst at prayer and others on the courtyard area outside.
“We call upon the International Community, the Churches and all people of goodwill to intervene in order to put an end to these provocative actions, and to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We join in prayer with the intention of the Holy Father Pope Francis that “the multi-religious and multi-cultural identity of the Holy City might be respected and that fraternity might prevail.”
Pax Christi, England and Wales is responding to that call by asking our members and friends to join with us in the following urgent actions:
Urgent Actions:
Prayer:
Please join in our Pax Christi International call to prayer in ‘Circles of Silence’ on or near Saturday 15 May, as Palestinians recall the Nakba (catastrophe);
Light a candle each day/night and pray for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel;
Ask your parish/community to include prayers this weekend for the Peace of Jerusalem, and an end to the violence and forced evictions of Palestinian families from their homes.
Write to your local Church Leaders asking them to:
Call the local community to prayer for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel;
Speak out publicly to condemn the use of military force against people at prayer in the Al Aqsa Mosque and the forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes;
Send messages of solidarity and prayer to our Sisters and Brothers in Palestine.
Write to your MP/Elected Representative:
Please send them the CAABU statement (below) and ask them to:
speak out publically and call on the Israeli Government to immediately withdraw all troops from the area of the Al Aqsa Mosque;
end the violence against Palestinian protestors;
halt all planned evictions of families in the Sheikh Jarrah area of occupied East Jerusalem which, if carried out, would violate international law.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 