A special Mass and prayer vigil to mark the one-year anniversary of the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader will take place in London on Tuesday, 19th November.
On this day last year, Houthi rebels seized the car carrier in the Red Sea, taking its 25 crew members hostage. Their whereabouts is not publicly known.
Stella Maris will be holding this service to stand in solidarity with the seafarers from the Galaxy Leader and their families, offering comfort and support as they continue to endure captivity. We will also pray for all seafarers who have faced threats and attacks while carrying out their vital work, as well as for peace and stability in the region.
This is an opportunity for the community to come together in reflection and prayer, remembering those who remain in danger and praying for their safe release.
The Mass and prayer vigil will take place on 19 November, 7pm in the Church of St Anselm and St Cecilia, Kingsway, London WC2A 3JA
A record number of Christians from different denominations – clergy, religious and laypeople – gathered for prayers at St Anselm & St Cecilia’s Catholic church in Holborn on Saturday 5th October 2024, before joining the 20th National March, from Russell Square to Whitehall, to appeal to the government to stop arming Israel and demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Israel and Iran.
The prayers were led by Revd Sam Fletcher, an Anglican priest from Exeter, and Colette Joyce, Westminster Justice and Peace Coo-ordinator.
The Jewish Bloc was also the largest ever.
Organisers say more than 300,000 people took part in the demonstration.
John Sloboda, academic, musician, and co-founder of Iraq Body Count , told ICN: “As a British Catholic I consider that participating in these marches and rallies is an important act of witness that I can offer, in the face of the ongoing decimation of the Palestinian people.
“What our taxes are paying for goes against everything I hold dear as a Christian. Marching together with fellow Christians jointly asserting “not in our name” brings some relief and encouragement, in the face what would otherwise be an overwhelming sense of despair about our country and the ultra-timid role our church leaders are playing at this potentially apocalyptic juncture in world history…” More
Bruce Kent, a key figure in the Justice and Peace movement in the Diocese and in anti-war campaigning nationally for many decades, is cited in this review of the 1984 nuclear disaster drama ‘Threads’ which is being reshown by the BBC today.
The television review programme ‘Did You See’ sought a range of views from people with a professional interest in the subject.
Bruce Kent of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament felt that “at the end it could have given people a bit more positive direction about the sorts of things they could actually do”.
Westminster Justice and Peace will be focusing on peace and nuclear disarmament throughout the coming year as we approach the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in August 2025.
Pope Francis has called for the world to put a ‘cancellation of debts and a cancellation of war’ at the heart of the 2025 Holy Year commemorations.
BBC to Show ‘Threads’ – 9 October 2024
One of the most terrifying programmes ever shown on British television, Threads is the nuclear apocalypse drama-documentary that continues to haunt people’s nightmares 40 years on. Ahead of a rare new showing on the BBC, here’s a look at how the drama still has the potential to terrify people.
First broadcast on 23 September 1984, anyone who tuned in to BBC Two on that Sunday evening would experience a bleak and unforgettable depiction of a massive nuclear bomb attack on a British city and its aftermath… more
Cardinal Vincent Nichols sent a message to priests in the Diocese of Westminster on Saturday, asking them to include urgent intercessions for peace in the Middle East in their weekend prayer intentions.
Dear Father,
You do not need me to tell you of the seriousness of the present situation in the Middle East and, in particular, the violence presently taking place in Lebanon and Israel. We see clearly that the potential for an escalating conflict, and all that this implies, is now immediate.
I ask you to include in the intentions for prayer this weekend an urgent cry to our Heavenly Father to touch and change all hearts that are intent on warfare, and to strengthen those who work for ceasefires and the progress of peaceful cooperation.
As this conflict spreads, more division will appear. As well as the threats and dread that fill the hearts of Jewish people, this conflict will now touch more deeply all Islamic communities, especially the Shia community in Lebanon, as well as the Christian communities there. Please pray that relationships here between these three great faiths can endure, not only in the countless interfaith local projects in service of those in need, which are such a feature of our society today, but also in many personal friendships. This is the witness we must continue to give.
A big concern on our hearts at the moment is the need for peace in the world as we approach nearly a year of war in Gaza, as well as remembering the on-going conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen and elsewhere.
The guest speaker at our Inaugural Justice and Peace Lecture at Farm Street on 1 September is Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General, who will address the theme of ‘Delivering Peace in a Multi Polar World’.
Join us to reflect deeply on how we might contribute to building a culture of peace and not war.
St James’ Piccadilly, was the gathering place for the Christian Bloc taking part in the 18th national march for Palestine in London on Saturday. Some participants, from churches of different denominations, came from as far away as Hertfordshire, Surrey and Sussex. After prayers together they joined the main march in Regent Street, walking alongside Jewish, Muslim and secular campaign groups, passing Hyde Park before ending near the Israeli embassy on Kensington Road. Organisers say more than 100,000 people took part.
Speaking from a stage, broadcast on screens, a series of speakers described the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank and appealed for the British government to stop arming Israel.
Daniel Kebede from the National Education Union said: “Across the UK and in many parts of the world thousands of children are returning to school. But for the children of Gaza there is no such respite from the relentless war that has blighted their young lives for almost a year now. Palestinians place a high value on the education of their children and young people. 625,000 in Gaza have been denied the inalienable right to education since October 7 last year.
“Now we are in a second school year which there is no prospect for returning to school. No respite from the relentless bombardment that is terrorising their young lives. Scholasticide is taking place in Gaza. The destruction of all education infrastructure with the deliberate targeting of schools and universities and the indiscriminate killing of children and their teachers. Almost 10,000 schoolchildren have been killed along with over 400 of their teachers.
“According to NGOs working in Gaza, 93 per cent of their schools which have specific protection under international law have sustained major damage. 156 UNRWA schools have been hit directly, despite the fact that many are providing refuge for displaced people.
“All twelve of Gaza’s universities have been bombed, leaving 88,000 students unable to continue their education. 90 percent of the Palestinian population has been displaced. Over 40,000 killed. 94,000 injured. Many more missing beneath the rubble.
“How long must this be allowed to continue? We need a ceasefire now. The ICJ has ruled that there is a credible case that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. The UK must now ban all arms sales to Israel. My union, the National Education Union will continue to stand up for the Palestinian people. We will continue to stand up for the rights of children to have an education.”
Sophie Bolt, CND Vice Chair questioned why the UK government has no money for pensioners’ cold weather payment; no money for families with more than two children – yet they have money to supply weapons to Israel.
Dr Ismail Patel from Friends of Al Aqsa expressed his grief at the barbaric behaviour of Israeli forces towards prisoners, and Palestinian civilians. By acting like this “Israel dehumanizes itself” he said.
Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom gave a heartfelt speech in which he said: “Israel has failed for 76 years to erase the Palestinian people and it will continue to fail. It must leave occupied territory now and third parties must end their support for Israel’s unlawful occupation.”
See his full address here:
Saturday’s march was organised by a coalition of organisations, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al Aqsa, the Muslim Association of Britain, the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Forum in Britain. The Christian Bloc included Catholic, Anglican and Methodist clergy and religious, representatives from the London Catholic Worker, Pax Christi, Christian CND and Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace.
One Christian campaigner, a retired schoolteacher, told ICN: “These marches are tiring, but they are nothing compared to the hardships experienced by people in Gaza. I can’t imagine how they survive, sleeping in makeshift tents with severe shortages of food and water. This is the least we can do.”
Once again this Saturday, 7 September, Westminster Justice and Peace will be joining the Christian bloc at the Ceasefire Now! rally in Central London to pray and march for peace and justice for Palestine.
The UK government has finally acknowledged that weapons made in this country are being used to commit war crimes in Palestine, but has suspended only 30 of its 350 arms contracts with Israel. Nothing short of a full arms embargo will do. The UK must stop arming Israel immediately.
Schedule
12.15 – Meet outside St James, Piccadilly, W1J 9LL 12.30 – Pray together 13.00 – Join the march
A big concern on our hearts at the moment is the need for peace in the world as we approach nearly a year of war in Gaza, as well as remembering the on-going conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen and elsewhere.
The guest speaker at our Inaugural Justice and Peace Lecture at Farm Street on 1 September is Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General, who will address the theme of ‘Delivering Peace in a Multi Polar World’.
Join us to reflect deeply on how we might contribute to building a culture of peace and not war.
All are welcome to join the Westminster Holy Land Roundtable on an outing to the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley, 52 High Rd, London, N2 9PJ, to see the London premiere of a ‘Gaza – A Story of Love and War’ on Sunday 8th September at 3.30pm.
There will be an in-person Q&A with director Mike Joseph after the film.
Synopsis
Two journalists meet to share stories online. Mike Joseph is Welsh, of Jewish parents, and unable to get into Gaza. Sami Abu Salem is Palestinian and unable to escape. Mike’s uncle fought in Jewish forces which destroyed Palestinian Burayr in 1948. Sami’s mother escaped from there to refuge in Gaza. Ten years earlier, Mike’s mother was expelled from Germany, to refuge in Wales. As they talk, a very personal history of the Palestinian Nakba is narrated, from 1948 to 2024. We hear remarkable connections in their stories. Their talk leads to a most unexpected question: Is coexistence possible? They dare to explore hope.
Ten days later comes Hamas’ bloody invasion. Israel responds laying siege to Gaza and killing tens of thousands.
So an exchange of impossible hopes is lost in the ashes of war and genocide.
The host and moderator of the Q+A will be Tim Llewellyn, of the Balfour Project. Tim was formerly the BBC Middle East Correspondent, amongst others covering the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
FROM THE GUARDIAN REVIEW
“Made on an infinitesimal budget but with compassion, empathy and consideration, this documentary is the product of an encounter between two journalists…The conversation they did manage to record before all hell broke out is moving and thought-provoking. The two men emphasise how much they have in common as children of trauma, rather than what might divide them.” The Guardian
Parishioners from Ss Alban and Stephen Church held a joint service with the St Albans’ Abbey community, and representatives of other churches and of Pax Christi, in Sumpter Yard at St Albans Abbey (Cathedral) on Sunday 4 August 2024.
This is an annual event which takes place on the Sunday closest to 6 August, when the first atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. 6 August is also the Feast of the Transfiguration.
This year the Pillar was relocated to a new site at the Abbey and to mark this change, the service started with a blessing of the Pillar in it’s new site.
Pupils from Loreto College produced Origami Peace Cranes which were distributed at all Masses in Ss Alban and Stephen Church at the weekend and were also distributed to those attending the service.
The vigil is always conducted at the Peace Pillar which is a gift from the people of Japan to the Cathedral.
It was given in 1982 to commemorate the decision of Dean Cuthbert Thicknesse to refuse to allow the Abbey bells to be rung to celebrate the end of the War in the East. At the time the Guardian reported the Dean’s decision, as explained at a council meeting on 14th August 1945, as follows:
“After the dean, who is the mayor’s chaplain, had opened the council meeting with prayer, he made a statement to the council. “Let it not be supposed,” he said, “that any of us withhold our due sense of gratitude for the mighty deliverance. The events of the last ten days had given cause for deep searchings of heart to many people. “The decision to use the atomic bomb was made by the leaders of the democratic nations. We are all, therefore, though without our consent, implicated in that act. I do not hold a service of thanksgiving in St. Albans because I cannot honestly give thanks to God for an event brought about by a wrong use of force, by an act of wholesale, indiscriminate massacre which is different in kind from all the acts of open warfare hitherto, however brutal and hideous.”
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 