Category: Events

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin December 2022

Family members mourning Shereen Abu Akleh at a meeting with the Holy Land Coordination group May 2022

Bishop Nicholas Hudson writes:

“For the peace of Jerusalem pray!” (Psalm 122, 6). That was the phrase that resonated most deeply within me as we sought as a group of bishops to fathom Jerusalem’s religious vocation. We had gathered from diverse nations to make up this year’s Holy Land Coordination.

That Jerusalem is a Jewish city, a Christian city, a Muslim city: that was the deepest truth we took away from our visit to this city, which is so sacred to all three faiths. We also took away the conviction that the Christian community in Jerusalem has a particular calling to articulate this conviction.  Not only is the Christian community an essential part of Jerusalem’s identity.  It also has a peculiar freedom to speak the truth of Jerusalem’s multiple identity.

Meanwhile the Holy Land Coordination feels duty bound to warn that the Christian community’s continued presence there is threatened by occupation and injustice.  Many of those we encountered are facing violence and intimidation by settler groups, restrictions on their freedom of movement, or separation from their families because of the status they are assigned.

Issues of occupation, status, diverse cultures and faiths being forced to live alongside one another – every one of these modern realities was, of course, central to the Jerusalem into which walked the Holy Family two millennia ago. The Massacre of the Innocents, of “Rachel weeping for her children” (Jeremiah 31, 15), were made all the more real for us as we witnessed the pain being experienced by the family of Palestinian Catholic journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She had been gunned down as she went about her work as a journalist reporting on the inequities she observed in Israeli society – only for her mourners to be fired upon as they laid her body to rest.

“I came into the world for this,” Jesus told Pilate, “to witness to the truth” (John 18).  Because he witnessed to the truth, his life was taken from him.  The life was taken from Shireen because she too witnessed to the truth.  

Visiting Jerusalem at the time of her mourning brought home to us with greater force than ever the truth that Christians worldwide share a dual vocation with regard to Jerusalem: to denounce the persecution of the continuing Christian community there but, at the same time, call that community to have the courage to declare more loudly than ever that this sacred place is not only Christian but also Jewish and Muslim. For that is surely the only way to “the peace of Jerusalem”.

+Nicholas Hudson

Advent 2022

Bishops meet with family of Christian Palestinian journalist killed in Jenin

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin December 2022Download

Posthumous Diocese of Westminster Award to Peace Campaigner Bruce Kent

Bruce Kent with the Pax Christi Banner

On Thursday 17 November, the Diocese of Westminster presented awards to eleven volunteers or groups of volunteers for their work in responding to needs in their parishes and communities. During the evening special mention was made of two individuals who had committed their lives to volunteering, and improving the lives of those around them. Bruce Kent, well known activist and campaigner for peace, and Libby Biberian, a volunteer at Caritas St Joseph’s.

Fr Joe Ryan, former Chair of Westminster Justice and Peace, gave this tribute to Bruce’s life and work:

“I have known Bruce Kent for over 50 years, firstly as a fellow-priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster. He was Secretary to Cardinal Hennan. As University Chaplain, he secured the premises at Gower Street and in priestly ministry I had always found him inspiring, encouraging and totally dedicated in his love of God and his fellow human beings. 

One can only stand in awe at the breadth and depth of his varied concerns for others.  

His vision was local but also there were no limits to his horizons. 

In five minutes how could anyone deal adequately with his involvement and leadership in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND): Abolition of War; Amnesty International; Pax Christi; Social Justice; Human Rights; Geneva Conventions; Rights of Prisoners; His extensive Letter Writing and Prompting notes to Leaders; Ethical Investments; Parish involvement….. and much more 

All this involvement done with sincerity, clarity and a sense of humour. 

Whether you were rich or poor; powerful or less-so; Bruce treated each person with the same dignity and respect. 

He was a gifted speaker with natural authority. He had a razor-sharp intellect always able to get to the kernel of his topic in the minimum of words. His clarity of thought and his Christian faith brought light and direction to many of us struggling with complex arguments around subjects like war and peace and the care of our planet. 

He was all the time probing as to the underlying causes of injustices and human tragedies. This was where many people saw him as a threat. It was like Archbishop Helder Camera who once said: 

“When I feed the hungry, they call a saint, but when I ask why the poor are hungry, they call me a communist” 

When I replaced Bruce as parish priest in St Aloysius, Somers Town (Euston), our friendship entered a new phase. I had seen the work he had done in the parish and beyond and found it all so inspirational and uplifting. Personally, I am very much in debt to Bruce also for his encouragement during me thirteen years as Chair of the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission. 

And a new image of Bruce!  I could see him as God’s ventriloquist or the ventriloquist of the Holy Spirit! One who spoke on behalf of others who had no voice of their own. Jesus needs our hands, our hearts and our voices today to proclaim the Gospel message with clarity and conviction. Bruce did this with distinction! 

As we celebrate this award, given posthumously, and accepted by Valerie, his wife, there are a few important items for us all. The best way to pay tribute to Bruce is to take up maybe just one of the many concerns he had in his life. His tireless concern for the poor, the marginalised, those in whatever need they find themselves, the asking of relevant questions – these are the ways we can keep Bruce’s memories alive”. 

Diocese of Westminster Volunteering Awards

Pax Christi

Red Wednesday 23rd November – Trio of Events at the Ukrainian Cathedral

To Book visit Aid to the Church in Need website

Red Wednesday Petition

We request that the UK Government call on their Nigerian counterparts to bring to justice those responsible for genocidal attacks such as the Pentecost Sunday 2022 massacre and countless other killings, abductions and other atrocities. The UK Government must demand the arrest and imprisonment of terrorists, the return of lands and villages, as well as compensation for the destruction of properties and livelihoods.

Sign the Petition

Report from Caritas Westminster Cost-of-Living Conference

Pat Fernandes (Advice for Renters) with Elroy and Laura from White City Parish, where a Community Hub has already been set up to promote social and economic inclusion

Source: Caritas Westminster

On Saturday, 12 November, 56 people from 38 parishes and schools across London and Herts came together to learn more about how they can support their communities in the current Cost of Living Crisis.

The conference was organised by Caritas Westminster alongside Advice for Renters as part of our response to the financial difficulties that are hitting many people in the Diocese at this time.

Sr Silvana Dallanegra, Financial Resilience Lead for Caritas Westminster, was one of the main organisers, with Pat Fernandes from Advice 4 Renters Money. She says: “Our aim wasn’t to tell people how grim things are – they know that already. Our aim was to equip and strengthen them with knowledge and resources around the solutions that are out there, and the organisations that can help. We also wanted to give them more confidence around how to have conversations with people who might be struggling, and how to support them in accessing the help and advice they need. And we also hoped everyone would get the chance to network, and begin learning from each other – which, judging by the buzz during group discussions and breaks, certainly happened!”

Attendees were able to attend a variety of workshops to learn more about debt, loan sharks, credit unions, saving energy and other solutions, in order to better support people in their communities. They were also told about Firm Foundations, our bespoke training programme for Money Champions, which we are planning to run again in 2023. Many of those who came are already helping people as members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP), and through provision of food, distribution of supermarket vouchers or other social outreach projects. Everyone said how informative, useful and eye-opening all the sessions had been.

Nicholas O’Donnell from Knebworth SVP said: “This was my first time at this type of event, and I loved the whole day. I have made some useful contacts and learned so many things which will help me in my work. I also benefitted from having Bishop Paul share some of his experience.”

Anne Lamont, from West Green parish told us that the day contained “An excellent range of information, plus the opportunity to network and share ideas – I only wish we could have had longer! I felt we were given practical ideas for action, and for living out Catholic Social Teaching. I’m taking all these ideas back to my parish’s Live Simply group, so that we can consider what practical support and advice we can offer to parishioners in need.”

Workshops were delivered by experts from Advice for Renters Money, Green Doctors, Illegal Money Lending Team, Community Money Advice, London Capital Credit Union and Acts 435, and attendees also had a chance to meet each other and share ideas. Caritas Westminster would also like to thank Andrew O’Neill and his staff at the conference venue: All Saints Catholic College in Ladbroke Grove.

Bishop Paul McAleenan, Chair of Caritas, was present throughout the day. Summing up at the end he commented on how he had been struck that the emphasis throughout – in the presentations and the discussions – was less on the issue or problem, and much more on the person at the heart of the matter. This, he felt, was a clear emphasis on each one’s God-given dignity and worth.

The conference took place on the eve of the World Day of the Poor – a day for to renewing commitment to solidarity with those in our community who are struggling or marginalised. This can be hard when we are all beginning to feel the pinch, but the Pope, in his message for World Day of the Poor 2022 says: “This is the moment for us not to lose heart but to renew our initial motivation. The work we have begun needs to be brought to completion with the same sense of responsibility.”

The conference on Saturday aimed to enable volunteers in social outreach projects to go beyond providing emergency support, to walking alongside people as they find ways to solve problems and reach their potential.

As the Pope also said in his message: “Where the poor are concerned, it is not talk that matters; what matters is rolling up our sleeves and putting our faith into practice through a direct involvement, one that cannot be delegated.”

LINK

Caritas Westminster – www.caritaswestminster.org.uk

Advice for Renters: https://adviceforrenters.org/about-us

COP27 Global Day of Action, London Mobilisation Report

Westminster Justice and Peace at the Global Day of Action, The Strand, London for COP27, 12th November 2022

COP27 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION MOBILISATION, SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER, 11.30AM, LONDON

Westminster Justice & Peace joined CAFOD, the Southern Dioceses Environment Network, Christian Climate Action, Christian Aid, Tearfund, Quakers, Buddhists, Faith for the Climate and many other civic groups on Saturday 12th November for the Global Day of Action rally in Central London on the middle Saturday of COP27, the UN Climate Conference.

The faith bloc gathered at St John’s Church Waterloo, where they were welcomed by Rev Canon Giles Goddard and prayers were said in the garden, before moving to join a larger crowd outside the head office of oil giant Shell building on the Southbank.

Among these were health workers, scientists and campaigners highlighting the plight of climate refugees. Eco-Sikh called for a ‘Loss and Damage Fund Now’. Then thousands marched to Trafalgar Square for a rally.

Colette Joyce, coordinator of Westminster Justice & Peace Commission, who led the Westminster Justice & Peace group on the march said: “The urgency is growing with each year that passes, and so we can and must keep the pressure on to demand tangible results this time.”

Banners carried by pupils from St George’s Catholic Secondary School, Maida Vale

Report on Independent Catholic News

10th November 11am St Martin-in-the-Fields: Service for homeless people who died in past year

Homeless Jesus by Timothy Schmaltz, Farm Street Church

A Service of Commemoration for people who have been homeless who have died in the past year, will take place this Thursday, 10 November 2022 at 11.00am at St Martin-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4JH

The Choir with No Name, Streetwise Opera and the Gavin Bryars Ensemble will be performing.

The Service will be followed by refreshments in St Martin’s Hall to which all are welcome.

Revd Richard Carter writes: “Please check your journey plans as there is TFL tube disruption on Thursday. We are hoping as many of you can come as possible by bus, rail bike and foot. All our choirs are still hoping to be with us. We look forward to seeing you at the service and the reception afterwards.”

The service will also be live streamed on: www.facebook.com/stmartininthefields

Watch a short clip from the 2019 service: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWYkVTVU-tU

The State of Our Common Home in the Aftermath of COP27 with Mathew Lawrence, 17th November 2022, 7-8pm

London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street

Speaker: Mathew Lawrence

Venue: London Jesuit Centre

Date: Thursday 17th November, 7.00-8.00pm

COP26 was described by commentators and political leaders as the ‘last chance saloon’ for global leaders to develop strategies to tackle the problem of climate change. A year on, the world is convulsed by the aftermath of Covid, economic instability and the war in Ukraine. Climate change has slipped down the agenda. Major nations have failed to live up to the obligations made at Cop26 last year and the $100 billion of climate finance which developed nations promised at 2009 would begin in 2020, has been postponed until next year. All the while, the catastrophic affects of climate change are becoming more and more visible in Pakistan, Sudan, California and even here in the UK.

Mathew Lawrence is the founder and Director of Common Wealth, a UK-based think tank that designs ownership models for a democratic and sustainable economy. His recent book Planet On Fire, is subtitled ‘a manifesto for the age of environmental breakdown.’ He will join the Jesuit Centre’s Laudato Si’ Champion – Aidan Cottrell-Boyce – to analyse the outcomes of Cop27. He will discuss future directions which policy-makers should be taking to create a more sustainable economy and will offer advice for ‘all people of good will’ on how best to participate as citizens in this ongoing defence of our common home.

Book with London Jesuit Centre

Suggested Contribution £10

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin November 2022

Colette Joyce, Westminster Justice & Peace Co-ordinator, writes:

In person events are back! And we have three coming up all on the same day which provide opportunities for formation and action across a range of issues that are currently at the forefront of our minds. Perhaps one or other of them will be of particular interest to you, your friends, family or other parishioners? Please pray for all the organisers who are working hard to enable the Catholic community to respond to the biggest concerns of our day .

12th November, 10.30am-5.00pm
Firm Foundations in a Cost-of-Living Crisis
With Caritas Westminster
All Saints College, 75 St Charles Square, W10 6EL
Includes workshops.
Light lunch provided.
Register with Eventbrite

 12th November, 11am-4pm
National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) Open Networking Day
‘A Better Kind of Politics’ 
Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7JB.
Facilitated by the Quaker Truth and Integrity Group.
Free.
More details on NJPN Website

12th November, 11.30am-4pm
COP27 Global Day of Action Mobilisation
Start outside St John’s Church, Waterloo, SE1 8TY, for prayers.
Walk to Shell building on the South Bank.
Rally at Trafalgar Square.
Register with CAFOD to let us know you will be joining us on the day
To walk with Westminster Justice & Peace contact Colette colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk / 07593 434905
More details on COP27

As usual, our E-Bulletin provides many ways to get involved with the responses of our Catholic community and others. We invite you, in particular in the coming weeks, to pray for the government, business and community leaders gathering in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for the UN Climate Conference, COP27, 6th-18th November 2022. Twenty-six previous such meetings have yet to result in any overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but the urgency is growing with each year that passes and so we can and must keep the pressure on to demand tangible results this time.  Visit our COP27 webpage to find out more and how to get involved. 

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin November 2022Download

Chine McDonald Speaks at CARJ AGM – Saturday 5th November 2022


Your Special Invitation

This Saturday, November 5th 2022, The Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) will have its AGM with the Business meeting at 11-12 noon.

Chine McDonald was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK when she was four years old. She read Theology at Cambridge University before training as a newspaper journalist. She was also head of ‘public engagement’ at Christian Aid, and is a regular contributor to BBC Religion and Ethics programmes, including Thought for the Day, the Daily Service and Prayer for the Day. Her first book was titled “Am I beautiful”. She sits on the boards of several charities including Greenbelt Festival, Christians in Media, and Christians Against Poverty. She is also the Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. Her second book, “God is not a white man” was published last year.

At 1pm after Lunch there will be a talk given by the author of ”God is not a White Man,” Chine McDonald, on the topic “God, race and the imago Dei: black women in the Church”.

Venue: St Thomas More Church Hall, 9 Henry Road, London N4 2LH

There is an option for Participation by Zoom. Please email info@carj.org.uk for information.

Other Details for the AGM
Extraordinary General Meeting 10.00-10.45am
AGM Business Meeting 11:00am – 12.00pm

Lunch, AGM Talk and Activities from 1pm

Further information and booking: It is helpful, for catering purposes, to know in advance who is coming. Please contact: Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ), 9 Henry Road, London N4 2LH (020 8802 8080), info@carj.org.uk

Directions: St Thomas More Church is a short walk from Manor House Underground Station. Leave the Station via Exit 5; and walk along Seven Sisters Road toward Finsbury Park Station. Take the first turning on the left (Portland Rise) and then the second turning on the right (Henry Road). Anyone who is driving has to enter the complex of streets around Henry Rd by turning off Green Lanes into Gloucester Drive.

UPDATE – COP27 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION MOBILISATION, SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER, 11.30AM, LONDON

Join CAFOD, Westminster Justice & Peace, the Southern Dioceses Environment Network and other Catholic groups in the Faith Bloc for this Global Day of Action rally in Central London on the middle Saturday of COP27, the UN Climate Conference.

LOCATION

Starting Location: St John’s Church, Waterloo, SE1 8TY

Date: Saturday, 12th November 2022, 11.30am

We will be meeting at 11:30am outside St John’s Church, Waterloo, for prayers from different faith traditions, before joining the main march outside the Shell building on the South Bank, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7NA, at noon. The march route ends at Trafalgar Square, where there will be a rally from 2:30 until around 4pm.

Register with CAFOD to let us know you will be joining us on the day

Contact Colette Joyce if you would like to walk with Westminster Justice & Peace – colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk / 07593 434905

Bring your own home-made banners or signs or use those provided by CAFOD.

CAFOD Supporters at the Global Day of Action for the Climate, Glasgow, 2021, COP26

KEY CLIMATE DATES