Westminster Justice and Peace are part of the Faith for the Climate network which brings together people of different faiths working on climate issues across the UK.
Faith for the Climate are hosting an interfaith event for Great Big Green Week at St John’s Church, Waterloo , 73 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8TY, on Sunday 9th June 2024, 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
Everyone is welcome. Do come along and join us!
1.00pm – Interfaith Picnic Communal picnic in the garden of St John’s Church – including children’s activities and faith-based stalls focused on the Great Big Green Week’s theme of ‘swaps’. Please bring your own picnics. The Justice and Peace Co-ordinator for Westminster, Colette Joyce, is planning a treasure hunt!
2.30 pm: Creative Responses to the Climate Crisis Entertainment including poetry and performances.
3.15 pm: Interfaith Responses & Commitment
3.30 pm: Tea
Faith for the Climate exists to encourage, inspire and equip faith communities in their work on the climate crisis. People of faith see our planet as a gift, and believe we have a sacred responsibility to show solidarity and support for those who have done the least to cause climate change but are suffering its worst impacts.
Many of our faiths and belief systems also share a “Golden Rule”: treat others as you wish to be treated. Faith communities have a unique and precious role to play – in our thought, speech, worship and action, alongside and in partnership with secular environmental organisations – enabling people of faith to live out their calling by acting to protect the climate.
The Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK) has called for supporters to stand in solidarity with refugees, amid reports that the Home Office is launching a major operation to detain people in preparation for their deportation to Rwanda.
Senior Policy Officer Sophie Cartwright said: “Right now, people who came to the UK in search of sanctuary are living in fear of this reckless attack on human rights. As a society we cannot stand by while our obligations towards refugees are abandoned, and people are subjected to the horrors of detention and deportation.”
JRS UK accompanies, serves and advocates for the rights of refugees. As well as providing services to meet people’s immediate needs such as food and accommodation, the charity offers casework and legal support to help people navigate the asylum system. Since its founding JRS UK has accompanied people in detention – providing practical support and shining a light on the shocking conditions in the UK’s Immigration Removal Centres.
Sophie Cartwright added: “We urge anyone who is appalled by what is happening to raise their voice and to help JRS UK’s work supporting those who are put at risk by these inhumane policies. In detention centres, through our services, and through our advocacy we will continue to stand alongside people seeking safety in the UK.”
Westminster Justice and Peace were once again among Christians of all denominations showing solidarity for the people of the Holy Land at the thirteenth national ‘Ceasefire Now!’ rally on Saturday 27th April 2024.
We gathered at St Matthew’s Church, Westminster, for prayers, before heading out to join the national peace rally, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
One organiser said: “This genocide shows no sign of stopping, and, along with the military slaughter we are seeing intentional starvation – the grossest of human rights abuses and a violation of humanitarian law. Now is not the time to stop making our voices heard.”
Armed with posters and banners the group marched into Trafalgar Square, joining thousands of Jewish, Muslim and secular peace groups and individuals heading for Hyde Park.
As they reached the park gates they stopped for a brief prayer before joining the rally to hear the speakers. These included a Holocaust survivor, politicians, artists and human rights campaigners.
Stephen Kapos, an 87-year-old originally from Budapest, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, said: “We want to stress our solidarity with the Palestinian people” adding that memories of the Holocaust should never be used as cover for Israel’s actions in Gaza. “The right wing has been claiming that there are no-go areas of London for Jews. We want to prove that’s wrong – we are very welcome here.”
Irish MEP Clare Daly gave a powerful speech demanding an arms embargo against Israel. She further called out Joe Biden, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Rishi Sunak for supporting and enabling Israel, as the genocide in Gaza continues.
Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill told the crowds: “Ireland stands for and with Palestine. From this platform we demand an immediate and unconditional ceasefire We need to see an end to the genocide, an end to the ethnic cleansing and collective punishment of the people of Gaza. What is happening in Gaza in the gravest human rights violation of our time.
“Six months of occupation has seen Israel indiscriminately slaughter 35,000 Gazans including 15,000 children. We in Ireland have deep empathy with the Palestinian people, born of that shared experience of colonialism and occupation. Sinn Fein has demanded that the Irish government do more to hold Israel to account. Friends, Ireland knows conflict. But we equally know the value of hard won peace. No conflict is intractable. Peace is always possible and peace most now be the shared will of the international community now. World leaders, especially the United States face a choice. Stand by International law, human rights and justice or stand by the savagery of Israel…. So today with one voice we say to Israel: stop the slaughter.
CND Vice-President Jeremy Corbyn, and CND Chair Tom Unterrainer also addressed the crowds.
Actress Juliet Stevenson gave a moving reading of ‘If I die’ the last poem by Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer before he was killed by Israel in Gaza in December.
In his address, Gary Younge, Sociology Professor at University of Manchester and former Guardian journalist spoke powerfully of the historical parallels in the present moment of the Gaza genocide, and why we must keep going – because we will accept nothing less than freedom for Palestine. “You can cut down the flowers but you can’t stop the spring,” he siad.
Rose Haddow from Our Lady Help of Christians church in Kentish Town, north London told ICN: “It was important for me to show solidarity with everyone calling again for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine as we all marched through central London on Saturday. As a Catholic, I felt reassured and proud to be walking with fellow Christians behind a banner proclaiming ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ for it is only by embracing a truly peaceful and pragmatic stance that a just solution to this horrific situation in Gaza and beyond can be achieved. As a whole, the people on the march were noisy, vibrant, good natured, kind, friendly and full of desire and determination to make a difference and to call upon governments to reject conflict and the weapons of war and work sincerely to make peace a reality. It is without question, time to bring about a ceasefire and alleviate the terrible death, destruction and suffering of the Palestinian people.”
Christians For Palestine UK is a grassroots movement of Christians from all denominations marching and praying together for peace and justice in Palestine.
To find out more about the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission response to the crisis in the Israel and Palestine join us at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington on 9th May:Westminster Holy Land Roundtable 9th May 2024
Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza, has been in London during a week-long visit to the United Kingdom, facilitated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
An Argentinian priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), on Tuesday he met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby, at Lambeth Palace. He has also met with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark and Bishop Nicholas Hudson, the new Chair of the International Affairs Department and Chair of the Holy Land Coordination.
Father Romanelli has also had meetings with Christian charities and organisations devoted to alleviating the suffering of the peoples of the Holy Land.
On Tuesday, 23 April, Bishop Hudson accompanied Father Romanelli to the Houses of Parliament to brief MPs and shed light on the challenges faced by Christians in the Holy Land following the 7 October Hamas terror attack and the subsequent bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel.
The cross-party group of MPs and Peers highlighted the ongoing work of Parliament in trying to get more humanitarian aid delivered to the people of Gaza.
Despite being stranded in Jerusalem due to the conflict, Father Romanelli has maintained constant communication with his parishioners. He is regularly in contact with Pope Francis, who shows a deep ongoing prayerful concern for those sheltering in the compound of the Holy Family, and has explained that after several months of war, the people are “tired, sad, and heartbroken”.
Once again this Saturday, Westminster Justice and Peace will be joining Christians For Palestine at a gathering in London to pray and march for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Meet at St Matthew’s church, Westminster, 20 Great Peter St, London SW1P 2BU at 11.45am.
The organisers say: “We will hold our prayers around 12pm and leave at 12.15, to march the route from Parliament Square to the national rally in Hyde Park.
“Please bring your placards – homemade or printed – and your commitment, your friends and relations, your church family, your loud voices and your hope. This genocide shows no sign of stopping, and, along with the military slaughter we are seeing intentional starvation – the grossest of human rights abuses and a violation of humanitarian law. Now is not the time to stop making our voices heard.”
CARJ was established 40 years ago on 16 June 1984 at a meeting of approximately 25 ‘founding members’ from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
From the beginning, CARJ was seen as a black-led, independent organisation where ethnic minorities could find support and a voice, and where people of all backgrounds could work together for racial justice.
Despite challenging times in society and in the church, CARJ secured remarkable achievements along the way including:
Hosting the first National Congress for Black Catholics -1990
Holding the National Racial Justice Congress -2003
Since 2006 CARJ has worked in schools, delivering workshops on racial justice, training youth ambassadors and supporting the general educational attainment of black and minority ethnic young people
CARJ has setup and has run networks and support groups, including the Urban Network and Travellers and Gypsy working group
On Saturday 25th of May in London, CARJ launches a new ‘Racial Justice Agenda for Change’, which will be the vision for the work of CARJ into the future. The Agenda for Change builds on the experiences and learning of the past 40 years and puts forward a strategy for bringing about greater equality and creating a racially just church and society, a goal which continues to elude us in the 21st century.
Date Saturday 25th May 2024
Venue: Amigo Hall at St George’s Cathedral London SE1 7HY
Bishop Paul McAleenan at the memorial plaque in Dover. Photo: CBCEW
Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, has joined with leaders of the other churches to renew their commitment to caring for the most vulnerable, as legislation to enable asylum seekers to be deported to Rwanda was approved by Parliament.
In a joint statement with leaders of the Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, Quaker and United Reformed Churches, they pay tribute to all those who “live out Jesus’s call to feed and clothe the poor, and to welcome the stranger, at times in the face of opposition and prejudice.”
The statement voices concern that asylum seekers and refugees have been used as a “political football” and speaks of people fleeing war, persecution and violence having been “unjustly maligned by some for political reasons.”
Read the full statement:
We retain deep misgivings about the Safety of Rwanda Bill, passed in Parliament last night, for the precedent it sets at home and for other countries in how we respond to the most vulnerable. This includes victims of modern slavery and children wrongly assessed as adults, whom we have a duty to protect.
As leaders in Christian churches we wish to express our profound gratitude to those who live out Jesus’s call to feed and clothe the poor, and to welcome the stranger, through their work with asylum seekers and refugees, at times in the face of opposition and prejudice.
We note with sadness and concern the rise in hostility towards those who come to these islands seeking refuge and the way in which the treatment of the refugee and asylum seeker has been used as a political football.
We are disappointed that the kindness and support offered by churches and charities to the people at the heart of this debate – those fleeing war, persecution and violence trying to find a place of safety – has been unjustly maligned by some for political reasons.
In their response to the tragic attack in Clapham earlier this year, some former Home Office ministers, MPs and other commentators sought to portray churches and clergy as deliberately facilitating false asylum claims. It was for this reason, at the request of Anglican leaders, that representatives of our Churches met the Home Secretary in February. When asked, neither he nor officials could provide evidence to support the allegations of widespread abuse. Home Office Ministers have since confirmed this in a written parliamentary answer, and on questioning by the Home Affairs Select Committee. Follow-up meetings have since been agreed to promote closer cooperation and co-working between the churches and the Home Office.
Like so many in this country, we seek to support a system that shows compassion, justice, transparency and speed in its decisions. We grieve the appalling loss of life in the Channel today.
There may be differences between our churches and Government on the means by which our asylum system can be fair, effective and respecting of human dignity, but we do agree that borders must be managed and that vulnerable people need protection from people smugglers. We have pledged to continue to work with the Home Office, and we do so in good faith.
Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, CBCEW Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, United Reformed Church General Assembly Moderator Revd Gill Newton, President of the Methodist Conference
The Archdiocese of Southwark is hosting the annual London Migrant Workers Mass at St George’s Cathedral on Monday 6 May.
Migrants make a valuable contribution to life in the UK. The annual Mass is a celebration of how communities have been enriched by migration and the difference migrants make to wider society.
The Mass will be led by Archbishop John Wilson, with bishops from the Diocese of Westminster and Brentwood in attendance.
Speaking ahead of the Mass, Archbishop John said:
“Each and every person is a gift from God. Each and every person has gifts to offer to God and to others. That is why it is such a blessing people from across the globe have made their home here. It is this diversity, which has enriched our lives immeasurably, that we will be celebrating, and for which we will be giving our thanks to God.
“Our faith demands that we love our neighbour. This means we must serve those without a place to call home, especially those seeking refuge. As one family of humankind, united in love, we can – and we must – welcome our brothers and sisters who are suffering and help them to feel at home in our communities.”
The Mass takes place on the Feast of St Joseph the Worker and is a collaboration between the Archdiocese of Southwark, Diocese of Westminster and the Diocese of Brentwood. It is supported by the Justice and Peace Commissions and the Ethnic Chaplaincies.
People are encouraged to attend in their national dress as part of the celebrations, with a banner procession taking place at the beginning of Mass.
The Migrants Mass has been celebrated since 2006, when it was initiated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, then-Archbishop of Westminster. The Archdiocese of Southwark and dioceses of Westminster and Brentwood host it in turns, this year being in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark.
The Mass will be celebrated on Monday 6 May at 12.30pm at St George’s Cathedral, London SE1 6HR. People are encouraged to arrive early as it is expected to be a full Mass.
There is a chance to hear the renowned pianist Bobby Chen on Saturday, 27 April, when he gives a special concert in aid of humanitarian relief for the Holy Land at Farm Street Church, Mayfair, London. A reception will follow the concert.
All proceeds will be donated through the Humanitarian Relief Fund of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem through the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Bobby Chen will play
Beethoven’s – Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, marked Quasi una fantasia, Op. 27, No. 2 Moonlight
Schubert’s Four Impromptus. D.899 (Op.90) (complete)
Liszt – Sonetto 104 del Petrarca, from Annes de pèlerinage II, S.161
Mist – Ballade No. 2 in B minor, S.171
The concert takes place on Saturday, 27 April 2024 at 7.30pm.
Farm Street Church, 114 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 3AH
Tickets are £50 for the concert and reception – £25 concert only.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 