Pax Christi England and Wales (Catholic movement for Peace)
Each year on Peace Sunday we promote the Pope’s World Day of Peace message (available here); this year it is entitled: ‘Dialogue between generations, education and work: tools for building lasting peace’. Pope Francis highlights how education is fundamental for peace.
Peace Sunday is promoted with the support of the International Affairs Department of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Pax Christi’s work is inspired by our Christian faith; but is open to all who support its values. We strive for a world where people can live peacefully through reconciliation, justice and non-violence.
Pax Christi depends very much on financial contributions we receive from Peace Sunday parish collections. In the present circumstances we would be extremely grateful for anything you can give towards events and campaigns.
GOD OF LOVE Show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out. O LORD, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. PRAISE BE TO YOU! AMEN.
Pope Francis (adapted from Laudato Si’)
There will be an online reflection at 4pm on zoom, organised by Pax Christi members from Wrexham Diocese. Click here to register. All welcome, once registered you will receive an email with information on how to join.
The next monthly prayer vigil at the Home Office, Marsham Street, SW1, calling for Safe Passage for refugees and mourning those who have died trying to reach a place of safety, will take place on Monday, 17 January from 12.30-1.30pm.
In a leaflet for passers-by, the organisers, Westminster Justice and Peace and London Catholic Worker, say:
‘We hold this prayer vigil every month in memory of all the men, women and children who have died in their attempt to reach Europe and the UK, as they fled from war, poverty and persecution. We are here because we believe in the human dignity and freedom of movement of all people and God’s commandment to love and welcome our brothers and sisters. We respect refugees as fellow children of God, not as aliens.
‘According to UNHCR there are currently 60 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including 20 million who are refugees in other countries. The majority are hosted in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan and Ethiopia. Developing countries host 86% of the world’s refugee population.
‘Even though the UK is one of the world’s richest countries and its foreign interventions are arms trade help perpetuate the wars from which so many people are trying to escape, our government is refusing to welcome refugees. Instead, increasingly severe border controls are forcing refugees trying to reach Europe or the UK to take dangerous routes via the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas and the English Channel, thus causing their deaths.
‘Meanwhile, in the UK, refugees fleeing violence and persecution are frequently detained in inhuman conditions, and more recently, housed in substandard accommodation such as decommissioned barracks. The process of claiming asylum can be highly arduous and frustrating and little support is provided, leaving people even more vulnerable and alienated. Many refugees and migrants living in the UK have no recourse to public funds, and are completely destitute.
‘We call on the UK government to create safe passage for refugees in recognition of their human dignity and the fact that asylum should be extended to them. We prayer that more and more people across Europe will stand up in solidarity with refugees and migrants. We pray for an end to the arms trade, militarism, and neo-colonialism that cause the conditions of poverty and conflict forcing millions of people to flee their homes.’
For more information or to join the group please contact Barbara Kentish, Migrant and Refugee Lead for Westminster Justice & Peace Commission: barbarakentish@talktalk.net
As 2022 begins, we wish you hope and encouragement to face all the challenges that the new year brings.
In the introduction to this month’s E-Bulletin Sr Elizabeth O’Donohoe reflects on her 20 years’ service with the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission on the occasion of her retirement. We thank her for all the grace and wisdom she has brought to the role.
Sr Liz O’Donohoe (far right) receiving the Wilson-Hinkes Peace Prize award in 2018
PEACE SUNDAY
Looking ahead, the month of January gives us the opportunity to reflect on Peace with Peace Sunday the centre of our focus on Sunday 16th January 2022. The Pope’s World Peace Message this year has as its central theme: “Education, work and dialogue between generations: tools for building lasting peace.” More inspiration can be found in The Tablet article: Catholics urged to mark Peace Sunday (thetablet.co.uk)
ENVIRONMENT
Westminster Justice & Peace are working closely together with all the other Diocesan Agencies this year to implement the Westminster ‘Road to Carbon Neutrality Strategy’, especially Property Services, Education, Fundraising and Caritas. We also helping to co-ordinate a new network for the Southern Catholic Dioceses. The launch event is on Monday 10th January, 12.45-2.00pm and anyone with an interest in the climate and environment is invited to attend that.
Everyone with a heart for the environment is welcome to join us for the first online meeting of a new network of Catholics in the South of England committed to the care of our common home.
Throughout 2021 a group of Catholics from London and the South-East met on Zoom every Monday lunchtime for prayer, sharing, discussion and mutual support on the Care of Creation in preparation for COP26 which took place in Glasgow, 1-12 November.
We are now moving into a new phase with a new name for 2022.
The Southern Dioceses Environment Network plans to meet monthly online on the second Monday of the month and also organise in-person events when possible during the year.
We will also be liaising with the Northern Dioceses Environment Group and other ecumenical, interfaith and civic groups as we all work together to animate action to tackle the climate crisis and address other environmental concerns in the run-up to COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, 7-18 November 2022 and beyond.
Participants to date include CAFOD staff and volunteers, Justice and Peace, Caritas, clergy, religious, parishioners, Laudato Si’ Animators, Journey to 2030, Christian Climate Action (XR), environmental charities, activists and interested individuals, young and old. You are most welcome to join us or attend as a one-off to find out more.
Westminster Justice and Peace would like to add our own note of thanks to Maria Elena Arana on the occasion of her retirement as CAFOD’s Campaign Coordinator. Maria Elena has been a good friend of the Diocese especially in her capacity as liaison with the National Justice and Peace Network, most recently in helping us to establish the Care of Creation London and South-East Weekly Briefings, which is shortly to re-launch as the Southern Dioceses Environment Network. We are grateful for her endless encouragement, support, advice and warm friendship. She will be greatly missed. We look forward to working with her successor and continuing to build on her legacy.
Maria Elena Arana, Campaign Coordinator at CAFOD for 30 years, was given a warm and loving send-off today to mark her retirement before Christmas. Around 50 people attended a party at CAFOD’s London offices and another 50 by zoom. They included current and past staff, Justice and Peace workers, and representatives of groups she has engaged with over three decades.
Bishop Arnold of Salford, Chair of CAFOD trustees was the first speaker to thank Maria Elena for her dedication to CAFOD. “You’ve achieved a great deal and we are sad to see you go” he said. He spoke about her commitment to networking, particularly with the National Justice and Peace Network and the National Board of Catholic Women, nurturing their engagement with CAFOD.
Christine Allen, CAFOD’s Director highlighted Maria Elena’s “amazing energy and drive over those 30 years.” She described her as “a campaigning force to be reckoned with and a lovely person whose loving nature warms all of our hearts and embodies what CAFOD is about.” She singled out Maria Elena’s “tireless work in supporting parishes doing the Livesimply programme and now more and more schools are coming on board.” 110 awards have been given, with Maria Elena helping people “put their faith into practice.” Christine also expressed appreciation for Maria Elena’s hospitality to CAFOD partners and her “embodiment of solidarity, fostering so many people”. Christine concluded with, “thankyou for all you have been and what you have brought to CAFOD.”
Fr Rob Esdaile of Thames Ditton parish in Arundel and Brighton Diocese has been on the CAFOD campaign working group, chaired by Maria Elena, for nearly three decades, joining CAFOD’s mission around the time she did. He recalled her effectiveness as a campaigner – “she knows how to recruit people” – and when his parish earned the Livesimply award she delivered it herself on a Saturday in time for parishioners to see it that weekend. “She goes the extra mile” he added. He recalled his CAFOD teeshirts for various campaigns over the years which she organised – ‘Drop the Debt’, ‘Unearth Justice’ and ‘Just One World’. Fr Rob remembered her as an organiser of the ‘Hands around Birmingham’ in 1998, calling for jubilee debt cancellation, being a welcome face at the Emmanuel Centre for CAFOD events, and even putting MPs in rickshaws to meet constituents during a justice lobby at Westminster. Just a few weeks ago, on 6 November, she marched in Glasgow for climate justice, as he was supporting a similar march in London. And he spoke about her kindness – “gently keeping events running smoothly and keeping people involved, always being a great influencer, networker and coordinator”.
Julian Filochowski, CAFOD’s former Director, interviewed Maria Elena for the post of Campaign Coordinator in 1991. He felt that in CAFOD’s 60th anniversary year in 2022 – the diamond anniversary – CAFOD women who have been influential should be treasured like “an array of precious diamonds”. He said, “Maria Elena is one of the many fine, strong women who have shaped the CAFOD journey.” She “exudes hope, energy, positivity, and has been the face of CAFOD to J&P activists for many years”. He felt she has enriched CAFOD’s outreach work with her Mexican/American background. “She communicates passion and has always paid attention to people at the grassroots, jollying people along whether at liturgies or protests,” he said. Maria Elena “is always there, marshalling the pilgrim campaigners”. He thanked her for her commitment to the Archbishop Romero Trust, which he chairs. Also, for her work as a shop steward at CAFOD. “Pope Francis would recognise Maria Elena as the missionary disciple he wants us all to be. Viva Maria Elena!”
And Julian recognised the support of her family – husband Robert, children and grandchildren – who were with her at the event. He described them as a “political” family. In fact, she met her English husband Robert on a demonstration in front of the White House, saying herself that “Justice, Peace and Politics have always been part of our life”.
Barbara Crowther of the Fairtrade Foundation, who worked alongside Maria Elena at CAFOD in the 1990s, highlighted the joy that Maria Elena brought into CAFOD campaigning. “Her hospitality to partners and work colleagues underlined CAFOD as family, embracing life in all its fullness,” she said.
Among the presents given to Maria Elena was a collage of CAFOD Campaigns she has organised – ‘Eyes of the World’ was among the most recent.
And Maria Elena herself highlighted the campaigns that she first organised without computers or zoom. She recalled placing anti-landmine cards around churches, travelling to Cologne to highlight the ‘chains of debt’ when the G7 met there in 1999, and arranging for inspirational CAFOD partners to meet supporters throughout England and Wales. She singled out in particular Bishop Taban Paride, Bishop Emeritus of Torit in South Sudan; Fr Edu Garigues, former General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference in the Philippines; Lemlem Berha Tsegay from Ethiopia who came to Britain in 2012 to address meetings of CAFOD supporters about her work as a water engineer in irrigation and sewerage projects in drought-prone northern Ethiopia. Just weeks ago, Maria Elena was lobbying the UN Climate talks in Glasgow alongside Claudelice Silva dos Santos, a land defender from Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon, who has braved death threats to challenge illegal logging.
Maria Elena described CAFOD partners, staff and volunteers as “wonderful”, adding that “I will miss you all so much!” And she joked that her husband Robert has described himself as being “married to CAFOD”. She concluded with, “I’m sorry to leave such an inspiring organisation…. but I know you will all carry on.” Yes indeed, but she was left in no doubt of the importance of her legacy.
London Catholic Worker and Westminster Justice and Peace invite you to join in ourPrayer Vigiloutside the Home Office, 2 Marsham St, London SW1P 4DF on Monday 13th December 2021, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
On Wednesday 24th November, 27 people died when their boat capsized in the English Channel. These numbers are shocking, but the people who died were not numbers. They were human beings, with a name, a face and a story. We will read out their names and the names of others who have died trying to reach the UK and Europe, thanks to the lack of any safe process. We will pray for them, for their families and all of those who are still attempting this terrible journey.
We will pray for those who profit from their desperation, and those who create the policies that give them little option but to embrace these dangers. Since 1993, nearly 50,000 people have died either at sea or in tragic circumstances on their journeys, seeking safety in Europe.
Bring your prayers, your pain and concern to the vigil, where we join in spirit with thousands who want to see an end to such suffering and tragedy.
There will be prayers outside the Home Office on the third Monday of every month in 2022, that these deaths may not have been in vain, and serve instead to bring justice for people seeking sanctuary.
Contacts for more information: Barbara Kentish, Westminster Justice & Peace Lead for Migrants and Refugees barbarakentish@talktalk.net and Johannes Maertens from London Catholic Worker johanmaertens@hotmail.com
Join the charity Safe Passage in appealing to the Home Secretary for more safe and legal options to be made available for people seeking sanctuary in the UK from France.
To: Priti Patel, Home Secretary
On November 24th, at least 27 men, women and children tragically lost their lives seeking safety in the UK.
The appalling truth is that these deaths could – and should – have been prevented.
We need to make sure this tragedy is never repeated, so we’re calling on you and the Government to open safe routes now rather than repeat failed policies.
In the wake of this terrible tragedy, we need safe routes now.
Like many, I saw tonight on Channel 4 News, a distressed woman, knee-deep in sea waves, shouting to the reporter that there had been no water or milk in their camp, despite the presence of babies, and that was why she was taking to a precarious Channel crossing. Yet again, however, we were told that smugglers were to blame for their problem.
The drowning of 30 migrants off the coast between Dunkirk and Calais is a tragedy that should surprise no-one. Having visited Calais and Dunkirk over six years, I have become more and more appalled that thousands have been trapped in this area not only because of the iniquitous French-British agreement to close their borders, but also because of the hostile policies of other European countries. Many in Northern France have tried their luck and failed, in Germany, Switzerland and Eastern Europe, only to conclude that England is their only hope of survival.
Jesuit Fr Philippe Demeestre has just finished a month-long hunger strike in Calais, to ask for practical immediate humanitarian treatment of migrants with care and courtesy, so that the migrants can eat, drink and sleep without harassment. The smugglers are merely a phenomenon generated by their existential dreadful dilemma. It is clear that safe and legal processes would start to alleviate the immediate problem. More radical solutions, just, and long lasting, though certainly not easy, can then be sought. Even before the political steps, humanitarian treatment of the migrants needs to be implemented.
There will be a Prayer Vigil outside the Home Office on 13 December, from 12.30 to 1.30, hosted by the London Catholic Worker and Westminster Justice and Peace, This has been run for several years and the practice has been to read out some of the names of the thousands who have lost their lives trying to reach the sanctuary of the UK. If the names of those who died today, November 24th, are known, we will certainly be praying for them. All are welcome to join us. The Prayer Vigil will be held next year from January at 12.30pm on the third Monday of the month, also at the Home Office.
A further service will be held in due course on the seafront at Dover. at the two plaques commemorating migrants who have died trying to reach the UK. For further information contact barbarakentish@talktalk.net
Some of the CAFOD youth delegation outside the SEC. Caitlin is front row, third from left.
Source: Caritas Westminster
From 5-7th November 2021 Caitlin Boyle from the Diocese of Westminster joined CAFOD aspart their COP26 youth delegation in marching, campaigning and praying for climate action and justice in Glasgow. Over 30 young adults were part of CAFOD’s COP26 youth delegation who travelled up to Glasgow to apply pressure on world leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be bold and ambitious in their attempts to tackle the climate crisis.
Caitlin also works as the Information Officer for Caritas Westminster and here gives her report on the experience of campaigning for climate justice.
The CAFOD delegation were able to visit the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), where the COP26 talks and negotiations were taking place, to hear from different scientists, activist groups and indigenous people from all around the world about the effects the climate crisis is having globally and what measures need to be in place to help mitigate them. On Saturday 6th November, despite inclement weather, the CAFOD delegation joined other faith groups (including SCIAF, Jesuit Missions, Islamic Relief, Tearfund and Christian Aid), local organisations and climate activists in marching through the centre of Glasgow, as part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, with around 100,000 people attending in Glasgow alone!
Photo credit: Thom Flint
Whilst in Glasgow, Caitlin and the CAFOD youth delegation were campaigning for global leaders to commit to plans to limit global temperature rises to no more than 1.5 degrees; deliver the money promised to low-income countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change; and to consign fossil fuels to history.
Speaking about why she went to Glasgow, Caitlin says:
‘Climate change is affecting us all, no matter where we are in the world, though it is most adversely affecting people in poorer countries, costing people their livelihoods, their homes, and even their lives, despite these countries contributing least to the crisis. Even here in the UK, however, where the effects will be much less severe, floods and heatwaves are likely to disproportionately affect more deprived communities.
‘The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated and compounded social, economic, and environmental inequalities, with poorer communities again more susceptible to their effects – something I have seen through my work at Caritas Westminster. The pandemic has put further strain on communities ill-equipped to deal with these crises.
‘As the host of COP26, the UK government had a really crucial role in setting the tone for how the world emerges from the pandemic, ensuring that a post-Covid world is one which is equitable – it should not be another missed opportunity.’
The two-week climate conference ended this past weekend (Saturday 13th November). Despite progress in agreeing to phase out fossil fuel usage and investment as part of the Glasgow Climate Pact – the first COP agreement which specifically talks about fossil fuel divestment – world leaders failed to act with the courage and immediacy needed to effectively support those on the front line of the climate crisis. They delayed action on limiting temperature increases, and did not deliver the climate finance that is urgently needed.
Speaking about the decisions made at COP26, Caitlin says:
‘It is disappointing that once again, world leaders failed to place those who are most adversely affected by the climate crisis at the heart of their discussions. As Catholics, it is our duty to work for the common good, and speak out for the poor, the marginalised and the voiceless, and so it is essential that we engage with and campaign on issues relating to social and climate justice. We are called to be stewards of God’s creation, and to protect it.
‘Despite government inaction at this COP, we as young Catholics must continue to campaign for our common home; the eyes of the world now need to be firmly focused on those who are actually feeling the effects of the climate crisis first hand.
‘Pope Francis said at the start of COP26 that, “The political decision-makers who will meet at COP26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations.” Whilst the decision makers may not have provided the effective responses needed this time, I can certainly draw hope from the amazing campaigners I got to work with as part of the CAFOD delegation, and their commitment and enthusiasm has emboldened and mobilised me to continue to speak out about climate injustice!’
Caritas Westminster is working with the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission to encourage local action against climate change, and supporting Westminster Diocese’s plans for decarbonisation.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 