Category: News

Upcoming Events!

Stand Up to Racism!Father Joe Ryan, co-ordinator of the Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace Commission, will be attending the Archbishop Romero Service at St-Martin-in-the-Fields,  which this year will be addressed by Cardinal Vincent. It starts at 11am on Saturday 21st March 2015.

Afterwards he will be catching up with the Anti-Racism rally (see this flyer featured on the Catholic Association for Racial Justice website) which starts at 12pm at Trafalgar Square.

It would be excellent if as many people as possible could attend these events with him! Let us know if you can be there by emailing us: justice@rcdow.org.uk

Thoughts on Fasting

The Diocese of Westminster Justice & Peace Commission is one of many groups and organisations praying and fasting for the climate every month in the run-up to the UN Paris Climate talks in December 2015. As we reflect on fasting during the season of Lent, we thought we’d share these thoughts from Joan Chittister, OSB:

Thoughts on Fasting

How do we explain the meaning of fasting in our own time? The answers ring with the kind of simplicity and depth common only to the holiest of disciplines. The fact is that the values of fasting strike to the heart of a person, sharpen the soul to the presence of God, and energize the spirit in a way engorgement never can.

Fasting calls a person to authenticity. It empties us, literally, of all the non-essentials in our lives so we have room for God. It lifts our spirits beyond the mundane.

Fasting confronts our consumer mentality with a reminder of what it is to be dependent on God. It reminds us that we are not here simply to pamper ourselves. We are, indeed, expected to be our brother and sister’s keeper. We know why we are hungry. We voluntarily gave up the food we could have had. But why are they hungry? Where is the food they should be eating? And what can we do to fill them now that we are done filling only ourselves?

Fasting opens us to the truth. It makes space in us to hear others, to ask the right questions, to ingest the answers we have been too comfortable to care about for far too long. It makes room for adding “to our service a bit more prayer and reading and almsgiving,” as the Rule of Benedict says.

Fasting requires us to develop a sense of limits. No, we may not have it all, do it all, and demand it all. Our needs do not exceed the needs of others, and our needs may never become more important than theirs.

Fasting teaches us to say no to ourselves in small things so that we have the strength to say no to those people and systems and governments who want to use us to shore up their own power and profit despite the needs of others.

Pray and Fast, join in!

DSC09872The Justice and Peace Commission joined with the London Boroughs Interfaith Network to Pray and Fast for the Climate on March 1st, at Collaboration House, making it the 4th such event as part of the Pray and Fast for the Climate initiative.

Click here to download the leaflet and find out about further events on the first of each month until the December Climate talks in Paris. Organise your own local event and put it on the Pray and Fast website:

www.prayandfastfortheclimate.org

Fairtrade Evening with Dr Mark Hayes

Support Fairtrade!On Friday 27th February we will be marking Fairtrade fortnight with a celebration of Fairtrade! You can download a flier for the event here.

The guest speaker is Dr Mark Hayes, author of ‘Fairtrade is still a rich harvest’ and fellow and director of studies in Economics at Robinson College, Cambridge. He has consistently supported Fairtrade as a means to redress poverty and injustice in trading practices with farmers in the developing world. His recent challenge to academic studies which sought to undermine the positive impact of Fairtrade has won much respect and admiration.

Other attractions include:

  • Test what you know about Fairtrade in team quizzes!
  • A chance to meet with Fairtrade Representatives in your area
  • Fairtrade Stalls, Food and drink

It promises to be a great evening, so do come along and celebrate Fairtrade with us!

Friday 27th February 2015, 7pm

St. John Vianney Parish Centre, 4 Vincent Road, London, N15 3QH

March E-Bulletin

  • Sun 1st March Pray and Fast for Climate, at Collaboration House, 77Charlotte Street, London W1T 4PW from 7-9pm An Interfaith Gathering with international food 2mins from Goodge Street station

  • Mon 2nd March Pax Christi is aiming to support a ‘faith-based’ presence/blockade at the North end of The Mearings and we need your help! Are you free and willing to come along – perhaps take part in the blockade/join a time of prayer / maintain a presence during the day? AWE Burghfield, Burghfield, Reading, West Berkshire RG30 UKContact Pat Gaffney at the office on 0208 203 4884 or coordinator@paxchristi.org.uk
  • Fri 6th March Getting to the heat of conflict A full-day narrative-based training workshop for those looking to evolve a deeper understanding of personal and workplace conflicts, and gain insight into broader possibilities for responding creatively.
    78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG
  • Saturday 7th March Ecumenical climate service and walk Meet 11.30am at St Mary le Strand, Strand, London WC2R 1ES (refreshments from 10.30am) 12.30pm – 1pm Assemble for the climate march at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn. Climate Change is one of the biggest ethical and spiritual issues of our time. Leaders across many faiths are calling for action to defend future generations and all creation from climate chaos. This is an important time to come together to pray and speak out ahead of the next General Election and the critical UN climate talks this December in Paris. Let’s put our faith into action. Walk together for change.
  • Saturday 7th March An open invitation to visit Tooting Islamic Centre 11.30 to 5.50 at 145 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7TJ. An opportunity to gain more understanding of the faith of Islam and the role of the Mosque within the Community and to meet with men, women and young people. Presentation at 1.45. Refreshments available.
  • Saturday 7th March Brentwood Stations of the Cross. New Stations of the Cross by 15 artists are on show in Brentwood Cathedral from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, with meditations every Friday 7pm
    On Saturday 7 March at 10am there is a talk on the stations with contributions from the artists.
    http://jerichotree.com/2015/02/17/the-brentwood-stations-of-the-cross-3-the-full-programme-of- events/
  • Tuesday 10th March International Women’s Day: Mentoring Event
    Tuesday 10th March 2015 6.30pm
    Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2015, St Paul’s Institute, in partnership with Girls Talk London, is hosting a mentoring event for young women aged 16 – 24 that will bring them into discussion with professionals from throughout the City. See website: http://www.stpaulsinstitute.org.uk/Events/International-Womens-Day-Mentoring-Event
  • March 14th Spirit in Action for the Climate A workshop co-hosted by Operation Noah and Hope for the Future at St Andrew’s Church, Short Street, Waterloo, London SE1 8LJfrom 10.15am to 5pm. Are you passionate about climate change? Do you want to make a difference in 2015 – an important year for climate action? Cost is £15 / £10 (includes lunch) Register at http://www.spiritactionclimate2015.eventbrite.co.uk Email: campaigns@operationnoah.org Phone: 07804 059426
  • Sat 21st March Romero’s Martyrdom: Ecumenical Service. This service marks the 35th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero. The preacher is Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. The service is organised by the Romero Trust with the support of Pax Christi, CAFOD, Progressio, Christian Aid, the Diocese of Westminster and the Embassy of El Salvador. At St Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 2JJ. From 11am until 12.30pm.
  • Sat 21st March Music Workshop for the Tenth St Joseph the Worker (Migrants) Mass (Brentwood)
    St George’s Walthamstow, 132 Shernhall Road, E17 9HU. Contact Davina Bolt, Davina@dioceseofbrentwood.org
  • Saturday 21st March Fly Kites not Drones Global Day of Action Hold your own kite flying event & make your own kites
    RAF Waddington 1-3pm Main Gate
    Last year the campaign was launched by the Afghan Peace Volunteers, young peace activists in Kabul who have lost loved ones, and endured life under drones; they wanted to encourage people around the world to be in solidarity with Afghans by participating in their favourite national pastime of kite flying on the Nao Roz (Persian New Year), while also saying that the skies should be kept for fun and peaceful activities, and not for terrorising civilians.
  • Saturday 21st March Arms to Renewables: CAAT’s National Gathering. Learn more about CAAT’s new campaign, “Arms to Renewables”. Hear from Owen Jones (author and commentator), Sayed Alwadaei (democracy activist exiled from Bahrain), and the authors of Deception in High Places and the forthcoming Arming Apartheid.
    10.15am-5pm, (Please arrive to register from 9.45am) at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL
    £7 waged / £3 unwaged – The price includes tea, coffee and a light vegetarian lunch.
    Register at: https://secure.artezglobal.com/registrant/TicketingCatalog.aspx?eventid=42702&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=https%3a%2f%2fwww.caat.org.uk%2fevents%2fnational-gathering%2f2015
  • Mon 23rd March Events at St Ethelburga’s 10am: Coaching through conflict
    A certificated four day training course in coaching through personal or organisational conflict, for those with some prior coaching, counselling or 1:1 experience who are looking to add an effective new skill to their toolkit.
  • Wed 25th March Change at Every Level: New Structures for Gender Equality
    Wednesday 25th March 2015, 6.30pm- 8pm
    St Mary-le-bow Church, Cheapside. This event, organised by JustShare, Christian Aid and St Paul’s Institute, will explore the structural changes needed to help promote a more equal and fair society for women and men.
    Speakers include
    Dr Eva Neitzert – Deputy CEO, The Fawcett Society
    Loretta Minghella OBE – Chief Executive, Christian Aid. Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/change-at-every-level-new-structures-for-gender-equality-tickets-15756300519
  • Sat 28th March Stand Up for Legal Aid is part of the Justice Alliance’s – Not the Global Law Summit – a series of events to support the fight for legal aid and access to justice, and highlight the hypocrisy of the government. For more information https://justiceallianceuk.wordpress.com/
  • Sat 28th March Planning for the General Election In the run up to the election many local chuch and inter-faith groups organise hustings in their area to enable those interested to meet and question their candidates at first hand. Christians in Politics have launched Show Up at : http://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk/showup/
    This is full of useful resources and information. See also Vocation for Justice Spring issue and CSAN/CAFOD cards.

Freedom of Abdullah Ocalan Campaign

STRASBOURG, FRANCE – Feb.13th-14th 5015. Freedom of Abdullah Ocalan Campaign.

I am very excited about this visit to Strasbourg on 13/14th Feb. Whatever the outcome, it is another phase in a very important saga!

Keep in mind the whole story of Nelson Mandela… here we have a mirror image of his life, imprisonment, patience and struggle for human rights in South Africa.

Due to the oppression of the Kurdish people in Turkey, 20 million of them, and the denial of their rights, armed resistance seemed the only solution.  In 1978 he was one of the founder members of the militant organisation, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK ) which is still listed as a terrorist organisation. It is estimated that 30,000  lives were lost in the armed struggle.

In 1999 Abdullah Ocalan was arrested as he sought asylum in the Greek Embassy in Nairobi.  He could have been sentenced to death, but instead he was given a prison sentence for life.  He has been held in solitary confinement in Imrali Prison in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. In his 16 years in prison,  he has managed to write three books adding to the 40 or so already written.

In his writings from prison he has called for a peaceful solution to the Turkish/Kurdish conflict. He has outlined a peace process and mapped out plans for negotiations.

Sadly what was known as the “Oslo Talks” came to a dead end in 2011.

The fact is the Abdullah Ocalan has the following of almost all Kurdish people. He is their leader, their inspiration and the one person who can peacefully unite the  estimated 30 million Kurdish population.  In Turkey there are some 20 million, the remaining numbers mainly in Syria, Iraq, Iran and more in various parts of the world.

A vast number here in London.

Brussels, September 2012.

The International Campaign,  “Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan” was launched at a Press Conference in Brussels in September 2012.  There were  four of us at the launch.

BDP Deputy Ayla Akat,German Deputy Andrej Hunko, Joe Ryan, Chair of Westminster Justice and Peace, and Reimar Heider, International Initiative “Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan-Peace in Kurdistan”.

Since then some 5 million people internationally have signed the petition, as well as organisations and agencies.  There is a powerful lobby for his release from prison.

STRASBOURG, France – February 13th and 14th,  2015.

The next step in the process is a Rally and a Presentation to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13th and 14th February.   The strategy is to highlight the absolute importance of Abdullah Ocalan’s immediate release from prison. He can be a key player in the peace process in the Middle East.  We need only look at what has been happening in the Middle East over recent months.

ISIS CONFLICT.

In the ISIS conflict in Syria,  Iraq and beyond, the world has faced a new form of terrorism.  The fight for the town of Kobane, on the Turkish-Syrian border, has been one of the fiercest conflicts over the past months. The Kurdish resistance has been phenomenal, but at a terrible cost.

The news is emerging that Kobane is back in Kurdish  hands and ISIS has been repelled.  The air-strikes by the US has been key to the success.  But the inaction of Turkey left  a lot to be desired. In fact some reports would say that Turkish troops and policies actually supported the ISIS combatants.  The reality is that if Turkey openly supported the Kurdish forces it would negate the grounds for the long-standing Turkish/Kurdish conflict in the first place!  So they stood and looked on and watched innocent children,  women and men suffer!!

The victory has been costly.  Thousands upon thousands have had to flee as refugees,  but nowhere to go. The massacre of Kurds in Rojava is another sad chapter.

So as the story and the conflict continues in the Middle East,  the task in hand to liberate Abdullah Ocalan is all the more important.

INFORMATION:  There is much more information about available on the web.  So it would be worthwhile spending some time to learn more about the very involved situation of the whole conflict and who are the players on the stage!

It will be interesting to see what coverage the media gives to the Strasbourg event.

Thank you for spending the time listening to my story.

SIGNED:   Joe Ryan

Chair Westminster Justice and Peace Commission.

29th January 2015.

St Joseph the Worker Migrants Mass 2015

The tenth St Joseph the Worker Mass will be held at St George’s Cathedral Southwark on May 4th this year, sponsored by the Tablet in honour of its 175th anniversary.  Gathering for the Mass begins at 10.30am.   It will be followed by an international reception, supported by some of the fifty-plus ethnic chaplaincies in London, and jointly hosted by the Cathedral and Notre Dame High School opposite.

The organisers, who include the Justice and Peace Commissions of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster, the Ethnic Chaplaincies, London Citizens and Notre Dame High School, are well aware that this falls only 3 days before the General Election, in which immigration will be a major  issue.  Bishops who have preached at each previous Mass have pointed up Catholic Social Teaching on matters such as child detention, Strangers into Citizens (amnesty for those without documentation), and the potential  adverse impact of immigration law on families with one non-UK spouse.   Apart from political issues, the organisers see the occasion as a great opportunity to celebrate a liturgy which makes explicit the many nationalities and backgrounds forming our churches in London and the South East.  Prayers and hymns are in various languages, yet, as at Pentecost, ‘they all understand one another’.  It is a delight to share this celebration with the Tablet in their special anniversary year.

LBFN event promotes unity after Paris attacks

A London Borough Faiths Network event held at London Central Mosque on 16th January promoted unity in the wake of the attacks in Paris. Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, and  Vivian Wineman, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews, were among the attendees.

Cate Tuitt, from Westminster Justice & Peace, reflects on the event:

Expressions of unity and hope were delivered in a meeting called by Dr Shafi & attended by Vivian Wineman, President of the Board of Deputies.

Commitments and dedications were expressed by all faith leaders and community advocates. A calling to be more motivated and engaged following the tragedy in Paris were made by the assembled dignitaries.

Shalom Salaam was the offered greeting to reflect the Jewish and Muslim days of worship, united in their grief for the loss of life of Jewish, Muslim and secular brothers and sisters.

Catriona of LBFN recalled visiting the Jewish Museum in Brussels after the shootings last summer, saying how important it is for Jews to be able to be Jews, for Muslims to be Muslims and for everyone to be who they are. She reflected on the passage from the Qur’an chosen by Sheikh Khalifa (49:13) on living well together while remaining different. She welcomed strong leadership as well as essential grassroots work.

Sorrow was balanced with the courage and dignity to continue to work tirelessly in support of one another, our faith communities and beyond to overcome those who try to divide our unity and peace.

Dr Shafi said this was a time for unity and engagement. He expressed sadness at the recent backlashes against Muslims.

Vivian Wineman reminded us of the wonderful religions of peace and love, the common bonds they hold and of the need to protect both Islam and Judaism as minorities in Europe.

The overall consensus was that we must not fall prey to what terrorism wants by reacting in a hostile manner to those of different traditions.

We must reinvigorate our efforts, build confidence and raise trust in renewed covenants for peace.

More information can be found on the LBFN website.

Pray and Fast for the Climate

Westminster Justice and Peace began the year with not so much a bang as a clarion call for the Climate.  We held a Service and a Midnight Mass for the Climate, then after an Auld Lang Syne and a mince pie or two, we watched  films such as The Age of Stupid, and Conflict and Climate, to mark our climate initiative.  For we have joined up with a wider movement called Pray and Fast for the Climate, which requires us to mark the first day of every month by praying and fasting for the climate, leading up to the UN  talks – COP 21 – in Paris in December 2015.

The movement was inspired by a passionate speech by Yeb Sano, leader of the Filipino delegation to the UN Climate talks in Warsaw in 2013.  He pleaded with the other delegates to come up with a definitive effective decision on carbon reduction binding on all countries, so as to slow down global warming.  He told delegates that his own region of the Philippines was currently devastated and recovering from Typhoon Haiyan, and that his own brother was picking through the rubble for bodies of family and friends, and had not eaten for days.  He was therefore going to fast until the UN had arrived at a definite and meaningful agreement on carbon reduction.

Pray and Fast for the Climate, which is both interfaith and ecumenical, has grown out of his inspiration.  The Justice and Peace Commission is not only doing carrying out this witness on the first of every month in 2015, but is planning a cycling ‘pilgrimage to Paris’ at the beginning of December, so as to be there for the UN talks.  Anyone who wants more information either about ‘Pray and Fast’ or the cycling pilgrimage should contact Justice and Peace at justice@rcdow.org.uk

December E-Bulletin

To receive e-bulletins of upcoming justice & peace events by email, simply contact us at justice@rcdow.org.uk and ask to be added to our email list.

  • Mon 1st Dec Everybody can Brew Change. Inaugural Session of Peace Cafe, 77 Charlotte Street, London W 1 (nearest Tube Goodge Street) Starts at 5pm. With Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hundus, Humanists and other faiths attending for food sharing and discussions.
  • Tues 2 Dec Prayers for the Middle East 4pm. A multi-faith prayer vigil focused on trouble spots in the Middle East. Will include sharing, spoken prayer and silence. Followed by reflections on the need for prayer and meditation in interfaith work.
    St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG
    Contact Phone: 07973 446846 Email: angharad@stethelburgas.org
  • Mon 8th Dec Pax Christi Annual Advent Peace Service, St Aloysius Church, Euston, London @ 7.30. followed by Christmas Market and mulled wine.
  • Tues 9th Dec Christmas Party at St Ethelburga’s, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG at 6pm
  • Sun 14th Dec Christmas Concert at 7:30 at St Mellitus Church, Tollington Park, N4 3AG. This year we are raising funds for Freedom from Torture (The Medical Foundation) http://www.freedomfromtorture.org. also to enable the London Medical Orchestra to keep playing and fund-raising http://www.lmo.org.uk

  • Wed 21st Jan Justice and Peace Open Evening. What is happening around the diocese, what SHOULD be happening? 6.30pm Soup, bread and cheese. 7pm Sharing. St John Vianney Parish Centre, 386 West Green Road, N15 3QL contact justice@rcdow.org.uk