Birmingham Justice and Peace commission

The Commission particularly encourages parishes and schools to get involved in the Justice & Peace movement. It covers areas as diverse as global issues such as cancelling the debts of the world's poorest countries; the International Peace Movement; environmental issues; housing; homelessness; supporting refugees and asylum seekers and human rights.

Within this site you can find information about important dates within the Justice & Peace year, links to other agencies involved with Justice & Peace and resources to download to help in your existing or new Justice & Peace group. Newly included in these resources is a PDF downloadable copy of the 2008/9 events calendar and other agencies.

The recent Encyclical Letter from our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI "Caritas in Veritate" is available to read and download from the Documents to Download tab (left) both in full and as a summary produced by Progressio.

The latest issue of the diocesan J&P Newsletter, Winter 2010, and previous Newsletters, are available to read and download from the Documents to Download tab, left, as a pdf document.

Westminster Diocese are producing a booklet called "Your Kingdom Come" - daily meditations and group reflection on Catholic Social teaching. It costs £1 per copy, 80p for more than ten copies. Designed for their faith sharing groups it could be used at any time and contains material for six weeks. More on rcdow.org.uk or Mark Nash 020 7931 6043 or marknash@rcdow.org.uk

Birmingham Justice and Peace Assembly

"God or Mammon?" a focus on the Global Financial crisis and Action at Parish Level - A Report on the Fifth Annual Assembly, appearing in Catholic Today and the Universe.

The impact that the global financial crisis of the last twelve months has had at a national and parish level, and in particular its impact on families and individuals, was the focus of the Fifth Annual Assembly of the Birmingham Justice and Peace Commission., held at St Peter’s Secondary School in Solihull in the West Midlands, on Saturday 17^th October 2010.

The successful day-long conference on the theme of “God or Mammon?” was attended by more than 150 delegates from parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham, other churches, organisations and justice and peace groups around the West Midlands.

The opening reflection was given by Bishop William Kenney CP, at present Diocesan Administrator, and a member of the Justice and Peace Commission.

Bishop Kenney with Clifford Longley & George Gelber

Bishop Kenney with the two keynote speakers, Clifford Longley (left) and George Gelber.

Delegates listened intently to two thought-provoking keynote addresses and took part in 14 discussion groups and workshops (right), where plans of action were formulated to help people at parish level to understand the key issues more deeply.

George Gelber, until recently Senior Policy Adviser at CAFOD, spoke vividly about the financial crisis and its impact on the poor. He described how the initial financial crisis had broadened out into a fully-fledged development crisis, affecting numerous areas where deprivation already existed, and highlighting the lack of balance in the world economy.

George Gelber addressing the Assembly

Mr Gelber gave specific examples of countries that depend on world market prices for minerals, agricultural products and commodities in general, which are all at the mercy of price fluctuations beyond their control.

Clifford Longley addressing the Assembly

Clifford Longley, the distinguished Catholic journalist and broadcaster on religious affairs, spoke about the crisis in capitalism and the common good during which he emphasised that the recent Encyclical Letter “Caritas in Veritate” by Pope Benedict XVI, provided a coherent spirituality for Justice and Peace activity.

Clifford Longley addressing the Assembly

The two keynote speakers were joined by Helen Moseley CAFOD Diocesan Manager in the West Midlands office, in a lively question and answer session, Chaired by Derek Smith, that brought home the enormity of the current global financial situation.

Afterwards a spokesman for the Justice and Peace Commission, said: “This was a most worthwhile Assembly. The enormity of the global financial crisis is overwhelming. But delegates left determined to take small initiatives and help raise awareness of the social teachings of the Catholic Church in parishes and among individuals.”

An inspirational Liturgy organised by Sister Anna O'Connor with students of the University, closed the day's proceedings.

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