Peace Sunday – 14 January 2024 Theme of Pope Francis’ World Peace Day: “Artificial Intelligence and Peace” Once again Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, has produced a variety of on-line and paper resources to celebrate the theme. We have materials for parishes, communities and families - allowing for as much creativity as possible, this is not limited to one day or place! In his message to parishes our National President, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon says: When I wrote to promote Peace Sunday 2023, I said that 2022 had been a year of war and rumours of war. As we approach the end of 2023, the last twelve months have been no different. The war between Russia and Ukraine continues, as do conflicts around the globe. As I write this, the conflict in Palestine and Israel has erupted once more into terrible violence and suffering with thousands dying, injured and displaced. Advocating for a just peace in Palestine and Israel is a part of the ongoing work of Pax Christi, alongside building a culture of nonviolence, campaigning against war, nuclear weapons and the arms trade. Supporting its members and the church, Pax Christi produces resources on peace and nonviolence issues, organises events and vigils, represents the Catholic church in the peace movement and works with young people in both schools and churches. Pope Francis’ theme for the World Day of Peace - ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’. I am sure you will agree that it is a highly relevant theme as Governments across the world, including our own, wrestle with the ethics and consequences of significant and potentially dangerous developments in technology. Pope Francis’ overriding concern is that artificial intelligence should be used in the service of humanity and the protection of our common home and not to further injustice and inequality or to fuel division and violent conflict. Finally, Peace Sunday is an important opportunity for Pax Christi to raise funds. Our small team of staff and volunteers are highly dedicated and work hard to support and encourage us all in working for peace. I greatly appreciate the support our parish communities give through collections and donations and would ask that you take this opportunity to support us this year. All our resources can be found here: https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday/ Contact: info@paxchristi.org.uk Many thanks and best wishes for the year ahead. Pax Christi Team |
Here we are at the beginning of another Church year, with the end of 2023 rapidly approaching! It's been another busy one, and we're very excited about what's to come.
We have a number of resources here to help you and your communities engage with Advent, not forgetting that COP28 falls at the beginning of the season, so there's plenty to get involved with!
With all best wishes for the season, The Journey to 2030 Team (added 12/12/2023)
December 2023
Dear Friends,
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and welcome in the New Year, we first wanted to look back on 2023 by compiling our Top 10 Moments. Over the past 12 months, the Church has used its voice to challenge climate injustice, its money to invest in climate solutions and its power to stop funding fossil fuels. In our final newsletter of the year, we celebrate the inspiring work of campaigners to care for creation and to mobilise the Church and wider society to do likewise.
From all of us at Operation Noah – staff and trustees – we want to thank you for your support this year and want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The Operation Noah Team
(added 21/12/2023)
Dear Friends,
In recent days, the UK Government has backtracked on several key environmental pledges alongside announcing that it will allow the massive Rosebank oil field to go ahead.
Rosebank could produce the same amount of CO2 as the annual emissions of the world’s 28 lowest-income countries combined – this at a time when global emissions must be nearly halved by 2030, with assurances from leading energy experts and scientists that we have enough oil and gas from existing developments to see us through the renewable energy transition.
Despite UK Government claims that Rosebank will bolster energy security and lower prices, the Norwegian owners of Rosebank have said that the oil will be sold on international markets at international prices. The overwhelming majority of Rosebank’s oil will be exported.
We are now inviting UK Church leaders of all denominations and backgrounds – from parish priests and free church ministers to bishops and other senior leaders, including leaders of Christian charities – to sign our letter calling on Rishi Sunak to stop Rosebank.
Indigenous Leader from the Brazilian Amazon Alessandra Munduruku Is Awarded Goldman Environmental Prize Alessandra Korap Munduruku, leader of the Munduruku Indigenous peoples from the Brazilian Amazon, has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in recognition of her longstanding and extraordinary activism in defense of the Amazon rainforest and the rights of Indigenous peoples in Brazil and internationally. Stopping Anglo American’s plan to explore for copper in their territory was one of the many struggles taken on by Alessandra and the Munduruku that led her to be awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize. In May 2021, the company formally committed to withdrawing 27 mining research permits that were slated to overlap Indigenous lands in Brazil. These permits were a major threat to Indigenous peoples, as well as their territories and livelihoods. We celebrate and honor the life and journey of resistance by the great Indigenous leader Alessandra Munduruku. May her example in defending her territory and advocating for the lives of Munduruku children and women be recognized by all and serve as a source of inspiration and strength for us to continue our work in defense of the Amazon in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples. FIND OUT MORE » |
The Birmingham Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is funded by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and is a member of the Caritas - Archdiocese of Birmingham Network