|
2019 Ten Days of Prayer for Peace
A Message from the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan Peace is the fruit of the integral development of all people On February 25, 1981, Pope St. John Paul II made a striking peace appeal in Hiroshima. In response to that appeal, since the following year the Japanese Church has annually marked the Ten Days of Prayer for Peace August 6-15 to think about and pray for peace. Pope Francis will visit Japan in November this year, 38 years and 9 months after John Paul’s Hiroshima Peace Appeal, and we look forward to his sending a new peace message to the world. Since becoming pope, Pope Francis has from time to time made remarks regarding peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons. On July 7, 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted an historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. On the previous March 23, the pope delivered a message to the UN General Assembly. Terrorism, conflicts among those with different military power, security of information, environmental issues, poverty etc. are intertwined in a complex way, threatening the peace and security of the modern world. However, nuclear threats cannot respond effectively to such issues. Stability based on fear simply increases fear and compromises trusting relationships among nations. In that case, we must ask ourselves how stability can be maintained. “International peace and stability cannot be based on a false sense of security, on the threat of mutual destruction or total annihilation, or on simply maintaining a balance of power. Peace must be built on justice, on integral human development, on respect for fundamental human rights, on the protection of creation, on the participation of all in public life, on trust between peoples, on the support of peaceful institutions, on access to education and health, on dialogue and solidarity.” The Vatican was one of the first three countries to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (September 20), and in November sponsored a conference on nuclear disarmament: “Perspectives for a World Free from Nuclear Weapons and for Integral Disarmament”. According to Pope Francis, “the integral development of all people” means that there are no economic gaps or exclusion among peoples, no one is excluded from society and everyone can participate. It means that the economy, culture, family life, religion, etc. that are essential for human growth and development are secure, that the individual is a freely involved member of the community under God. A peace which is not “the result of integral development” will be doomed (Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 219). Therefore, in order to build and secure peace and security in the world, it is necessary not only to eliminate the nuclear threat by abolishing nuclear weapons, but at the same time to make all people richer in all aspects. With Pope Francis, we wholeheartedly pray to the God of peace that we can build peace by being deeply involved in the integral development of all while seeking the realization of the abolition of nuclear weapons. Let us begin that task by doing whatever we can. +Mitsuaki Takami, Archbishop of Nagasaki President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan July 7, 2019 
DR Congo: CAFOD director welcomes WHO announcement on Ebola This from the Independent Catholic News https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/37512#.XTHhDVdNgdI.email 
Urgent Action for Sur Bahir,
Wadi al Hummus, July 2019 In the early hours of 22nd July 2019, hundreds of Israeli military and police entered the village of Sur Baher, Wadi al Hummus, in south east Jerusalem, in the occupied West Bank. They forcibly removed families from their homes using tear gas, pepper spray, sound bombs and physical force and then began the demolition of up to 10 residential apartment blocks. Since 2009, the Israeli authorities have demolished, or forced owners to demolish, 69 structures in Sur Baher. This resulted in the displacement of 30 households. 400 people have been displaced or affected by the demolitions, half of whom were children under 18 years of age. The new demolition orders are for 70 apartments in inhabited, or under construction, buildings. The homes are under the authority of the Palestinian Authority - area A of the Oslo Accord - and all have building permits from the PA. The Israeli court ruled that they can be demolished on the grounds that they are too near the separation barrier – which Israel itself built! Again, the demolitions will forcibly displace Palestinian families, including the elderly and children. Forcible Transfer of people under occupation is a serious breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The deportation of or transfer of all or parts of the population of the occupied territory, within or outside this territory, constitutes a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome Statute. “Israel must immediately end its cruel and discriminatory policy of home demolitions and forced displacement.” Saleh Higazi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director, Amnesty The British government repeatedly condemns Israel’s violations of international law but can no longer stand by while Israel flagrantly ignores it. It is time to take real action. It's time for the UK government to end its complicity in Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian rights. Urgent action: Please contact the following: The Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and Dr Andrew Murrison , Minister for the Middle East, at: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London,SW1A 2AH. Email fcocorrespondence@fco.gov.uk Your MP and MEPs: via www.writetothem.org.uk •Tell them: about these demolitions and forcible transfers. •Ask them: not only to condemn the removal of the Palestinian families, but to take action to demand that the Israeli Government immediately reverses its decision and stops the illegal, forcible transfer of the people and the demolitions. Ask your Faith leaders to speak out strongly in support of the Palestinian families and against the Israeli Government’s demolitions, their forcible transfers, their violations of international law and denial of Human Rights. https://icahd.org/2019/07/22/a-statement-by-jeff-halper-on-demolitions-in-sue-baher/ https://www.ochaopt.org/content/un-officials-call-israeli-authorities-halt-plans-demolitions-sur-bahir https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/07/israel-continues-policy-of-systematic-forced-displacement-with-wave-of-home-demolitions-in-sur-baher/ https://secure.waronwant.org/page/38633/action/1?ea.tracking.id=web&_ga=2.218392923.314171692.1563824955-534939962.1529499622 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wadi-al-hummus-france-germany-spain-and-uk-joint-statement More information - Pax Christi - www.paxchrist.org.uk GREENPEACE
Clingfilmed coconuts? Shrink-wrapped turnips? Cauliflower 'steaks' in plastic bags? Many of us have experienced the frustration of unpacking our weekly shop and finding we're filling our fridges, rubbish bins and recycling with pointless plastic - and it's no surprise when supermarkets are producing 800,000 tonnes of plastic a year! Enough is enough. Will you help expose supermarkets' ridiculous packaging practices? Here's how: 1. Next time you spot some excessive plastic packaging, take a photo. 2. If you use Twitter, tweet the photo using #PointlessPlastic (don't forget to tag the supermarket too!) 3. If you don't use Twitter, you can either post it on another social media channel (like Facebook or Instagram) or alternatively email your picture to us at packaging.uk@greenpeace.org and we'll post it for you! Some people are concerned that plastic is necessary to reduce food waste - but a new study has shown that in some cases it might actually be making the problem worse. When plastic packaging requires food to be a specific size or shape, edible food is rejected because it doesn't look the right way. And whilst some people need pre-prepared fruit and vegetables because of mobility issues, no one needs them to be provided in plastic. If hundreds of us share these pictures of pointless plastic packaging online, together we can show supermarkets that their use of plastic is out of control, and that their customers have had enough. 'Unwrapped: How throwaway plastic is failing to solve Europe's food waste problem (and what we need to do instead)' Link to Green Peace video clip on reusable energy PostReferendum Statements:
Archbishop Nichols' "No To Racism...." Catholic Association for Racial Justice "Supporting One Another" Holy Land
|
The press release from the NJPN conference: https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference-reports/conference-news-release-26-july-2019/
NJPN Newsletter As we look back on Refugee Week (17-23 June) the August edition of the NW NJPN E Bulletin casts a spotlight on the immigration crisis on the US southern border leading with an article by the photo-journalist who captured the tragic image of a young father who drowned with his infant daughter as thy tried to cross over from Mexico. The current crisis, exacerbated by President Trump's anti-immigration drive, is echoed in the less-publicised scandal of those who have died trying to find a better life in Europe. A hard-hitting opinion piece by Sarah Teather, Director Jesuit Refugee Service, looks at the hostility directed towards asylum seekers in detention in the UK, alongside a moving essay on refugees by a young Macclesfield parishioner which forms part of her GCSE coursework. Other topics include food poverty and a focus on the NW town of Oldham where a strong community spirit is turning the hardships in the area around. Creation Time (1 Sept - 4 Oct is also featured with articles on Climate Change and Live Simply. The Vatican Document on Gender Equality is welcomed by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Association of Catholic Women followed by a compassionate opinion editorial by a Dominican Sister who for the past 20 years has helped people in the transgender community in the US stay close to God and to the Catholic Church by giving space to listen to them. All this plus a letters page, summer reading recommendations and a packed diary of local and national events. Best wishes Anne O’Connor Lancaster Diocesan Faith and Justice Commission
Dear FriendsThe newsletter can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/y2f9ja7b Reports and newsletters mentioned in this issue and previous newsletters are also available at http://www.lancasterfaithandjustice.co.uk/newsletter/ Peace and best wishes Maggie Administrator Lancaster Diocesan Faith and Justice Commission St Bernadette's Parish House, Bowerham Road, Lancaster LA1 4HT T:01524 383081 M:07864012385 
You may have heard that Traidcraft will finish trading at the end of the year and that may have frightened you to death. How can we continue to run our Traidcraft Stall or get supplies? Fear not! The information we have received from Traidcraft is that, although details are not yet available, we WILL be able to continue to get supplies, although the set-up will be different. However, the new arrangements in 2019 will take time to put in place, so we think it would be wise to stock up before the end of the year. If you want any further information, you can phone their Customer Services on 0191 491 0855. "Our Common Home: Caring for God's Creation" an example of a Study Course for Lent that you may find interesting. 
Brushstrokes Community Project Strengthening and supporting refugees and migrants across Sandwell, West Birmingham and beyond August News Letter Phone: 0121 565 2234 E-mail: info@brushstrokessandwell.org.uk Website: www.brushstrokessandwell.org.uk 
Here we are with the latest news from Restore.....
Celebrating 20 years of Restore's work: Thank you to over 90 people who joined us to celebrate 20 years of Restore's work at our Annual Celebration on 9 July. We heard from Jill, one of Restore’s founders, about the start of our work in 1999 to welcome Kosovan refugees and other asylum seekers arriving in Birmingham, following the introduction of the asylum dispersal process. Sunita shared about her current experience as a volunteer befriender and Mash spoke of his involvement with Restore during the past year. We looked ahead to Restore’s future commitments to build mutually enriching relationships, raise awareness and work for change – all part of an ongoing strategic planning process. There was plenty of time to meet friends old and new and do what Restore does best: welcome, socialise and build relationships. Restore's Annual Report: Our Annual Report for 2018 has now been released. Please click here to read the report. The photo below shows refugees, volunteers, supporters and staff at the Annual Celebration standing on a timeline indicating when they first had contact with Restore spanning from 1999 to 2019. 
Training for new volunteer befrienders: Our next training course for anyone interested in befriending a refugee or finding out more about refugee issues, will be held on Mondays 7, 14 and 21 October from 7.15pm to 9.15pm at Carrs Lane Church, B4 7SX. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested. Please click here for more details or email Geraldine at admin@restore-uk.org to book a place.
Lift the Ban campaign - Day of Action in Birmingham: Thank you to all who joined the Day of Action on 28 June to promote this campaign to give asylum seekers permission to work. Emma Birks from Asylum Matters, who was the key organiser, was delighted that over 120 people joined the Birmingham Day of Action. There were passionate speeches from 4 people with lived experience of the ban and Councillor John Cotton and Preet Gill MP also spoke in support of the campaign. Since then, Birmingham City Council has become the first local authority in the West Midlands to formally support the campaign. The Home Office is currently reviewing the policy. Run4Refugees 2019: We are delighted to let you know that £5,193.51 was raised and shared between Restore and a project supporting refugees in Turkey. A HUGE 'Thank you' to everyone involved in Run4Refugees 2019 for organising this amazing event and to everyone who ran or walked and raised money. Facebook and Twitter: We are keen to expand our social media reach, so please sign-up to our Facebook page and Twitter account and encourage others to 'like' and 'follow' Restore. Funding: We are extremely grateful to all the individuals, churches and grant making trusts who support Restore financially. However, we need to find additional sources of funding:.
The impact of Restore's work: And finally, a quote from the Annual Report 2018 showing that both refugees and volunteers benefit from befriending: "The realisation that every little support I was giving to my befriendee and his family, was appreciated and was helping to make their integration into this new life a little easier was very humbling and encouraging. I probably got more from it than them in that it opened my eyes even more to the reality of the hardships that refugees suffer." Thank you for all you do to support Restore and refugees in our city. With best wishes, Jeremy, Rachel, Andy and Geraldine Copyright © 2019 Restore, All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
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
Birmingham RC Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission 2015