About National Justice and Peace Network
The National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN), whose aims and efforts are accepted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, exists to encourage work for Justice and Peace by promoting liaison and communication among diocesan groups. A network of diocesan members, fieldworkers agency representatives and individuals is maintained through regular communications, open networking meetings and the organisation of a national annual conference.
The Network was started in 1978 and has held annual conferences since that date. Its members are representatives from diocesan Justice and Peace Commissions or groups. Also affiliated to the network are agencies and organisations working in the field of Justice and Peace, religious and missionary orders with a special calling for justice and peace work and representatives of the committees of Bishops' Conference whose work covers the issues which pertain to those of the Network. Although both the roots and ethos of the network are strongly Catholic, many of the hundreds of small J&P groups around the country now function ecumenically and some are now seeking to operate pan-faith.
Most Catholic dioceses have Commissions or Co-ordinating Committees furthering justice and peace work in their diocese and many have paid fieldworkers. The national Network has an Administrator.
Much of the work of the Network links into the campaigns organised by affiliated agencies. As well as working on global issues like the cancellation of third world debt, groups and commissions around the country are involved in national and local issues: credit unions, housing and homelessness, supporting refugees and asylum seekers, environmental issues etc.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision: the J&P Network, enlightened by the Gospel vision of God's Kingdom, seeks a world in which:
- there is respect for the integrity of the whole of creation and for the dignity and freedom of every human being
- people live in peace, without nuclear weapons or trade in arms, seeking non-violent ways of resolving conflict
- all have access to food, clean water, shelter, health, education and a livelihood
- there is justice for those who at present have no land, are in debt or are enslaved by their work
- development and the use of resources are sustainable
The Mission of the J&P Network is to work with all who share our commitment to bring the good news of Christ's love and peace to people who are poor, oppressed or excluded:
- inspiring them through prayer, celebration and a spirituality that informs their whole lives
- sustaining each other in prophetic witness and in working for change
- raising awareness of J&P as central to the life of the Church
- networking and communicating effectively
- providing training, workshops and conferences
- seeking collaboration over resources, ideas and good practice
Based on the Scriptures - and in particular on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, on the Church's Social Teaching and on our own faith experience, the Values that inspire us are:
- wonder at God's Spirit throughout creation and in every human being
- love, hope and compassion
- solidarity and subsidiarity
- partnership and dialogue
- care for the whole of creation
- simplicity and sustainability of lifestyle
Strategy
To view our full strategy document "Bringing forth the Kingdom" please download the document below.
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