A packed NW NJPN E Bulletin for February has information on current campaigns and forthcoming events plus resources for Lent including an Ash Wednesday lament from Leeds-based Climate Change activist Revd Jon Swales.

Henrietta Cullinan provides eye-witness accounts gathered by Afghanistan Peace Project on the dangerous situation in Kabul facing many people, especially women, under the rule of the Taliban;  Amnesty International has issued a new report –  “Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians”; Ian Linden looks back over the pivotal role played by  Durban’s Catholic Archbishop Denis Hurley  in the fight against apartheid; Social Justice Co-ordinator for Justice and Peace Scotland, Danny Sweeney reflects on the recent Edinburgh celebration for the beatification of Fr Rutilio Grande and companions, and US social justice activist Sr Joan Chittister documents Santa Fe’s Archbishop John Wester brave call for the abolition of all nuclear weapons.

Closer to home, anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe is setting up a price index to monitor supermarket costs for economy range staple goods; a new bill officially recognising British Sign Language is on the way to becoming law; the SVP say that the government’s long-awaited Levelling Up White Paper represents a missed opportunity to address the ingrained social and economic disparity across the UK and Church Action for Tax Justice are dismayed that the Economic Crime Bill has been dropped. The appointment of a new Archbishop for Glasgow is good news for Justice and Peace. Bishop Willian Nolan shares Pope Francis’ concerns for the plight of migrants, protection of the planet and opposition to the arms trade.

There is still (just!) time for young people to enter the Columban’s media competition before the closing date of 11 February. Recent years have showcased some outstanding original thought from the winners.

Finally, it’s hard to keep up with the latest developments in UK politics following the publication of Sue Gray’s ‘partygate’ report – information was current at the time of mailing this bulletin – but Boris Johnson’s premiership looks to be increasingly under pressure.

Please read and pass on to others.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin February 2022

The NW NJPN E BULLETIN for January 2022 celebrates CAFOD, whose 60^th Anniversary occurs this year, as well as Church Action on Poverty (40 years), and the publication of  the document The Common Good and the Catholic Church’ Social Teaching 25 years ago.  This Sunday is Peace Sunday and we have a wide range of resources which can also be used throughout the year. There are links to talks and zoom meetings on a variety of topics plus book reviews and other diary dates. Please look through the bulletin for additional dates of interest.

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin January 2022

The December issue of the NW NJPN E Bulletin opens with a selection of Advent and Christmas poems and outcry against the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill coupled with a stirring speech in the House of Lords by Lord Kerr which takes apart the Home Secretary’s negative (and erroneous) comments about economic migrants and asylum seekers. Ellen Teague reports on a Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament event “Building Bridges for Peace” and there are resources for Peace Sunday, 16 January 2022, on this year’s theme ‘Education, work and dialogue between generations: tools for building lasting peace’ chosen by Pope Francis. Take time to read two long pieces: the first an inspiring blog by David Gee following COP26.  David writes: “Our walk bears towards the COP26 climate summit on the ancient pattern of a pilgrimage. But as with all pilgrimage, the true destination is not a place on a map but a change within us, a turn of the heart”. In the second article, Anglican priest Lynne Cullens challenges us to consider the issue of class prejudice in the church. One of Britain’s best-loved poets, Roger McGough, argues that verse has a vital role to play in nurturing a child’s literacy and inventiveness, particularly in the current climate with anxiety levels rising exponentially, and among children especially.  Also included is news of a Liverpool Friends of the Earth protest calling for the withdrawal of UK support for a climate-wrecking gas project in Mozambique which has been linked to conflict, human rights abuses, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

Wishing all our readers the joys and blessings of the Christmas season.

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin December 2021 [1]