The NW NJPN E Bulletin for August 2025 focuses on Gaza, leading with two excellent analyses from Professor Ian Linden who asks ‘Is it too late for the two-state solution?’ Unlike many commentators, he gives the historical context of this troubled region to help put the current conflict into perspective. On page 4 Pat Gaffney, Vice President of Pax Christi, Executive of Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and a stalwart of weekly Women in Black vigils, shares her concerns about the government new anti-terrorism legislation. 

Regular contributor Heather Kiernan provides poems on Gaza (page 5) and also Hiroshima (page 8) to go alongside a heartfelt appeal from the Catholic Bishops of Japan to mark the 80^th anniversary of the nuclear bombing – a timely message as President Trump announced this week that the US has moved two ballistic missile submarines to change course for Russia.  

Also included in this bulletin are reports of the recent NJPN Conference with links to video presentations on page 7, news on page 9 that St John Henry Newman is to be declared a ‘Doctor of the Church’, and resources on pages 10-11 for the Season of Creation including the introduction of a new Mass “For the Care of Creation” into the Roman Missal, a clear sign that caring for our common home is not merely an environmental issue, but a deeply moral and faith-centered calling. This September the Columban Missionaries in Britain, in collaboration with the Laudato Si’ Centre in the Diocese of Salford, are hosting ‘Hope for Our Common Home’ to celebrate the Jubilee year – details on pages 11-13.

Please read and pass on to others.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin August 2025