The March edition of the NW NJPN E Bulletin opens with an article by Professor Ian Linden entitled ‘Solidarity in a Time of Global Crisis’ in which he suggests that “the creative power of the Spirit is at work, bringing the prophetic voices of women to bear.”  He says, “Christians are called to be its head, heart and hands.”

Whilst President Trump plans lavish celebrations for the 250^th Anniversary of American Independence on July 4, Pope Leo has announced an extensive tour of Italy this summer, arriving at the island of Lampedusa that same day. In a video message sent to the island in September, he spoke of a desire to visit and thanked local organizations who assist arriving migrants.

Brian O’Toole reports on the recent NJPN webinar “Shining a Light on Racism in England: From Lived Experience to Collective Action”. The consistent message throughout was clear: confronting racism is intrinsic to the Christian calling to love one’s neighbour and uphold human dignity. Also featured is an inspirational story of a close friendship between an Iman and a Rabbi in South Manchester who have given joint talks to dozens of schools in the area and have their own podcast, The Rabbi, the Imam and the Power of Dialogue (available on most platforms).

Many readers will remember the Kairos document of 2009 compiled by a group of Christian Palestinians which called for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land with a special reference to Gaza. In recognition of the current situation a new document has been issued: Kairos II: A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide. Links to both documents are given plus a link to several reports from a Pax Christi International Delegation to the Holy Land which took place in November2025. 

Priests Against Genocide USA, part of a global network of 2,200 priests from 58 countries, along with 22 bishops, archbishops, and two cardinals have issued an open letter to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) calling on Catholic leaders in the United States to speak with moral clarity regarding President Trump’s convening of the ‘Board of Peace’ on February 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. The group warns that the initiative risks side-lining Palestinian voices and legitimizing ongoing injustice amid the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In an article first published in The Church Times, James Gordon Reid Haveloch-Jones argues that Assisted Dying would commodify death and asks that dignity be extended to all.

There’s a packed diary with several upcoming Pax Christi events and also seasonal resources, including a poem from Rev’d Jon Swales and a Stations of the Cross to download in an easy to print A4 format.

Please pass the bulletin on to others who may be interested.

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin March 2026