Justice & Peace Advisers
Specialist Adviser: David Thomson
DABCEC, 4 Southgate Drive, Crawley West Sussex RH10 6RP.
Tel: Crawley (01293) 651155. Email:
david.thomson@dabnet.org Priest Adviser: Awaiting Appointment
JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION:
The Commission exists to keep the diocese aware of problems of injustice and violence, at home and overseas; to assist in the work of reflection on these problems in the light of the Church's social teaching; and to foster and encourage action for justice and peace at every level of diocesan life.
Events
See Pastoral Team Noticeboard for event information by clicking here
Fairtrade
Message from Paul Chandler, Chief Executive of Traidcraft
‘As we mark thirty years of fighting poverty through trade I wanted to send a very special and heartfelt thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to support Traidcraft. Every action – whether it is selling or buying products, donating to the charity, spreading the message or offering prayers – has a positive impact on the lives of our producers…….The passionate commitment, energy and dedication of the Traidcraft network is a real inspiration. On behalf of everyone at Traidcraft and the millions of producers and their families who have a better life because of the support you give, thank you.’
Fairtrade Fortnight. 22nd February to 7th March
The theme this year is The Big Swap. The idea is to get 1,000,001 people committing to swapping their normal purchases for a Fairtrade one. This will include shops, youth groups and staff rooms. Even changing just one product will make a difference. A big focus is going to be on tea. Help turn Britain into a Fairtrade tea drinking nation! There is a joint Traidcraft/WI action to try to persuade the big five companies (Tetley's, Typhoo, Twinings, Yorkshire Tea and PG Tips) to switch to Fairtrade. The UK's top five brands account for 72% of the UK tea market and directly affect the lives of over one million tea workers worldwide. Those who grow and pick the tea earn a tiny fraction of the price that tea fetches on international markets and in shops. Tea prices are determined in auction centres which are dominated by a handful of multinationals. Their massive purchasing power enables them to influence the demand and therefore the price of tea. So, what can you do to help? order action cards on 0191 491 0591.
Lent and Easter
If you buy Easter eggs or chocolates for family and friends- buy Fairtrade: available at Co-op stores, Oxfam and others.
Renew your personal or Church commitment to Fairtrade and ensure that the whole church community is aware of what it means to be a Fairtrade Church.
For more information,prayer and worship suggestions please see
www.cafod.org.uk
www.traidcraft.co.uk
www.fairtrade.org
National Justice and Peace Conference
The annual Justice and Peace Conference will be held over the weekend of the 16th to 18th of July, 2010. The theme of the conference will be “Our Daily Bread: Food Security, People and Planet”. The key speakers will be Elizabeth Dowler, Alistair McIntosh, Shay Cullen and Vanda Shiva. Full details have been sent to J&P contacts in each Parish and further information can be found at http://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference.html
Campaigning
General Election
The General Election is expected in May so why not start preparing now. The Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales have produced a pre-election document, “Choosing the Common Good”, available at http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/
CAFOD have also produced useful information and top tips to help you lobby your local candidates on climate justice, tackling poverty and making business work for the poor. This can be found at http://www.cafod.org.uk/policy-campaigns/climate-kit/panels/campaigner-s-kit/election-guide
Climate Change
This is a key justice issue as it hits the world's poorest communities first and hardest. For information on campaigning and acting on Climate Change then visit the following organisations:
CAFOD's Climate Justice Campaign is calling on the rich world to take greater responsibility for tackling climate change. Please visit this CAFOD campaign link for more details.
Operation Noah founded by Christian Ecology Link in 2001 it is a Christian campaigning group that focusses solely on the issue of Climate Change enabling churches and individuals to take action here and now. For more information including their new GIVE AWAY site for unwanted items then click here
Peace and Justice
Pax Christi is an international Christian peacemaking movement based on the gospel and inspired by faith. They have a number of key current peace campaigns. Click here for a link.
Poverty in the UK
Housing Justice is a new network for those working with homeless and vulnerable people. They have produced a useful document on current homeless issues called Rough Sleeping: Compassion v Coercion. For a copy of this plus further information on housing justice campaigninig click here
Child Poverty is still a reality for 3.9 million children in UK. The budget did not really tackle this issue and it looks unlikely that the government will meet its own target to halve child poverty by 2010. Why not take action by writing to your MP. For more information on visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
"How come it is always the money of the poor that is lost? How come the money of the rich is always saved?...When it comes to alleviating poverty, there are no resources. But when it comes to saving the rich, there are always resources."
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiga
Flame of Hope
Next Easter, there is an opportunity for people in our Diocese to take part in the World March for Peace and Non-Violence that will circle the Earth, calling for the end to violence, war and nuclear arms. The feeder march from Dover to Southampton takes place between 2nd and 11th April and will relay a Flame of Hope for the global abolition of nuclear weapons. For full details of the route, timetabling and programme please contact Michael or Patricia Pulham on 01435 862451
Messsage for the World Day of Peace 2010
In this Pope Benedict said: If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation. The quest for peace by people of good will surely would become easier if all acknowledge the indivisible relationship between God, human beings and the whole of creation.In the light of divine Revelation and in fidelity to the Church’s tradition, Christians have their own contribution to make. Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all. It is an urgent challenge, one to be faced with renewed and concerned commitment; it is also a providential opportunity to hand down to coming generations the prospect of a better future for all. May this be clear to world leaders and to those at every level who are concerned for the future of humanity: the protection of creation and peacemaking are profoundly linked! For this reason, I invite all believers to raise a fervent prayer to God, the all-powerful Creator and the Father of mercies, so that all men and women may take heart to the urgent appeal: If you want to create peace, protect creation.
Racial Justice Sunday was on 13th September 2009. It provided an opportunity for all Christians in Britain and Ireland to focus their worship, prayer and action on racial justice by:
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Celebrating human diversity.
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Rejoicing in how far God's people have travelled together.
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Recognising that there is much further to go both in the Church and in the world.
What are the aims?
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To raise awareness and deepen understanding of the diversity of culture and experience both in society and in the church.
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To become more inclusive, outward-looking and welcoming.
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To encourage all Christians to tackle injustice, not ignore it.
Make sure your church remembers racial justice!
