Following our Stations of the Cross liturgy in Holy Week, this Eastertide the Leeds Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is announcing its new programme to address Britain’s “Five wounds”:
- The reduction in our International Aid
- The increase in poverty and inequality at work
- The hostile policy towards refugees and asylum seekers
- The investment in nuclear weapons
- The lack of urgent commitment to tackling climate change
John Battle, Chair of the Commission, spelt out the programme: “Our Five Easter Season priorities are:
1 To campaign for an increase in development aid and humanitarian relief -including taking positive action to ensure global access to Covid vaccines
2 To address the causes of poverty and work inequality by calling for effective social security support as well as campaigning for a real Living Wage.
3 Offering practical support to refugees and asylum seekers and promoting a culture of welcome and hospitality
4 To campaign for Peace by challenging investment in and increased numbers of nuclear weapons and addressing the issue of the escalation in domestic violence by seeking appropriate resources.
5 Committing to a process of Eco-conversion, as set out in Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical,‘Laudato Si.’ We will do this through
- promoting individual and community transformation by engaging with the Live Simply Award Scheme managed by CAFOD.
- through encouraging efficient energy and resource management in implementing the new Diocesan Environmental Policy
- By challenging and campaigning against global economic systems that damage the Earth’s eco-systems
John Battle added ” The El Salvadorean martyred Jesuit Fr Ignacio Ellacuria urged us to ” face the crucified people” in our world today and ask ourselves ” What must I do to uncrucify them? What must I do for these people to rise again?’ For Catholics throughout the Diocese of Leeds, our new Easter programme is a call to action. “