By John Battle, Commission Chair2025 is to be celebrated throughout the Catholic Church as a Jubilee Year. Announced by Pope John Paul II back in 2000, telling young people they would be “the leading players”, the theme for 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope”.There is even a cartoon mascot to encourage the young, named “Luce” (“light”). […]
Catholic Social Thought
aspects of catholic social thought
21 Dec – Pax Christi Peace Sunday
by Lucy Irven, Commission MemberPax Christi England & Wales is a membership organisation operating within Pax Christi International, the Catholic movement for peace and nonviolence. The work of Pax Christi – the Peace of Christ – is based on the gospel and inspired by faith, rooted in Catholic Christianity but open to all who share its values […]
18 Dec – 2025 Year of Jubilee
2025 is a Year of Jubilee! Traditionally, a time of renewal, freedom and celebration: Debts were cancelled, people and the land could rest, prisoners and slaves freed, and land redistributed fairly, a year of the Lord’s favour. In Luke, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah.“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has […]
15 Dec – New Chair for SPARK Steering Group
The SPARK social Justice project started 6 years ago – initiated by the Leeds Diocese Justice & Peace Commission. In the first few months the project mainly worked in High schools, including St Mary’s in Menston.
12 Dec – Catholic Education Network Launch
by Kathy Shaw, SPARKThe new Catholic Education Network was launched in November at Hinsley Hall, led by Deborah Garcia, Head of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) at Leeds Trinity University. This positive and original idea will provide personal and professional support to students interested in working in faith-based education, attracting the best talent to apply for schools […]
9 Dec – Red Carpet in Gaza
By Joe Burns, Commission member The Commission part-sponsored the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival event at Wheeler Hall on 30 November. Rather than an individual film, this event showed several short films. The connecting thread for them was that in the previous 12 months, despite immense difficulties, there have been two film festivals held within Gaza itself. […]
6 Dec – What’s changed since Laudato Si?
By Joe Burns, Commission member This was the theme of the NDEG (Northern Dioceses Environment Group) zoom meeting on 27 November.
3 Dec – Just Stop Oil Action
by Mollie SomervilleFor many years, since the late 1960s, when I spent 2 years in Ethiopia, I was concerned about the inequality between the rich and poor worlds. I have been a supporter of CAFOD and Christian Aid ever since and a member of Global Justice Now (previously known as World Development Movement). I was […]
27 Nov – Where Olive Trees Weep
The SPARK-sponsored film in the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival this year (the tenth year) was called ‘Where Olive Trees Weep’. The film cleverly cut between talking heads, filmed footage from various encounters by ordinary Palestinians with Israeli military forces and some archive footage. It was at times harrowing to watch.
24 Nov – UK Poverty and the Real Living Wage
By Joe Burns, Commission MemberUK Poverty and the Real Living Wage – This was the title of the National Justice & Peace Network (NJPN) Open Networking Day held on Saturday 16 November 2024. The Leeds J&P Commission hosted this event on behalf of NJPN.The event opened with a presentation from Sara Bryson, Assistant Director (North) […]
18 Nov – A Jubilee Year, pilgrims of the hope that does not fade.
By Christine Allen, CAFODChristmas Eve is the beginning of the Church’s Jubilee year. The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. Hope defines CAFOD’s mission because we witness hope through the communities we serve, in solidarity with those experiencing oppression, injustice and environmental degradation.In the Old Testament, a ‘Jubilee’ meant a radical reset every 50th year. Based on […]
11 Nov – Together with Refugees
From Leeds Asylum Seekers’ Support Network We wanted to share this amazing initiative put together by the Together With Refugees campaign, entitled “A Fair New Plan For Refugees”. Below you can find an excerpt from their recent newsletter.
06 Nov – 16th November NJPN Networking Day: The Real Living Wage
Saturday 16th November The National Justice & Peace Network (NJPN) brings together J&P activists from across the Dioceses of England and Wales with in-person and online events focussing on various social justice issues. The Diocese of Leeds Justice & Peace Commission is delighted to be hosting this meeting on their behalf at Wheeler Hall, Leeds […]
01 Nov – Conference of Mayors for Peace
by Sean Morris, Commission member Earlier this week I helped a colleague in organising the Executive Conference of Mayors for Peace held in Manchester. The conference is held every two years with Manchester hosting as a Vice President. On Sunday there was a walk of the Manchester Peace Trail. Manchester is a famous city with […]
21 Sep – Acting with compassion – Seeking Justice
How can Christians in West Yorkshire respond to recent riots and racism? How can we build a better society? This was the theme of the recent Caritas Catholic Care Day of Reflection. Caritas Catholic Care focus on social action – what services can and should the Diocese provide to help those in need? This ranges […]
16 Sep – Celebrating Creation Fair
The parish of St. Benedict’s in Garforth was one of the first 20 parishes in the country to receive a LiveSimply award in 2016. However, the award does not mark the end of working to live simply, live sustainably and live in solidarity with the world’s poor. One of their major actions was the creation […]