As the European Union navigates a world marked by conflicts and division, Justice and Peace Europe, the Community of Sant’Egidio and Pax Christi International, as Catholic organisations, urge a reaffirmation of the EU’s foundational commitment to Just Peace. This vision, as envisaged by the EU’s Founders, sees peace not merely as the absence of war, but as a lasting goal rooted in justice, human dignity, and dialogue… Read more »
The Catholic Justice and Peace Europe network has requested lead candidates for the European elections to support a strong engagement of the European Union with Armenia and Armenian refugees and internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh over the next European political cycle.
In recent weeks, the Co-Presidents of Justice and Peace Europe, Maria Hammershoy and Mgr Antoine Hérouard have written letters to the lead candidates of several parties for the European elections regarding the critical situation of Armenia and Armenian refugees and internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh… Read more »
On Saturday, 30th of September, the “Gathering of the People of God” took place. At the invitation of Pope Francis, in the presence of around forty church leaders from various denominations, this vigil entrusted to the Holy Spirit the work of the synodal assembly of the Catholic Church which will begin on Wednesday 4th of October.
During the ecumenical prayer vigil which was organised by the Taizé Community, Pope Francis emphasised the importance of silence in our spiritual life… Read more »
The Russian Federation’s brutal invasion of Ukraine means that war is once again raging on European soil. In the six months since the start of the war, tens of thousands have already lost their lives and more than 12 million people were forced to leave their homes. At this stage, the possibility of a catastrophic wider European conflict cannot be excluded.
The scenario we are witnessing is exactly the opposite of the culture of fraternity proposed by Pope Francis… Read more »
On 24 February 2022 the Russian government launched a brutal and undeclared invasion of Ukraine. Like many civil society actors, Justice and Peace Europe immediately condemned the Russian aggression. Today, as secretaries general of Justice and Peace Commissions in Europe we reaffirm on the foundation of our Christian values and convictions that whilst diplomacy remains essential, some principles are non-negotiable, in particular respect for the dignity of every human being, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and the imperative of non-aggression, which is the basis for peaceful coexistence… Read more »
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Roman 5:5)
The Paschal mystery of Christ takes us to the heart of injustice, violence and suffering. The story of Christ’s passion and death echoes human suffering and tragedies experienced in many parts of our world, not least by Ukrainians in their own country and wherever the roads of exile have taken them… Read more »
After the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on 24 February 2022,
In a joint statement, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and Justice and Peace Europe call on the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and their member states to strengthen their commitment to equitable global vaccine supply and global health issues ahead of the joint AU-EU Summit.
Bishop Noël Treanor, president of Justice and Peace Europe, notes that the consequences of the pandemic are hitting particularly hard those who were already struggling before the pandemic: “Refugees and homeless people, often living in precarious conditions, live in constant fear of infection and are even more isolated than before… Read more »
The Presidency of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, giving voice to the Bishops of the European Continent in this dramatic moment of tension around Ukraine, wishes to express its closeness to the Churches in Ukraine and to all its people. They invite the international community to offer its support to the country in the face of the danger of a Russian military offensive.
While the entire international community interprets the actions of the Russian military forces as a real threat to peace throughout the world, we embrace – in this time of fear and uncertainty for the future of the country – our brothers and sisters in the faith and all the people of Ukraine… Read more »
1. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace” (Is 52:7).
The words of the prophet Isaiah speak of consolation; they voice the sigh of relief of a people in exile, weary of violence and oppression, exposed to indignity and death. The prophet Baruch had wondered: “Why is it, O Israel, why is it that you are in the land of your enemies, that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you are defiled with the dead, that you are counted among those in Hades?” (3:10-11)… Read more »
