Foreign News

The people of God gather in prayer before Synod

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 »

Ukraine: How can you help?

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 »

Peace is the fruit of Justice

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 »

Prayer and action for justice and peace in Ukraine and the whole world

“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 »

The situation in Ukraine

After the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on 24 February 2022,

  • we condemn the Russian aggression as a serious violation to international law and as a threat to peace in Europe,
  • we express our support and solidarity with Ukraine and its suffering people,
  • we request all European governments to support the neighbouring countries of Ukraine in their efforts to welcome and accommodate refugees,
  • we ask the European Union, its member states and all European governments to stay united and to put in place an even harsher sanctions regime against the Russian authorities,
  • we admire the courage of Russian citizens who despite all sorts of repressions bravely take to the streets to protest against their government in the name of peace,
  • we implore His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and all Orthodox authorities in Russia to intervene with the political leadership in order to obtain an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian troops from the Ukraine territory,
  • we support the call of Pope Francis for a day of fast and prayer for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday (2 March),
  • we hope and work for a new culture of peace in Europe, remembering in our prayers all civilian and military victims and their families…

    • Read more »

Draw the right lessons from the pandemic now, save millions of lives

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 »

Pray for peace in Ukraine and Europe

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 »

Dialogue between generations, education and work: tools for building lasting peace

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 »

Pope encourages Justice & Peace Commissions to work with hope, determination, and creativity

Daniel Darmanin and Mark Cachia from Justice and Peace (Malta) joined other participants from Europe, Africa, Oceania and Asia in an online conference for Justice and Peace Commissions which was hosted on Wednesday 17th November by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Following the establishment of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development in 2016, the need has emerged for a dialogue with ecclesial bodies working for justice and peace, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the light of the Encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli tutti… Read more »

“An out-of-control locomotive hurtling towards the abyss”

Pope Francis, in a keynote address to a group of social justice activists, harshly criticized the current economic system which, “with its relentless logic of profit, is escaping all human control. It is time to slow the locomotive down, an out-of-control locomotive hurtling towards the abyss.”

Addressing the IV World Meeting of Popular Movements, the Pope told participants that their dedication “is above all a proclamation of hope” reminding us that “we are not condemned to repeat or to build a future based on exclusion and inequality, rejection or indifference”… Read more »