News

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 »

Exploring the Encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’

The Encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” is a potent expression of faith in times of doubt, a call for hope in times of fear and a challenge to love. This Encyclical is a blend of Franciscan themes and Ignatian discernment, combined with the Catholic Social Teaching.

Over eight weeks, the themes of this Encyclical will be discussed with the parish community in Marsaskala. The first meeting, which focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan, was held on the 21st of April in Villa Apap Bologna and saw the attendance of around 25 parishioners… Read more »

Live: Protecting peace amid the rubble of war

Date: Tue 19th April, 2022

Time: 19:00

Venue: Dar Ħanin Samaritan, Santa Venera

As the war in Ukraine is in its seventh week, the Justice and Peace Commission will be holding a public lecture on how Catholic Social Teaching sheds light on the responsibility of the international community, including Malta, to protect innocent lives from the severity of conflicts and wars… 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 »

Pope Francis in Malta

Pope Francis visited the Maltese islands from the 2nd till the 3rd April for a brief and intense visit.

Migration, the joy of the gospel and the need to rediscover our humanity in the way we welcome each other were at the centre of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey. The theme for the visit was “They showed us unusual kindness” (Acts 28,2). At his first event, in Valletta, he addressed the President of Malta and other civil authorities and highlighted the values of honesty, justice, a sense of duty and transparency as “essential pillars of a mature civil society”… Read more »

One family in Malta: kindness in hospitality

The fifth and last dialogue session of Ilkoll Aħwa is taking place on Friday 1st April, with the theme chosen being ‘One family in Malta: kindness in hospitality’ and will be led by Mark Cachia.

Christian hospitality begins with an attitude of gratitude towards a God who welcomes. In the Gospel, apart from being portrayed as a gracious and merciful host, Jesus is also shown as a vulnerable and needy stranger… Read more »

3rd European Catholic Social Days

Following the days held in Gdansk (2009) and in Madrid (2014), the third edition of the European Catholic Social Days – entitled “Europe after the pandemic – towards a new beginning” – was held in Bratislava from the 17th till the 20th of March. This meeting gathered hundreds of delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences to discuss about the most pressuring social challenges in Europe and reflect on the demographic, technological and ecological transition processes taking place in European societies… Read more »

Dialogue sessions in preparation for Pope Francis’ visit

Ilkoll Aħwa (One Family) is the theme chosen for events being organised by the Church in Malta as the country prepares spiritually to welcome Pope Francis on the 2nd and 3rd April. Over the next few weeks, the theme of the Apostolic Visit, “They showed us unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2), shall be complemented by a deep reflection to encourage Maltese society to reflect on how all of us who live on these islands are called to care and protect one another as blood relatives do… Read more »

Forging a new culture of peace – A strategy for Europe

Surveying global affairs today may leave us with a sense of disorientation, unpredictability or even fear. European nations are confronted and challenged on the global stage with fragile trust in international legal frameworks and multilateral mechanisms, even if seeds of hope seem to be emerging with the revival of the transatlantic partnership. The Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions, composed of more than thirty national commissions is convinced that the way forward for Europe as a whole is to be found in the development of a new culture of peace… 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 »