The Commission strives, in common with many agencies, to seek out the path of justice and peace in all we do. Where there is justice, peace usually follows.
In common with the work of Pax Christi, CaFOD and other agencies, we will strive to identify and remove injustice, to seek a peaceful path for conflict resolution and to help build a world free of the threat of nuclear weapons.
Help Demolish the government’s arms sales department:
UKTI Defence and Security Organisation
SUPPORT CAAT (Campaign Against the Arms Trade) by joining its campaign to lobby MPs in the run-up to the next election. CAAT's aim is to put the closure of the Defence and Security Organisation at the top of candidates' agendas.
The run-up to the election and the start of the new government is a crucial time to show that the public want the government to get out of bed with the arms trade. The Conservatives have expressed a desire to expand the taxpayer support for arms sales, and to make the government arms sales department – UK Trade & Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) – part of the opaque Ministry of Defence.
CAAT needs our help to make this happen
Go to CAAT's website for resources and other information on how to approach prospective parliamentary candidates. Research your candidates – find out who they are (this information will be soon be available).
If you require further information or have any questions on the above, please contact the CJSR office on 01277 265290 or email CJSR.
Pray for peace in Gaza
The news from Gaza changes every day. The media is full of distressing images, stories of injustice and the possibility of political solutions. What can we do to create change? Fortunately, there are agencies like the UN that can help with humanitarian aid and politicians who will continue to strive for a resolution in the hope that they can bring about peace in this war-torn area. It may seem that we can do very little to affect the outcome. The Bishops' Conference has sent out a press release from Archbishop Patrick Kelly.
On a positive note the most powerful and effective tool we have is prayer. The message from Church leaders is to join together to pray for peace. The following is a prayer from Ramani Leathard (Christian Aid):
Prayer for peace in the Holy Land:
Living Lord ignite in us a passion for justice and a yearning to right all wrong.
Strengthen us to work for peace in the land we call holy;
For peace among Jew, Christian and Muslim,
For reconciliation between communities,
For harmony between faiths.
Inspire us to act with the urgency of your quickening fire,
For blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called the children of God.
Pax Christi has up-to-date news on the situation so visit the Gaza section of the Pax Christi site. You can also sign a petition to be sent to the UN to call a ceasefire in Gaza. To sign go to the AVAAZ website or click take action which will take you straight to the petition page.