On Saturday, I attended the National Justice and Peace Network NJPN day in London on ‘Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations’ kindly hosted by CAFOD. It was an incredible, informative and interactive day. I enjoyed the opportunity to listen to all the speakers and getting to know people involved in justice and peace from all around the country.
The day was opened and closed by collective prayer and sung worship, a time for reflection and grounding, led by Sr MaryAnne FcJ and Colette Joyce (Westminster Justice & Peace).
The morning consisted of three different topics of discussion, with experts on each area. Firstly, we heard input from Mary and Peter Johnson and their ‘experience of a Live Simply Parish’. They are clearly very committed and innovative and hearing their journey was encouraging. The main takeaway I had was that action is great, but developing spirituality and walking alongside those on this Live Simply journey (whatever stage they are up to) is so important.
Next, Mary Finnerty (Lead Economist at CAFOD) informed us on CAFOD’s latest campaign calling for debt cancellation and the significance in this Jubilee Year (2025). This increased my understanding of the debt crisis, the importance of the City of London and the UK’s role in reducing/cancelling debt and tackling unjust systems and structures that uphold and perpetuate inequality globally. CAFOD is calling for the UK government to pass a debt justice law to allow debt relief negotiations to be clear and representative.
Then we heard different angles and perspectives on ‘Greening Church investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions’. Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos in the Philippines (who has played a key role in the implementation of Laudato Si’ in the Philippines) described the importance of divestment from corporations that are responsible for the destruction of the Verde Island Passage. He described the area as a centre for marine biology, environmentally and culturally important and at risk of being destroyed for fossil gas plants. He called for unity and action, pressure on UK banks (HSBC and Standard Chartered) to stop supporting fossil fuels in the Philippines and protect this ‘hope spot’.
James Buchanan (Laudato Si Movement) built upon the Bishop’s message, exploring the progress and further steps needed in terms of divestment from fossil fuels by individuals and the wider Catholic Church. He introduced the Big Bank Switch which puts faith in greener banking. Bokani Tshidzu (Operation Noah) then continued by encouraging us about the importance of investment in clean energy and climate solutions. She introduced a document linking sustainability to Catholic Social Teaching in depth.
After a time for questions and connecting over lunch, Shanon Shah (Director of Faith for the Climate) brought insights on ‘Honouring Our Covenants of Care for Creation’. This included reflecting on Laudato Si, Laudate Deum and Al Mizan (an Islamic approach to environmental protection). He spoke passionately about what nature teaches us about God, including the signs and symbolism found in nature. He works on interfaith work on climate justice issues and I was inspired by the way he spoke of embracing difference as well as similarities in order to work together for the good of the future of our planet. Then reflecting in groups allowed space for processing what we had listened to and learnt.
To finish the day we reflected on what we had learnt and would take away. This included vision for different areas of interest, as we go back into our contexts and areas of the country better equipped to stand up for climate justice and see sustainable change at every level.
Thanks to everyone who organised, spoke, participated and facilitated it was an amazing day to come together, pray and cast vision for a more sustainable, and just world.