Justice and Peace Commission

What does it do?

The Commission provides a forum and a service for all individuals and groups working for Justice and peace. The commission also issues six newsletters a year.

Contacts

Chairperson

Barbara Hungin 4 Butts Lane, Egglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees TS16 9BT Tel: 01642 784398

Secretary

Sr Mary Walmsley, Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ Tel: 01904 464917

Treasurer

Nan Saeki, 55 Moorgate, York YO24 4HP

Newsletter editor

Chris Dove, 22 Blackburn Yard, Whitby YO22 4DS Tel: 01947 825043

Please check our web site www.ayton.info/middlesbroughjp/

News

'This is what the Church does

- struggle for justice and fight for peace'

- Bishop Kieran Conry

A six strong delegation represented the Middlesbrough Diocese at the 28th National Justice and Peace Conference in late July. Margaret Blatchford, Trudie Thompson, Nan Saeki, Win Logan, Ria Smith and Joel Mullan were amongst the 350 people attending the conference, held at Swanwick, Derbyshire.

The major happening to come out of the conference was a statement on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which was signed by a majority of those in attendance. The statement offered solidarity to all those suffering as a result of the conflict, and supported Kofi Annan's call for an immediate ceasefire.

A seminar on ethical investment proved the highlight of the weekend for several members of the group, as Sister Helen Costigan described the trade-off between maximising returns on investments to fund the work of her order and trying to support the common good through investing ethically. Sister Lucinda Wogan's session on the Sharing Fair Initiative, run by the Good Shepherd Sisters also proved interesting and enlightening. She explained how the initiative had helped women forced into prostitution by economic hardship and deception throughout parts of the third world to escape their suffering. Under the initiative the women learn new skills, including how to make crafts, which are then sold - allowing the women to earn an income.

A fringe meeting on the work of Oldham-based anti-racist group, Peacemaker, presented by two sixteen year olds, was another highlight. The pair explained how the group had helped unite their community, which had been torn apart by the race riots in 2001. Delegates also had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops, which offered practical advice on, for example, lobbying MPs or applying for funding. Other workshops outlined efforts being undertaken on numerous campaigns and issues, such as CAFOD's Unearth Justice Campaign and the work of Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture.

Overall, the weekend reinforced Bishop Conry's message, that Justice and Peace is not an 'optional extra', but is a fundamental part of Catholic life and ministry, with Sister Helen Costigan adding, 'Maybe the Church should say less about sex and more about Catholic social teaching'.

Calling all young people

Any young people in the Middlesbrough area interested in becoming involved in the Youth Justice and Peace Group should contact Joel Mullan, joelmullan@yahoo.com. The Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission works across the diocese, for more information contact Barbara Hungin (01642) 784398

Joel Mullan

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough