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The perpetual cycle of seasonal change once again brings us the feast of Christmas, seeing out the old year as it draws to its close and welcoming in the new with renewed optimism and a sense of hope.

Despite the material temptations with which the commercial world overwhelms us, Christmas thankfully retains a particular significance for those of us who staunchly adhere to the age-old message centred on the lowly stable in Bethlehem, which remains the central focus of our celebration. Traditionally a time we spend, where possible, with family and friends, it lends itself to reflection of the cycle of life itself; those who have gone before us to their eternal rest and the new born, embarking on life’s journey.

As we look back over the last year at the numerous conflicts that have pre-occupied the media, it would be all too easy to overlook the advances that have been made in science, technology, and medicine, not forgetting the tireless work of unsung heroes who, in their own quiet way, perpetually strive for peace and harmony in the face of almost impossible odds.   However we cannot ignore the tragedy that has unfolded in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, which has become the new benchmark by which many of us will judge the depths to which nations and individuals will stoop in pursuit of supremacy.  With numerous major conflicts currently taking place across the globe, tragically, Syria is not an isolated case. The appalling loss of life, the horrific injuries inflicted by indiscriminate bombing, the consequent displacement of millions of innocent civilians resulting in the largest movement of refugees the world has ever known, and the consequent break up of families, many left as orphans, is all too familiar. We watch and listen in disbelief and anger as those engaged in the conflicts blatantly ignore pleas to bring an end to the suffering.  At times it seems that, rather than encouraging peace, such pleas incite the protagonists to inflict even greater pain and misery as each side tries to outdo the other.  

We have reached a tipping point where the physical and psychological trauma being inflicted on an entire generation of innocent men, women and particularly children, can no longer be tolerated.   As Christians we have a duty to make our voices heard above the political rhetoric, loud enough to drown out the attempted justification for the perpetration of these atrocities.  The time for watching and listening has to be replaced by action aimed at drawing a halt to this barbarity.  Our focus should be on supporting the innocent victims whose pleas for mercy are met with barbed wire and armed militia set on restricting their pursuit of peace and freedom from the hellholes from which they have fled.  

That’s easier said than done, you might justifiably say, when world leaders seem powerless in their attempts to broker a cease fire.  How can we possibly make the slightest difference?  Might I suggest that there is already a well-established, organisation which is capable of delivering the message? And it’s right here at the disposal of every diocese, parish and parishioner.   I refer, of course, to the Justice & Peace Movement.  With members throughout the length and breadth of the country, and with affiliation to the Commissions in Europe and beyond, it is well placed to act as the catalyst in pursuit of this worthy objective.  The cessation of war and the substitution of peace lie at the very heart of the organisation. The movement also embraces issues regarding migrants, the excluded and marginalized, the imprisoned and the unemployed, as well as victims of armed conflict, natural disasters, and all forms of slavery and torture.  

The extent to which the Justice & Peace movement promotes and achieves its underlying objectives in the Catholic Church varies from diocese to diocese depending on what congregations see as their priorities.  Some are very active on a broad range of fronts, others less so, but it only takes one committed member to impart a Justice & Peace ethos on their own parish.  What better time than Christmas, traditionally associated with peace and harmony, to regenerate the organisation.  Think of the collective power that the voices of every parish in the land could bring to bear on those who have the responsibility for ending these atrocities.  Think of how the energies of those troubled by what they are witnessing could be mustered to bring about peace and settlement.

Let us take time this Christmas to contemplate the innocent, homeless babe in the crib that it might inspire us to start the New Year with a resolution to ensure Justice & Peace is active in your parish. 

If you would like more information, please contact us either by e-mail or telephone and we will be more than willing to respond.  

Members of the Commission wish you Christmas blessings and extend their warm wishes at this joyous time.

I live in a small village to the north of Lochgilphead in Mid Argyll. Like all local authorities, Argyll and Bute has had to make interesting choices to balance its books, and one of those choices was to limit still further our refuse collection.

I think there was a bit of panic at the start of this arrangement. Interestingly, that wasn’t over the possibility of over-flowing, stinking green bins or plagues of rats. It was whether we’d remember which week was which – and so far, in this village we must all have the council’s refuse collection calendar stuck on the fridge door, because on the appropriate days, the rumble of bin wheels to the pavement heralds the positioning of the proper bin of the week.

Being a bit of a control freak, I use my bright blue bin for paper only and after Mass on a Sunday I make the pilgrimage to the local dump with plastics, glass, cans and the occasional dead (low energy) light bulb. This has become something of a social event – the place is hoaching with folk bringing everything from garden waste to white goods, empty cartons to cast-off clothes. There is also a local Facebook page where unwanted goods are sold and swapped.

This is an area that recycles with a vengeance. Awards have been won.

We are far from perfect, but a lot of people in this mainly rural area seem to be answering Pope Francis’ plea in the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ that we should care for our common home.

It could be because there’s an active eco group in the area. And if that is a contributory factor, then I am right with the Scottish Bishops’ Conference, which is urging more Catholic parishes to become part of the Eco-congregation Scotland scheme.

In November, Ardrishaig Church Eco Group held an open meeting to discuss how best to encourage our politicians to focus on the commitments made at the Paris Conference on climate change held in December 2015. The guest speaker was our MP, Brendan O’Hara, and representatives from St Margaret’s RC parish turned out in force to add their voices to the on-going battle to care for our ‘common home’.

Argyll and the Isles Diocese is as aware of the issues as any urban area polluted by exhaust fumes and industrial output. We want the Paris Agreement to work and we are as worried as anyone that President-elect Donald Trump might scupper progress with his denial of human blame for climate chaos.

At the Ardrishaig meeting, the swap of ideas and information at the meeting showed how concerned people are. The issue was discussed on every level, from local recycling to the effects on developing countries that produce the least emissions but suffer the most.

Brendan O’Hara said he’d explore whether the dumping of a surplus stock of 1980s cars in developing countries means that a new form of tied aid is emerging. Yes – the issues are more complex than sorting out the plastics we can recycle.

The voice of the Eco-congregation Scotland movement is an evolving one.  It’s not (as one misconception still has it) a matter of putting eco-friendly heating systems into churches (although churches such as St Margaret’s have done so). It is about changing our lifestyles – our voices and actions can help to care for our common home. With representatives from both Justice and Peace Scotland and SCIAF on the board of Eco-congregation Scotland, the percentage of Catholic parishes taking up the challenge should rise – but we can’t leave it to others.

Parishioner power can convince politicians to act. SCIAF’s Caring for our common home booklet is good for practical advice (0141 354 5555, email frayner@sciaf.org.uk or download a PDF (and conserve the forests) on http://www.sciaf.org.uk/go-green-with-sciaf/go-green-with-sciaf.html

How would we respond if we found out that two million refugees would be coming into Scotland? Refugees who needed medical help, housing and food. Refugees who are fleeing a civil war in their homeland. Refugees, many of them children, who have witnessed the death of family members at close quarters and have been severely traumatised by such experiences?

As Christians we would say that we would welcome them and want to help. But, stop for a moment. Think of the consequences of so many people coming to our small country.

Would we, could we, find shelter for everyone? How and where would we educate the children? Would our much loved NHS cope with such an influx of people, many of them children, who have been physically and mentally scarred by their experiences?   The task would be extremely daunting. But that is the reality for our brothers and sisters in Lebanon.

Over 6.5 million Syrians are displaced within their own country and nearly five million have fled into neighbouring countries like Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.

Fr. Paul Karam, the Director of Caritas Lebanon, visited SCIAF recently to explain the work he and his colleagues are doing to support many of the 1.5 million refugees now living in his country.

He told us how the number of refugees continues to grow as the situation within Syria worsens.  Reception centres and mobile clinics have been set up to feed and care for people but the impact on the people of Lebanon has been severe.  Schools are operating on a shift system to try to ensure every child has an education. The whole social infrastructure is under severe pressure.

Such a huge challenge requires all the support we can afford to give. In material terms money donated to SCIAF’s appeals is helping to provide basic necessities: food parcels, clean water and wash kits containing soap, nappies, sanitary towels and other essentials to help stop the spread of disease; accommodation and blankets to protect against the cold winter nights; and heaters and cooking equipment to keep body and soul together.

But they also need our prayers, and to know that, as we approach the Christmas season and look forward to family gatherings, they and their families are in our hearts and our prayers.

“Accept one another, then, for the sake of God's glory, as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

Lost in a sea of strangers, stripped of any sense of belonging, security or identity, our sisters and brothers are scared and at the mercy of others.  Lord, we pray for all refugees throughout the world.   Help us to follow your example of reaching out to the stranger, the poor and the marginalised. Help us to create a world where refugees find the peace and acceptance they desperately need. 

To give to the SCIAF Syria appeal visit: ww.sciaf.org.uk or telephone 0141 354 3555