Right now, countries in debt crisis are being held to ransom by big banks and hedge funds. These lenders are acting like cowboys - making millions in interest payments while lower income countries are left without enough money to pay for health and education. Over 54 countries are already in crisis.  CAFOD

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have announced the appointment of Anne Marie Clements as the new Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer for the National Justice and Peace Commission.

We oppose the TUC’s call for an increase in arms spending. The British arms industry supplies some of the most aggressive and authoritarian regimes in the world and the weapons it exports have helped to destabilize whole regions of the world and contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Pope Francis stresses once again ‘War is Madness’  “Using weapons to resolve conflicts is a sign of weakness and fragility. Negotiation, proceeding in mediation, and conciliation require courage. #Peace“.  April 2023 Pope Video.

This International Women’s Day, we’re sharing a story of what happens for women when trade is done well - and the impact ethical business can have on a whole community. Sadhna, a garments manufacturer in Rajasthan, is just one example of the thousands of inspirational small businesses empowering women and changing lives across the world. Transform Trade.

Justice & Peace Scotland are recruiting for a new full time position - Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer.  Click the link for further details.  

Choose Fair Trade with the directory of independent retailers and wholesalers on the high street and online, across Scotland and beyond.

A guide to caring for our living planet.  The booklet, promoted by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, was launched in a virtual event on Tuesday, February 14. The booklet distils the science on urgent environmental issues and explains how individuals and communities can take action to build a more sustainable and socially just future.

Catholics may have heard of the Pope's encyclical 'Laudato Si' but what does it mean in practical terms for individuals, parishes & Dioceses.  Join this online event on Tuesday 17th Jan at 7.30pm.

Join this Operation Noah webinar on Tuesday 22nd November at 7pm to find out how and why Churches and faith institutions in the UK should increase investment in climate solutions.

"There is a myth that hunger is caused by lack of food, but there is enough food in the world. The reason people face chronic hunger is poverty, they can't afford to buy the food that is available. Newsweek.

The Justice & Peace Europe International Workshop took place from 7-9 October in Assisi and Rondine.  More than sixty participants from 21 countries were present. Here is the final declaration: 

On Wed 21 September 2022, and with the intensifying symptoms of climate breakdown making the case for ecological conversion ever more powerfully, Catholics gathered in Mannofield again for the second diocesan Prayer for Creation.  ICN

Somalia alone used to import 92 per cent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine, but now supply lines are blocked.”  UN.

"As people of faith we are called to be custodians of God's creation, 'this is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience' (Laudato Si, 217). On this the seventh anniversary of its publication, I strongly encourage all people to read Laudato Si' and inform themselves of their faith-based ecological obligation.  ICN.

“Renewables are the only path to real energy security, stable power prices and sustainable employment opportunities. If we act together, the renewable energy transformation can be the peace project of the 21st century,” said Mr Guterres.

"developed countries, those who are largely responsible for climate change, must take responsibility for this. We must help those who are suffering because of it".  ICN.

The Earth Day 2022 Theme is Invest In Our Planet. This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods.  Earthday.org.

"The pope clearly says some forms of pollution are part of people's daily experience, and they're constantly being exposed to atmospheric pollution, pollution of the water, pollution of soil.  Earthbeat.

Buying Fairtrade is easy. There are over 6,000 Fairtrade products from coffee and tea to flowers and gold, so when you shop, look for the FAIRTRADE Mark. 
 

"The poor you will always have with you” (Mk 14:7). Jesus spoke these words at a meal in Bethany, in the home of a certain Simon, known as the leper, a few days before Passover. As the Evangelist recounts, a woman came in with an alabaster flask full of precious ointment and poured it over Jesus’ head. This caused great amazement and gave rise to two different interpretations.

As a climate activist who grew up as part of an indigenous community in the Amazon rainforest, Txai Suruí spoke to world leaders about the direct impacts of climate change that her tribe is already experiencing.  But after the speech she was publicly criticised by Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro, for "attacking Brazil"

Pacific representatives and negotiators have condemned the outcome of the COP26  meeting as “watered down” and a “monumental failure” that puts Pacific nations in severe existential danger, with one saying that Australia’s refusal to support funding for loss and damage suffered by Pacific countries was “a deep betrayal” of the region.

As Catholics, united for our common home, we urgently ask leaders at the United Nations 26th Climate Change Conference to follow Pope Francis' leadership in reaching a prophetic final agreement.

The science is clear: an extractive, unsustainable economy, fuelled by fossil fuels, is causing the climate crisis that's destroying God's creation and harming the most vulnerable among us the most, those who have done little to cause the crisis.

Through COP26 Glasgow has been host to indigenous leaders from around the world. From the Andes in Patagona, the Amazonas, to Alaska Minga Indígena brings together their wisdom and a voice world leaders need to hear.

A journey through endangered and minority languages that reveal different ways of relating to land and nature. Brought together for COP26 sharing 26 words to give a global audience fresh inspiration for tackling our environmental crisis.

World leaders will have to return to the negotiating table next year with improved plans to cut greenhouse gases because the proposed targets agreed at the COP26 summit are too weak to prevent disastrous levels of global heating, the three architects of the Paris agreement have warned.

Justice and Peace Scotland along with our partners involved with 24 Hours for the Climate have lobbied COP26 negotiators with stories of the impact of the climate crisis from across the world.

Read the stories here

Alongside our stories we have written to all COP negotiators. Read the letter here.

Bishop Nolan gave a wonderful talk in Glasgow recently on the topic of "Where Is God At COP26?".  Watch his talk here.

Malaria kills about 500,000 people each year, about half of them children in Africa. The new vaccine isn’t perfect, but it will help turn the tide. The New York Times.

You are invited to submit a proposal to take part in this global 24 hour vigil to pray for the success of COP26. On 5th – 6th November, this live broadcast will be an opportunity to learn from communities suffering from climate change, pray for the future of our common home, and write messages that will be delivered to COP26 negotiators. 

One in three Afghans do not know where their next meal is coming from, the UN chief explained, adding that “many people could run out of food by the end of the month, just as winter approaches”.

For 10 years, Carlos Bolanos was homeless, but in November, he became a resident of 3500 Park Avenue Apartments, a 115-unit residence in the South Bronx developed and run by the nonprofit The Bridge with money lent from the Leviticus Fund. "I live in peace now," said Bolanos, seen here in the building's social hall. (GSR photo/Chris Herlinger) Global Sisters Report.

The number of items on shelves in grocery stores gives the impression that "there's a tremendous amount of diversity in our food system, "But the reality is that all of that diversity of products in a grocery store is basically controlled by four to six companies."  Earthbeat.

Launching the annual report today, Trócaire thanked the people of Ireland, north and south, for their remarkable support in helping to raise €73 million during one of the toughest years in living memory.  ICN.

$370MILLION OF FOOD IS WASTED ON FARMS.  Reducing this could support significant progress towards the SDGs of ‘No Poverty’ and ‘Zero Hunger’, particularly in low-income countries where postharvest waste amounts to 291 million tonnes each year.   WWF

Many Conservative MPs have spoken out against the move, announced last November despite a commitment to spending 0.7% in the party's 2019 election manifesto. Meeting the figure was made law in 2015.  BBC.

Ahead of the G7 group of nations summit taking place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall from 11-13 June 2021, bishops William Nolan, Richard Moth and John Arnold representing the Catholic communities of England, Wales and Scotland have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to stress that we must work together to ensure a just and sustainable future for our global community.

David Davis - among more than 30 Tories against the move - said some UK-backed schemes have already been cancelled and "morally, this is a devastating thing.  BBC.

"Here, when you are hospitalized, you often have to take water with you. There's not enough for everyone." This is the situation in Kisantu, a town about 100 kilometers south of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Earthbeat.

World Fair Trade Day is on the second Saturday of May and its purpose is to celebrate the contributions to the fight against poverty, exploitation, and climate change. The Fair Trade movement is all about ensuring that workers around the globe are treated fairly with decent wages and working conditions. 

“Regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers” — this is the proposal of Pope Francis for bringing the world of finance closer to the real economy and to the lives of ordinary people. #TheRealEconomy #ThePopeVideo

The gap between rich and poor countries on vaccinations highlights the failure of richer nations to see it in their self-interest to urgently help poorer ones fight a shared crisis.  The New York Times ​

The UK has increased its nuclear warheads by 44%, while cutting aid to the world’s poorest by 30%. #DefundTheMilitary. Where do you think the UK’s military budget should be spent instead? CAAT Campaign.

On the run up to the Scottish parliamentary elections on May 6th 2021 we are campaigning for Climate Justice for our poorest brothers and sisters all over the world who have done the least to cause climate change but suffer its affects the most and we want the Scottish government increase the Climate Justice Fund.

Watch this recording of the online training event giving tips on speaking to your local election candidates about climate justice on the run up to the Scottish elections on 6th May.  #ClimateJusticeScot.

I am grateful for the kind invitation to address the participants in the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund 2021 Spring Meetings by means of this letter, which I have entrusted to Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.  ICN.

In November 2020, the UK Chancellor announced the Government’s intention to significantly reduce the budget for international development, arguing that the costs of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic meant a temporary cut was necessary.

Officials have just weeks to slash costs, prompting fears that speed of cuts could cost lives. The Guardian.

From “emaciated” refugees to crops burned on the brink of harvest, starvation threatens the survivors of more than two months of fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. CFRUX. Picture: Catholic Relief Services.

“the effects of our actions and decisions affect you personally. Therefore, you can’t remain outside the places that are shaping the present and future. You’re either part of them or history will pass you by”.  "The time has come to change direction," he said. "Let us not rob younger generations of their hope in a better future."  message from Pope Francis to The Economy of Francesco Conference.

“righteous are those who do justice. Righteous, knowing that, when, resorting to law, we give the poor what is essential, we do not give them our belongings, nor those of third parties, but we give them back what is theirs.”

The book, Let Us Dream, which will be published by Simon & Schuster on Dec. 1, is the product of a series of exchanges between the pope and Austen Ivereigh, his English-language biographer. It is an extended reflection on the change Pope Francis sees as necessary in building a post-Covid world. It is in this context that he addresses several hot-button issues.

Letter to PM says move would send a terrible signal as UK prepares to host G7 and COP26

Indian workers in factories supplying the supermarket chains Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury's, and the fashion brand Ralph Lauren, told the BBC they are being subjected to exploitative conditions.

Bishop Toal, President of Sciaf and Bishop Nolan, President of Justice & Peace Scotland have joined Christian leaders worldwide in writing to the World Bank and the IMF asking for the cancellation of the debts of the poorest countries. 

We are a third of the way towards 2030, the target date for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gary Rynhart and Jan Vandemoortele differ over how likely the Goals are to be achieved.

Scores of senior UK faith leaders are calling on the chancellor to press for the cancellation of debt owed by the world’s poorest countries, which are facing the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Four young Catholic campaigners have been chosen to represent the UK at an international relations workshop, which hopes to lead to better cultural understanding.  ICN.
 

Global Justice Now have produced this report looking at what the privatisation of education means for children and young people around the world.  The findings conclude that the privatisation of education at home and abroad will not support the realisation  of SDG4.

An afternoon exploring cutting-edge issues in science in our fast-changing world. Leading academics will provide input on climate change and our response to it, and on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence. The afternoon will conclude with a chance to consider the implications of these for all of us - no matter what faith or philosophy we may live by.  

Launching the organisation’s 2019 Lenten Appeal, Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra warned that the corporate race for natural resources has put millions of people around the world at risk of exploitation and abuse.

More than half the world's children are at risk of poverty, conflict and discrimination against girls, according to a report by Save the Children.

The charity's second End of Childhood index says more than 1.2 billion children face these threats, with 153 million facing all three.

While the global situation has improved compared with last year, the charity says progress is not fast enough.

The report comes ahead of International Children's Day on 1 June.

Read the Report

Trust is a key component in fighting human trafficking, Cardinal Vincent Nichols told delegates at a United Nations conference this week. The Cardinal was addressing diplomats, law enforcement officials and charities involved in the support of survivors of human trafficking as president and chair of the Santa Marta Group.

Read the full story