J&P e-bulletins

The monthly E-bulletin was introduced in 2011 to replace the hard-copy Quarterly News Network. It was realised that the website and e-mail circulations provided a more effective way to provide information on a timely basis. This page gave access to the latest E-bulletin and all previous issues.

The September 2013 issue of the E-bulletin was the last to be issued under Anne O’Connor’s editorship as she is not part of the re-constituted Shrewsbury Commission. However, Anne has continued her J&P work with the NJPN, the National Justice and Peace Network. In that capacity Anne produces a monthly e bulletin for J&P in the North West, supporting J&P activities throughout the dioceses of Lancaster, Liverpool, Salford, Shrewsbury and Wrexham. Here we provide access to issues of the NJPN NW monthly bulletin as soon as they are produced, each with a brief introduction by Anne, with its invitation to read and pass on.

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin Mid July 2021 [1]

No one deserves to receive vitriolic abuse and death threats, certainly not for missing a penalty shot in a football final. If the unlucky England strikers had been white would there have been a racist backlash? The mid July NW NJPN E Bulletin leads with these recent events that expose a disturbing undercurrent of racism in our country. The England team manager Gareth Southgate has inspired many with his humility, his calm and decisive leadership and the loving way he guides his young team. In a letter written at the start of Euro 2020 he outlined his vision for the team and beyond, printed here in full. Other articles feature the government’s response to the plight of refugees, and preparations for COP26 and climate crisis, highlighted by terrible floods across Western Europe resulting in loss of life. The Primate of All Ireland criticises the UK government’s decision to ‘draw a line’ under the troubles in Northern Ireland, there is disappointment at Parliament’s decision to ratify the UK’s aid budget cuts, as well as the disturbing news that the online giant Amazon destroys unsold products, plus an account of the recent Christian CND Zoom conference attended by more 90 people.

Please pass on to others.

Best wishes, Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin July 2021

The NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin for July covers a range of topics from Climate Change, Covid crisis funding, a tribute to Martha White, US Civil Rights activist, an article on the thorny issue of women priests, resources and diary dates plus an urgent action request to lobby your MP by the Reset the Debt campaign in advance of a parliamentary debate on 8 July. Please read and pass on.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin mid June 2021

An extra edition of the NW NJPN E Bulletin for mid-June features a wide range of resources for Refugee Week 14-20 June including a series of audio dramas from Counterpoint Arts by contemporary Kosovan and Balkan writers, available on Zoom plus news of a photographic series to echo this year’s theme ‘We cannot walk alone.’ Other news articles look at the horrific discovery of a mass grave at a residential school for indigenous children in Canada; German Cardinal Marx’s resignation regarding the Church’s ‘systemic failure’ on abuse; reports from JRS, CAFOD and LIfe on the Breadline. Joan Baez is honoured by the Kennedy Centre for performing Arts for her humanitarian and peace work over a long career. There are obituaries of Sr Isabel Kelly, campaigner against human trafficking, and broadcaster Peter France. Faiths4Change are offering fully funded places on an accredited course in Liverpool to explore climate change and carbon footprints and Green Christian announce a VI Form module based on Laudato Si’. Book reviews and diary dates complete a packed bulletin. Please read and pass on.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin June 2021 [1]

The NW NJPN E-Bulletin for June leads with a moving poem highlighting the current escalation of violence in the Holy Land with a link to last week’s main NJPN bulletin devoted exclusively to articles and action ideas about the conflict. Eye-witness accounts of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the Indian population, especially in the poorer areas, is given by six religious Sisters. There is also coverage of the Pastoral Letter for Pentecost issued by the Bishops of England and Wales with a focus on the pressing issue of climate change, encouraging news from Operation Noah that the Methodist, Unitarian and Free Churches have all voted to disinvest from fossil fuels. and a report of this month’s NJPN AGM by Zoom with a talk on homeschooling during Covid and two follow-up opinion pieces. Other reports look at ways parishes can be more welcoming to deaf people, lobbying for inclusive language in the Lectionary by the Scottish Laity Network and how a popular television programme is helping highlight the story of Sophie Lancaster, a hate crime victim. All this plus resources and diary dates. Please read and pass on.

Best wishes, Anne O’Connor

Here is the main NJPN bulletin for May, referred to above: NJPN-E-Bulletin-18-May

A supplementary Bulletin – mid-May 2021:

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin Mid May 2021

An extra edition of the NW NJPN E-Bulletin to cover Mid-May into June – too many current articles to hold over till next time! Features include reflections for the 100^th anniversary of the partition of Ireland; Richard Ratcliffe’s powerful account of his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s plight as his battle to secure her release drags on; birthday wishes and support for 84 year-old Indian Jesuit, Fr Stan Swamy, imprisoned on charges of terrorism; the Covid emergency in India where faiths are working together to help those in crisis; a moving opinion piece by a woman who has felt marginalised by the Church because of being childless; an interview with Sr. Nathalie Becquart, one of the two new undersecretaries for the Vatican’s office of the Synod of Bishops which gives hope that the laity (and women) will have a voice in the upcoming synod; an account of President Biden’s first 100 days in office which give cause for hope; conflicting statements on the issue of same sex unions resulting in young people walking away from the Church; obituaries of Fr John Kearns CP and Michael Bourdeaux, founder of Keston College; plus resources and diary dates.

Please read and pass on to others.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

Here is the NW Bulletin for May 2021:

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin May 2021

In a packed issue, the May NW NJPN E-Bulletin covers a wide range of subjects: 8 years after Rana Plaza factory collapse which killed 1,138 people and injured many more on 24 April 2013, we look at concerns over poor safety standards, forced child and adult labour, fair trade and the environmental impact of the fashion industry as we celebrate Fashion Revolution Week 19-25 April; a new survey invites children to share their hopes for a post-pandemic world; there are resources for Refugee Week 14-20 June; articles on COP26 and ambitious plans to reach net zero carbon emissions in the North West by 2040; a report of the verdict just announced in the George Floyd murder trial; a review of a Channel 4 documentary examining the UK police policy of Stop and Search which targets a disproportionate number of young black men; serious concerns about the UK government’s lack of support for the Palestinian people as raised by the Balfour Project and echoed by many NGOs; and a fruitful dialogue and apology following an article in the April E-Bulletin relating to the suspension of a teacher in Batley that some regarded as Islamophobic.

Please pass on to others.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

Here is the NW Bulletin for April 2021:

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin April 2021

The April NW NJPN E-Bulletin looks at responses to the UK Government’s recent report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities which has been widely criticised by various groups. Readers may wish to compare the report’s finding with the personal experiences documented in the winning essays from the Columban’s competition for schools (featured in the Easter edition of this bulletin). In the light of the recent controversy over a religious studies lesson in Batley, the thorny issue of freedom of speech is tackled by Irish comedian, playwright, journalist, and political satirist Andrew Doyle. Plans for changes to the UK immigration system are challenged by the Boaz Trust alongside a positive report from Manchester-based Migrant Support celebrating their valuable work. Other articles look at climate change, green mining, life on the breadline, local grassroot groups working together to bring about change for the good of all, and the impact of Pope Francis’ recent visit to Iraq. Resources include an inspirational book by Stuart Lawrence ahead of his brother Stephen Lawrence’s annual Memorial Day on 22 April and a short film from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation charting the lives of three working-class women from Doncaster, plus Easter reflections and poems.

Do please pass on to others and sign up for the fortnightly NJPN E-Bulletin which contains a wealth of information and campaign action ideas at: ebulletin@justice-and-peace.org

Anne O’Connor

Here is the NW Bulletin for Easter 2021:

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin Easter 2021

The Easter edition features three frank and heart-felt sharings on the reality of living as a young BAME person on today’s Britain – winners of the Columban’s recent competition ‘Let’s Create a World Without Racism’, plus an article, published first in 2016 but still relevant today, from a Black University Minister in the US. Other items include the UK government’s plan to increase our nuclear arsenal which is seen by campaigning groups as ‘a dangerous U-turn which contravenes the aims of the Non-Proliferation Treaty’. Pax Christi is launching a virtual ‘Pilgrimage for Peace’ with exciting initiatives to raise funds and awareness of the vital work of this campaigning group. There are book reviews, Easter poems, and resources, including a link to a moving adaptation of the Stations of the Cross in a Time of Fear and Uncertainty by my late daughter’s parish in Sheffield.

Please pass on to others. Wishing you all the joys and blessings of the Easter season as we journey together in hope.

Anne O’Connor

Here is an important addition to the monthly E bulletin …

NW NJPN E BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ISSUE MARCH 2021

International Women’s Day on 8 March should have been a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the world and to commit to bringing about equality for women everywhere. The murder of Sarah Everard brought into sharp focus that more measures and a radical change in attitude are needed for women to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. At the time of writing Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe awaits the outcome of a second trial which may result in further incarceration in an Iranian prison – please pray for her and her family. This issue focuses on issues affecting and/or written by women.

Please read and pass on. Stay safe., Anne O’Connor

Here is the latest issue of the North West Bulletin …

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin March 2021

The March 2021 NW NJPN E BULLETIN focuses on climate change alongside examining the impact of Covid-19, especially on those who live on the margins and makes the links between these two pressing issues. In the absence of public meetings we have plenty of information about forth-coming Zoom events and links to follow to catch up on recent meetings. Please read and share with others and do sign up for the excellent fortnightly NJPN E BULLETINS at ebulletin@justice-and-peace.org to stay fully up-to-date.

Stay safe, Anne O’Connor

* * * * *

This is a very welcome return of the monthly Bulletin. It is the first issue of the Bulletin since the summer of 2020 when Anne’s family was hit by a devastating family tragedy, as movingly described by Anne at the time:

“Some of you may already have heard that our darling elder daughter Annie died of natural causes on 12 June at her home in Sheffield. It was very sudden and unexpected. Annie died too soon and we are all devastated by our loss but our family has been overwhelmed by the love and support shown us which has been so helpful in carrying us through this challenging time. It was a comfort to know that her PP and close friend came just after and gave her the last rites. Her housemate and our middle son who also lives in Sheffield prayed with her. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt and friend who worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm for the church, Samaritans and Church Army. I’ve attached a tribute to her and plan to take time out to collate her articles and blogs plus some personal tributes from friends and family for future publication.

Tribute to Annie

“At present I can’t carry on with the NW e bulletins and am unsure as to the future. However, you’ll be in excellent hands with Sharon Chambers, our newly appointed NJPN Editor who produces a vast range of info with comprehensive links for further reading. You can access these fortnightly bulletins on the NJPN website at: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk – choose the news tab in the drop down menu but best of all I recommend signing up to receive this invaluable free resource direct into your mailbox: ebulletin@justice-and-peace.org.uk

Liverpool Archdiocese produces articles and information at: https://jp.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/
Lancaster Diocese has a regular bulletin at http://www.lancasterfaithandjustice.co.uk/newsletter/
Independent Catholic News (ICN) has daily news bulletins at: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/ National Catholic Reporter provides a comprehensive source of US news: https://www.ncronline.org

“We’ve been inundated with comments and cards – many mention her liveliness, her laughter, her joy, her warmth, her ability to connect with, welcome and reach out to people of every kind, always looking out for the stranger or someone who felt they were an ‘outsider’. She was a compassionate, gentle, non-judgmental listener who brought out the best in her students and friends.”