An outdoor station of the crossFollowing our Stations of the Cross liturgy in Holy Week, this Eastertide the Leeds Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is announcing its new programme to address Britain’s “Five wounds”:

  • The reduction in our International Aid
  • The increase in poverty and inequality at work
  • The hostile policy towards refugees and asylum seekers
  • The investment in nuclear weapons
  • The lack of urgent commitment to tackling climate change

John Battle, Chair of the Commission, spelt out the programme: “Our Five Easter Season priorities are:

1 To campaign for an increase in development aid and humanitarian relief  -including taking positive action to ensure global access to Covid vaccines

2 To address the causes of poverty and work inequality by calling for effective social security support as well as campaigning for a real Living Wage.

3 Offering practical support to refugees and asylum seekers and promoting a culture of welcome and hospitality

4 To campaign for Peace by challenging investment in and increased numbers of nuclear weapons and addressing the issue of the escalation in domestic violence by seeking appropriate resources.

5 Committing to a process of Eco-conversion, as set out in Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical,‘Laudato Si.’ We will do this through

  • promoting individual and community transformation by engaging with the Live Simply Award Scheme managed by CAFOD.
  • through encouraging efficient energy and resource management in implementing the new Diocesan Environmental Policy
  • By challenging and campaigning against global economic systems that damage the Earth’s eco-systems

John Battle added ” The El Salvadorean martyred Jesuit Fr Ignacio Ellacuria urged us to ” face the crucified people” in our world today and ask ourselves ” What must I do to uncrucify them? What must I do for these people to rise again?’ For Catholics throughout the Diocese of Leeds, our new Easter programme is a call to action. “