As an encouragement to parishes across the Diocese of Leeds we have produced a compilation of our newsletter articles about Climate Change since the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’. It turns out there are quite a lot! It includes a Foreword by Bishop Marcus and runs to 52 pages. We hope that as […]
Climate Change
25 Jan – LiveSimply Parishes across Leeds Meet up
By Trish Sandbach, Commission memberOn Jan 20th about 25 Parishioners from 4 Parishes (Our Lady of Kirkstall, St John Fisher & St Thomas More, St John Vianney, and St Benedict’s) gathered at St Benedict’s, Garforth. All the parishes either have the Live Simply Award, some for many years, or have started on the journey towards […]
09 Oct – Season of Creation Events at Mary, Mother of God parish, Bradford
“Let Justice and Peace Flow” was the chosen theme for the Season of Creation 2023; from the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1st to October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This year’s theme was drawn from the cry of the prophet Amos: “But let justice roll […]
reflecting on Climate Change
A couple of weeks after the last J&P Day of Reflection (about care of Creation), I enjoyed a short break on the Norfolk Broads in a vintage sailing cruiser. I enjoyed living with the basic amenities for a few days. There was a little storage in a cabin that was approximately 6×8 feet. Cabinets in […]
15 Aug – Laudato Si in Action: Good Shepherd church community visit Salford’s Laudato Si centre
By Sean Morris, Good Shepherd Church Community, Mytholmroyd & Commission memberThe Church, like so many parts of society, is acutely aware of the damage humans have made to our planet, and the real risks climate change has for all of us. It is important to encourage the Leeds Diocese to follow in the footsteps of […]
01 Aug – Reflections from the 2023 NJPN Conference
By Chuks Nwachukwu, sponsored to attend by SPARK Social Justice The 45th Annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network was held on 21 – 23 July 2023 at the Hayes conference centre in Swanwick, Alfreton Derby. With the Theme ‘Sustainability? Survival or Shutdown’. It was a very great weekend filled with interesting and […]
18 Jul – A Celebration of God’s Creation
By Michael Emly, Our Lady of Kirkstall parishNearly 200 parishioners of Our Lady of Kirkstall, Leeds, came together on June 25th for an afternoon that celebrated God’s creation. Inspired by Pope Francis’ teaching in Laudato Si’ and organised by our parish Live Simply group, the event was intended to bring people from the parish together […]
16 Jul – Fossil Free Parliament
By Matthew Maslen, ENews editorLast month, I travelled to London to attend the official launch event for Fossil Free Parliament (FFP). In the Friends of the Earth HQ, around 20 of us gathered to discuss what this new campaign would look like going forwards.The day began with an overview of the work that’s been done […]
01 Jul – LiveSimply comes to John Mary Vianney parish
By Tony O’Brian, St John Mary Vianney Parish, LeedsAbout 25 members of the parish of St John Vianney in north Leeds met on 20 June 2023 to take forward our action planning for our LiveSimply parish award application. Information leaflets on LiveSimply and Laudato si’ had been distributed at Sunday masses each week during Lent […]
11 Jun – Progress on the Journey to 2030
As indicated last month, the Commission hosted a meeting of the Northern Dioceses’ Environment Group on 08 June, at Wheeler Hall in Leeds. This is an open group of interested people from each of the Northern Dioceses, and they meet about 4 times a year Five out of the seven dioceses in the North were […]
04 May – Encounter, Conversion, Hope!
The urgency of the Climate Emergency can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are so many calls for action. The changes required to ameliorate the worst effects are huge – and require international political action. In these circumstances it is easy for people to lose hope.This was the backdrop that led the Spirituality of Justice group within […]
People on the Move
By John Battle, Commission ChairOur human story has always been a story of ‘people on the move’ as is well reflected in both the history of evolution and the Biblical tradition. Initially people are thought to have emerged from the Rift Valley in Africa some 2 million years ago (though anthropologists today recognise some 15-20 […]
23 Mar – Check out our podcasts!
Trying to keep up with technology is not always easy (if you are over 35). Since the end of January we have been dipping our toe in the podcasting world. We currently have 4 podcasts that you can listen to on our Buzzsprout podcasting website. But don’t leave it too long before taking a look. […]
16 Mar – SPARK Social Justice sponsors places at Sustainability Conference
Live in the Leeds Diocese, concerned about our climate emergency and aged 18-30?SPARK Social Justice is sponsoring people for the full cost of attending the 2023 National Justice & Peace Network (NJPN) Conference. The conference fees are £225 and SPARK will pay directly for your ticket. Rail travel to the nearest station will also be […]
29 Jan – Laudato Si: What more can we do?
On the 17 January we held our first Zoom conversation of 2023. It was with the Rt. Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford. Bishop John is the lead on Climate Change for the Bishops’ Conference and he is also a trustee of CAFOD. He was in conversation with Commission Chair, John Battle, about the importance […]
28 Nov – Climate Prayer Vigil at the Bishops’ Conference
On the 14th of November, several Catholic climate activists – held a five-hour prayer vigil outside Hinsley Hall during the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) Autumn Plenary Meeting.The meeting took place at Hinsley Hall, Leeds. The Animators held their vigil from 12noon until 5pm. The group consisted of activists from Dioceses across […]