The role of the J&P office is:

• To assist and encourage reflection on issues of justice and peace in the light of the gospel and Catholic Social teaching.
• To support, encourage and co-ordinate the work of justice and peace undertaken by individuals, parishes, schools, religious orders and groups throughout the archdiocese.
• To encourage all in the archdiocese to see action for justice and peace as core to our faith, and the importance of faith in our action.
• To promote and encourage action for justice and peace at every level of diocesan life
• To support the development of spiritual support and reflection for all involved in action for justice and peace.
• To support, at parish and diocesan level, the mission of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

The office does this by:

• Holding regularly diocesan days to look at current issues of injustice, as well as offering the opportunity to meet with others to share ideas for action and offer support.
• Encouraging reflection on our faith and justice. This includes producing useful resources and ideas for theological reflection. The office also runs a Lenten retreat day for those involved in justice and peace.
• Supporting existing groups and offering advice and support to parishes and individuals wanting to form new groups.
• Working with the other diocesan agencies to integrate action for justice and peace into all the agencies’ work so all recognise their role and responsibility to work for justice and peace.
• Informing the diocese of key issues of justice and peace that we should all be aware of and engage in. This includes such issues as welcoming migrants and refugees in our parish communities. A recent statement from Pope Benedict XVI on a pastoral response to migration in an age of globalisation can be found at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/migration/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20091016_world-migrants-day_en.html

If you would like more information on justice and peace, support to set up a group or theological resources, please contact:

Co-ordinator for Justice and Peace:

Miriam McHardy

Tel:         0131 623 8922

Email:     miriam.mchardy@staned.org.uk

Core Group: Norma Daniels-Emm, Pamela Hanlon, Jeanette McGlone, Miriam McHardy, Alison Murphy.

Presentation on: “A vision for justice and peace” from diocesan day, Sat 12th September, 2009