NJPN Day: ‘Faiths can work together for a just and sustainable world’

The third meeting in the NJPN series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope took the theme ‘Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations’.

The Muslim director of Faith for the Climate told a meeting of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) last Saturday that “faiths can work together for a just and sustainable world”.

Shanon Shah showed various images of faiths campaigning together at recent vigils and marches for climate justice. He called for support for the planned 9 July lobby of parliament, which includes Christian development agencies and civil society networks, when MPs will be urged to work towards the UK becoming a global leader in tackling climate change and restoring nature by 2030.

Shah led group work on creation-centred theology, taken from Laudato Si’, Laudato Deum and the Muslim document Al-Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth. Participants undertook to network more ecumenically and interfaith on justice, peace and ecology issues.

Interfaith collaboration was also a theme in a message from Bishop John Arnold, lead bishop for the environment in England and Wales. He highlighted growing initiatives in parishes and schools to care for the environment over the 10 years since publication of Laudato Si’. And he added, “Internationally, there has also been good news, especially with the impact of the Islamic document Al-Mizan which so closely mirrors the contents of Laudato Si’.”

The third meeting in the NJPN series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope took the theme, “Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations”. Held at Cafod’s office in South London, it involved around 40 people, including Justice and Peace representatives from more than 10 dioceses – as far afield as Clifton, Liverpool, Nottingham, Portsmouth and Cardiff/Menevia – from organisations including Cafod, Religious Links, FCJ Sisters, Jesuit Missions, Columbans, Journey to 2030 and Laudato Si Animators.

Other speakers included Mary and Peter Johnson of the Livesimply parish at Lexden in Brentwood Diocese, whose projects include creating a prayer garden, producing creation-centred prayers of intercession, and making Laudato Si’ better known. They are active with Caritas Brentwood in reaching out to refugees and they have helped organise the installation of 24 solar panels on their church roof. “The Livesimply example was very inspiring,” said one participant.

Mary Finnerty, lead economist at Cafod and Andrea Speranza of Cafod campaigns talked on “Tackling debt and the climate crisis in this Jubilee Year”. Cafod is calling for a debt justice law in the UK and a new comprehensive debt framework. The meeting was urged to support a Caritas Internationalis petition calling for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries. Tthe average African country spends 50 times more on servicing debt than it receives in aid, Finnerty said.

James Buchanan of the Laudato Si Movement and Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah spoke to “Greening Church Investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions”. A  Filipino bishop sent a video message urging British-based banks “to phase out support of destructive energy, that is fossil fuels”. Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos challenged extractive industries which harm the environment and urged ethical investment. He concluded, “We hope we can count on you to join and support us.”

Actions suggested at the meeting for building a sustainable world included promoting Cafod’s Livesimply programme in parishes and schools and lobbying dioceses to have paid staff offering expertise on renewable energy projects and fossil-free banking. Creation-care should be embedded in Church liturgies and sacramental preparation. “There is a great network of individuals, groups and organisations and we are strong when we work together,” was a feedback at the end.

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