The Archdiocese of Liverpool Justice and Peace Commission is focusing on Peace and Justice in the Holy Land as one of its concerns. Consequently, in October 2008, it set up a Holy Land sub group, onto which several members of LFoP  were co-opted for their in depth knowledge and understanding of the situation and the issues. (Many had previously served on J&P Commissions)

It was agreed that the main way forward was to increase awareness of what has been happening and was is on going in Palestine. Consequently the Commission:
• sent copies of the Amos Trust DVD, ‘Bethlehem: Hidden from View’ to all Pastoral Area Leaders and to every Catholic High School via their Chaplains in the Archdiocese (which stretches from the R. Mersey to the R. Ribble),
• sent a  copy of the ‘Open Letter to Churches about Christmas in Bethlehem’ has been sent to everyone on the ‘MouthPeace’ mailing list. The letter was written by Diana Neslen, a Jewish woman and a friend of two of the members of our Holy Land sub-group,
• suggested that support should be shown for parishes in Bethlehem/Holy Land by urging parishioners to send them Christmas cards.

Other planned events:

Friday 22 – Sunday 24 May: ‘Prayer and Peace for the Holy Land’
J&P Retreat at Loyola Hall with Stephen Hoyland and others (including returned Ecumenical Accompaniers).  The programme includes video showings of  ‘Bethlehem-Hidden from View’ and ‘The Iron Wall’ as well as stories from returnees. 

 Click for programme on EVENTS column on right hand side of page. Cost to be confirmed. All bookings through Loyola Hall – phone 0151 426 4137 or http://www.loyolahall.f2s.com or booking form: J&P Retreat Loyola Hall

July 17-19, 2009.  The Annual Conference - SWANWICK CONFERENCE- organised by the National J&P Network with the London Coalition, will be held on at the Hays Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire.

It will include a section on Gaza, which will include several communications from Gaza, see : http://www.archdiocese-of-liverpool.co.uk/jp/docs/gaza.pdf,  a  report from Anne Candlin, see: http://www.archdiocese-of-liverpool.co.uk/jp/docs/Gaza2.pdf and a CAFOD appeal for Gaza, see: http://www.cafod.org.uk/emergencies/appeals/gaza-crisis

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CHURCHES IN MANY COUNTRIES PREPARING “WORLD WEEK” OF ACTION FOR PEACE IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

“Ask everyone to bring a small stone to build a cairn in your place of worship. Use the stone to remember those who have had their houses demolished. Let the stone be a reminder of the ‘Living Stones’,” is one of many suggestions circulating in the UK among 12 participating churches and specialized ministries.

Read details: world-week-of-action

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