About
The Commission
The Justice and Peace Commission seeks to be a visible sign for Justice and Peace in the Diocese and the wider community. Our work is based on Gospel Values and Catholic Social Teaching.
As Christians we believe in the dignity of human beings and the rights of people to live in peace. We take action on the most pressing issues facing our communities, such as Climate Change, Poverty and racism.
The Commission is made up of around a dozen volunteers who meet 4 times a year to direct the work of the Commission. There is a smaller executive that meets in between and makes more day to day decisions. This structure is supplemented with action groups based on our priorities plus a Justice Spirituality group.
Much of the work of the Commission is undertaken by volunteers. This is supplemented by paying individuals or organisations to provide specific services to the Commission.
Commission Members
John is a former Leeds City Councillor and Member of Parliament for Leeds West and Govt Minister (1987-2010) and
First national organiser of national charity Church Action on Poverty (1983 -1987). He was also a Trustee of Citizens UK from 2010-2021, and has been working with SVP locally and nationally and St Monica's women's refugee project. He is presently involved in local community projects especially including new employment for young people.
John is a parishioner of Christ the King and Holy Family in Armley/Bramley Leeds.
Joe has had a portfolio career – trainee accountant, physics teacher and IT & Business Project/Programme Manager. Throughout his career he has supported social justice campaigns and was treasurer to the Commission in the late 80’s.
Bronagh Daly is an artist and Good Governance advisor interested in the intersection of faith and creativity. She was a founding member of the SPARK Social Justice steering group and is passionate about supporting young change makers interested in showing love for their neighbour through the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Having over 25 years' experience in charity management, Bronagh has worked in faith based social justice charities for the last decade. At CAFOD, mobilising parishes and schools to campaign and fundraise for climate justice and at Leeds Church Institute, managing staff and contributors on ecumenical social justice and art theology projects across Leeds.
Rev. Dr. Joseph D Cortis is currently the Assistant Director of Deacons for the Diocese of Leeds. He was the founder and first coordinator for Caritas Leeds between 2016-2023. He is also a Trustee of Catholic Care, Growing Old Gracefully, Christians on Ageing and the Leeds Church Institute. He has a long professional background in healthcare as a practitioner, manager, researcher and academic. For a number of years he was a Chair of Governors at one of our Diocesan Secondary Schools and one of the five Diocesan Educational Academy Trusts.
Cassandra has had the opportunity to travel the world and meet people from many different cultures and walks of life, which has helped her develop a deep appreciation for diversity and the importance of understanding different perspectives. She works as a Senior Social Worker and has also served on the Fostering and Adoption Panel. In addition, she works independently with the University of Huddersfield. Alongside her professional work, Cassandra is an active member of the PPC and serves as a Youth Leader in her local parish, where she is passionate about supporting and guiding young people
Sara Forrest grew up in Warrington, apart from one year when she lived in Pakistan. It left a lasting impression on her and showed how differently many people lived. She joined her parish YCW group and volunteered with Nightlife while she was at University. Since she retired 8 years ago, Sara has volunteered in the St Jude’s Furniture Store and the advice service in the SVP centre in Bradford. Since Covid, the requests for help received have become more complex and can be time consuming. She keeps busy helping care for two grandchildren too. Sara joined the Commission because she believes that we need systemic change to change our society into a just one, campaigning for justice is as important as individual action.
Sean has been involved in peace and justice work for over 25 years, much of it in a professional capacity supporting peace promotion work for Leeds City Council and Manchester City Council. From 2008 – 21 he was the Secretary of the UK & Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities group and the UK & Ireland Mayors for Peace Chapter. Sean is a member of the Good Shepherd church community in Mytholmroyd.
