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Diocese of Leeds Justice and Peace Commission (1)

Category: Yorkshire

Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembered – events in Yorkshire

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Thursday, 06/08/2026 - 12:00 - 13:00

BradfordCND supporters will gather in Norfolk Gardens (behind the Town Hall) to remember the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – all welcome to join. Contact:  For any queries please contact 01274 730795 or email info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk Wreath on Hiroshima Memorial, Norfolk Gardens, Bradford. Thursday, 06/08/2026 - 13:00 - 14:00

Sheffield

CND supporters will gather in Tudor Square to remember the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – all welcome to join.For any queries please contact 01274 730795 or email info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk Tudor Square Sheffield Thursday, 06/08/2026 - 11:00 - 12:00

Manchester

The event will start in the Living Worlds Gallery in Manchester Museum at 11am where a piece of melted glass from the Hiroshima attack is on display along with hundreds of paper cranes, the symbol of peace that came out of the attack. We will then move upstairs for readings, poetry and some choir singing. Organised by:  Manchester City Council with support from GMD CNDVenue:  Manchester Museum, Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PLContact:  For any queries please contact 07840 303539 or email gmdcnd@gn.apc.org melted metal glass from hiroshima Saturday, 08/08/2026 - 14:30 - 15:30

Hebden Bridge

CND supporters will gather on the Wavy Steps by Packhorse Bridge to remember the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – all welcome to join.  Wavy steps Hebdon Bridge Sunday, 09/08/2026 - 10:30 - 11:30

Leeds

CND supporters will gather in Park Square to remember the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – all welcome to join. A gathering of people Sunday, 09/08/2026 - 14:00 - 15:00

Manchester

Greater Manchester & District CND invites all our friends and supporters to join us to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. The event will take place in Heaton Park by the peace tree behind the Stables Block. Heaton Park Stables

J&P Friends Say Farewell to the Carmelite Nuns at Wood Hall

Posted on by Gina Cavanagh
By Joe Burns, Commission member

The Carmelite monastery at Wood Hall, near Wetherby, has been there since the late 1960s. During the 1970s and 1980s the nuns were a regular source of inspiration to members of the J&P Commission and their supporters.

Also, in those pre-internet days, the Commission made good use of the printing services that they offered in order to make some money to support themselves. During the 1980s, especially, they printed a number of booklets produced by working parties of the Commission. Although old, many of them are sadly just as relevant today as when they were written.

They also received many visitors from guest speakers that the Commission organised events around – such as Dom Helder Camara (archbishop of Recife in Brazil) and the newscaster Jon Snow.

Contact has been more with individuals in recent years, though we did hold a Day of Reflection there a few years ago to better understand how Carmelite spirituality related to working for Justice and Peace. You always knew that a visit to them would be an occasion of many laughs as well as challenging questions.

In the last few years, as the sisters became older, the community made the decision to close the monastery. Now the last 4 nuns left are ready to move. Due to differing needs, the members of the community are being dispersed to different Carmelite locations across the country. The monastery and grounds will be sold, although no final decisions have been taken to date.

So many members and supporters of the Commission became good friends with the sisters that it was fitting that they got together to have a farewell mass and wish them well for the future.

We celebrated mass in their chapel, with Mgr Peter Rosser (who was a Commission member for many years and also chaplain to the sisters for a period) presiding. Afterwards, we joined them in their refectory for lunch. After lunch we even had a film show from the early 70’s – filmed by the parents of one of the nuns – showing them at their work using the printing press. It was a hoot!

INTERDIOCESAN MEETING OF J&P COMMISSIONS AND SUPPORTERS

Posted on by Gina Cavanagh
By Joe Burns, Commission member

As everyone must be aware by now, Bishop Marcus is now Apostolic Administrator for the Dioceses of both Middlesbrough and Hallam - in addition to being Bishop of Leeds.

There is currently an ongoing process of consultation about how this geographical area should be managed pastorally in the future.

Leeds and Middlesbrough Dioceses both have J&P Commissions and we decided that a meeting to reflect on possible changes would be useful. Hallam has not had a J&P Commission for the last six years but a group of 5 J&P supporters also came along to this meeting, which we held in York.

We had never met before as a group of northern dioceses J&P supporters so we spent a significant amount of time just getting to know a little about one another and how the work of Justice & Peace is carried out in each diocese.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was being in a room with 25 people who were passionate about Justice and Peace being a core part of being a Catholic Christian and the immense range of talent and different experiences that were brought together in the room.

Near the start of the day, we made a list of the aspirations each of us had for this meeting. It was an ambitious list! – and I do not think we advanced many of those aspirations. However, being ambitious and imaginative was at the core of what this day was about. We went through an exercise of visioning what the work of J&P might be like after the completion of any changes to diocesan structures (and we may not know what these changes are for another year or two).

What we did achieve through having this day was
• Renewed inspiration and sharing of energy for the work of J&P
• A better understanding of how J&P operates in our different dioceses
• All sorts of ideas for follow up – which will inevitably mean further meetings

Some of the key ideas were:
• Building closer relationships – perhaps having a northern J&P Day Conference?
• Making sure that the work of J&P is properly reflected in the results of the consultation process
• Sharing ideas and resources to enable more people to come to an understanding that the work of J&P is a ‘constitutive element’ of preaching the Gospel.

There will be more about this later!

4 June – Hope in Turbulent Times

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from Middlesbrough Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission

Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture:

Wednesday May 13th at 7.00p.m. via Zoom

“Hope in Turbulent Times”

SPEAKER: Sir John Battle

Fr Anthony Storey Fr Anthony Storey

Sir John Battle Sir John Battle

We are delighted to welcome Sir John Battle as this year’s speaker for the Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture.

Father Anthony Storey was a priest in the Middlesbrough Diocese who was a founder member of our Justice and Peace Commission. Born in the East Riding of Yorkshire, he spent the majority of his time in ministry in Hull and was for many years Hull University Chaplain. Latterly he was parish priest in Cottingham.

‘Storey’ as he was affectionately known was a charismatic and inspiring priest for whom justice and peace were central to his life and work. He inspired many people throughout his time in both university and parish. He was a man with an immense love and knowledge of the countryside and of people. He often said that the two most important things in life were to ‘Love and to plant trees’.

A passionate ecumenist he became the first Roman Catholic priest to preach in York Minster since the Reformation.

Each year since his death in 2007 we have held a lecture in his memory exploring different issues related to peace and justice, the environment and to the common good.

The title for this year’s lecture comes from recognition of the current turbulent times we are living in and the importance of finding hope both within our communities and in wider society.

The lecture will be on Zoom at 7.00p.m. and we are repeating the timing of a weekday evening which seems to work well. To register for the lecture, please email Barbara Hungin at bhungin@yahoo.co.uk

 

Over the next few months, we will be looking more at how we can join with our friends at Middlesbrough Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission - working together for the common good in our common home.

22 May – Congratulations on raising over £1600!

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Congratulations to 7 wonderful people who recently raised £1600 for local good causes. 🥳

Their original target of £650 was blown out of the water! 

Well done to Conor, Ben, Clio, Carmen, Laurynus and Fr. Franisek; you may recognise some of these names from SPARK activities and events. 

The team ran the Leeds Marathon as part of a relay to raise money for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Bradford, Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal in Leeds and Little Sisters of the Poor in Leeds who are building a new care home for the elderly in Headingley. The Friars run a soup kitchen 3 times a week in Bradford, and the Sisters run a food pantry throughout the week from their convent in East Leeds. All the money raised went to support the great support and care offered to these local communities,

We would like to add our admiration to the team, alongside all the congratulations on their JustGiving page; all donations have been very gratefully received and will be well spent.

Give here Leeds Marathon relay team May 2026

27 Apr – SPARK visit to St Augustine’s

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by Kathy Shaw, SPARK Manager

I had a lovely visit to the parish of St Augustine of Canterbury in Harehills on Sunday.

The Youth Mass was a joy; young people led the readings and responsorial psalm and sang solo with skill and confidence.  Some spoke of their own experiences of faith in moving testimonies, including a young man who had not been raised in a faith background but had recently found his place in the community of St Augustine.  The church offers specific masses for Zimbabwean, Ukrainian, Portuguese and Nigerian parishioners as well as the whole community.

598f027f-9e5c-46ae-b332-1804ed0eb2b6 8bdae178-acec-46bf-9574-dc948cce2966 After Mass, team building activities for all ages were led by the irrepressible energy of Cassandra James, a recent and welcome addition to the J&P Commission.  I spoke to a number of parishioners who all spoke of the diversity and family sense of this parish, the young people were repeatedly assured that as the light of the world they were the future of the church, and they would be the leaders to come.

My happy place is never behind a microphone at the front of a crowded hall, but in response to a request from Cassandra I spoke briefly about our work.  There were several young adults from Notre Dame and at university and our leaflets may lead to further conversations.

Cassandra James Screenshot_20260316_182240_Photos It was a joy filled occasion which truly celebrated the place of young people at the centre of this parish.  An example to those across the Diocese who say it is hard to involve young people and teenagers … come to St Augustine’s or talk to Cassandra!

24 Apr – J&P Commission endorses joint Christian letter deploring UKIP march in Leeds

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J&P Commission endorses joint Christian letter deploring UKIP march in Leeds

As Christians we believe in God’s love for everyone, shown to us in Jesus Christ. Because of this we reject the use of Christian language and imagery in any racist context. We note the march on 25th April in Leeds, and we wish to make it clear that UKIP do not speak for us or for the Christian faith of which we are a part.

Please join us resisting UKIP’s divisive exclusive politics. Please join us in praying for unity and peace for our Leeds communities, recognising the evils of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all racism, and calling out racism in your everyday life whenever you can.

UKIP march Jesus said:

‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (Matthew 22.39; Mark 12.31; Luke 10.27)

and

‘Do to others what you would like them to do to you’ (Matthew 7.12; Luke 6. 31).


When asked who our neighbour is, Jesus makes it clear that he does not mean the person who is closest to us in ethnicity – in fact, the person he chooses as an example of a neighbour in the parable of the Good Samaritan is a Samaritan – that is, someone who was distrusted and regarded as inferior and impure by most of the society of Jesus’ time. (Luke 10.29 – 37)

Stand up to Racism March Our calling as Christians is to love and to learn from all God’s people: celebrating the beauty and dignity of every human being, with a special bias for anyone whose beauty and dignity is contested through ignorance, pride, prejudice, racism, hatred. We believe that God is on the side of people who are marginalised and oppressed, and that if we turn away from or persecute those people we turn away from God.

In our context, we believe this means that we have a God-given duty to stand up for people of all faiths and none who are victims of racism. This is particularly the case when victimisation is being justified using Christian language.

Read full letter Loving God, make us channels of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us bring love.
Where there is suspicion, let us bring faith.
Where there is fear, let us bring hope.
Where there is division, let us bring unity.
Amen.

22 Apr – Hope in Turbulent Times

Posted on by admin
from Middlesbrough Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission

Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture:

Wednesday May 13th at 7.00p.m. via Zoom

“Hope in Turbulent Times”

SPEAKER: Sir John Battle

Fr Anthony Storey Fr Anthony Storey

Sir John Battle Sir John Battle

We are delighted to welcome Sir John Battle as this year’s speaker for the Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture.

Father Anthony Storey was a priest in the Middlesbrough Diocese who was a founder member of our Justice and Peace Commission. Born in the East Riding of Yorkshire, he spent the majority of his time in ministry in Hull and was for many years Hull University Chaplain. Latterly he was parish priest in Cottingham.

‘Storey’ as he was affectionately known was a charismatic and inspiring priest for whom justice and peace were central to his life and work. He inspired many people throughout his time in both university and parish. He was a man with an immense love and knowledge of the countryside and of people. He often said that the two most important things in life were to ‘Love and to plant trees’.

A passionate ecumenist he became the first Roman Catholic priest to preach in York Minster since the Reformation.

Each year since his death in 2007 we have held a lecture in his memory exploring different issues related to peace and justice, the environment and to the common good.

The title for this year’s lecture comes from recognition of the current turbulent times we are living in and the importance of finding hope both within our communities and in wider society.

The lecture will be on Zoom at 7.00p.m. and we are repeating the timing of a weekday evening which seems to work well. To register for the lecture, please email Barbara Hungin at bhungin@yahoo.co.uk

 

Over the next few months, we will be looking more at how we can join with our friends at Middlesbrough Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission - working together for the common good in our common home.

7 Nov – Jesus the Bringer of Good News

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by Sara Forrest, Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish

Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish Retreat

Our Retreat was organised by the Parish Live Simply group and the programme was developed from the CAFOD Jubilee booklet. There were two themes within the event:

Jesus the Bringer of Good News

Jesus – Lord of Creation

We started with a Jubilee Mass said by Fr Michael. This was followed by coffees/teas and biscuits. Sir John Battle then gave a keynote address. An impactful story from his Men’s Walking group involved a young man with learning disabilities living on his own in a block of flats. After he didn’t arrive one week John went to check he was OK. When he found him the young man told him he was living in a tent. He had been sanctioned (benefits stopped) by DWP for not attending an interview.

He told John that he’d been too scared about being conscripted by DWP into the Ukrainian Army to fight Russians to attend. John then took him to the Job Centre and explained the reason why and got the benefits reinstated. John’s love and care had been Good News.

1024 x 380 PNG x 2_3 The shared lunch consisted of a varied array of savoury foods and leftovers were taken home to avoid food waste.

Approximately 20 attendees then attended two 45 minute workshops based on the two themes. Workshops comprised prayers, spiritual readings and discussions followed by making a personal pledges to do something extra.

For Bringing Good News, Cherie, an Anglican Church Warden on the Hawksworth Estate (in one of the most deprived areas in UK) told how after being told by God to feed his people she started, with the blessing of the Vicar, a food bank and kitchen on the estate. She and her fellow volunteers have expanded their services to include baby items, period products, household products and Warmth packs. A truly inspiring lady and talk.

pudsey-food-bank-collection One of the S V P conferences then listed the different types of help they had given over the previous 12 months. The range of help given surprised parishioners e.g. paying the food pantry weekly subscription of £6 for a young mother of three children when she couldn’t afford it at the end of some months. Information about the S V P Support Centre on York Road, the Food Pantry run from the Tinshill Shop and about the Butcher Hill Shop were also given.

The beautiful posters created in earlier workshops provided a colourful backdrop of God Lord of Creation in the other workshop. The prayers and lively discussions focussed on thankfulness and the many ways individuals can chose to consume less and reduce their climate impact. For example one participant was keen to keep bees in their garden but could not do so because their landlord wouldn’t allow it.

The pledges were brought forward during the closing prayers before being taken away by individuals.

Happily a couple of people were contemplating joining the S V P as a result of the retreat. As both conferences need new members this was great!

Useful Links

SVP Leeds - St Vincent's Centre

St Mary’s St Andrew’s Food Project

Vinnie's Pantry, Tinshill

Butchers Hill Shop

Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish

CAFOD Jubilee Parish Resources

31 Oct – Advent Eco-Fair

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Advent Eco-Fair

a Laudato Si event for the winter season of creation

Saturday 13th December 2025 10am-3pm

Hinsley Hall, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2BX

To book a (FREE!) stall for YOUR parish, environmental initiative, charity or eco-business, ‘repair cafe’, allotment produce or bake-sale, fairly-traded goods for ‘stocking fillers’ and Secret Santa, arts and crafts demonstrations etc. please contact Rowan at communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

Rowan is particularly looking for activities, especially ‘things to do, make and craft’.  Also, given the time of year (just long enough before Christmas for people to be looking for eco-presents for stocking-fillers and Secret Santas!) she is hoping to invite local retailers who share our sustainable ethos, so we are asking any local businesses with a sustainable ethos to get in touch. Some events charge for a stall, but this is completely free to promote sustainable endeavours in our community.

We’re close to public transport and have plenty of free parking!

Morning coffee (and cake); afternoon tea (and more cake!)

Screenshot 2025-10-28 152407