London Catholic Worker

Today many Christians remember the Massacre of the Holy Innocents, which forced Mary and Joseph, and the newborn Jesus, to become refugees in Egypt. This poem was written by Anthony Capildeo OPL for our Advent 2024 newsletter - read the rest here: londoncatholicworker.org/_files/ugd/cf1…

Such fantastic work and a brilliant moving read! Bless you @LndnCathWorker

Our newsletter for Advent 2024 is here! Featuring Martin Newell on revolution and the Holy Spirit,Edwin Kalerwa on theological environmentalism, poetry by Anthony Capildeo, and more reflections from members and friends of the community. Read it here: londoncatholicworker.org/_files/ugd/cf1…

"Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord: keep watch, take heart!"

along with the names of the dead, as a small precarious memorial. The vigil itself is a testimony to our belief that all of those marginalised and invisibilised by border regimes are known to God. As we placed the rosemary at the altar, we sang these words from Psalm 27:

Thanks to all who came to our vigil at the Home Office on Monday, commemorating the victims of European border regimes. After the names of the dead were read out, all those present placed a sprig of rosemary, symbolising remembrance, at the altar. We left the rosemary behind,

Palestinian Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna Addresses Christian Zionism and Mike Huckabee’s Nomination as US Ambassador to Israel: “We do not recognize what is called ‘Christian Zionism.’ This term does not exist in our Christian literature or ecclesiastical lexicon. The blending of Christianity and Zionism is entirely condemned and rejected by us, especially as Christianity is a religion of love, mercy, brotherhood, and peace, while Zionism is a racist and terrorist movement responsible for the disasters and setbacks our people have faced, culminating in the genocide being perpetrated against our beloved brothers and sisters in Gaza. In America, there are individuals who call themselves ‘Christian Zionists.’ This phenomenon is despised and rejected by us because their literature is alien to Christian values. They interpret the Old Testament in a political manner that aligns with their agendas and interests, all of which serve the colonialist and racist Zionist project. There is currently a nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to Tel Aviv who belongs to this group and even claims to be a Christian pastor. He alleges that there is no such thing as Palestine or a Palestinian people, as though he has not read history—or refuses to acknowledge it—that Palestine exists, and its people exist, whether he likes it or not. It is regrettable that such individuals hold leadership positions in America. It is also unfortunate that they claim affiliation with Christianity, while Christianity is entirely innocent of their positions, rhetoric, and actions. If they were truly Christians, they would call for an end to the war in Gaza and Lebanon and advocate for a just solution to the Palestinian issue that preserves the dignity and freedom of the Palestinian people. However, these individuals are like ostriches that bury their heads in the sand, pretending they are in a different world. No matter how much they ignore the existence of Palestine and its resilient and struggling people, Palestine exists, its people exist, and its history is glorious. To all those who deny Palestine’s existence or have not properly studied history, let me remind them: In the Fourth Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in the fourth century AD, when the bishop of Jerusalem was given the title ‘Patriarch,’ he was named ‘Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All of Palestine.’ This demonstrates that Palestine existed and will continue to exist, and no one has the right to erase its existence. Palestine is mentioned in the Bible, and instead of these racists denying the existence of Palestinians, they should work towards resolving the Palestinian issue, which is the key to peace in our region and the world. The solution to the Palestinian issue is not through erasing it or denying the existence of the Palestinian people, but by granting our people their legitimate rights to live in freedom and peace, like all other peoples of the world. Unfortunately, these Zionists do not believe in peace. They serve colonialist, racist agendas that are hostile to humanity. Denying the existence of the Palestinian people and Palestine itself is a mix of ignorance, hatred, racism, and adherence to a political agenda that lacks humanity and civility. We reject all forms of racism and hatred, in every shape and color, and we reject the culture of war and violence. It seems there are those in the West who do not want wars to stop, so that arms factories remain open, with innocent people paying the price—slaughtered in cold blood, without any human or moral deterrent. I reiterate that we reject the term ‘Christian Zionism’ because we consider it an insult to Christianity and its values. I urge journalists who wish to speak about such people to describe them as: the group falsely claiming affiliation with Christianity, while they are truly aligned with Zionism and its racist, barbaric ideologies and positions.”

On Remembrance Day we join our voice with that of Dorothy Day, who in 1940 wrote "we stand unalterably opposed to war as a means of saving 'Christianity,' 'civilization,' 'democracy.' We do not believe that they can be saved by these means."

James Trewby and our new Faith in Action Volunteer Abi Yendole attended the Home Office #Vigil for #Migrants earlier this week & were accompanied by students from St. George's School in Maida Vale. #Columbans #Missionaries #RefugeesWelcome @lndncathworker @jesuitsbritain

- please consider contributing if you can, here: app.collectionpot.com/pot/EdwinKaler… Edwin contributed two articles to our newsletter while he lived here - you can read them here: londoncatholicworker.org/post/politicia… londoncatholicworker.org/post/empowerin…

of repatriation and associated expenses will be £4000, which his family does not have the capacity to pay. The community at St Martin in the Fields, where he was an active parishioner, have created a fundraiser to try to meet the costs

We're very sad to say that Edwin Kalerwa, a former member of the community at Giuseppe Conlon House, passed away in hospital on the 10th of September. His last wishes were for his body to be repatriated to Kenya, where he can be buried with his family. The cost (1/)

Richard Barnard, co-founder of Palestine Action and past member of the London Catholic Worker, has his plea hearing at Westminster Magistrate's Court tomorrow. Join those of us supporting him there from 10am. thecanary.co/uk/news/2024/0…

Many thanks to Michael Mears for his incredible performance on Tuesday, and to all those who came to watch it - you were a pleasure to host!

There's still time to book free tickets for The Priest's Tale this Wednesday!

“Over 20% of asylum seekers surveyed by @JRSUK don’t feel safe where they sleep. ‘Destitute and in Danger’ shines a light on the harsh realities of homelessness for people refused asylum. Read the full report here: jrsuk.net/destitute-and-…

Father Wilhelm was a German Jesuit priest living in Hiroshima, who survived the blast but witnessed much of the destruction. The Priest's Tale is a clear-eyed depiction of the terror wrought at the start of our nuclear age, told with compassion, warmth and flashes of humour.

Newly revised and staged for live performance, The Priest's Tale by actor and playwright Michael Mears is his solo adaptation of one of the atomic-bomb survivors’ accounts from John Hersey’s ‘Hiroshima’.

Free tickets are still available for a performance of the Priest's Tale by the brilliant Michael Mears next Wednesday, the 11th of September, in north London. Book your place here: bit.ly/3WwxZ6H

press.vatican.va/content/salast… (7/7)

safe and legal access routes for migrants, providing refuge for those who flee from war, violence, persecution and various disasters; we will obtain it by promoting in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity." (6/7)