As Christians we believe in the dignity of human beings and their right to live in peace. The Justice & Peace groups at St George & The English Martyrs raises awareness of issues re social justice, international peace and human rights, and promotes concrete action in these areas. We aim to act with compassion for all our sisters and brothers, especially to the most vulnerable in our society and communities.

Pope Francis has said that “The Cross of Christ invites us to allow ourselves to be smitten by his love, teaching us always to look upon others with mercy and tenderness, especially those who suffer, who are in need of help, who need a word or a concrete action.” 

We do not allow despondency to act as a barrier as we strive to accept that invitation.

Recently, we have:

  • continued to provide the homeless, via Crisis and HARP, with financial, clothing  and food donations.
  • contributed financial support to the Jesuit Refugee Service who care for the destitute and detained in South East England
  • supported our twin parish of Mpuluzi, South Africa in prayer and by financing a special project. Our commitment was  to  help them provide much needed washing facilities at the Mayflower crèche / day centre. Our target was £900 but due to the generosity of our supporters we raised over £12,000
  • held fundraising activities to support victims of domestic violence
  • donated over £400 to CAFOD’s Indonesian Tsunami and Rohingya Appeals and £200 to the local foodbank
  • sent over 120 greetings cards to Christians suffering persecution overseas via Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
  • written to each of the local candidates in the Parliamentary election reminding them of our concerns for justice and peace.
  • written to the Prime Minister requesting that her Government take note of Pope Francis’s 20 point plan for welcoming refugees and the displaced.
  • expressed our disappointment that Sainsbury’s were discontinuing their support for Fairtrade tea merchants

In addition we have represented CAFOD in our parish by:

  • raising awareness of the needs of young people in developing countries via our “Power to Be” presentations at Masses
  • presenting an evening of prayer and reflection on the needs of Refugees and the Displaced.
  • making the Harvest Family Fast Day appeals at parish masses

Get involved

We appreciate that we cannot solve all the world’s problems but we are committed to use the skills available to our members to do all we can. Hence we are always looking to invite others, with their own range of skills, to join our group.

We hold monthly meetings where we discuss items of interest to group members and arrange forthcoming events and fundraising activities.

Current meetings of the Senior group are held on weekday afternoons but we are aware that this arrangement is not suitable for everyone so additional meetings can be arranged at times which are convenient for new members.