As we look back on Refugee Week (17-23 June) the August edition of the NW NJPN E Bulletin casts a spotlight on the immigration crisis on the US southern border leading with an article by the photo-journalist who captured the tragic image of a young father who drowned with his infant daughter as thy tried to cross over from Mexico. The current crisis, exacerbated by President Trump’s anti-immigration drive, is echoed in the less-publicised scandal of those who have died trying to find a better life in Europe. A hard-hitting opinion piece by Sarah Teather, Director Jesuit Refugee Service, looks at the hostility directed towards asylum seekers in detention in the UK, alongside a moving essay on refugees by a young Macclesfield parishioner which forms part of her GCSE coursework. Other topics include food poverty and a focus on the NW town of Oldham where a strong community spirit is turning the hardships in the area around. Creation Time (1 Sept – 4 Oct is also featured with articles on Climate Change and Live Simply. The Vatican Document on Gender Equality is welcomed by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Association of Catholic Women followed by a compassionate opinion editorial by a Dominican Sister who for the past 20 years has helped people in the transgender community in the US stay close to God and to the Catholic Church by giving space to listen to them. All this plus a letters page, summer reading recommendations and a packed diary of local and national events.
Please read and pass on
