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Faith and Politics

For CPJ, our faith calls us beyond apathy or powerlessness. It calls us to a faith that opens us to our common humanity, our calling to love God by loving our neighbour also in our political life together.

So together, we have donned the perspective of public justice. It is a vision which helps us not to be lured into false dichotomies, or black and white positions when they are not necessary. We see the need for healing steps to be taken. Real people are suffering real hardships that concrete policies and prophetic vision can alleviate. That’s the call of public justice, the calling from God for government, government which Romans 13 says is “for our good.” Justice for all – an economy of care – the joining together of all circles of society for the well-being of all and for the common good – that is public justice.

Living as covenant people: A Christian response to Idle No More

Poster "As long as the sun shines..."

A reflection on what we can learn from Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement about living faithfully together as "treaty people" in a covenant relationship. Read more »

A Fond Farewell

Melodi Alopaeus with Shana Conroy (left)August is quickly coming to an end and with that my journey as this year’s CPJ public justice intern. Just before this train rolls to a stop, I’ll take a moment to uphold an annual CPJ custom by offering some reflections on the year in my version of the solemnly titled “intern’s final web feature.” Read more »

Silencing Canada

Man with mouth taped shutIn a healthy democracy citizens have a crucial role to play in determining public policy. People have a right – and, more importantly, a responsibility – to participate in the decisions affecting their country and their communities. That is the essence of democracy, especially a democracy that goes beyond the ballot box and rejects the politics of attack and vilification.

Citizens who question government policies and advocate for the common good, public health, protection of the Earth – or for any other cause – are as important as the Members of Parliament who have been elected to serve in the best interest of all people. Read more »

Faithfully living God's call: a look back at 2011

Parliament HillFor nearly 50 years now, CPJ has been bearing witness to God's call for love, justice and stewardship in the Canadian public sphere. Together, we have diligently worked for public justice and the common good. In this feature, we look back and celebrate what we accomplished in 2011. Read more »

The Deal in Durban

Youth for Eco-Justice at a demonstration in Durban - photo courtesy of World Council of ChurchesDuring the COP17 talks on climate change in Durban, South Africa, Canada would only say that it was not prepared to commit to a second commitment period within the Kyoto Protocol. Our negotiators said that they had no reason to believe that Canada was preparing to withdraw entirely from Kyoto. Then, as soon as the delegation arrived home, Canada announced its withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. So were there any signs of hope in the UN process in Durban, and is there any chance for environmental objectives to be meaningfully advanced as a result? Read more »

A Discourse of Disrespect Lessens Us All

 WikipediaMany leaders of faith communities see climate change as a moral issue. Global warming affects major questions such as humanity’s relationship with nature and each other, solidarity with the poor, and the possibilities for future generations. So when media outlets suggest that faith leaders who challenge certain policies should “shut their trap,” rather than debating the content of the moral message, the public discourse is diminished. Read more »

Faith’s Role in Addressing Climate Change

Globe/burning candleThis week, a two-day event was held in Ottawa, where, for the first time, faith leaders met to address the growing crises caused by climate change. Leaders from faith, political and environmental communities discussed the recently created Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change. This event was organized by a collaborative interfaith committee on climate justice, including Citizens for Public Justice, The Commission of Justice and Peace of the Canadian Council of Churches, Faith and the Common Good, The Hill Times and Embassy Magazine. Read more »

Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change

Call to Action on Climate Change. Read more »

Election 2011: The Way Forward

Heading into Election 2011, nobody could have predicted the vastly different political landscape that Canadians would wake to on Tuesday morning. Some were jubilant and others deflated. There was the historic rise of the NDP and the election of the first ever Green MP, the demise of the Liberal Party, and of course, Stephen Harper’s previously elusive majority government.

While it will be some time before we know for certain how this new government will play out, it is clear that things have changed and we are now working within a new context. However, one important factor has not changed: CPJ’s commitment to offer our faithful response to God’s call for love, justice and stewardship. Read more »

A Time for Inspired Leadership and Action

Interfaith Leaders and representatives of their respective faith communities gathered in Ottawa this week for the “Interfaith Forum on Faith and Poverty” which CPJ helped to organize. The leaders of various Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Baha’i and Jewish traditions showed a tremendous sense of timing. Their meeting took place on Parliament Hill immediately on the heels of the disheartening government response to the Parliamentary Committee report, Federal Poverty Reduction Plan (see CPJ’s reaction) and just weeks before a likely federal election call. Read more »

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