National J&P Network voices support for Occupy London

The Executive Committee of National Justice and Peace Network has issued the following statement in support of Occupy London today:

"The National Justice and Peace Network supports Occupy London in their resistance to economic injustice by active nonviolence. We share their call for structural change ''towards an authentic global equality'' and likewise believe, with them, that the world's resources ''must go towards caring for people and the planet, not the military, corporate profits or the rich.''

We stand in solidarity with the poor, the weak and the dispossessed, and we wholeheartedly endorse the need for a new, alternative economic and financial system. This is consistent with Catholic Social Teaching. Indeed, the recent papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate states that, ''The Catholic Church's social doctrine has always maintained that justice must be applied to every phase of economic activity, because this is always concerned with people and their needs. Thus every economic decision has a moral consequence.''

We all of us need to reflect on society's slavery to Mammon and examine our consciences about the part we play in it.

As a grassroots body within the Catholic Church, the National Justice and Peace Network draws its membership from every Diocese in England and Wales, from campaigning organisations and religious orders and , most importantly, from a growing number of individual members. Our values are deeply rooted in the Gospels, and as articulated in the Catholic Social Teaching tradition and documents. We work with groups and individuals of all faiths and none in England and Wales on issues of justice and peace."