The Scottish Catholic Justice and Peace Commission was formed in 1979. It is the Scottish Commission of the Pontifical Council Justitia et Pax.
From the outset, the Commission combined its function as the Bishops' advisory body on issues of social justice, international peace and human rights with the responsibility for networking existing newly formed local parish groups. This dual direction has continued ever since and gives the Commission a certain balance. Throughout its history, policy has been formulated at all levels under the supervision of the Bishops' conference.
The constituency of Justice and Peace is over a thousand people out of an active Catholic population in Scotland of about 225,000.
Each of Scotland's eight dioceses is entitled to send an official representative to the National Commission. Also represented are the religious, missionary and secular clergy; youth and ecumenical representatives; and SCIAF – the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, our sister agency. Along with the Bishop President and Chair and Vice-Chair these constitute the voting strength of the Commission.
This Commission meets quarterly. A Standing Committee which includes President, Chair, vice-Chair, may convene for urgent decisions.
The Commission is serviced by a part time National Office staff of two. A magazine is issued six times a year with a circulation of over a thousand copies going to about 650 locations.