|
|
|
| News
& Reports
|
2008
12 August
Franz Jägerstätter Commemorations
Sixty-five years after his execution,the life and witness of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter is still remembered around the world.
In London, a hundred people gathered in the Crypt Chapel in Westminster Cathedral for the annual Pax Christi memorial service where a reflection was offered, making the links between the witness and challenge of Franz and the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan 9th August 1945. Both call Christians to examine their conscience in the face of violence and warfare.
In Austria, in his home village of St. Radegund a vigil was held at 4 pm, his hour of death, and in the evening a services was concelebrated in the parish church. Bishop Manfred Scheuer of Tirol gave the homily at the Mass. Fransiska Jägerstätter and her daughters also took part in this service. Photograps and video clips of the events can be seen here.
Earlier, Kuno Füssel, theologian and mathematician spoke at a gathering of around 60 people, organised by Pax Christi Upper Austria and Munich. In his talk he spoke of Franz as a liberation theologian - clear of mind and with a bold heart. Following the gathering participants, including members of Pax Christi Italy, made a pilgrimage from Burghausen to St. Radegund
The text of Kuno Füssel's talk in German can be downloaded here.
7 August 2008
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembered
Pax Christi members around the country have marked the 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August 1945. Among them, day-long vigils on the steps of Westminster Cathedral in Central London; a service in the Chapel of Unity in Coventry Cathedral with readings prayers and poems; a night vigil at Aylesford Priory in Kent; a memorial service in Swinton, Salford and an evening service of prayer in Aigburth, Liverpool. In London, hundreds of people took leaflets about the anniversaries and others joined with twice daily times of prayer for peace. Ninety people attended the Coventry event where they were addressed by guests form Japan and by the Mayor of Coventry. The event was coordinated by the Lord Mayors Committee for Peace and reconciliation, the Quakers and Pax Christi. Pax Christi vice-president Bruce Kent participated in the memorial service in Hiroshima on the morning of 6th August where he was attending on behalf of CND. The Mayor of Hiroshima, Tadatoshi Akiba issued a Peace Declaration at the ceremony, urging that the citizens of the world pledge to do everyting in their power to accomplish the total eradication of nuclear weapons.. |
Pax Christi member Ann Farr with Yuka, a Japanese student |
Pax Christi partner in Japan, Sr Filo Hirota, who works with the Japanese Conference of Bishops', has asked the Pax Christi movement to support the Save Article 9 Campaign. Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces and other war potential. Article 9 is an international oath declaring No to War, a shared property of all the world’s citizens who wish for peace. Today, however, the Japanese government is moving towards amending Article 9, partly due to the U.S. demand for full-fledged military support from Japan in its “war on terror”. Despite the restrictions of Article 9, Japan’s Self-Defence Forces have gradually expanded over the years, bringing Japan’s military expenditure to one of the highest in the world, and they provided support to U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. You can find out more about the campaign here Images of the ceremony in Hiroshima and of other events around the world can be seen here |
Mrs Keiko Mukai, a guest from Japan who sang the Hiroshima Peace Song at the Coventry service |
Pax Christi members in London brave the wind and rain at their stall/vigil outside Westminster Cathedral |
25 - 26 June
Pax Christi Chair, Stewart Hemsley, meets Iraqi Christian delegation in Brussels
Pax Christi International recently hosted a series of meetings in Belgium, France and Germany, for a church-led delegation from Iraq. Stewart Hemsley, Chair of the British Section of Pax Christi attended on our behalf. The meetings began in Brussels with briefings at the Pax Christi International office and then moved to the European Union where the delegation made representtion to the UK permanent representative, Owen Jenkins. They spoke of the plight of the Christian minority who feel that they lack any real representation in the new Iraqi Parliament. They also met representatives at the European Commission, Karin Gatt-Rutter of the Iraq Desk and MEPs Nickolay Lmadenov and Jana Hybaskova at the European Parliament.
These meetings were arranged following the Pax Christi International Northern Consultation in June when the movement made a commitment to offering greater solidarity to Christians in Iraq. In March 2008 the British Section of Pax Christi wrote to Mr Gordon Brown on the anniversary of the war with Iraq and following the murder of Archbishop Rahho. A copy of the reply letter can be downloaded here.
A copy of a report by Stewart Hemsley can be downloaded here. In order to protect the security of members of the Iraqi delegation their names have been removed.
2008
15 June
Claudette Werleigh speaks at Pax Christi Annual Meeting in York
Pax Christi members and guests gathered in York on 14 June for the Annual General Meeting of the movement. During the day they heard from Claudette Werleigh, the new International General Secretary of Pax Christi. Claudette, from Haiti, spoke about the early influences of liberation theology and the education work of Paulo Friere on her work in community development - both of which empower people to challenge injustice and violence themselves. In talking about the work of Pax Christi International, she stressed the importance of the solidarity that can be created through international movements that bring people from very different backgrounds in contact with one another in their search for peace.. Two members were elected to the Executive Committee, Arianna Andreageliwho teaches law at Liverpool University and Michael Mitchell, a former volunteer who now lives in Sussex. Nan Saeki and Josie Campbell stood down after six years of service to the Comittee and were thanked for all their support and encouragement. |
|
|
A liturgy of commitment during the afternoon celebrated the work of the past year and invited all present to renew their work for peace for the future. The Pax Christi book of remembrance was presented during the liturgy and Pax Christi members and friends who died during the past year were recalled. Members heard of new projects of the movement - publications such as Peace People Who Changed the World and Franz Jagerstatter - A Different Kind of Hero, suitable for youth and schools groups and of a number of international opportunities for young people - the summer workcamp in Florence and the international peace pilgrimage to the First World War graves to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the war. In addition members were encouraged to continue solidarity work with peacemakers in Israel and Palestine. |
|
|
8 May
Christian Leaders on Israel’s 60th Anniversary
Over 140 Christian leaders have made a unified call for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. Their declaration is published in The Independent newspaper. Never before has such a diverse range of prominent Christians acknowledged that for Palestinians, Israel's celebration has become a 'Catastrophe' (Nakba). They seek a shared solution to the longstanding conflict. Stewart Hemsley, Chair of the British Seciton of Pax Christi, Fr. Claude Mostowik, National President of Pax Christi Australia, Dave Robinson, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, Prof Mary Grey, and Nobel Peace Laureat Mairead Corrigan Maguire are among the co-signers. The letter reads as follows:
Today, millions of Israelis and Jews around the world will joyfully mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. For many, this landmark powerfully symbolises the Jewish people's ability to defy the power of hatred so destructively embodied in the Nazi Holocaust. Additionally, it is an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of cultural, economic and scientific achievements of Israeli society, in all its vitality and diversity. This same day, millions of Palestinians living inside Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the worldwide diaspora, will mourn 60 years since over 700,000 of them were uprooted from their homes and forbidden from returning, while more than 400 villages were destroyed. For them, this day is not just about the remembrance of a past catastrophic dispossession, dispersal, and loss; it is also a reminder that their struggle for self-determination and restitution is ongoing. To hold both of these responses together in balanced tension is not easy. But it is vital if a peaceful way forward is to be forged, and is central to the Biblical call to "seek peace and pursue it" (Ps. 34:14). We acknowledge with sorrow that for the last 60 years, while extending empathy and support to the Israeli narrative of independence and struggle, many of us in the church worldwide have denied the same solidarity to the Palestinians, deaf to their cries of pain and distress. We therefore urge all those working for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine to consider that any lasting solution must be built on the foundation of justice, which is rooted in the very character of God. After all, it is justice that "will produce lasting peace and security" (Isaiah 32:17). Let us commit ourselves in prophetic word and practical deed to a courageous settlement whose details will honour both peoples' shared love for the land, and protect the individual and collective rights of Jews and Palestinians in the Holy Land. “Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid” (Micah 4:4) |
Read more and see complete list of signatories at http://justpeace60.blogspot.com/
20 March
Vigils around the country recall 5 years of suffering in Iraq
A number of vigils and times of prayer and reflection for peace were held round the country on 19th March, the eve of the start of the war with Iraq.
In London fifty people gathered for an ecumenical vigil at Downing Street, London. This involved saying prayers on the half-hour and the reading of the names of Iraqi and Coalition war dead. In Oxford another ecumenical group gathered at Carfax in the city centre. In North London following a time of prayer members of the Justice and Peace group at St Melitus Church leafleted commuters at the local train station. Other vigils took place in Birmingham, Coventry, Stafford, Kendal, Woodbridge, Bridgened and Somerset. Extract from a prayer used at the Downing Street vigil: We pray for others: for the people of Iraq, whose lives and dreams are broken daily; This project was organised by Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation who also sent a letter about the UK's responsibilities for the war to Prime Minister, Gordon Brown |
Ecumenical vigil, Downing Street, London |
Downing Street Vigil, London |
Vigil at Carfax, Oxford City centre |
13 March 2008
A Call for remembrance, prayer and action: Iraq 5 years on
20th March marks the 5th anniversary of the war with Iraq – a war which has cost tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions and brought fear and destruction to all communities. In recent months, Christians will also be aware that the minority Christian community has borne its own share of this violence. The destruction of churches, the targeting of church personnel leading this week to the death, following kidnap, of Chaldean Archbishop Rahho of Mosul.
The Pax Christi and Fellowship of Reconciliation are calling on Christians throughout the country to make 19th March, the eve of the start of the war, a day of remembrance, repentance and prayer for the people of Iraq and the role that our nation has played in this war.
In London there will be a vigil at Downing Street between 5.00 – 6.30 pm on Wednesday 19th. During the vigil prayers will be shared and names of the dead will be read out in public. This will include the names of Iraq people as well as of US and UK military personnel who have been killed in this war. A number of similar public vigils will be held around the country, including Oxford, Coventry, Stafford, North London and Kent and there will be times of prayer and reflection taking place as part of church- community commemorations on the same day.
Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: “ The vigil takes place in Holy Week when we remember Jesus’ path to the Cross – the betrayal, the torture, the abandonment – and so too we remember the people of Iraq and the years of suffering they have experienced through wars, sanctions and now occupation. We will be urging our Government to make reparation for the destruction we have caused and calling on all people of good will to join efforts to being stability and peace to Iraq.”
13 February 2008
Call for remembrance, prayer and action for Iraq
A call for day remembrance, prayer and action on 19 March, the eve of the anniversary of the war with Iraq is one of the responses that came from an ecumenical seminar held in London on 12 February entitled ‘Iraq War – 5 years on : A continuing challenge to Christians.’ Representatives from Justice and Peace and social responsibility networks gathered to discuss ways in which might Christians might respond to the war and on-going occupation of Iraq.
Copy of the leaflet Christian Peace Witness for Iraq |
11 February 2008
Ministry of Defence building marked with blessed ash on Ash Wednesday, 6 February 2008
2008 marked the 25th anniversary of prayer, repentence and resistance to nuclear war preparations at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, London. Around 70 people from around the country gathered in Embankment Gardens where they were marked with ash as is the tradition on Ash Wednesday. In a silent procession they then made their way to three stopping points in Horseguards Avenue: The Old War Office, Whitehall and the Ministry of Defence building. A group who had prepared in advance marked the Old War Office and Minsitry of Defence buildings with blessed charcoal. There were no arrests although there was a very strong police presence during the whole afternoon.
At the prayer stop at the Old War Office, Stewart Hemsley, the Chair of Pax Christi addressed the group saying: "The liturgy we are celebrating is an act of ‘Repentance and Resistance to Nuclear War Preparations.’ We use the symbols of ashes and sackcloth to show our repentance for trusting as a nation in death dealing weapons like the Trident missile system. We reject the idea of security by what our leaders call ‘hard power’ which is aggressive and threatening behaviour backed up by military might. Scripture teaches us not to put our trust in ‘Princes’ or their weapons.Those who advocate ‘hard power’ and all that that means are the agents of despair, death and destruction. The full text of Stewarts reflection can be downloaded here
This action was supported by Pax Christi, Christian CND and Catholic Peace Action. Other actions and vigils took place in Edinburgh and Newcastle upon Tyne. You can dowload a copy of the liturgy here.
Gathering for prayer in front of Ministry of Defence building, London |
|
|
|
|
11 January 2008
Pax Christi Celebrates Peace Sunday
On Sunday 20th January Catholic parishes in England and Wales will celebrate Peace– Sunday a day that offers us an opportunity to reflect on the Holy Father’s World Peace Day message with the theme “The Human Family: Community of Peace”. In this years message the Holy Father reminds us that we are all called to make peace and build relationships of solidarity and cooperation as befits members of the one human family
Pax Christi have provided every parish in the country with liturgy and reflection materials to help mark the day. Hundreds of parishes around the country have been in contact with Pax Christi to order additional materials for use with young people, children and adults. Some parishes will focus on the theme “The Human Family: Community of Peace” to celebrate the diversity of their parish community encouraging activities that help to map out the breadth of countries represented in the parish. Others will use the children’s activities to create peace chains – where children describe words that indicate what it takes to be a peacemaker or make peace boxes containing poems, images, photographs of peace activities which can be passed on as a gift to another community.
Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi said: Pax Christi has worked since the 1960s to help promote the Pope’s World Peace Day message. Each year we see more and more parishes becoming involved – using our resources with creativity and imagination to help communicate a message of peace. This year we know that people will be praying especially for communities in Kenya, Pakistan and Iraq – reflecting the images we see daily on our television screens. These remind us of the need to work for peace every day – to discover what part we may be playing as a country in contributing to violence in the world and act to challenge this. This is what solidarity is about – finding practical and real ways of being with people in times of violence and warfare.
Liturgy and reflection materials from Pax Christi are available at
http://www.paxchristi.org.uk/PeaceSunday.html
30 December 2007
Human Star at Separation Wall - Bethlehem
Members of the Arab Educational Institute, a Pax Christi partner in Bethlehem, created a human star in the shadow of the separation wall near Rachel's Tomb, Bethlehem, in anticipation of Christmas 2007. The AEI had asked for solidarity for their act of witness. In London, the team of staff and volunteers of Pax Christi gathered around their own 'star' to send greetings and best wishes to members of the AEI women's group. In Cambridge a silent street vigil was held outside the Guildhall in support of the 'walled-in' people of Bethlehem.
At the same time, messages and prayers for peace and justice were sent to Bethlehem from individuals, parishes and schools around the world. See below a Peace Tree of messages created in the Chapel of Unity in Coventry Cathedral. Read the Christmas Messages received from around the world.
|
|
 Pax Christi team, London |
 Peace Vigil, Cambridge |
Peace-Tree messages, Coventry Cathedral |
19 December
Gordon ZAHN - R.I.P
It is with sadness that we report the death on 9 December 2007 of Gordon Zahn, aged 84 years.
Below extracts from a full Obituary compiled by Mike Hovey, a long-standing colleague and friend and Director of Catholic Social Teaching for the Archdiocese of Detroi
" It was while he served in the CPS camps that Gordon “fine-tuned” his pacifist understanding and commitment, particularly as a Catholic. His religious education had been extremely slim – he read the entire King James Version of the Bible on his own in high school, and never attended any formal catechetical program in Catholic teaching – but in the camps he met several men who were steeped in the Catholic intellectual tradition and a critique of the traditional teaching on “just wars,” as opposed to the Age of Martyrs, when military service was deemed unsuitable for a “soldier of Christ.” Some of the “campers” were graduates of elite universities, and Gordon’s desire to resume his academic studies was rekindled. Upon his release from CPS, Gordon and another CPS camper, Richard Leonard, applied for entrance to the Benedictine-run St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and received full tuition scholarships and jobs to earn their room and board. After one year, they received a telegram from the Prior with the news that some of the faculty (former military chaplains) were opposed to pacifists receiving such generous benefits, and suggested that they take a year off to let the situation cool down. Gordon and Dick scraped the funds together for their tuition and traveled back to St. John’s – only to sleep on the school’s shuttle bus for two nights while the debate about their presence on campus continued. In the end, Fr. Godfrey Diekmann, O.S.B., one of their staunchest defenders, told the men that the community was too deeply divided to allow them to return. |
Gordon Zahn 1918 - 2007
Gordon died in St. Camillus Nursing Home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on Sunday, December 9, 2007 after suffering with Alzheimer's disease for several years. He will be cremated and his funeral Mass will be on Plans are being made for a more public Memorial early in 2008. |
Read another acknowledgement of Gordon's work from the Catholic Peace Fellowshhip, USA "Let us now praise Gordon Zahn" |
The dean gave them letters of recommendation to the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they were accepted and from which they graduated with degrees in sociology. One of their professors, Eugene McCarthy, was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1948, and provided patronage jobs for both men in Washington, D.C., and they enrolled at Catholic University of America, under the tutelage of Fr. (later Msgr.) Paul Hanly Furfey, one of the first “Catholic sociologists” (then considered a bit of an oxymoron) and counselor to Dorothy Day and the Catholic Workers movement… While engaged in the research on German Catholics in the late 1950s, Gordon "discovered" the story of an Austrian farmer and family man, Franz Jägerstätter who, upon being called into the Nazi army for duty in 1943, refused to go as a matter of conscience and because he believed he would be fighting in an unjust war, and was beheaded in Berlin on August 9, 1943 for his conscientious objection. Zahn received a research grant from the American Philosophical Society and spent a summer interviewing family and friends of the martyr, along with tracking down other written source material. In 1964, In Solitary Witness: The Life and Death of Franz Jaegerstaetter was published. Gordon believed that he had stumbled upon the story of an unheralded (and unsupported, by his Church) martyr for the faith – in other words, a saint. On October 26 of this year, the Church recognized Franz's heroic witness to the faith when it declared Franz "blessed" at a joyous celebration in Linz Cathedral. Franz’s widow, Franziska – now 94 years old – and his daughters and their families joined 5,000 others as the Catholic Church at last recognized the holy witness of this man. Gordon’s dream had been realized. |
Gordon's written work appeared regularly in AMERICA and Commonweal magazines, in addition to other publications, as he laid out an impassioned and articulate argument for rejecting violence and war as an essential element of our Catholic/Christian faith. In the early 1980s, he was a key witness (and ghostwriter) as the U.S. bishops drafted their pastoral letter on war and peace, "The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response." In 1983, he retired from academia and devoted his remaining "good years" as National Director of the Pax Christi Center on Conscience and War, continuing to write and speak around the country on peace, conscience and the nonviolent message of Jesus.
22 November 2007
Pax Christi Thanksgiving for Beatification of Franz Jägerstätter
Several hundred people gathered at a Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London on 21 November, in thanksgiving for the beatification of Franz Jägerstätter. Those attending included the Austrian Ambassador in London Dr Gabriele Matzner, from Austria Dr Erna Putz – a biographer of Franz Jägerstätter and Gotlind Hammerer, vice president of Pax Christi Austria and Pax Christi partners from the ecumenical and interfaith networks. During the Mass, celebrated by Pax Christi’s Bishop Malcolm McMahon, members of the congregation heard Bruce Kent, a vice president of Pax Christi reflect on the witness of Franz for today. He said: “I move at once to the wise words written recently by Bishop Schwarz of Linz and Bishop Scheuer of Innsbruck. Their perspective is the future. They do not want Jägerstätter to be seen as quaint piece of history - as happens in the case of quite a few Saints. This is what they said: 'It is your situation that is being dealt with here, it is your motivation that is at issue, it is your God that is under debate. What part does sacrifice play in your own life? How seriously do you take the question of whether there is something in your life so big that you would, if necessary, be willing to die for it?'
In other words. when does the time come for all of us to have to say 'No'? Our 'NO' here in Britain will not lead to an execution. But it will cost promotion, popularity even some loss of liberty and certainly hard work. Why? The world we live in today is in many respects out of step with the world of the Gospels. The two Kingdoms do collide in values and life styles.” |
|
| Pax Christi hosted a reception following the Mass at which the Austria Ambassador, Dr Gabriele Matzner spoke, reminding those present of the political reality in Austria in the late 1930s: “ The Catholic leadership in Austria did not openly oppose the illegal annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. Cardinal Innitzer did not welcome Hitler in person, but he recommended that Austrians accept the fait accompli. Most did, in the farcical referendum staged by the Nazis in already occupied Austria, in April 38, and from which 8% of the population were excluded beforehand. But, very soon, with the onslaught of anti-Catholic Nazi politics, many Catholics, including Innitzer, changed their minds. In October 1938 at least 7000 young Catholics marched against the regime in the centre of Vienna, shouting "Christus ist unser Führer", "Christ is our Leader". It was and remained the largest demonstration ever against Hitler in the German realm, since he came to power in Germany 5 years earlier. It was brutally quashed. Ladies and gentlemen, motives to resist mass violations of human rights are manifold. Some are religious. Whatever the spiritual sources, self-sacrificing demonstrations of decency such as Jägerstätter's deserve our greatest admiration. They should inspire others, especially world leaders, to prevent situations in which choices of life or death have to be made by decent human beings." |
|
Pax Christi hope that schools and parishes will make the life and witness of Franz Jägerstätter a focus for reflection on Christian peacemaking in the year ahead and will provide resources materials to support this work.
Copies of the newly published Franz Jägerstätter Martyr: A Shining Example in Dark Times by Erna Putz is available in hardback from Pax Christi - price £10.00 plus postage Copy of Bruce Kent's text available here Copy of Austrian Ambassador Dr. Gabriele Matzner-Holzers' text available here |
|
7 November 2007
Pax Christi International - Triennial World Assembly in Belgium
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, national president of Pax Christi UK, joined staff and members of Pax Christi UK at the Triennial World Assembly of Pax Christi International which took place in Torhout/Bruges, Belgium between 30 October – 4 November 2007. The theme around which more than 100 people from 50 different countries gathered was “Remember – Reaffirm – Renew: Acting together for Peace”. Those taking part shared experiences on the vision and mission of Pax Christi International as well as on the global concerns of the movement. Pax Christi’s work for peace is based on the Gospel and inspired by faith and involves approaches that include peace education, advocacy and campaigning, peace building and interfaith and intercultural cooperation for peace. |
|
New Presidency Pax Christi International welcomed Marie Dennis, Director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns in the USA and Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo of Kisangani, DRC, as the new Co-Presidents of the movement. H.B. Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has been International President since 1999. One of the gifts presented to the Patriarch was a Peace Flag bearing the names of all the delegates at the Assembly. New Secretary General The work and commitment of Etienne De Johghe, Secretary General of Pax Christi for 29 years, was honoured as he stood down, and the new Secretary General, Claudette Werleigh of Haiti, was welcomed. A former vice-president of Pax Christi, Claudette has most recently been the Conflict Transformation Programmes Director of the Life and Peace Institute in Uppsala, Sweden. Pax Christi has grown immeasurably under Etienne's leadership - from a relatively small number of national sections when he assumed office to the worldwide network of member organisations which now define the movement. |
|
|
|
|
Peace Pilgrimage On 2 November - the feast of Holy Souls - participants undertook a Peace Pilgrimage to a number of the Flanders Fields war cemeteries, including Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world, and the German cemetery of Vladslo where a peace vigil was held which ended with all those present placing candles on the simple flat granite stones that mark the graves of the 25,600 German soldiers buried there. A plaque at the entrance to the cemetery bore the message of Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Laureat, "The soldiers' graves are the greatest preachers of peace". The image on the left is of a pair of statues entitled 'The mourning parents' by Kathe Kollwitz a German artist. They are placed near her son's tomb. Celebrations On Sunday 4th November a Mass was celebrated in St Salvator's Cathedral in Bruges to acknowledge the work of the movement and of Etienne De Johghe and his wife Magda van Damme in particular. |
26 October 2007
Blessed Franz Jägerstätter |
 Frau Franziska Jägerstätter |
Thousands gather in Linz, Austria, for the Beatification of
Franz Jägerstätter
More than 5,000 people gathered in Linz Cathedral, Austria on Friday 26 October to celebrate the Beatification of Franz Jägerstätter. At a moving service, attended by his widow Franziska, 94 years old, and his four daughters, Hildegard, Maria, Aloisia and Rosalia, the petition for the cause of martyrdom was presented by Bishop Manfred Scheuer to Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins representative of Pope Benedict XVI.
27 Bishops and Cardinals participated, including Bishop Luigi Bettazi from Italy and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton from the United States. Both have been involved with Pax Christi and with the cause of beatification for many years. During the service Franziska Jägerstätter carried a relic of her husband Franz and presented it to Cardinal Martins. The Cardinal announced that the future day set to mark the Beatification will be 21 May, the day of Franzs' baptism.
Pax Christi members from England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria and the USA had travelled to Linz to be a part of the celebration. They later met with Frau Jägerstätter and her family at a reception offered by the civic authorities in Linz. One of those taking part was Bruce Kent who has worked since the mid 1970's to promote the story and witness of Franz. Bruce organised his first pilgrimage to St Radegund, the home town of the Jägerstätter family, in 1975.
Franziska with Helga Galloway, Valerie Flessati and Bruce Kent |
Pax Christi members from UK |
Pax Christi members also attended an evening vigil in the town of östermiething on Saturday 27th October and the first Eucharist in remembrance of the newly beatified Franz Jägerstätter at St. Radegund on Sunday 28th October in the small Parish Church where both Franz and his widow Franziska had been sacristans.
Speaking at the vigil Bruce Kent said: “The courage of Franz Jägerstätter obliges us all to find other ways of resolving our conflicts. It is my belief that wars today are bound to be unjust. Nonviolent solutions to conflict are available. The death and destruction that wars cause is beyond any possible proportion. Wars create and do not solve conflict. That the world needs political and social justice as well as a police force is clear. What it does not need is war. That is how I apply the message of Jägerstätter in 1943 to our world of 2007.
With astonishing courage Franz taught us how to say ‘No’ to immoral promises and immoral wars. As citizens, taxpayers, or soldiers, and above all as Christians, the best honour we can pay him is to learn in our time, whatever the cost, to say NO to war and to build instead a culture of peace.”Read English /Italian presentation given by Bruce Kent on Saturday 27th October
For more photographs go to www.dioezese-linz.at/kirchenzeitung/galerie/Seligsprechung_FJ_2007/
Pax Christi will host a Mass to celebrate
the beatification at |
22 October 2007
Pax Christi members to attend Beatification of Franz Jägerstätter in Austria
Pax Christi members from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Germany and Italy will travel to Austria this week to take part in a Mass for the beatification of Franz Jägerstätter, the Austrian farmer who was beheaded in Brandenburg, Germany, on 9 August 1943, for refusing to fight in Hitler's army. Franz believed that he would be committing a sin if he acted against his conscience and agreed to fight for the National Socialist state. For him, this was a situation in which he had to obey God more than the commands of secular rulers. In following the commandment 'you shall love your neighbour as yourself' Franz decided that he could not fight with weapons of war. For refusing to undertake military service he was sentenced to death in Berlin and was beheaded in Brandenburg on 9 August 1943.
The Mass will be celebrated on 26 October at 10.00 am in St Mary's Cathedral in Linz, the home Diocese of the Franz Jägerstätter and his family. The celebrant will be Diocesan Bishop Dr. Ludwig Schwarz, who was one of the promoters of the cause of beatification.
Speaking of Franz the Bishop said: "Franz Jägerstätter
is a prophet with a global view and a penetrating insight which very few
of his contemporaries had at that time; he is a shining example in his
fidelity to the claims of his conscience, an advocate of nonviolence and
peace, a voice of warning against ideologies, a deep-believing person for
whom God really was the core and centre of life. His prophetic witness
to Christian truth is based on a clear, radical and far-sighted analysis
of the barbarism of the inhuman and godless system of Nazism, its racial
delusions, its ideology of war and deification of the state, as well as
its declared programme of annihilating Christianity and the Church. His
educated, mature conscience led him to say a resolute 'No' to Nazism and
he was executed due to his consistent refusal to take up arms as a soldier
in Hitler's war."
There will also be celebrations on 27 and 28 October in St Radegund, the home village of the Jägerstätter family, where his widow Franziska and her three daughters still live.
Pax Christi has long promoted the life and witness of Franz, holding an annual memorial service in August on the anniversary of his execution and producing publications and articles on his life. Pax Christi will host a Mass at Westminster Cathedral, London, on 21 November to celebrate the Beatification.
Read English /Italian presentation to be given by Bruce Kent at a vigil in Austria on Saturday 27th October
For more news of events in Austria go to http://www.dioezese-linz.at/redaktion/index.php?page_new=870
16 August 2007
Bring your umbrellas to the Greenbelt PeaceZone!
The 20,000 people expected at this years Greenbelt Festival will be praying for good weather, but staff at the PeaceZone are hoping they will bring their umbrellas with them. Hilary Topp from Pax Christi explains:
“The PeaceZone this year will feature an umbrellas art installation, which is part of a project called poetry in protest. Greenbelters will be invited to decorate their umbrellas with poems, symbols and quotes.”
The PeaceZone, run by the Network of Christian Peace Organisations, will be trying to raise awareness of how ordinary people can make a difference, reflecting the Greenbelt 2008 theme, ‘Heaven in Ordinary’.
Over the weekend people will be encouraged to share their stories about what they or their friends are doing for peace. These will be displayed in the PeaceZone and added to the Greenbelt PeaceZone blog. To view the blog go to www.everylittlepeace.blogspot.com and add your stories and photographs by emailing network4radicalchange.peacezone@blogspot.com
There will be opportunities to send a message to Gordon Brown to encourage him to promote policies which promote true human security, and a chance for people to reflect on their own commitment to peace. There will also be workshops and the chance to talk to peacemakers from around the world. The Greenbelt Festival is a Christian music and arts festival. It takes place this year on 24 - 27 August at the Cheltenham Racecourse. For more information and the full line up see www.greenbelt.org.uk
22 July 2007
A life of peace-work honoured
The life-long work of Valerie Flessati and Bruce Kent, vice-presidents of Pax Christi British Section, was acknowledged at the annual National Justice & Peace Conference in Swanwick on Sunday 22 July. Among other things, they were presented with an olive tree, a symbol of peace, bearing messages from friends and colleagues. Instrumental in establishing the British Section of Pax Christi, following its merge with PAX in 1971, Valerie Flessati and Bruce Kent have been tireless in their support and engagement in a host of peacemaking projects. Valerie was the first General Secretary of Pax Christi and has remained close to the movement since then, not only in her role as a vice president but also in her writing, editing and educational outreach – for both the British Section and for Pax Christi International. Valerie has also worked to capture and promote the history of Christian peacemaking in Britain – her Doctoral thesis of 1991 was on The History of a Catholic Peace Society in Britain 1936-1971 – and in 1997 she wrote Waking the Sleeping Giant – The Story of Christian CND. Valerie has also worked to promote peace studies at an academic level, first with the MA in Peace Studies from the Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford - Valerie was administrator to this course when it was run from Heythrop College in London - then with the MA in Mission, Peace and Spirituality at the Missionary Institute London where she was a course tutor. Bruce Kent was the first Chaplain to Pax Christi following his involvement in a Pax Christi International route in the 1960s and worked for the movement on a range of issues in the early 1970s. A former chair and then General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Bruce has been a committed anti-nuclear campaigner – going on to support more recent initiatives including Abolition 2000, the World Court Project and Nuclear Awareness Project. Bruce is also founder of the Movement for the Abolition of War. Together Valerie Flessati and Bruce Kent have offered friendship, enthusiasm and encouragement to individuals and movements in their work for peace, often bringing together faith-based and secular networks. They have shown the true meaning of faithful persistence and steadfastness to the task of peacemaking, showing us all how to build community and church in the process. |
 Valerie's & Bruce's shocked reaction to the announcement by Pat Gaffney... |
 ... what a "peace-full" couple! |
20 - 22 July 2007
Christians challenged to unpack the nonviolent tradition at National Justice & Peace Conference, Swanwick
Braving adverse weather conditions, more than 370 Christians gathered in Swanwick, Derbyshire for the annual National Network of Justice and Peace conference, Called to be Peacemakers - Who Me? . For the first time the conference was ecumenically organised in partnership with the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Pax Christi. Young and old, newcomers and seasoned conference goers took part in a full programme that offered stimulating talks, workshops on peacemaking, liturgy and celebration.
Participants were reminded of the roots and traditions of both FoR and Pax Christi - both born out of experiences of war by Christians who wanted to make a radical difference in the world - rejecting war and violence as a means of resolving conflict, and of the breadth of peacemaking opportunities, from lobbying to public witness to education and nonviolent direct action.
Speaker John Dear sj, a Jesuit priest, recalled the words of Martin Luther King that the choices before us today are choices of nonviolence and nonexistence, siting the war on terrorism and the war on Iraq as models of a choice of nonexistence. Drawing on his experiences of challenging militarism and war preparations of the United States Government, John said that war is not the will of God... war is anti everything that is Gospel. Zoughbi Zoughbi, a Palestinian Christian who is founder of the Palestinian Centre for Conflict Resolution in Bethlehem spoke of the daily crucifixion of the people of Palestine. He also spoke of the need to work for restorative justice in situations of conflict such as that experienced in Palestine/Israel as a way of stopping the cycle of violence from repeating itself generation after generation. He said that a free Palestine must be formed from collective responsibility - and not collective guilt as Israel was formed.
To view photogalleries of the Conference click HERE
 The stage is set.... the conference opens |
 Speaker, John Dear sj |
 Questions from the floor... |
 Ihitisham Hibatullah gives testimony |
 Chris Cole of FoR with speaker Zoughbi Zoughbi |
 Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi with Roula Maarouf and Maya Evans |
 Young and old.... participants join in a liturgy |
|
Participants also hear testimonies from three people whose lives have been affected by events in our world since September 11th 2001: Ihitisham Hibatullah from Sri Lanka, member of Muslim Association of Britain and media coordinator for the British Muslim Initiative who spoke of his work to challenge the xenophobic hatred of Muslims generated following 9/11 and the personal impact this has had on him and the fears he experienced for him family. Roula Maarouf, spoke of her family who were made refugees from Galilee when they were expelled from Palestine in 1948 and who now live in Lebanon. For her the war on terror has created an even greater atmosphere of exclusion and fear. Maya Evans spoke of her work with the group Voices in the Wilderness and Justice not Vengeance and how her awareness of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq prompted the action of reading out names of British soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed in Iraq as part of a peace protest at Downing Street. This led to her becoming the first person to be arrested under the new SOCA laws.
Parallel youth and children's programmes also offered insights into issues of violence and conflict and an opportunity to develop tools and skills for peacemaking.
To view photogalleries of the Conference click HERE
17 June 2007
Pax Christi Peace Awards at Annual General Meeting in London
At a packed meeting in Central London, Pax Christi members and supporters honoured and acknowledged six peacemakers of our time whose work spans from Northern Ireland to Iraq and UK. Pax Christi instituted the award, given every two years, in 2001, to acknowledge the steadfast commitment of grass-roots peace work. Those receiving the award from Bishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Pax Christi, were Brian Wicker, Sr Lelia Newman op, Patricia and Michael Pulham, Tom Mallon and Milan Rai. Brian Wicker’s involvement in Catholic peacemaking, with a particular focus on security and disarmament, goes back 50 years. Brian is an active member of the Christian Council on Approaches to Defence and Disarmament and served for years on the Committee for International Justice and Peace of the Bishops’ Conference. Most recently Brian initiated dialogue between Muslims and Christians, leading to a book entitled Witness to Faith? Martyrdom in Christianity and Islam. Sister Lelia Newman O.P, formally a teacher now retired, has lived and worked in Belfast for the past 17 years where she has promoted understanding between different communities. She became involved with the regeneration of three communities in the Falls Road area, Belfast – Beechmount, Iveagh and Springfield, which led to the building of a community centre in the Beechmount area. Most recently, Lelia took part in protests with others from Belfast at the nuclear submarine base in Faslane, Scotland. |
|
|
Patricia and Michael Pulham have over thirty years involvement with both Pax Christi and Christian CND – recently playing an important role in the CCND executive committee. Their peacework has ranged from the production of education resources for churches on nuclear issues to organising acts of Christian witness at various nuclear sites such as Aldermaston and Faslane to encouraging others in peace and justice work parish and Diocese level. Tom Mallon, another peacemaker from Northern Ireland, initiated summer play schemes for children from the mid 1970s and helped to co-ordinate hospitality for many Pax Christi volunteers from around the world to work on these projects. This all happened during the most bloody and vicious period in Northern Ireland’s ‘troubles’. Thanks to Tom Mallon and others, bridges were built between the communities. Milan Rai ‘s work is a powerful witness to active nonviolence. As a co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness UK, he was instrumental in putting the impact of the sanctions on Iraq before the peace movement and on the political agenda. His visit to Iraq, during the time of the sanctions, provided evidence of the madness of UK and US policies. Following the September 11th 2001 attack Mil helped establish the organisation ‘Justice not Vengeance’, taking on the causes of Afghanistan, Iraq and recently Iran. He has published books including ‘War Plan Iraq’ and more recently ‘July Bombings’ to look at the reasons for the violence being generated in our name. Those at the meeting also heard of Pax Christi’s strengthened work in the area of peace education and youth work through the appointment of Hilary Topp, education worker who presented the winning CD produced by pupils of Finchley Catholic High School in London for a Pax Christi European contest entitled “Mad World”. Pax Christi also affirmed its commitment to continue its work in solidarity and support of partners in Palestine, especially during this year that marks the 40th anniversary of Israeli occupation. At a Mass celebrated by Bishop Malcolm, former members of the movement were remembered, including Margot Hutchison who died on 14th June. Margot, from Birmingham, had been active with Pax Christi, CARJ, the National Board of Catholic Women and diocesan Justice and Peace work for more than thirty years. |
9 June 2007
ENOUGH: End Palestine occupation rally in London
Pax Christi joined thousands at a rally for Palestine in Trafalgar Square, London People from around the country came to London on Saturday in support of the Enough: End the Israeli Occupation of Palestine rally. This week marks the 40th anniversary of the six-day war and the subsequent Israeli occupation of Palestine. Similar events took place around the world. On Pentecost Sunday Church leaders of Jerusalem issued the following statement about the anniversary: “This year marks the 40th anniversary of occupation by the Israelis of land previously held by Palestinians. It is totally unacceptable for the situation to continue where the Palestinians endure daily hardships and humiliations with deprivations of international human rights, allegedly to ensure the safety and security of the Israelis, whereas we believe the security of Israel is dependent on the freedom and justice of the Palestinians.” A host of speakers urged those taking part to work for dialogue and political change to bring justice for the people of Palestine. Speakers included Mustafa
Barghouti - Palestinian Minister of Information, Anglican
Bishop Riah from Palestine, Mairead
Corrigan Maguire - Nobel Peace Laureate, Netan'l
Silverman - Combatants for Peace and Bruce
Kent, vice-president of Pax Christi. Bishop Riah spoke movingly of the role of Jerusalem as the capital of the Holy Land, saying that the shortest way to peace in the world is through peace in Jerusalem. He urged political leaders to be peace makers and not just peace talkers. |
|
 |
Mairead Corrigan Maguire who
recently visited Palestine, spoke of the parallels between her own
country Northern Ireland and Palestine. She reminded those
listening that thirty years ago she stood at this same spot calling
for peace, justice and human rights for the people of Northern Ireland
and today she made the same appeal for the people of Palestine. Bruce
Kent called for a spirit of hope – drawing on the recent
peace plan in Northern Ireland as a sign of how situations of injustice
and violence can be turned around. Netan'l Silverman, a
former Israeli soldier, spoke of the work of Combatants
for Peace,
a group of former Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters, and
of the culture of fear which keeps people apart and breads violence.
Combatants for Peace seek to challenge acts of violence in Israel
/ Palestine and to encourage nonviolent resistance to the occupation. The ENOUGH Coalition, made up of more than 50 organisations including Pax Christi, War on War, Quaker Peace & Social Witness, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Interpal, Medical Aid for Palestine and a number of Trade Unions will now work towards a of Lobby of Parliament which will take place in November. |
|
|
|
4 June 2007
Franz Jägerstätter to be beatified
as a Martyr for Peace
It is with great joy that we hear of the plans for the
beatification of Franz the
Austrian farmer who was beheaded in Brandenburg, Germany, on 9
August 1943, for
refusing to fight in Hitler’s army. (Announcement from Congregation
for the Causes of Saints, 1 June 2007). His cause has been long promoted
by Pax Christi.
Speaking of the beatification, Bishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Pax Christi UK said: “The extraordinary courage of Franz Jägerstätter, a faithful Catholic, has been an inspiration to many and a powerful witness to peace and nonviolence. In an age of war and violence we urgently need the example of those who use their consciences to make judgements about what is evil - and refuse to take part in it. The recognition of this man’s holiness by the Church should encourage us all to stand up for peace, justice and human dignity.”
Franz believed that he would be committing a sin if he acted against his conscience and agreed to fight for the National Socialist state. For him, this was a situation in which he had to obey God more than the commands of secular rulers. In following the commandment ‘you shall love your neighbour as yourself’ Franz decided that he could not fight with weapons of war. For refusing to undertake military service he was sentenced to death in Berlin and was beheaded in Brandenburg on 9th August 1943.
Pax Christi offers a warm message of support to his widow, Fransiska Jägerstätter, a faithful partner in his terrible sacrifice and a witness to peace herself. Their three daughters were all under the age of six at the time of his death. Franziska suffered many years of economic punishment, discrimination and social exclusion before Austrian attitudes to her husband’s conscientious objection began to change. He is now honoured as a hero in Austria. Franziska still serves the small village church in St Radegund, Upper Austria, where Franz himself was sacristan. We rejoice with her and her family.
Pax Christi commemorates the anniversary of Franz Jägerstätter with an ecumenical service in London each year, and has organised several pilgrimages to St Radegund since the first British Pax Christi group went there in 1975.
28 May 2007
Faith groups in joint rally to mark 40 years of Israeli occupation
Pax Christi will join with other faith groups at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War and the start of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, on Saturday 9 June.
Former Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, Riah Abul Asal, and Nobel Peace laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, will be among those addressing the rally which begins at 2:30pm.
The event is organised by the Enough! Coalition, which was formed in the UK to advocate the end of the Israeli occupation. Pax Christi UK, the Quakers, the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Justice Peace and Creation Network, and the Amos Trust have joined charities, trade unions, British Muslim and Jewish groups and MPs to commemorate the anniversary.
Church Leaders in Jerusalem, including Latin Patriarch
Michel Sabbah, issued a message on Pentecost Sunday which says: “This
year marks the 40th anniversary of occupation by the Israelis of land
previously held by Palestinians. It is totally unacceptable for
the situation to continue where the Palestinians endure daily hardships
and humiliations with deprivations of international human rights, allegedly
to ensure the safety and security of the Israelis, whereas we believe
the security of Israel is dependent on the freedom and justice of the
Palestinians.” The Church leaders have also called
upon Christians and all people of goodwill to join in the
International Church Action for Peace in Palestine & Israel
between 3rd and 9th June. Pax Christi is urging its members and churches
in the UK to offer prayers for peace in Palestine & Israel at this
time.
Supporters of the Enough! coalition include Lord Hylton, Rev Kathy Galloway, Leader of the Iona Community, Rev Garth Hewitt, director of the Amos Trust, Professor Mary Grey and Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate.
Ends
Full statement from the Church Leaders of Jerusalem and copy of the Ecumenical Service produced for the International Church Action for Peace in Palestine & Israel available here
6 May 2007
Remember the Christians in the Middle East
This was the theme of a seminar held at York St
John University in York on Saturday,
5 May.
Sponsored by Pax Christi, the British Province of
Carmelites and Middlesbrough Diocese Justice & Peace Network, the seminar brought together more
than one hundred and fifty people to hear Latin
Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah and Anthony
O’Mahony, Director of the Centre for Christianity
and Inter-religious Dialogue at Heythrop College, University of London
speak on the theme.
Patriarch Sabbah spoke of the good ecumenical relations
between the thirteen Churches of Jerusalem who regularly speak with one
voice when addressing some of the deep problems faced by Christians in
Israel and Palestine caused by the on-going conflict. While acknowledging
the real fears of Israel he went on to say that it is often the powerful
military actions of Israel that elicit counter violence from militant Palestinians
groups. He stressed that the majority of the Palestinian people – Christians
and Muslims, seek a peaceful and just resolution tothe conflict but often
feel let down by the inaction of the international community, including
the EU and British government. He challenged those present to find
ways of being in solidarity with people in both Israel and Palestine who
are working for peace, and gave as an example the Ecumenical
Week of Solidarity between 2–9 June that
has been called to mark the 40th anniversary of Israel’s occupation
of Palestine.
Anthony O’Mahony spoke of the historical displacement
of the Christian community in the Middle East, exacerbated by the recent
conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine. He cited Lebanon as an example. Lebanon
once had a Christian majority that has been greatly diminished as a result
of the Lebanese Civil War and more recently the war between Lebanon and
Israel. He
challenged the audience not to forget Christians in Middle East – the
heart and the origin of the Christian family - now a minority faith in
the region. They have experienced and continue to experience great suffering. In
spite of this, he spoke about the positive opportunity created for ecumenical
cooperation in the Middle East, seeing this as a future feature of Christian
identity in the region.
Speaking of the Christian family in Palestine, Patriarch Sabbah described
them as a community of endurance with a deep will to exist.
The Seminar was one of the events organised by the British
Province of Carmelites to mark the 800th anniversary of the Carmelite rule of life
and was preceded by a Mass celebrated in York Minister by the Latin Patriarch
of Jerusalem
For more information contact
Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi
020 8203 4884
30 April 2007 Brussels
New Presidency of Pax Christi International
Pax Christi International has elected Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo and Marie Dennis as the new co-Presidents of Pax Christi International at their Annual General Assembly taking place 28 April 2007 in Antwerp, Belgium. Their 3-year mandate as co-presidents begins at the Triennial World Assembly of Pax Christi International, which will take place from 30 October to 4 November 2007 in Torhout/Bruges. The present International President, H.B. Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will remain in office until 3 November 2007.
Pax Christi International was founded in 1945 in France as a movement of Catholics in Europe who wanted to promote reconciliation at the end of the Second World War. Madame Marthe Dortel-Claudot and Msgr. Théas inspired the foundation of the movement. Today, Pax Christi is a dynamic faith based network with more than 100 member organisations active worldwide. By electing co-presidents, a lay woman and a bishop to lead the movement, Pax Christi returns to its roots and lifts up a model of shared leadership in the Catholic Church.
Msgr. Laurent MONSENGWO PASYNIA (DR Congo)
Archbishop
of Kisangani and President of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo. As
former President of SECAM (Symposium
of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), Msgr. Monsengwo
worked continually for peace building efforts in his country, and throughout
Africa. He is convinced that a lasting peace can only be realised through
dialogue among the citizens of all countries. He is often consulted by high
officials concerning Africa. Member of the Executive Committee of Pax Christi
International since 1999 and Vice President until 3 November 2007. He is
member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Marie DENNIS (USA)
As
director of the Maryknoll
Office for Global Concerns Marie Dennis is responsible
for bringing the voice and experience of Maryknoll Missionaries and their
commitment to peace, social justice and the integrity of creation into policy
discussions in the U.S. and other governments, the World Bank, the IMF, the
United Nations and the corporate world. She has international experience
particularly in Latin America and Africa and is author or co-author of six
books on peace, social justice and spirituality. Pax Christi USA Ambassador
of Peace. Member of the Executive Committee of Pax Christi International
since 1999 and Vice President until 3 November 2007. The Maryknoll Office
for Global Concerns is a member organisation of Pax Christi International.
10 April 2007
Pax Christi International Calls for Prayer and Action for Zimbabwe
In solidarity with an appeal for prayer from Catholic bishops in Zimbabwe
and the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, Pax Christi International
is calling
for prayer and action for the people of Zimbabwe on Saturday
14 April 2007.
President Robert Mugabe also faces deepening opposition within his own party ZANU-PF. Nonetheless, there are no signs of the 83-year-old leader relinquishing power, despite mounting pressures at home and abroad. African leaders have requested South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki to assist in mediating the country's political crisis. Zimbabwean Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo has also urged the people to stage peaceful demonstrations to call for the president's resignation. A recent pastoral letter issued by the Zimbabwean bishops' conference calls for 'concrete action' to inspire hope and proposes that Saturday 14 April be observed as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Zimbabwe. Pax Christi International has likewise appealed for prayer and action throughout its worldwide networks on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, calling for: |
|
2 April 2007
Pax Christi winners create a culture of peace
The winning teams of the 2007 Pax Christi European Peace Contest created their own culture of peace on a four day trip to Brussels last week. Hilary Topp, Peace Education Worker at Pax Christi UK explained: ‘The young people participating in the trip illustrated so well what it takes to build a culture of peace. They shared ideas and culture, respected each others opinions, and formed friendships despite differences in culture, language and religion. On the first evening they stayed up playing cards until midnight!’
Stephen Murphy, one of the winning team from Finchley Catholic High School in London said: “I enjoyed meeting the groups from other countries, it was a really interesting experience.”
Visiting the European Parliament reminded us of the importance of international institutions in building a stable and peaceful world. On a visit to the Pax Christi International offices the young people heard about the many ways in which ordinary people are working for peace all over the world and how Pax Christi works for peace and justice for all. The visit ended on Sunday evening with an ecumenical service to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Europe. Candles were lit for all the countries in the European Union and we were reminded of the contribution of every country and person to building peace. The service ended with a lively song called ‘Together’, led by a group from Sweden; “Together! We are creating together! Participating together! We are celebrating a World Culture of Peace!” Pax Christi will be running the competition again next year – look out for details on our website in the autumn at www.paxchristi.org.uk |
 |
31 March, Brussels
R.I.P. - Maria Julia Hernández, Director of the Office of Tutela Legal of the Archdiocese of San Salvador and Member of the Executive Committee of Pax Christi International
Dr. Maria Julia Hernandez Chavarria, 68, passed away on Friday 30 March 2007. After having cardiac problems, she underwent a successful surgery at the end of February, but relapsed on 8 March. She did not recover. The last three weeks, she remained in the hospital with artificial respiration, in critical conditions.
Maria Julia was born in Tegucilgapa (the Honduras’ Capital - her nationality was Salvadoran), on 30 January 1939. She got a PhD in Human Rights and International Law. Since 1977, Maria Julia had been working at the Archdiocese of San Salvador taking care of the pastoral work in the field of human rights. She became the promoter of human rights and the protector of the dignity of all Salvadorian people, especially the victims of the civil war in El Salvador. Maria Julia was a good friend of the late Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero who was assassinated on 24 March 1980. For several years she had been active in the development of a network of various human rights offices of the Bishops’ Conferences in dioceses across Latin America.
In May 1982, she became the Founding Director of Tutela Legal (Legal Protection), the Human Rights Office of the Archdiocese of San Salvador. The office documents and opens up judicial proceedings to claim justice in regard to massacres not yet resolved that to this day foster impunity in the country. Maria Julia devoted her life to truth and justice and acted very strongly against impunity. Tutela Legal became a member organisation of Pax Christi International.
Ms. María Julia Hernández had been elected member of the Executive Committee at the Pax Christi International Council in Amman/Jerusalem, July 1999. That visit and peace pilgrimage to the Holy Land impressed her deeply. In 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Pax Christi International in Assisi, Italy, Maria Julia was the keynote speaker. She was involved in fact-finding missions of Pax Christi International to Mexico (Chiapas), Guatemala, and El Salvador. Maria Julia was a member of the Steering Committee preparing the First Latin America Consultation of Pax Christi International to take place in Lima, Peru, in August 2007.
The International President, the Executive Committee members and the staff of the International Secretariat are deeply touched by the loss of such an extraordinary human rights defender. We present our condolences to her family and collaborators. Her death and resurrection, close to the liturgical Celebration of Easter, feed our hope and our commitment.
A prayer vigil was held on Friday evening, 30 March. The funeral will be held on Monday 2 April 2007, at 3 pm, in the Crypt of the Cathedral of San Salvador.
27 March 2007
Pax Christi's response to power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland
The British Section of Pax Christi warmly welcomes the historic agreement reached by the two main parties in Northern Ireland. The sight of the two leading, implacable souls, pledging themselves to work for a better and more stable future for all the people of Northern Ireland was truly remarkable. It marked an end to decades of bloodshed and violence and opened a new and promising chapter in the long and turbulent history of this part of Ireland. Everyone involved now owes it to the victims and suffering families of the conflict to seize this opportunity to build a lasting peaceful and a just society.
This historic agreement sends not only to the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland, but also to those in other conflict situations, a powerful message of hope that whatever their problems and difficulties peaceful progress is possible with trust and dialogue.
Our hope and prayer must be that the example of Northern Ireland will prove inspirational to all those who are working tirelessly and non-violently to bring about peace and justice in so many troubled areas of our world
23 March, London
Iraq anniversaries marked with vigil of remembrance
On the anniversary of the release of Christian peacemaker hostages Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden in Iraq, and the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, Christians kept a vigil of remembrance in Trafalgar Square in London for all victims of violence in Iraq. Norman Kember and his wife Pat took part in the vigil. Norman Kember and his colleagues were held hostage in Iraq for 118 days between November 2005 and March 2006. Tom Fox, an American Quaker, member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams, with whom Norman was held, was murdered in Iraq on 10th March 2006. Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: “we want to give thanks for the safe release of Norman, James and Harmeet and to remember Tom and all those whose have died as a result of the war in Iraq and those who continue to be displaced, wounded or tortured in the name of the so-called ‘war on terror’.” Members of Pax Christi, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Quaker Peace & Social Witness and friends of Norman Kember took part in the vigil. During the time Norman was held in Iraq these groups coordinated support and solidarity actions throughout the country. On his release in 2006 Norman Kember reminded us that “we must remember the people of Iraq who still await the stable and just society they deserve.” |
|
At the same time Pax Christi International, together with Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Franciscans International and other religious orders was offering oral evidence to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Their statement said: There are about 1,800,000 Iraqi displaced persons in the country. An estimated 100,000 Iraqis leave their country each month, including many of Iraq’s best educated professionals. Approximately 2,000,000 Iraqis have fled since the 2003 invasion…. We also urge the international community
through the United Nations to take with utmost seriousness its
responsibilities for the monumental and long-term sanctions and
the ravages of war. On 22 March Norman’s book Hostage in Iraq was launched. It is published by Darton Longman and Todd. |
|
19 March
PARLIAMENT SQUARE BECOMES A WAR CEMETERY
London Catholic Workers mourn on 4th anniversary
of invasion of Iraq -
Remember the Innocent: Stop the War
The London Catholic Worker joined with Voices in the Wilderness to plant 186 crosses – each bearing the name of an Iraqi killed by US/UK forces – in Parliament Square yesterday to mark the 4th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and call for an immediate end to the occupation. Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi joined those planting the crosses. While this ritual was going on, Chris Goodchild and Henrietta Cullinan prayed and led the 'stations of the cross', reminding us that our God suffers with this crucified people, and yearns with us that their liberation be achieved. A reading from 'Isaiah According to Lauren Cogswell' of the Open Door Community, Atlanta, reinforced this message and prayer.
A banner bearing the word “186,000 Iraqis killed by US/UK forces” was also displayed. According to a survey published in the Lancet last October, at least 186,000 Iraqis have been killed by “coalition” forces in Iraq since the beginning of the 2003 invasion – 31% of all violent deaths in Iraq through June 2006. So each cross represented a thousand killed. A sobering and somewhat depressing thought on this annversary. The stations of the cross, however, finished with Resurrection and God's hope of liberation - a reminder for us to 'hold our heads high, for liberation is near at hand.' This event was not “authorised” by the police. Consequently, participants were risking arrest, a criminal conviction, and a fine of up to £1,000 under the SOCPA (Serious Organised Crime and Policing Act) laws. However, the few police who were present seemed to prefer to look the other way, or race past, sirens screaming, apparently more concerned with London's mis-timed (a day late) St Patrick's Day celebrations! Superficial entertainment once more preventing recognition of deeper truths. Gabriel Carlyle said: “Over the past four years US-led forces have been one of the main sources of violent death in Iraq, killing at least 186,000 Iraqis. At the same time the occupation has helped to push Iraq into a state of civil war, and acted as a recruiting sergeant for extremists across the Muslim world. Moreover 78% of Iraqis believe that the occupation is causing more conflict than it prevents. It’s time to end Britain’s participation in this disastrous and immoral occupation and bring the troops home.” More in London Catholic Worker and indymedia report |
|
13 March 2007
Brussels, here we come!
Four students, Chris Nickolls, Simon NG, Stephen Murphy and Daniel O'Sullivan, from Finchley Catholic High School in London will be making a trip to Brussels next week as the award winners of a Pax Christi European Peace Contest. There they will meet with other young people who have participated in the contest from Portugal and France. Their challenge was to create a power-point presentation on the theme "Living together in School - what does it take to make peace". The quality of entry was very high but the 'Mad World' presentation had the edge. Commenting on the entry, Hilary Topp, the Peace Education worker for Pax Christi said:
"The judges felt that 'Mad World' reflected the reality of the world we live in but at the same time offered a challenging and hopeful message about what kind of world might be possible if people come together rather than being divided by religion, ethnicity and race." The winning teams meet in Brussels between 22 - 26 March 2007. In Brussels they will have the opportunity to visit the European Parliament and the Pax Christi International offices, as well as a chance to explore Belgium and take advantage of the many special events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which marked the creation of the European Union. Pax Christi hopes to strengthen this contest in 2008, encouraged by the quality of work presented this year and in the belief that young people have important messages to communicate to others as to their own views on what it takes to make peace in our world. As an international movement for peace, Pax Christi believes that encounter visits such as this are invaluable in breaking down barriers between people and building friendships that stretch across national and cultural differences. For more information contact: |
|
25 February 2007
Pax Christi members join anti Trident rally, London
Tens of thousands of people gathered in London on 24 February to challenge the Government's proposed plans to replace Trident. Among them were Pax Christi members from Cambridge, Southampton, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Sussex and London. Before joining the rally, they gathered with other Christians for an ecumenical service at Hinde Street Methodist Church where they heard Graham Sparks from the Baptist Union of Great Britain speak of the the challenge of the Gospel to the model of security offered by programmes such as Trident. The service took the form of prayers, scripture readings and song. Bishop Stephen Cotterell, the Anglican Bishop of Reading, was in the congregation and later addressed the rally in Trafalgar Square. Among the Christian groups taking part in the rally were Christian CND, the Quakers, Fellowship of Reconciiation, Christian Artists for Peace and the Baptist Peace Fellowship. |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
22 February 2007
Ash Wednesday 2007 – Call to repent and resist Britain’s nuclear weapons plans
More than a hundred people from around the country gathered in Central London for a liturgy and actions of repentence and resistance to the Government's plans to replace the Trident nuclear system. As part of the liturgy, the walls of the Ministry of Defence were marked with blessed ash and charcoal with the words No Trident and Choose Life.
Those taking part were adding their voice to that of Church leaders in England, Scotland and Wales, and Pope Benedict XVI, who have all spoken clearly against the replacement of Trident. In January 2006, Pope Benedict XVI called government policies that rely on nuclear weapons as a means of ensuring security ‘baneful and also completely fallacious’. In July 2006, 20 Anglican Bishops wrote in a national newspaper that ‘nuclear weapons are a direct denial of the Christian concept of peace and reconciliation’. Following the witness at the Ministry of Defence, postcards, addressed to Mr Blair, bearing messages that challenge the replacement of Trident, were be presented at Downing Street by members of Pax Christi, Christian CND and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Pax Christi has distributed 10,000 such postcards in just three weeks to those wanting to make their views known to Mr Blair. Pax Christi members will join others in an ecumenical ser |
