Pax Christi - Press Releases

Pax Christi raises questions and concern about recent demolitions in Palestine

Just before midnight on Monday, 23 January, Israeli bulldozers demolished the home of Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh for the fifth time. The Israeli
Supreme Court had ruled in 2009 that the house was illegal because it didn't have a building permit. Since 1967 when the Occupation began, more than
26,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished by Israeli authorities each in violation of international law.

In December 2011, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights called on Israel to halt demolitions forthwith. Israel's demolition of homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem displaced more than 1094 people in 2011, twice that of the previous year and the highest number since 2005.

After each demolition of the Shawamreh home, the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions rebuilt it, as an act of political resistance to Israel's
heinous demolition policy and to demonstrate that there are Israeli partners for peace. After the fourth demolition in 2003, the house was rebuilt as a
peace centre and named Beit Arabiya. But now even this icon of peace is reduced to rubble.

How much longer will Israel be allowed to escape accountability by using the excuse that Palestinians don't comply with Israeli regulations when in fact
Israel is illegally occupying East Jerusalem, while refusing to allow Palestinians to build their desperately needed homes?

We call upon all people concerned, including leaders of faith communities, to speak out and respond to repeated Israeli actions which only push peace
further out of reach.

Signed by: Linda Ramsden, Director, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK, William Bell, Policy Officer Middle East, Christian Aid
Rev Chris Rose, Director, Amos Trust, Pat Gaffney, General Secretary, Pax Christi, International Catholic Movement for Peace
Dr Stephen Leah, Member of the Methodist Conference, Paul Northup, Director, Greenbelt, John Hilary, Executive Director, War on Want
Vivien Lichtenstein, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Jan Davies, Friends of Sabeel UK, Abe Hayeem, Chair, Architects and Planners Justice in Palestine
Ibrahim Hewitt, Chair of Interpal (Palestinian Relief and Development Fund), Ismail Patel, Chair, Friends of Al-Aqsa ad others

15 January 2012 - Pax Christi featured on BBC Radio Wales 'All things considered' programme

Pax Christi General Secretary, Pat Gaffney, took part in a 30-minute discussion programme on Peace on the BBC Wales religious programme 'All things considered' presented by broadcaster Roy Jenkins. The other contributors were Matthew Dobbs, who served as an officer in the British Army in Kosovo and Bosnia and is now an Anglican priest in South Wales; Jane Harries, from Bridgend, a Quaker and peace activist; and Chiel Mooij who teaches at Atlantic College at St Donats in the Vale of Glamorgan, where he’s Head of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Parishes around the country will be marking Peace Sunday, 15 January, and promoting Pope Benedict’s annual Peace Day message with its theme this year, Educating young people in justice and peace.

Pax Christi have promoted Peace Sunday since the 1970s and are encouraged that each year the number of parishes celebrating Peace Sunday increases. In his letter to parishes, Bishops Malcolm McMahon, National president of Pax Christi wrote: “ I am particularly encouraged this year as the theme links my role with Pax Christi with my role as Chair of the Catholic Education Service. The theme will allow both parishes and schools to reflect on how we offer our young people opportunities to learn about the Gospel call to peace-making and also how we learn from young people themselves through the many activities and projects for peace and justice that they are involved with already”.

Pax Christi has a long involvement in education for peace with schools and young people. A new resource, Elements of Peace offers a collection of mini‐workshops, activities and reflections designed to introduce young people to key themes in Christian peacemaking.
Parishes can find resources to support their celebration of Peace Sunday here

Negotiations on a new international law are threatening the comprehensive ban on cluster munitions, as ensured by the Convention on Cluster Munitions
(CCM). This new legislative initiative would allow the use of cluster munitions, already being banned under the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Pax Christi International is deeply concerned and shares the objections concerns expressed by the Cluster Munitions Coalition. This new international legislation would cause unacceptable harm to civilians and means a weakening of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Christian peace organisations lead the way in nonviolence at Greenbelt Festival 2011

Around the world, Pax Christi members will remember the anniversaries of the first use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki through prayer, discussion and action. In the UK, vigils, exhibitions and stalls will be held in London, Coventry, Oxford, Abingdon and Aylesford, inviting people to work to reverse Government policies on the renewal of Trident. In the United States groups in New York, Los Alamos, Colorado, Callas and Washing, to name but a few, will hold services and showings of the film "The Forgotten Bomb: Everything Depends on Remembering," In Germany the President Bishop of Pax Christi Heinz Josef Algermissen, issued a statement in which he said, “ A future without nuclear weapons is not only in the European interest, but is also a perspective for the whole of humanity. The banning and prohibition of nuclear weapons must be understood as step towards comprehensive security, a human right.” In Austria, Pax Christi will join with other peace groups at a vigil in the centre of Vienna, in Belgium vigils will be held in the city of Leuven. This year, the focus of prayer also includes the plight of all those effected by the nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

A message sent from the International Secretariat in Brussels to members around the world said, “ The deployment of the nuclear weapons in 1945 remains a defeat for humanity. Even after 66 years, the civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still suffer from the effects of these bombs. This thriving tragedy should be an eye opener and a testament to the world to “never again” use weapons of that magnitude.

Despite 66 years of pleading and campaigning, nations still maintain nuclear weapon arsenals. While states have engaged in reduction of these weapons, we witnessed the dynamics of regional nuclearisation and the modernisation of existing arsenals and weapon systems. While people are confronted with economic hardship, military budgets continue to increase.

Pax Christi International has been engaged for decades in local and international initiatives for nuclear disarmament. We believe it is our duty to contribute to the plea heard 66 years ago in Hiroshima and Nagasaki…: only a world free of nuclear weapons, liberated from armed conflict and war, can do justice to the legacy of every victim of war.”

Today [Saturday 25 June] is Armed Forces Day, one of the clearest examples of the creeping militarisation of British society.

From the military covenant to Help for Heroes, from military displays at summer festivals to an increased engagement of the the armed forces with our schools, a massive PR apparatus is being deployed to promote military culture and its values.

To date, over 370 UK armed forces personnel have died while serving in Afghanistan. Most of these deaths were of men and women in their early 20s. Nearly 30 were just 18 or 19 years old.

While public involvement in events such as Armed Forces day is rooted in concern for members of the forces, veterans and their families, the Government has other ends in mind. After 10 years of unpopular wars, it clearly gains from creating a climate of uncritical acceptance of all things military.

After so many military deaths - not to mention the uncounted numbers of civilians killed in the conflict zones – surely it is time to reflect on the longer-term impact of our military culture and to ask what steps we might take to prevent war itself.

Emma Sangster (Forces Watch)
Ben Griffin, army veteran
Benjamin Zephaniah
Pat Gaffney (Pax Christi)
Emily Johns (Peace News)
Maya Evans (JNV)

2 June - Pax Christi marks the World Week of Prayer for Peace in Israel-Palestine

The killing of Osama bin Laden is an occasion for deep reflection. It must become a turning point in our nation's nearly decade-long wars in response to the tragedy of 9/11. As people of faith, and as Catholics who, only days ago, celebrated Christ's victory over condemnation, torture and death, we pause in this moment in a posture of prayer and repentance. As Christians we are troubled by the displays of celebration and call upon all people of good will to pause and reflect rather than rejoice and exalt. We pray for the victims of that terrible day in September: for their families and loved ones, whose lives were changed forever; we pray for the first responders whose sacrifice and heroism inspired a shocked and grieving nation and who laid down their lives in an effort to save others; and for the countless volunteers who spent weeks amidst the rubble, dust and death at Ground Zero and who continue to suffer serious health effects today. However, we also mourn our nation's misguided response to the events of 9/11, the carnage and mayhem unleashed, the distortion of our deepest values, the abandonment of our highest principles and ultimate subversion of our national character. And so our prayers extend beyond those victims of September 11th and focus also on the hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and across the globe as a direct result of our response.

The spiral of violence of which Pax Christi warned in September 2001 has sadly remained unbroken. The killing of bin Laden becomes one more waypoint in a quest for vengeance that will, as all acts of violence do, lead to ever more violence and death. The cycle must be broken. To do so will take much courage and sustained effort. Our prayers for the victims, both of bin Laden's violence and our militarized response, must give way to true repentance-a turning away from violence as a path to national redemption...

With deep concern we watch the escalation of the use of military force against the regime of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya. While this is supported by the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 our fears are that the human and longer-term political costs of this action may be deep and difficult to resolve.

Under the terms of the resolution which - which stresses the humanitarian nature of the intervention - a huge responsibility is placed on the members of the coalition "to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory" . Everything must be done to ensure transparency and compliance with this demand. In a week which marks the eighth anniversary of the war with Iraq (a non-UN sanctioned intervention) we cannot contemplate another protracted conflict in an already fragile region.

All of the non-military aspects of resolution 1973 must be pursued: the continued arms embargo, the prevention of the flow of mercenaries into the region, the freezing of assets, as a means of de-militarising the region in a nonviolent way.

Pax Christi, an international Catholic movement for peace, holds firmly to the Gospel imperative that evil cannot be overcome with evil. The use of violence and counter violence as a means of resolving disputes and conflicts remind us that we still have much to learn about building global solidarity based on justice, cooperation and the support for democracy. We keep in mind the words of Paul VI, before the United Nations in 1965: War No More, War Never Again! And Pope John Paul II in 2003, "this war (with Iraq) would be a defeat for humanity which could not be morally or legally justified."

Read more: " I am not afraid of the bombs, but rather the inability to try and dialogue" Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, Tripoli 23/03/2011

9 March 2011 - Ash Wednesday, Ministry of Defence, London

"Repentance means a change of mind and heart. Joel calls it hearbreak...The call to repentance is a call to the Nation to change political, social and economic structures which oppress and expliot the weak ( Gerry Hughes sj)

For the 29 year, Christians and Buddhists gathered at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall for a liturgy of repentance and resistance to the British Governments nuclear war preparations.

The event, organised by Pax Christi, Chrsitian CND and the London Catholic Worker, brought around one hundred people together to use the traditional symbols of the day, ash and charcoal, in a liturgy that used readings from scripture and from Archbishop Rowan Williams 2009 sermon in Nagasaki and prayers from Pope John Paul II.

Pax Christi member Frank Campbell from Southampton said: "Confronting the reality of the power of destructive force in that massive building, guarded by police who manage and market death and destruction with the words of scripture and the steadfastness witness for peace made the liturgy come alive in a way which is quite rare" The walls of the building were marked in several places by members of the London Catholic Worker with extracts from scripture and appeals to turn away from the evils of nuclear weapons. There were no arrests.

Download liturgy here Ash Wednesday Liturgy 2011 : Repentance and Resistance to Nuclear War Preparations

22 February - When will we ever learn – the arms trade is a trade in death

A year ago this month, Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation launched their Security for the Common Good : A Christian Challenge to Military Security briefing highlighting all the human and opportunity costs that are lost in the military model of security adopted by our Government. Part of the briefing dealt with our role in ‘exporting security’ via the global arms trade. Tragically we see on the streets of Bahrain, Libya and elsewhere the fruits of this trade. News reports that Britain had been involved in granting export licences for military equipment, tear gas, electronic batons and so on to Libya and Bahrain should not be a surprise. Yet again, they indicate that the arms trade is such a central plank in UK Trade and Foreign Policy that it cannot be touched. Words of regret and horror from politicians are hollow. Indeed, as events unfurl in Bahrain, Libya and elsewhere the UK arms industry is exhibiting at an arms fair in Abu Dhabi. Freedom, democracy and justice cannot be achieved through fear, threat or military might, yet we support and enable countries who are locked into such models.

This is in a week with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) report that the top 100 arms producing companies have increased arms sales over the past year by £9.1 billion. Second in the 'top 100' list is Britain's own BAE Systems. Groups like Pax Christi, the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Campaign Against Arms trade have consistently spoken out and acted against the morality of the arms trade. The best way to prevent repression, military and state violence is to abolish this horrific trade

9 February - Pax Christi International Statement on events in Egypt

Pax Christi International Supports the Peaceful Protests in Egypt On 6 February 2011, the Co-Presidency of Pax Christi International issued a statement supporting the peaceful protests in Egypt. The peaceful protests of the Egyptian people, who are demanding justice, freedom and democracy, deserve the unconditional support of democratic forces and governments throughout the world. Pax Christi International calls on the international community to support the people of Egypt and the transition they seek without manipulating the outcome and to condemn all acts of violence against peaceful protest. “We honour the courage on display in Egypt these days and the resistance to violence of those calling for change. We hope and pray that the challenges of today could be converted into the opportunities of tomorrow for all Egyptians."

Sign AVAAZ Statement of support for the people of Egypt

News of a Pax Christi Ecumenical Accompanier in Palestine

Pax Christi Executive Committee member Ann Farr is now on her Ecumenical Accompaniment placement in the village of Yanoun, not far from Nablus in Palestine. We will post regular letters from Ann here.

Letter 6 - 26 February : We live in area C
Letter 5 - February 2011: Today they destroyed Khirbet Tana
Letter 4 - 30 January 2011
Read here excellent profile of Elias Giacaman, from Bethlehem, a good friend of Pax Christi UK, from Sherry Ann Chapman, another EAPPI currently serving in Jerusalem. 30 January 2011
Letter 3 - 15 January 2011
Letter 2 - 4 January 2011
Letter 1 - Christmas 2010

Right: Ann, second from left, with the team who are with her in Yanoun

12 January 2011

Interview with Ann Farr of Pax Christi on Vatican Radio. Ann first speaks of the importance of Peace Sunday then of her current experiences as an Ecumenical Accompanier in Palestine (12/01/2011)

7 December 2010

Farewell and blessing at Pax Christi Advent Peace Service

A special feature of the annual Pax Christi Advent Peace Service in London was a blessing for Ann Farr, executive committee member, who leaves for a three-month placement in Palestine on 8 December. Ann will take part in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, a project set up by the World Council of Churches in 2002. Ann will be part of an international team working in a village in northern Palestine, offering support and protection to the villagers. Ann is the second executive committee member to volunteer with the EAPPI programme.

Pax Christi's Advent Service has become a focal point for hundreds of people who say that for them, this is the most meaningful Advent gathering. The service offers a glimpse of the peace promised in the scriptures and the challenge that this places on us to be peacemakers in our world today.

The music was led by Bernadette Farrell and readings included pieces from Thomas Merton, Mary Grey, on the reality of Palestine today, as well as traditional Advent scriptural readings.

28 November 2010

Celebrating Women Peacemakers

Women from all over the north of England took part in a Pax Christi - Fellowship of Reconciliation day conference in Leeds that aimed to encourage, inspire and enthuse women in their work for peace.

The anniversary of the death of the four Maryknoll Missioners in El Salvador in 1980 was part inspiration for the day. During the morning participants saw a Mosaic of ordinary women peacemakers from every continent covering issues from racism to nuclear disarmament and nonviolent activism on issues ranging from El Salvador to Palestine. A play, Stone Tales,devised by Alexandra Carey, was premiered, telling the stories of Jean Donovan, lay missioner murdered in El Salvador in 1980) Aung Sang Suu Kyi of Burma and Muriel Lester, a founder of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and a roving ambassador for the movement during World War I. It illustrated the ripples for peace that each woman had created in her life and witness.

A panel of speakers offered insights into different models of peacemaking. Dr Inrgid Sharp of Leeds University spoike on the role of peacewomen in World War I Germany and their wider influence within Europe. Sahdia Khan, from the interfaith Aik Saath project in Slough, on their work in training young people in conflict resolution and anti-racism

Amy Hailwood of Fellowship of Reconciliation
welcomes participants

Jill Mann of the Leeds based, Together4Peace spoke of local community opportunities for peacemaking - referring to grass-roots activists at the 'critical yeast' in society. Pax Christi's Carol Burns, a member from Leeds shared the challenged she had faced in redefining the solidarity role of peacemaking during her two years work in Sri Lanka. Solidarity work within a conflict situation demands more subtle approaches, slowly building trust and relationships in fractured societies where one is exposed to perspectives one may not be used to hearing.

The main thrust of the day was to affirm the great breadth and depth of peacework that women around the country undertake each day and to draw support and encouragement from one another to continue in this work. An session on 'intergenerational speed networking' helped to get this off the ground. The experiences of participants spanned seventy years and reflected interests and work in every continent of the world.

l-r: Jill Mann, Sahdia Khan, Anne Dodd (chair)
Ingrid Sharp and Carol Burns

10 November 2010

Pax Christi group returns from visit to Palestine

Twenty-five Pax Christi members and supporters from around the country have just returned from an 8-day visit to Palestine. During their stay they were based in Bethlehem and made visits to projects and communities within the West Bank, including an Olive Aid project of tree-planting with the Bedouin in the Judean desert and Ecumenical Accompaniment programme in Hebron.

The purpose of the visit was two-fold: to become more aware of the day to day impact of the illegal occupation by Israel and to offer support and encouragement to communities there, especially the ever dwindling Christian community.

Visting peace groups, schools, parish communities and health projects, they heard of the daily problems encountered by Palestinians whose lives are dominated by the security barriers and settlements that surround them.

Women's group of Pax Christi's partners the Arab Educational Institute

The group made a visit to the old city of Hebron where a 500 person Jewish settlement has displaced thousands of Palestinains and turned part of the city into a ghost town. They met with Christian parish communities in Nablus and Aboud - small communities who struggle against great odds to maintain very active presence in the community, running schools and youth projects for both Christians and Muslims.

The group was led by Fr Paul Maddison who offered great insight into the reality on the ground and introduced us to many inspiring and life-giving individuals and groups.

Members of the group have now commited themselves to sharing their experienes and raising greater awareness of the plight of the people of Palestine in campaigning and lobbying work.

See more images here on Pax Christi's photostream

Prayers at the separation wall, Bethelem

20 October 2010

A lost opportunity - Strategic Defence Review 2010

The 2010 Strategic Defence Review is a huge disappointment to those who had hoped for a radical change in Government understanding of defence and security.

The Review provided an ideal opportunity to re-evaluate security policies and redirect financial, research and personnel resources to the real security needs of the day - global - and now national - economic injustice and disparity, the impact of climate change and environmental destruction on both planet and people, and the failure to really understand the fears and perceptions of others - so creating enemies rather than friends. Add to these the Governments own 'threats' to Britain: hostile attacks on cyberspace; large-scale natural disasters or hazards; international terrorism and military crisis between states. Aircraft carriers, Tornado's and Trident nuclear weapons have not and will not bring the real security that Britain and the wider world community seek.

Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi said: "This Review reveals the real weakness of military dominated defence strategies. Look at the billions that we are seeing wasted as projects such as the Nimrod are dumped. Look at how we are compromising our aid programmes by taking resources away from real conflict and poverty prevention to pick up the pieces of the havoc we have created in Afghanistan. Look at how some parts of the country, which have been allowed to become defence dependent in terms of employment, will now suffer when the plug is pulled on projects such as the military academy in the Vale of Glamorgan. In legal terms these actions might be labelled culpable negligence. They show a marked lack of vision and real responsibility towards the common good of humanity"

In January 2010 Pax Christi and sister agency the Fellowship of Reconciliation, issued Security for the Common Good: a Christian challenge to military security strategies, a discussion and advocacy document in preparation for the Strategic Defence Review.

22 September 2010

Pax Christi joins thousands at vigil for Pope Benedict in Hyde Park, London

A Pax Christi youth group and other members of Pax Christi represented the movement at two London events to mark Pope Benedict's visit to the UK.

Thousands of young people from Catholic organisations and Dioceses first gathered in the Piazza at Westminster Cathedral, London and then joined thousands more at the vigil in Hyde Park where they heard powerful presentations on peace and nonviolence from Margaret and Barry Mizen

Pax Christi members Simon Teague and Ellen Teague carried the Pax Christi banner in Hyde Park. Speaking of the experinece Ellen said: "I was very proud to hold Pax Christi's banner and to have people all along the processional route through the crowds say they were members and affirm the mission of Pax Christi. The bishops on the stage who welcomed the banners included Bishop Malclom McMahon, the National President of Pax Christi. What a joyful event and it was great that Pax Christi took its place amongst the Catholic organisations at the papal vigil".

14 September 2010

Pax Christi International Statement to UN Human Rights Council on Jerusalem

Pax Christi International submitted a written intervention on the situation in Jerusalem before the 15th session of the Human Rights Council due to take place 13th September – 1st October 2010 at the United Nations in Geneva.

Pax Christi International urges the Human Rights Council to focus on the numerous and disastrous violations of human rights in Jerusalem. Recently, political tension in the city has increased. Following increased international pressure on Israel to halt its policies to change the permanent status of the city and violation of international law, Israel has reacted in defiance and recently the city has witnessed a new wave of challenges to international humanitarian law. Jerusalem a city of two peoples and three religions could be a key example to a just and lasting peace. Due to its special status, violations in the city do not only affect its residents but the global community at large. Full text here

1 September 2010

Pax Christi part of Peace Zone at Greenbelt

Pax Christi staff and members took part in this year's Greenbelt Christian festival in Cheltenham with the theme The Art of Looking Sideways. Working in the Peace Zone, with a focus on active nonviolence, they offered workshops, discussion sessions and hospitality to all who passed through.

One activity focused on the separation wall between Israel & Palestine and what needs to happen to bring walls down. A Pax Christi partner from Bethlehem, Fadi Abou Akleh from the Arab Educational Institute, was part of the Peace Zone team and took these photographs.

Bruce Kent, a vice-president of Pax Christi spoke at one of the main stages of Greenbelt. Other justice and peace inputs came from Clare Short, Franciscan Priest Richard Rohr and Ilan Pappe, Israeli historian.

More news stories here

16 May 2010

Building a Legacy of Peace - Service at Westminster Cathedral

A moving service commemorating the second anniversary of the death of Jimmy Mizen was held on 10 May at Westminster Cathedral in London. Jimmy was murdered in 2008 on his 16 birthday. Pax Christi, together with South London Citizens were among the organisers of the event hosted by the Jimmy Mizen Foundation.

More than 400 young people attended from schools in Westminster and Southwark Dioceses together with members of Families United - a grouping of parents who have lost children to violence, and friends and family of the Mizens. Prince Charles was present and met Families United following the service.

One purpose of the service was to affirm young people as peacemakers. A reading from the Diary of Ann Frank and the Rights of the Child were included within the service and a reflection, based on the Good Samaritan, was offered by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. Sisters, brothers and friends of young people killed over the past two years carried candles onto the Sanctuary to form a circle of light and hope on what would have been Jimmy Mizen's 18 birthday.

Margaret and Barry Mizen restated their desire to see politicians, communities and families unite to challenge violence in our society - reminding the congregation that while their son was killed by anger they had no desire to pass that anger on.

More information on the Jimmy Mizen Foundation

More information on London Cisizens City Safe project

See more photographs here

Margaret and Barry Mizen

Credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk

20 April 2010

Pax Christi brings creativity to Peace History Conference

Presenting peace history creatively was one of the strong features of Pax Christi's contribution to the annual Movement for the Abolition of War Peace History Conference, held at the Imperial War Museum in London on 16 and 17 April 2010.

Valerie Flessati, a peace historian and vice-president of Pax Christi, told the story of the Larzac community in France. Between 1971 and 1981 peasants used nonviolent strategies to challenge the government and military in France to protect their land, their livelihoods and their heritage from the expansion of a military base. Their persistence and organisation won the day under the presidency of François Mitterrand.

Photograph: Valerie Flessati speaking at the Imperial War Museum

The life of the writer and pacifist Vera Brittain was told through drama by a group of students from La Sainte Union RC School in Highgate, London. They had been inspired by her story to create a short play for their GCSE project work.

DVD format was chosen by students from Woldingham School in Surrey to tell the story of a recent Nobel Peace Laureate, Shirin Ebadi from Iran. They were the winners of the Pax Christi schools contest, which was to tell the story of a peace hero or heroine. Two of their number, Katrina Northern and Jess Horrocks were interviewed about the project, telling of how they had been inspired by the compassion, courage and persistence of this peace woman.

Photograph: Matt Jesiorski of Pax Christi with Jess and Katrina from Woldingham

30 March 2010

Pax Christi volunteers receive awards for their work

Ten Pax Christi volunteers were given awards for their work with Pax Christi at a ceremony at Barnet Town Hall on 25th March 2010. All from Westminster Diocese in London, they have each contributed hours of their time and skill to Pax Christi over the past two years. Fausta Valentine, Administrator of Pax Christi said: " We could not do all that we do without this vital contribution of our volunteers. They help with mailings, with administration, in external events and in keeping the Pax Christi spirit alive in Westminster Diocese in their own communities and groups.

The volunteers are: Jackie Coleman, Laurie Clarke, Nuala Flynn, Sr Monica O'Brien, Sr Daphne Norden, Peter McNamara, Ann Milner and Comboni Missionary Sisters, Michelina, Ida and Olympia.

Here are nine of the group with the Mayor of Barnet. The event was organised by Barnet Voluntary Services in recognition of all the volunteering work that is undertaken in the Borough.

8 March 2010

Election Briefing on Peace and Security issues

The Network of Christian Peace Organisations, of which Pax Christi is one of 25 members, has produced a briefing for Christians in preparation for the forthcoming General Election. It covers four areas: The Middle East, the Arms Trade, Nuclear Proliferation and Military Spending. Each section offers a short background followed by questions for candidates.

The supporting organisations say: "We could put our faith in our country’s military and economic power, and take the resources we need to preserve our affluent lifestyle at the expense of the poor. Or, consistent with our Christian belief that all people are our neighbours made in the image of God, cast our vote on the basis that real security comes from justice and sharing resources. This would mean cuts in military spending and the pursuit of an ethical foreign policy designed to increase support for sustainable development to poorer countries, through our aid programme, and investments in cooperation to solve the problems of climate change and the need to secure renewable energy sources. At home, it would encourage the nation to embrace a simpler way of life, reducing its carbon footprint and protecting the natural environment for the benefit of future generations throughout the world."

17 February 2010

Pax Christi Ash Wednesday Witness, Ministry of Defence, London

More than 100 Pax Christi members and supporters gathered at the Ministry of Defence for a service to challenge Government nuclear weapons policy. This was the 28th Ash Wednesday witness of resistance and repentance in London. The liturgy included contemporary readings from Archbishop Rowan Williams and Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The building was marked with blessed ash and charcoal and part of the prayer time involved those taking part in marking the word Repentance on sackcloth.

See more pictures here

15 February 2010

Pax Christi joins prayer vigil at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment

Bishop Thomas McMahon, vice–president of Pax Christi and Bishop of Brentwood Diocese, joined people from other faith traditions at a peace service at the faith gate of the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment on the morning of 15 February. The day began early for many who took part in blockades of the many gates of Aldermaston, the site which builds and maintains nuclear warheads for Trident. The closure of the gates prevented many workers from entering the site for several hours.

Bishop McMahon read a poignant passage from Thomas Merton which included the words: “Help us to be masters of the weapons that threaten to master us. Help us to use our science for peace and plenty, not for war and destruction”.

See more photographs here

On 17 February, Ash Wednesday, Pax Christi members will again protest the UKs nuclear weapons programme at its annual Ash Wednesday liturgy of repentance at the Ministry of Defence in London. The traditional symbols of the day, ash and charcoal, will be used in a peaceful procession and vigil outside the MoD. This liturgy which has been taking place for more than twenty-five years, attracts support from Christians around the country.

Both actions come in a week with Pax Christi UK and Pax Christi France issued a joint statement calling on their Governments to abandon their nuclear weapons programmes and set an example to others in this year, when the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference takes place in New York in May. According to Pax Christi, the UK and France, two of the nuclear weapons states, are in breech of their obligations under Article VI of the NPT which challenges them to engage in genuine actions for disarmament.

8 February 2010

Church Leaders to support call for Human Security and challenge to defence spending.

More than twenty Church leaders, including eight Catholic Bishops*, have given their endorsement to a document challenging defence spending and military security. "Addressing the real wounds of the human family: a call to action" comes as the government announces a post-election Strategic Defence Review and political parties are preparing for the general election and is promoted by Pax Christi the the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi said "For decades the discussion on peace and security has been dominated by those who support military strength and the use of armed force, arguing that national self-interest and the protection and security of others is best achieved by military means. The time has come to turn away from this short-sighted model in favour of a model of sustainable human security that puts people - and especially the poor - at its centre. Such a model is consistent with the social teachings of many churches which seek to build global solidarity between peoples - solidarity that heals the wounds of war, the violation of rights, poverty and the destruction of the environment.

Chris Cole, Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation said, "We are calling on the Government, as it undertakes its Defence Review, to use this opportunity for a radical evaluation of security policies. It is not enough to tinker with budgets, to choose between 'boots or bombs'. Now is the time to redirect military spending, research and development into life-giving projects that address our real security needs today."

The two organisations have also issued a briefing to accompany the Call entitled Security for the Common Good: A Christian challenge to military security strategies which will be used as a campaigning tool in the run-up to the General Election and the post-election Strategic Defence Review.

Catholic Bishops who have supported the Call to Action*
Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham and President of Pax Christi
Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood
Rt Rev Crispian Hollis, Bishop of Portsmouth
Rt Rev Christopher Budd, Bishop of Plymouth
Rt Rev Edwin Regan, Bishop of Wrexham
Rt Rev Seamus Cunningham, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle
Rt Rev Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia
Rt Rev William Kenny, Auxiliary Bishop, Birmingham

Full text of Call to Action

Full Security for Common Good document

17 January 2010

Pax Christi International on Haiti

Pax Christi International expresses deep condolences and solidarity with the people of Haiti following the recent earthquake and calls for prayers and prompt support in the relief efforts. The severe earthquake that struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic has inflicted large-scale damage to hospitals, health facilities, places of worship and church infrastructure. A large number of casualties are feared. The major earthquake that shocked the Caribbean nation of Haiti on 12 January 2010 has become yet another in a series of natural disasters to hit this already vulnerable country, the poorest in the western hemisphere. Haiti is a nation that has already suffered from years of humanitarian crises and natural disasters, including a series of hurricanes that battered the country in 2008.

Pax Christi International has two member organisations in Haiti: Pax Christi Port-au-Prince and the Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix.

1. Pax Christi Port-au-Prince: We have little news about what happened to many of our friends and their relatives. Pax Christi USA has been in touch with friends of Pax Christi in Port-au-Prince. Wilda Mondestin, Pax Christi’s Port-au-Prince Executive Director, is alive and well and assisting in relief efforts. We give thanks for Wilda's safety and our hearts go out to her as she works to care for others affected by the devastation. There is still no word concerning our other colleagues, but we continue to pray for their safety.

2. Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix: We mourn the death of Msgr. Serge Miot, Archbishop of Port-au-Prince and President of the National Commission for Justice and Peace Haiti. His body has been found in the ruins of the archdiocese office. The cathedral did not survive the devastation. Fr. Jan Hanssens, the director of the Commission, is safe and well, but his home has been destroyed as well. We pray for the safety of the membership of the Commission.

3. Claudette Werleigh: Claudette Werleigh, our Secretary General from Haiti, has been in touch with relatives who remain in the country, many of whom are safe and well but from others no news yet. The house of her family has been damaged but her husband is o.k., thanks to God. She has been contacted by many journalists and press agencies over the last two days. She thanks all of our member organisations and all of you who expressed sorrow and solidarity with her and the people of Haiti.

2009

15 December 2009

Pax Christi members send messages of hope and peace to Bethlehem

Around the country, in schools, prayer groups, parishes and families, Pax Christi members and friends are sending messages to the people of Bethlehem for Christmas. This is part of a project that began some years ago with Pax Christi partners the Arab Educational Institute. It is a simple yet important way of offering solidarity to the people of Bethlehem who are now cut off from the world by the Separation Wall.

From St Anselm's Prayer Group in Tooting, London Jean writes: We are thinking and praying for you all, not only at Christmas but always. We pray that God will one day tear those horrible walls down, just as the wall of Berlin were torn down. We ask Our Lady's intercession for this and pray that one day everyone will live in God's kingdom of peace.

Hundreds of people attended the annual Pax Christi Advent Peace Service in Central London on 7 December. During the service, which had as its focal point images of our broken world in front of which was placed an empty cradle, people lit candles to accompany their prayers for peace.

One message to Bethlehem said:

We are praying always for peace in God’s Holy Land; for all people of faith (and no faith). Peace with justice; peace and prosperity; peace in a land where all will be equal, and equally respected. God’s blessings on you all!

The messages will be read following a traditional peace march that takes place in Bethlehem on 26 December.

5 December 2009

Pax Christi takes part in The Wave - Climate Change Rally

Pax Christi members joined tens of thousands of people from across the country at The Wave - Stop Climate Chaos rally in London on 5 December. The event began with an ecumenical service in Westminster Central Hall where the congregation of around 3,000 people heard from Archbishop Rowan Williams and Archbishop Vincent Nichols. After the service participants joined in the march which began in Grosvernor Square and wound its way down Whitehall, Embankement and across the Thames, eventually encircling the whole of the Parliament building.

A key strength of the rally was its inclusiveness. From the Co-op to development, environmental and peace NGOs,Church Leaders and local church congregations.The message was one of people power addressing world leaders in preparation for the Copenhagen meetings on climate change. Issues addressed included protection for the poorest communities, worst hit by climate change and a reduction of global warming, with rich countires being challenged to cut their emissions by at least 40% by 2020.

18 November 2009

Bruce Kent receives Coventry International Peace Prize

The 2009 Coventry International Price for Peace and Reconciliation was awarded to Bruce Kent, former Chair of CND and vice-president of Pax Christi on Saturday 14 November in Coventry Cathedral. The ceremony takes place each year on the anniversary of the bombing of the City and Cathedral. This year marked the 69th anniversary.

The prize is awarded by Coventry Cathedral in partnership with the Lord Mayor’s office and previous winners of the prize have included the Corrymeela Community from Northern Ireland, local peace worker Dr Madeleine Sharpe MBE and Ayatollah Hussein Al Sadr an Islamic leader who has worked tirelessly for peace in Iraq.

Canon David Porter, Director of Reconciliation Ministry at the Cathedral, said:

“We are thrilled that Dr Bruce Kent has agreed to accept this honour. He has been a campaigner and activist for peace for more than 50 years and has influenced whole generations in their understanding of the terror of war and the urgency of peace.”

Bruce with the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Jack Harrison and the Bishop of Warwick

"As a popular and tireless speaker and broadcaster, Bruce Kent has made a significant contribution to public education about international issues. His main concern has been to encourage people – especially the young - to exercise their democratic right as global citizens to influence policy. He consistently offers a perspective based on moral principles, international law, and support for the United Nations. His work is based on the belief that human beings can create a world in which war will become obsolete.

Coventry, the City of Peace and Reconciliation, welcomes Dr Kent to receive the Coventry International Peace Prize as grateful recognition of a lifetime devoted to campaigning for peace, justice and human rights."

21 September 2009

Pax Christi International Delegation to Iraq 10 - 17 September

The delegation, including International Co-president Marie Dennis and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, found a very uncertain situation and more violence is expected in the period leading up to the elections in January 2010. On the one hand are forces that are aggravating divisions along ethnic and religious lines; on the other are those who promote dialogue, understanding, reconciliation and non-violence.

The delegation encountered many good examples of work for peace. The extraordinary efforts among religious leaders in the oil city of Kirkuk made it possible for them to visit Sunni and Shiite mosques and to interact with Muslim leaders. In Dohuk they learned about the program of Bishop Rabban’s coeducational, interreligious International School which brings together Muslims, Christians, Yezidie and Turkman to provide a base of human values and an introduction to human rights. They learned from the Dominican sisters of Mosul about their commitment to peace education at a primary level and met dedicated health care professionals in Kirkuk who serve Muslims and Christians alike. In Erbil the delegation met with Iraqi Nonvolence group LaOnf, an Iraqi nongovernmental organization building a network on nonviolence. A full copy of their statement can be found here

8 September 2009

Acts of witness and hope at Arms Fair exhibitons in London

The world's largest defence and security exhibiton takes place in London this week at the Excel Centre in London's docklands. 1,350 companies from 40 countries are participating. Groups, including CAAT, East London Against Arms Fairs, Brentwood J&P Commission and Pax Christi are among those taking part in vigils and protests against the project - drawing attention to the scandal of the arms trade and the devastating impact of this trade on human life.

On Monday night, 7 September, almost one hundred people came together for a silent vigil outside the Excel Centre, in solidarity with all those whose lives are destroyed by war and the arms trade.

Bishop Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood (where the Arms Fair is held) and a vice-president of Pax Christi said “This country is one of the biggest exporters of arms in the world; I find this quite scandalous.” He believes that the Government needs to have far stronger regulations re the use and deployment of these arms.

At another venue, Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in central London, which was hosting a UK Defence Conference as part of the arms fair, christian peace activist, Chris Cole sprayed ‘Build Peace not War Machines’ on the conference centre doors and ‘arms trade = death’ on the steps. He poured red paint as symbolic blood and wrote ‘stop this bloody business’. Chris said, "Especially in a time of war, we are called to resist the great lie that our security and well being lies in bigger and better weaponry. The truth is that only justice and love will in the end bring real peace and real human security to our nation and the world as a whole.” Chris is charged with ‘approximately £2,000 worth of criminal damage’ and is also excluded from within the M25 as part of bail conditions during the DSEI arms fair.

Meanwhile, another peaceworker, Dan Viesnik (read more here) is undertaking a 100-hour Famine to highlight the fact that while billions of men, women and children around the world starve and languish in poverty, their leaders are busy spending billions of pounds that could be used to feed, clothe and house them and provide clean water, sanitation, healthcare and social welfare on weapons to murder, maim, brutalize and torture them and invade or threaten occupied or disputed territories and other sovereign states.

11 August 2009

Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversaries remembered: Westminster Cathedral London and Coventry Cathedral

Pax Christi members and supporters gave out thousands of leaflets and held prayer vigils outside Westminster Cathedral on 6 and 9 August,engaging tourists, visitors and worshipers in conversation about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversaries. They also gathered signatures on a 'NO Trident' petition.

As part of the prayers offered in London and Coventry, a message from the Mayor of Hiroshima, Tadatoshi Akiba was read. He urged the international community to adopt the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocal at the 2010 NPT Review Conference.

Information stall, Westminster Cathedral

Chapel of Unity, Coventry Cathedral

Paper cranes and candles,
Chapel of Unity, Coventry Cathedral

Leafletting,Westminster Cathedral

4 August 2009

64 years on Christians continue to remember the first use of nuclear weapons

Christians around the country will commemorate the first use of nuclear weapons on 6th and 9th August – the anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Events will take place at Cathedrals, outside arms factories and military establishments, to remind communities of the horrors of nuclear weapons and to pray for a change of heart and mind on the part of our own Government to turn away from its nuclear weapons policies.

Speaking of the anniversaries, Pat Gaffney, general Secretary of Pax Christi said: "64 years on and eight states still possess a total of 23,300 nuclear weapons, of which 160 are in the UK. The government plans to spend £76 billion on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system. We must work now to reverse this decision and invest in peace based on human and sustainable security, meeting real needs and protecting our planet. This week Pope Benedict has announced the theme for the 2010 World Peace Message, ‘If you want to cultivate peace, protect the creation’. Nuclear weapons are one of the greatest threats to humanity and to the planet. Unless we learn to use skills, technology and resources for the good of all creation we are doomed”

Some of the events taking place around the country:

London, 6 and 9 August. Pax Christi stall and prayers in the Piazza at Westminster Cathedral from 10.00 - 5.00 on each day.
Coventry, 6 August, Chapel of Unity, Coventry Cathedral. Hiroshima Day Commemoration at 6.00pm
Derby, 6 August. Hiroshima day vigil at Rolls Royce factory, Raynesway, place where fuel rods to power Trident are made

Aylesford Priory, 6 August. An evening vigil Aylesford Priory, Kent a time of prayer as world leaders renew efforts to reduce the nuclear stockpiles
Aldermaston, 8 August. Reading to Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment.An Inter-faith pilgrimage for Peace ending with an inter-faith
Oxford, 9 August. Lantern Floating on Nagasaki Day. 7 p.m. Donnington Bridge, Oxford.

17 June 2009

Giovanni Scudiero RIP

It is with great sadness that we have to share the news that Giovanni Scudiero, our friend and colleague, died on Sunday morning 14 June 2009. Pat Gaffney, Coordinator of Pax Christi UK, was with him all of Saturday and during his last night as were his brothers and sister. Giovanni had a terrible struggle for the last hours... as for the last two weeks... such a trial, but through it all he was serene, ready, lucid and as critical as ever. What a great loss to us all. Many friends have been so wonderful in keeping Giovanni in their prayers and thoughts, especially the last weeks and months. His funeral took place in Casa Madre (the mother house of the Consolata Missionaries) where Giovanni had lived in the infirmary during this year of his struggle with cancer on 16 June. Below the tribute offered at his funeral by Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi UK. Here you can read more about Giovanni's life and tributes received from around the world.

A tribute to Giovanni Scudiero from Pax Christi

For 25 years Giovanni’s work with Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, has been one of the special threads of his life – another expression of his passion to bring peace and justice into our world.

Giovanni’s understanding of peace was something alive and active – a peace that disturbs us and moves us to act for others. Aware of the scale of human suffering caused by injustice, greed, political indifference, Giovanni has always spoken and acted with courage –some say with a prophetic voice - reminding us that it is only through the power of love in action that we can transform the world.

These are some of the gifts that Giovanni has offered us over these years:

Discernment: Giovanni always asked difficult questions, such as ‘whose peace, whose security do we seek?’ Not the peace of politicians. Not the peace of the market place. Not the peace of the military - but the peace of Christ, urging us to stay on this path – no matter how costly this might be.

Humour: Giovanni’s warmth, smile and humour opened many hearts and minds in difficult situations. Giovanni always found the right words, the right gestures, to help people to see one another as human beings first and foremost – and so break cycles of anger and bitterness.

Critical thinking: Giovanni helped us get to the root of problems – sometimes getting under our skin – when he felt people were being damaged by injustice or violence. Their needs were a priority.

Openness: Giovanni was able to communicate to people of all ages, all cultures and traditions. Through his encouragement and support many people throughout the world have been brought into this work for peace – to bring the good news of the Gospel where it has been most needed.

Giovanni, you are our friend, our comforter, our kindred spirit. We know that you have found your own peace now but we ask you to stay with us, disturb us, inspire us to love and serve God and one another as you did in your tireless work for peace and justice.

Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi UK, 16 June, 2009, Torino

Physicians for Human Rights tell of terror attacks on civilians in Gaza

Sr Alicia and Miri

Seeking truth and accountability were the key themes presented by two members of Physicians for Human Rights - Israel, on a speaking tour in England coordinated by Pax Christi and MEDACT.

A full copy of the report can be found here

Miri Weingarten, international advocacy director for PHR and Sr Alicia Vacas, a member of the delegation and a Comboni Missionary Sister, both produced the report and spoke of their belief that the people of Gaza had been sacrificed in the December 08 - January 09 attacks. The ultimate purpose of the attacks seemed to be to terrorise the people of Gaza.

Their mission was in two parts, first in Gaza, to record attacks on medical facilities, gather data on the causes of injuries and deaths and the impact of the attacks on the civilian population and then in Egypt to follow-up on seriously injured people who had been referred to hospitals in Egypt.

In their talks they reported on major delays in the evacuation of injured people - in some cases civilians waited days to be taken for treatment - a number dying from simple wounds because of lack of care. They showed slides of a new, disc-like weapon, released from drones, which caused devastating injuries resulting in a very large number of amputations. They explained that these wounds, the reality of which will stay with the individuals and communities for years to come, will be a terrible reminder of the war.

The people of Gaza had experienced a physical amputation as a result of the war... human injury, blockades, etc. At the same time, Miri described what has happened to Israel as a moral amputation - a distancing from the realities of military actions in Gaza, a kind of dehumanising of Israeli society and the military in particular.

They spoke of the importance of the UN team, led by Richard Goldstone, to investigate whether Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the war. The four-member team entered Gaza from Egypt after Israel failed to grant visas, despite repeated requests by the UN. Two days of hearings take place in Jerusalem on 28th and 29 June, followed by similar hearings in Geneva in July, where Physicians for Human Rights will contribute, and the publication of a report in September.

Sr Alicia with members of the Comboni community in London

16 May 2009

Pax Christi Annual Meeting - Challenged by South African Bishop

More than 100 Pax Christi members and supporters gathered in London on 16 May for the Annual Meeting of the movement - to learn about the work of the past year and to celebrate achievements of the organisation and of individual members.

Those taking part learned of the success of the 2009 Peace Sunday - more parishes than ever had been involved. They also heard of the wide range of publications and resources produced to support people in their own peacemaking at parish and community level.

The Pax Christi Peace Award was also presented at the meeting to three sets of people. First, posthumously, to Theresa and Hans Kohen, founder members of the British friends of Neve Shalom / Wahat al Salam. Theresa and Hans had supported Jewish – Christian studies at the Ammerdown Centre, the International Mass at St. Catherine’s Church, Birmingham, and the Jubilee Debt Campaigns. Then, London teacher Rachel Kane, from Our Lady's High School, Hackney, received an award for her support for peace and justice issues in the curriculum. Rachel has championed the work of CAFOD and Pax Christi and engaged her pupils in a critical look at the world, inviting journalists and campaigners to her school.

Executive Committee member Michael Mitchel leads the opening prayer. Chair, Stewart Hemsley and General Secretary
Pat Gaffney at the table.

Marjorie and James Welch with Pax Christi President,
Bishop Malcolm McMahon.

Marjorie and James Welch have have devoted more than 30 years to the work for peace and justice. In the 1970’s they created a Justice and Peace group in Twickenham to raise awareness of Nuclear Disarmament, an issue much to the fore at the time. In the 80’s they played their part in spreading the word of peace, particularly at parish level, addressing the question of how to engage parish clergy.

Marjorie and James have been an inspiration to many, in their persistence in the work of bringing peace, they have not given up, nor lost hope or perspective but persevered on their journey of life, faithful to the Gospel.

Each was given a special peace medal from the Neve Shalom / Wahat al Salam Jewish/Arab project in Israel. The Pax Christi Peace Award was introduced in 2003 to recognise grass roots and community approaches to peace work in the UK.

Read more about the Peace Awards

Guest speaker, Bishop Kevin Dowling addressed the theme of transitional justice - in particular relating to his own work in Sudan and Zimbabwe. Bishop Kevin is a Vice-President of Pax Christi International and deeply involved in issues of peace, justice and HIV/Aids.

Bishop Kevin Dowling from South Africa addresses the audience

Bishop Kevin spoke of his involvement in peace initiatives in Africa, particularly expressing concern about the 2005 peace agreement in Southern Sudan which ended several decades of civil war. He attended a meeting in March 2009 in Khartoum where Christian leaders spoke of the possibility of war erupting again unless resources are put into rebuilding the South’s ruined infrastructure and community services. “The international community should work together to implement programmes on the ground, for example, with the internally displaced” he urged. He outlined the work of the Solidarity Peace Trust in relation to Zimbabwe. Set up by bishops from Zimbabwe and South Africa, including Bishop Dowling, it has documented and denounced human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, calling for an end to the impunity of state-sponsored abusers.

He said Pax Christi members open up opportunities for peacemaking and help create “a global community of solidarity” and he urged more people to join the British section.

Full text of Bishop Dowling's talk here

23 March 2009 moore

Schools hear story of forgiveness and resilience

Over 100 students from Catholic Schools in Westminster Diocese heard Richard Moore share his inspiring story of forgiveness and determination at a gathering organised in central London by Pax Christi.

At the age of 10 Richard was blinded by a rubber bullet (see photo on the right) after being shot by a British soldier in Derry 1972. He described his childhood, coming to terms with his disability and the support he experienced from his parents and siblings which have helped him to live without anger or bitterness. In 2006 Richard met Charles, the soldier who had blinded him. He spoke of the role of forgiveness in his life: "Forgiveness is a gift to yourself, I was able to find the freedom to be able to give forgiveness. Forgiveness is also about realising that while you cannot change the past you can change the future".

Referring to the prayers and concerns of his family, that some cure might be found for his blindness Richard said: "I have not had my sight restored but I have gotten a lot more - a vision". This vision has enabled him to found Children in Crossfire, a charity set up to help other children across the world who are caught in poverty and conflict. Speaking of the importance of this work he said: "I have first hand experience of what it is like to have your whole life changed or affected by conflict. In the last 10 years Children in Crossfire has been working to improve the lives of young people right across the world. We have seen the difference that support and understanding can make."

In his closing remarks Richard affirmed his belief that violence and war achieve nothing. He remarked on the renewed fears in Northern Ireland that violence will return following the murders in February, but reminded the students that dialogue and mediation are the only real way to achieve peace.

20 March

Remembering Iraq and Afghanistan - 6 years on

Two Christian Peace Organisations, Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, will hold a prayer vigil at Downing Street on 20 March for all victims of war and violence Afghanistan and Iraq.

Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: "The people of Afghanistan are now living through their eighth year of war following the tragedy of 11 September 2001. 20 March 2009 marks the 6th anniversary of the start of the war with Iraq. Our vigil is to remember the people of Iraq& Afghanistan, to pray for all those tens of thousands who have died in war and violence over the past years and to repent at the role our nation has played in these wars"

According to the Nobel Economist, Joseph Stiglitz, the budgetary cost to the UK alone of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will reach £18 billion by the year 2010. If the social costs within the UK are added, the total impact on the UK will exceed £20 billion

143 and 178 military personnel have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively. In March 2008 Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul was kidnapped and murdered in Iraq. The Christian community of Iraq has decreased from 1.4 million in 2003 to around 600,000 today and continues to experience persecution

The vigil, which will run between 4 - 5 pm, will include times public prayer where names of those who had died will be read out.

26 February

Ash Wednesday call to turn away from Trident and nuclear war preparations

The annual Ash Wednesday liturgy of Repentance and Resistance to nuclear war preparations took place at the Ministry of Defence in London on 25th February, drawing more than 70 Christians from around the country. This witness, which began in 1984, uses powerful liturgical symbols associated with the day and acts of nonviolent civil disobedience to call the British Government to repent and reject nuclear weapons and nuclear war preparations. This action was organised by Pax Christi with Catholic Peace Action and Christian CND. Following prayers in Embankement Gardens, where charcoal and ash were blessed and those taking part were marked with the sign of the cross, the group formed a procession, stopping first at the Old War Office and then at the Ministry of Defence Building. On route the building was marked with blessed charcoal by members of the London Catholic Worker. Prayers were offered for victims of war and violence while black and purple ribbons were tied to a white cross. At the MoD building the word REPENT was marked on sackcloth laid at the front entrance.

This annual witness seeks to articulate messages and teaching of Christian churches. In his 2006 World Peace Day message Pope Benedict XVI said “What can be said, too, about those governments which count on nuclear arms as a means of ensuring the security of other countries? Along with countless persons of good will, one can state that this point of view is not only baneful but also completely fallacious. In a nuclear war there would e no victors only victims…” and from 20 Anglican Bishops, writing in 2006, “Nuclear weapons are a direct denial of the Christian concept of peace and reconciliation, which are social and economic as well as physical and spiritual...The costs involved in the maintenance and replacement of Trident could be used to address pressing environmental concerns, the causes of terrorism, poverty and debt, and enable humanity and dignity to be the right of all.”

all photos by Elil - to see more go to Elil's photogallery

23 February delegation members

Remaining Steadfast for Peace - Pax Christi Delegation to Palestine/Israel

Members of a Pax Christi delegation returned to the UK on 20 February following an 8 day visit to Palestine and Israel. The focus of the visit was to make contact with teachers and those working with young people, to encounter life and occupation in the West Bank and Jerusalem and to meet with Pax Christi partners- women, teachers, peace and human rights NGOs - to learn from them and share approaches to teaching and presenting issues of conflict and violence.

An overarching concern, expressed by nearly all those whom the delegation met, was the war with Gaza. Many Christian and Muslim Palestinians articulated their fear that the West Bank would be 'next' and their frustrations that in spite of so many words of concern about the impact of occupation by the international community, nothing on the ground has improved. Teachers spoke of how their pupils had appeared absent minded in class during the war and how they had to struggle to prevent the burden of Gaza from overwhelming their students.

The delegation also experienced some of the practical realities of occupation that Palestinians face on a daily basis. They joined Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) volunteers at the Bethlehem checkpoint at 5.00 am in the morning to witness the humiliation of hundreds of Palestinian workers who queue daily, some from as early at 2.00 am, to pass through turnstiles and security searches in order to work in Jerusalem. In Hebron the delegation joined Accompaniers who walk daily with teachers and pupils of the Cordoba school to protect them from harassment from Israeli settlers who live in the centre of the old city and from members of the Israeli Defence Forces who staff checkpoints.

vigil In spite of the hardships and mis-treatment of people the delegation were aware of a great spirit of steadfastness or Sumud (the Arabic word) in the lives of those they met. Israeli and Arab teachers who bravely challenge acts of violence and stereotyping of the 'other'; mothers who talk of their pain 'giving them power' to overcome obstacles; young people who choose to stay and make a life for themselves in a situation that seems totally hopeless; Israeli and Palestinian NGOs, some working to monitor human rights while others work to restore the culture and traditions of Palestine that are threatened by occupation.

On 14 February the delegation joined with their partner organisation the Arab Educational Institute near the separation wall at Rachel's Tomb at the entrance to Bethlehem for a candle-lit vigil for peace in Israel and Palestine. Prayers for peace and texts from holy scriptures were read during the vigil. The delegation will work to produce a range of reports and resources based on their visit and make these available through Pax Christi's networks and website.

Download leaflet about candle-lit vigil for peace in Israel-Palestine

Watch video of candle-lit vigil for peace in Israel-Palestine

Members of the delegation - all Pax Christi members: John Harkin, Vice-Principal, Oakgrove Integrated School, Derry, Northern Ireland; Ann Farr, Pax Christi Executive Committee member, Coventry; Mary Boley, Christian Education Centre, Tooting, London; John Williams, Adviser Catholic Education - secondary support team, Westminster Diocese, London; Hilary Topp, Peace Education Worker, Pax Christi; Pat Gaffney, General Secretary, Pax Christi.

24 January

Award for Pax Christi Volunteers

Five Pax Christi volunteers were given an award in acknowledgement of their work by the Mayor of Barnet, John Marshall at a ceremony organised by Barnet Volunteer Council on 23 January. The ceremony took place at Middlesex University, who partnered the evening with Barnet Voluntary Service Council.

The volunteers, Peggy Oliver, Helga Calloway, Sr Mary Ann Tyler, Sr Margaret Terese and Michael Mitchell, had each contributed more than 100 hours to Pax Christi. At the ceremony Mayor John Marshall spoke of the enormous value of volunteering to the community, calling volunteers the salt of the earth.

Pax Christ would be unable to undertake much of its work without the commitment, energy and encouragement of its volunteers. Fausta Valentine, Pax Christi's Administrator said: In our busy world it is heart warming to find people who are generous with their time and skill to work for the common good". Peggy Oliver is a member of Our Lady of Dolors parish in Hendon; Helga Calloway is from Christ the King parish, Cockfosters; Sr Mary Ann is a member of the Religious of the Assuption, Kensington; Sr Margaret Terese is member of the Franciscan Sisters of Mill Hill. The fifth award winner Michael Mitchell, was unable to attend.

Top: Helga Calloway, Fausta Valentine (Pax Christi Administrator), Sr Mary Ann
Lower: Sr Margaret Terese and Peggy Oliver,
at Middlesex University ceremony

Sr Mary Ann, Sr Margaret Terese and Helga Calloway
in the Pax Christi office

20 January

Peace Sunday celebrated in style

Pax Christi members around the country helped to mark Peace Sunday in parish and other communities. Peace Sunday, celebrated in England and Wales on the Second Sunday in ordinary time, is a time to learn about the Pope's annual Peace Day message and the work of Pax Christi.

Members use this opportunity to engage all ages in thinking about, praying for and celebrating peace.

Thousands of the new Pax Christi family prayer cards were given out - in many cases by the children of the community. Other parishes took up the invitation to say NO to child soldiers, encouraging children to write their 'Hands up for Peace' messages, which are to be gathered and sent to the UN in New York by 12 February 2009

Look at more images celebrating Peace Sunday over the years... they may give you ideas and encouragement for next year.

Parishoners from a parish in North Finchley, London, help
to give out prayer cards

International students with Chaplain Rev Stuart Jennings at Warwick University Chaplaincy - lighting candles as a commitment to peacemaking in the year ahead

Hands up for Peace - young people at a London Parish write their messages to the UN
to protest against children being used in war

10 January 2009

Pax Christi joins with other Christian groups at rally for Gaza

Members of Pax Christi, Quakers, Friends of Sabeel and others gathered for a silent witness in Hyde Park at the start of a rally for Gaza. 10 January marked the 15th day of heavy Israeli military action in Gaza. The rally drew thousands of people from around the country including many hundreds from the British Muslim communty as well as Jewish groups such as Jews for Justice for Palestinians and the Jewish Socialists. At one point during the speeches in Hyde Park names of children who had been killed in Gaza were read out.

Pax Christi has called on its members and churches around the country to pray for peace in Palestine and Israel and will continue in its work to offer solidarity to peacemakers in the region and in the UK. The people of Gaza continue to carry the terrible burden of military violence. These 15 days have compounded the humanitarian crisis that was created by the seige of Gaza. In February Pax Christi will send a delegation to the West Bank.

Silent Vigil in Hyde Park	Message from "Jews for Justice for Palestinians"
Message at rally in Hyde Park	Rally in Hyde Park

6 January 2009

In the skies above Gaza lightning falls on human rights

"It is out of a spirit of hope in a time of great sadness and fear that the British Section of Pax Christi calls on Churches throughout the UK to pray and act for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel.

On this the 11th day of the military bombardment of Gaza, with no ceasefire in site, we must show our solidarity with the dispossessed who suffer the violence of the bombs and the violence of the on-going siege. We must show our solidarity with those Christians, Jews and Muslims in the region who bravely call for an end to violence – pointing to futility of violence and military responses to the long and tragic political problems of Palestine and Israel.

We are with Pope Benedict in declaring that, "the dramatic news that we are receiving from the Gaza Strip shows that the refusal to dialogue leads to situations that weigh unspeakably on the populations who are again victim to hatred and war" (Speaking in Rome, Angelus, 4th January 2009)

We are with former International President of Pax Christi, Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah who has said that “every hour is not just a war crime but a crime against humanity.” The Patriarch was speaking earlier this week at a service in Jerusalem. "In the skies above Gaza lightning falls on human rights. We have seen this in the past and what we see in the Strip, unfortunately, is repeated generation after generation. It is not an act of God. God created man in His own image and likeness, created love and reconciliation and justice, but what we see is the destruction of human beings in Gaza and everywhere, and the destruction of all of Palestine."

In preparing to mark Peace Sunday on 18 January 2009

We ask that people of faith set aside time each day to pray for the people of Gaza and Israel and for a ceasefire which will allow time for other responses and voices to be heard. On 18th January the Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates Peace Sunday – on this day special thoughts and prayers should be offered for the people of Palestine and Israel.
We ask fellow citizens to speak or write to political and religious leaders expressing concern for what is happening and urging them to use their position and voice to call an immediate halt to Israel’s military assault and Hamas’ rocket attacks on Israel, and work towards the ending of the illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories by Israel – at the root of so much of the injustice, fear and anger in the region.
We ask people of faith to join together at local and national level, with secular groups, to speak out and act nonviolently against the destruction of the people of Gaza and the threats to the civilian population of Israel. "

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