Pax Christi news stories 2012
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Website on Catholic Social Teaching with contributions Read here:introduction by Bruce Kent, Vice President of Pax Christi Listen here: podcast from Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi |
Pax Christi, the Columban JPIC team, members of religious congregations and the Catholic Worker were among more than 60 people who gatherd outside the Korean Embassy in London today to protest the developent of a naval base on Jeju Island in South Korea.
Jeju island is of strategic importance to South Korea and the USA. Work to develop a huge naval base on the island has begun at huge environmental and human costs. Pax Christi has partner groups in South Korea who have been part of a national protest movement for some time. Today a call was made for international solidarity actions around the world. Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi handed in a letter to Ambassador Choo Kuy Ho. It said:
'we are here today, keeping vigil, in solidarity with the people of Gangjeong village on the island of Jeju and with those groups and religious networks who are supporting them. As a Catholic NGO we are aware that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea has spoken out strongly against the plans of the Government of the Republic of Korea to continue with the building of a naval base on Jeju. Speaking earlier this year Bishop Peter Kang U-il said, "It is essential that the naval base plan be abandoned, for the sake of Jeju residents and the whole of the Republic of Korea"
We understand that work to blast the sacred Gureombi rocks has begun. We know that the building of the base, as well as its long-term presence, is being strongly resisted on grounds of environmental destruction, damage to the existing community and the likelihood that this base will become a focus for US security operations in the region. We support nonviolent resistance to this work and urge your Government to take a brave stand and cancel this project. Read full letter here and more reports here
See images of the demonstration here and here
Members of peace groups the Campaign Against Arms Trade and Pax Christi and workers from BAE Systems Brough, were among those raising questions at the Annual General Meeting of British Aerospace Systems in London today. British Aerospace Systems is now the second largest global defence supplier with ‘home markets’ in the US, UK, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Australia and India. Its 2011 Report shows sales worth £19,154 million and a profit of £1,580 million.
Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi, has been attending these Annual Meetings since the mid-1990s when BAE were involved in the sale of Hawk Aircraft to Indonesia, at that time an occupying force in East Timor. Speaking of today’s meeting Pat said: I raised questions to challenge their deep involvement with Saudi Arabia where defence spending is very high. I wanted to know why they continue with this when they speak of the financial risks of working in the Middle East, and in their own words, the political instability and civil disturbance in the region. I wanted to know if by this they meant the search for democracy and human rights that we see in Bahrain, Egypt and elsewhere? I also wanted confirmation that their 200 Tactica Vehicles, sold to the National Guard of Saudi Arabia,had not been used against protestors in Bahrain last year. Dick Olver, the Chair, was unable to give this.
Moving questions were raised by some of the 800-strong work-force at Brough near Hull who face redundancy. Little appears to be moving with BAE in terms of a thought-out, viable diversification programme in a world where military spending is decreasing. Their major strategy of ‘alternatives’ is in the expansion of their Cyber and Intelligence work. This has military and business dimensions but they were unable to go into detail.
Pat Gaffney continues:in all the years I have attended these meeting a consistent claim is that BAE Systems do nothing which is illegal, they cooperate with Government and with the licencing requirements of Government.Today I asked them to push their boundaries and really live up to the ethics to which they aspire,to take the moral stand against Government by refusing to work with countries such as Saudi Arabia who have an appalling record on human rights and who support violent responses to democratic actions
Pax Christi was among a number of groups presenting a Petition to Mr David Cameron in Downing Street on Friday 30th March. It asked the UK Government to take action to prevent the destruction of Palestinian Life in Jerusalem. Pax Christi the Catholic peace movement, the Amos Trust, Architects & Planners for Justice in Palestine, Friends of Al Aqsa, Friends of Sabeel, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights all supported the petition which had gathered more than 5,000 signatures.
Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said, "As we approach Holy Week and Easter let's us remember those Palestinians who will be denied access to their places of worship. When the Israeli Government arbitrarily issues permits during the Easter and Christmas seasons it is suggested that Palestinian Christians should feel happy to receive access to Jerusalem for a couple of weeks, and forget about the fact that full access for Christians and Muslims is a right and not a favour. "
Diana Neslen, Jews for Justice for Palestinians said "Jerusalem means 'City of Peace'. It is our belief that peace will not come to a city that privileges one community, the Jewish community, over all the other communities who hold Jerusalem dear. We believe that the policies pursued by the Israeli government in Jerusalem today are against all the tenets of Jewish ethics and values and we challenge Israel to recognise that its behaviour in Jerusalem undermines its professed claim to democratic credentials."
Those supporting the Petition call on our Government to work with the UN to ensure that the state of Israel recognises its responsibilities under international law to Jerusalem as a shared city, sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians and ends its occupation of East Jerusalem."
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The full text of the petition is: 'We, as British citizens, call for action now to prevent the destruction of Palestinian life and culture in Jerusalem. We call on our Government to take steps to ensure that the Israeli authorities end: - systematic demolition of Palestinian homes - building of illegal settlements and associated infrastructure - granting of insecure residency status to Palestinians - expulsion of Palestinians from Jerusalem - by arbitrarily removing their residency rights and building the Wall to shut Palestinian communities out of the main city - preventing freedom of worship through barring Palestinian Christians and Muslims from visiting Jerusalem We call on our Government to work with the UN to ensure that the state of Israel recognises its responsibilities under international law to Jerusalem as a shared city, sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians and ends its occupation of East Jerusalem.'
Peace, the root value of the Olympic Games
We ( Pax Christi and Westminster J&P Commission) are among the founding members of ‘The 100 Days of Peace’ (the Olympic Sacred Truce). This is an initiative of a network of Christian groups who believe that London’s hosting of the Olympic Games provides an excellent opportunity to promote and reassert, in London and beyond, our commitment to peace and reconciliation, unity, internationalism and cooperation. We believe we can build a real legacy of peace for our own London citizens - in schools, places of worship and community networks that will embrace the needs of the global community and extend far beyond the Olympic Games themselves.
This initiative is inspired by the Olympic Truce tradition and vision. Indeed, Lord Coe, the chairman of London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and representing the British Government, presented a resolution at the UN last October calling for a truce to be observed in all the world's conflicts throughout the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sport helps to mend broken communities
Some visitors to London this summer will be from countries in conflict, perhaps even facing internal repression. All the more important then that the message of peace and the creation of a community of ordinary people who can live, work and solve problems together should be central to this uniting of nations under the Olympic ideals. Lord Coe affirmed this at the UN saying that sport..."can and does help to mend broken communities, rebuild trust, rediscover self-respect, and foster the values at the core of our common humanity" It is therefore with some dismay that we hear of the central role being allocated to the Armed Forces during the Games in the Welcome and Victory ceremonies.
Why it matters
We find it difficult to equate this prominent role with the ideal of the Olympic Truce. Engaging our armed services in this manner could give a militaristic message at what is arguably the greatest of all international gatherings that Britain will host, and might not be conducive to creating a welcoming atmosphere for those attending. It could also be perceived as insensitive to visitors from countries still experiencing violence and repression, and likewise to those of our London citizens who are sanctuary-seekers themselves from war-torn countries.
A possible alternative
This engagement could appear imbalanced, moreover, beside other 'services' within the UK which make a vital contribution to society, and which witness to the values outlined above by Lord Coe. We suggest that the role of flag bearing and so on be extended to inspirational people and volunteers in other services, such as nurses, doctors, teachers, community organisers, social workers, ambulance, fire-service and coastguard workers, and even older competitors or referees from the 1948 Olympics. Then to emphasise unity of purpose, one might have Paralympians for the Olympic ceremonies and Olympians for the Paralympian ceremonies). All of these people, as well as the Forces personnel, are inspirational for our society.
We urge you to reconsider this aspect of the role of the Armed Forces in the XXX Olympiad and Paralympics, and instead, lead the way in offering more inclusive and peaceful models of security, cooperation and internationalism so as to create a real legacy of peace that honours London, Britain, the international community and the Olympics.
The British Section of Pax Christi today issued a statement setting out seven concrete steps which it is presenting to the UK Government, that could be taken to avert a war with Iran. Any talk of a pre-emptive attack, they say, must be challenged as illegal and immoral. In solidarity with the people of Iran and all peoples potentially threatened by nuclear weapons through accident, misunderstanding or deliberate use, we must seek a peaceful way forward.
While recognising the need to face the unresolved issue of Iran's civilian nuclear programme, to which it is entitled, and the fears that this will develop into a nuclear weapons programme, the statement urges the British government to lead by best example. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Britain has promised to eliminate its own nuclear weapons.
Pax Christi also urge the government to cease preparation of a new generation of nuclear weapons to follow Trident - a clear breach of Britain's NPT commitment; to show the transparency it seeks in Iran with regard to allowing international inspections of its own nuclear plants and facilities; to call on Israel to officially admit to having a nuclear arsenal and to work to demilitarise the region through a sustained programme of conventional and nuclear disarmament and in particular to create a Nuclear Weapons Free Middle East.
These steps, if taken could contribute to establishing common regional structures that ensure the security needs of all states to build a common sustainable security.
More than 150 people gathered at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall for the 30th celebration of resistance and repentance to nuclear war preparations. During a procession and liturgy those taking part heard how the UK Government's commitment to nuclear deterrence is an on-going challenge. The UK alone has 225 nuclear weapons and the Royal Navy boasts a proud record of over 40 years of uninterrupted nuclear deterrence, as at least one of the four Vanguard-class submarines is on patrol at any time. They that the government might have a change of heart and direction. The messages presented were clear and scripture based - REPENT, CHOOSE LIFE and NO TRIDENT. Messages of support came from Bishop Thomas McMahon and Bishop Declan Lang, the Student Christian Movement, J&P Scotland, the Columban JPIC Programme, the Carmelite Community Quidenham, Gerry W Hughes sj. See all statements. During the liturgy the Ministry of Defence building was marked with blessed ash and charcoal. Those marking were stopped by police but there were no arrests. |
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From Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh wrote: I am firm in my belief that in making this protest you are in excellent company - following on the leadership of our own Pope Benedict XVI, as well as that of Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the Holy See's representative at the United Nations. Like so many people of good will, I share those thoughts and words of Pope Benedict XVI when he indicated that we should be replacing Trident, not with further weapons of mass destruction, but rather "with projects which bring life to the poor". A challenge does indeed face us all in the United Kingdom at this present time - leadership is called for - and hopefully, with the tremendous efforts of people like yourself, that leadership will soon come, giving an example to all nations in the world. The event was organised by Pax Christi, Christian CND and London Catholic Worker You can see more photographs here and full text of the liturgy here |
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When Peace comes, they will plant flowers instead of mines. Afghanistan Student
Around 50 people gathered on the steps outside St Luke's Church in Liverpool City Centre for the Ash Wednesday service on 22nd February. The service had been planned and arranged by members of Liverpool Pax Christi and Liverpool Justice and Peace Commission. St Luke's is a very symbolic location. The church suffered aerial bombardment in the Second World War and has been left as a consecrated ruin.
The main focus of the service was sorrow for war ,and repentance for our role in the arms trade, as a major exporter of weapons,. Those gathered included Christians of different denominations, Quakers and members of campaigning groups such as C.N.D and Palestine Solidarity Movement.The service was held on the steps of the church facing the busy shopping area of Berry St/Bold St; it began with statements which were very moving from those who had suffered through war and violence. The highest casualties are inevitably civilians, and we listened to a moving testimony from a Palestinian doctor whose three children had been killed, in an Israeli bombardment in Gaza. Songs and scripture readings also formed part of the service ,and ashes were distributed to all gathered. The use of a megaphone enabled passers by to hear the words clearly from a distance. The service ended on a symbolic note of hope. Seeds were given to all present to take home and plant and witness new life being brought forth.
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 all 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 the guilty party because it refuses to allow Palestinians to build their much 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.
For information on Beit Arabiya and ICAHD see: www.icahd.org.
Supported by: Linda Ramsden, Director, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK Rev Chris Rose, Director, Amos Trust William Bell, Policy Officer Middle East, Christian Aid Pat Gaffney, General Secretary, Pax Christi, International Catholic Movement for Peace Linda Mead, Commitment for Life, United Reform Church Paul Northup, Director, Greenbelt Vivien Lichtenstein, Jews for Justice for Palestinians Ibrahim Hewitt, Chair of Interpal (Palestinian Relief and Development Fund) Ismail Patel, Chair, Friends of Al-Aqsa Rt Rev Richard Llewellin, former Bishop of Dover Warren Bardsley, KairosPalestine UK Dr Stephen Leah, Member of the Methodist Conference Jan Davies, Friends of Sabeel UK Penny Rivers, Churchwarden of St John the Evangelist, Farncombe, Surrey Angus Geddes, United Reformed Church, Havant John Hilary, Executive Director, War on Want John Pilger, Patron, ICAHD UK Baroness Jenny Tonge, Patron, ICAHD UK Prof Avi Shlaim, St Antony's College, Oxford, Patron, ICAHD UK Rev Dr Stephen Sizer, Patron, ICAHD UK, author Abe Hayeem, Chair, Architects and Planners Justice in Palestine Sarah Colborne, Director, Palestine Solidarity Campaign
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
27 November 2011
Pax Christi International on Cluster Munitions
Dangerous developments in global fight against Cluster Munitions.
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.
Full statement here
23 November 2011
Speaking out for Palestine Lobby
Pax Christi members from Derby, Coventry, Southampton, St Albans and
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The four main concerns raised with the members of Parliament were 1. The issue of UK/Israel links in the arms trade/sharing of military 2. The recognition of Palestine as a member of the United Nations. 3. Protection of Jerusalem as the a place of worship Christians, 4. The end of the siege of Gaza - and the legalising of imports and |
Pax Christi will continue its solidarity work with peacemakers in |
13 September 2011
Pax Christi members protest at Defence Exhibition , Docklands, London
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Several hundred people, including Pax Christi members from around the country, members of CAAT and the East London Against Arms Trade, gathered at dusk at the Excel Exhibition Centre, in London on 12 September for a silent vigil in protest against the Defence & Security Equipment International, the world's largest arms fair. Held every two years, the exhibition hosts 1,300 companies all displaying their military hardware and technology. In 2001 the Exhibition took place as the Twin Towers in New York were being attacked. While other events in London were cancelled, the Defence Exhibition went on - business as usual for the arms trade. Solidarity events elsewhere. In Liverpool a group gathered at St |
Among those taking part were Bishop Thomas McMahon of the RC Diocese of Brentwood. Bishop Thomas has been a faithful participant since the Fair began to be held in Docklands at the end in 2001. Pax Christi members also took part in a CAAT Vigil outside Parliament on the morning of 13 September before joining in a lobby of Parliament to urge their Members of Parliament to end the UKs involvement in the arms trade. The Middle East is a key 'target' area for arms companies and the UK in particular. Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax christi said: "Given the fragility of the region - where wars are still being waged with our support and where nonviolent democratic movements are being persecuted by military dictators, it is both tragic and immoral that we continue to sell arms to this region - or any region of the world". See here images from Parliament protests |
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30 August 2011
Christian peace organisations lead the way in nonviolence at Greenbelt Festival 2011
A team of young volunteers and staff members from Christian peace organisations ran a popular and successful a Peace Zone at the 2011 Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in Cheltenham between 26- 29 August. Over the course of the weekend the Peace Zone introduced people to the active nonviolence of Jesus' ministry through activities, drama and prayer -illustrating Jesus' 'Third Way' of responding to violence beyond traditional fight or flight models to one that affirms the dignity of all parties and uses the power of nonviolence to bring deep and lasting change for the good. Matt Jeziorski, Pax Christi's Schools and Youth Officer was part of the planning team for the Peace Zone 2011. (right : Matt with Margaret and Barry Mizen and Ann Farr of Pax Christi)
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This nonviolent approach to violence and change will be brought to life by two presentations offered on the main programme by Catholic christians. Margaret and Barry Mizen, whose son Jimmy was murdered in South London in 2008 spoke to a packed audience on Sunday on the theme Out of the darkness - ending the cycle of violence. Peace activist Chris Cole who has taken part in many acts of nonviolent civil disobedience against the arms trade and militarism will speak on Saturday on the theme, How my faith took me to prison. Chris also took part in a panel discussion on the theme War what is it good for. The Network of Christian Peace Organisations which has maintained a Peace Zone presence at Greenbelt for a number of years is made up Useful weblinks |
Chris Cole with some of the Peace Zone team |
3 August 2011
Pax Christi worldwide remembers Hiroshima and Nagasaki
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.”
25 June - Response to Armed Forces Day 25 June 2011
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
Pax Christi members joined with Quakers and members of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine & Israel at a vigil of readings, prayer and silence in central Londonto mark the 5th year of the World Week of Prayer for Peace in Israel Palestine - an initiative of the World Council of Churches. During the vigil flowers were laid in memory of peacemakers, living and dead, who have worked for a just peace in Israel-Palestine, including Juliano Mer-Khamis, Tom Hurndell and groups such as Pax Christi partner the Arab Educational Institute, Women in Black and the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. Those gathering also heard readings of Christian, Jewish and Muslim experiences of injustice and exclusion within the city of Jerusalem - Jerusalem being the theme of the 2011 Week. They shared a prayer, especially written for the day, "We long for Jerusalem to be a place where every child is know to be a child of god, and where, like Jesus, they may grow in wisdom and grace, and in the full knowledge of the God of Abraham". A focal point for the gathering was an 8 metre replica of the Separation Barrier which cuts into Palestinian land and property - preventing movement by Palestinians into Israel and separating many Palestinians from their land. At the same time a vigil was held at Shenstone UAV engine factory, near Lichfield in the Midlands. This was followed by service at Shenstone Methodist Church organised by Friends of Sabeel and Pax Christi. |
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28 May 2011 - Pax Christi celebrates its AGM in London
| Part of the day was given to the Pax Christi Peace Award, offered every two years to grass-roots peace activists in recognition of their faithful and persistent work for peace. The recipients of the 2011 Award, Audrey and Frank Campbell from Southampton and Dave Webb, from Leeds, all highlighted the efforts and courage of other peacemakers in accepting their Awards from National President, Bishop Malcolm Mc Mahon. Audrey and Frank spoke of the many ‘engine stokers’ throughout the country who daily witness to peace and justice and Dave Webb said that he was inspired by a Korean peace activist, *Yang Yoon-Mo, on hunger strike since 6 April, protesting against the development of a US Naval Base near the village of Gangjeong. Dave spoke of the value of all peace actions – from handing out leaflets to direct action – and peace paths and influences to which such actions lead. | 
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Audrey and Frank have been active in peace, development and solidarity work for many years, using their passion and skill to raise awareness with others within their own local church and Diocesan Justice & Peace network. Dave Webb has been active in local campaigning against nuclear weapons in Yorkshire, is Chair of CND and is currently a director of the Praxis Centre on the Study of Information and Technology in Peace, Conflict Resolution and Human Rights at Leeds Met University. The meeting also heard from Canon David Porter, Director for Reconciliation Ministry at Coventry Cathedral. David described himself as a reflective practitioner, involved in socially engaged theology where questions arise from the Church for society. The focus for his talk was religion as a source of conflict and a resource to heal conflict. He stated that the challenge of reconciliation and peace-building is always political as politics is the art of negotiating relationships at all levels – within our churches, the family, the workplace as well as society at large. |
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In talking about the role of ‘bad’ religion over ‘ good’ religion he suggested that bad religion drags down hope, it is much easier to play on the fears and anxieties of people and so will often trump good religion. He also linked bad religion to the kind of authority we call upon, religious nationalism, for example, is invoked in all sorts of ways, many of which are violent and destructive. The gathering also heard reports of the work of the movement, which, according to one participant, really acts well beyond its real capacity – with only three staff members and an annual budget of around £200,000. Anne Dodd, Chair of Pax Christi said that this was possible because of the work and commitment of individual members around the country. Anne also said that we need to work more as a Movement to encourage our church leaders to be more courageous and prophetic in speaking truth to power, regarding for example, the replacement of Trident and the response to the Palestinian Kairos document and also in promoting an understanding of what true human security consists of. *Read more about Yang Yoon-Mo and US bases in Korea here |
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5 May 2011 - Pax Christi USA Statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden
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...
Read more here , including reflections from Kathy Kelly and John Dear sj
26 March 2011 - March for the Alternative - Welfare or Warfare
Pax Christi members joined with thousands of trade union groups, the National Justice & Peace Network,Young Christian Workers, Church Action of Poverty and others on the March for the Alternative, to help make the connection between military spending and spending on welfare and human security. In a week which has seen a budget commit £40 billion to Defence and only £24 billion to Housing, £7.5 billion to Overseas Development and £3.3 billion to Energy and Climate Change, this march and rally were a timely reminder of the need to look at how priorities are set for UK Domestic and Foreign policy. Prior to the March hundreds gathered at St Martin- in-the-Fields for the memorial service for Archbishop Oscar Romero, champion of the poor and a voice for nonviolent transformation of society. His words and witness continue to be an inspiration and encouragement to Chrsitians involved in work for peace and social justice - and speak as loudly today as thirty years ago.
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22 March 2011 - Pax Christi response to Libya
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. |
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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 |
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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.
Right: Ann, second from left, with the team who are with her in Yanoun |
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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)
