Merseyside Pax Christi: God of Peace Disarm our Hearts
Pax Christi Members held a Vigil outside St George’s Hall, Liverpool in solidarity with those opposing the DSEI Arms Fair in London
Bishops’ Conference issues Statement on Arms Trade
Pax Christi welcomes this statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference which condemns the selling of arms for profit and assures us of their prayers as we pray and take action to protest against the DSEI Arms Fair in London.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales:
As the UK prepares to host this years DSEI arms fair, the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has released a statement saying the sale of weapons for profit causes “grave harm” to humanity.
The DSEI Arms fair takes place 12-15 September, bringing together governments and military delegations from across the world with more than 1,500 companies selling guns, bombs, and other weaponry.
Full statement:
Pope Francis reminds us that while it may sometimes be legitimate to provide military assistance for countries to defend themselves against aggression, promoting the sale of weapons for profit is immoral and inflicts grave harm upon our human family.
Through hosting one of the world’s largest arms fairs, our country is complicit in fuelling conflicts around the world which destroy lives, drive people from their homes, trap communities in poverty, and damage the environment.
We once again send our prayers and best wishes to all those who, inspired by Christ’s call to be peacemakers, are opposing the arms fair.
Bishop Declan Lang Chair – Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department for Interantional Affairs
Bishop Nicholas Hudson Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department for Interantional Affairs
“It is our responsibility to help eradicate hatred and violence from our hearts. We encourage you to lay down your arms, to reduce military spending to provide for humanitarian needs, to convert the tools of death into tools of life”
Pope Francis, Twitter account, World Humanitarian Day, 19 August, 2023
The DSEI Arms Fair returns to the ExCeL Centre in London again this September.
Pax Christi England and Wales condemns this venture that brings together 1,700 arms companies who promote their wares to more than 35,000 attendees from around the world. The event contributes to wars, internal conflicts and the torture and displacement of thousands of people around the world.
TELL OTHERS about this lethal trade and encourage letters and petitions to MPs
JOIN US at one of the protest events in London or hold a protest locally
On Wednesday 6th Pax Christi held an online prayer event in particular for those who are unable to go to London to join the in person events but who want to express their opposition to the Fair . You can watch the recording of the event here.
Pax Christi at ‘No Faith in War Day’
This takes place in the week prior to the ARMS Fair, when the arms companies will be setting up their wares
Date Thursday, 7th September
Meet at St Anne’s RC Church, I Berwick Road, London, EC16 3DS
Nearest stations DLR Prince Regent and Customs House
Time 10am for 10.30am
We will start with a short Service and then walk, in prayer, to the ExCeL Centre with Prayer Stations along the way.
No Faith in WarStations of the Cross to be used can be downloaded here – and is a useful resource for other occasions.
At the ExCeL Centre, East Gate, E16 1FR, we will join with other Faith Groups in acts of worship through the day.
Practicalities Please bring water, food, appropriate clothing for whatever the weather, mobile phone.
Silent Candlelit Vigil
On the night before the opening of the Arms Fair
Organised by Pax Christi England and Wales, Quaker Roots and Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Date Monday 11th September 2023 on the eve of the opening of the Arms Fair
Time Meet at 6.30pm at Royal Victoria DLR Station
We will walk together to the ExCeL Centre, Royal Victoria Square, London, E16 1BD
After a short introduction, we shall be in silence between 7-8pm
Practicalities Please bring water, appropriate clothing for the weather, mobile phone, chair if needed Candle in a container – jar/lantern
Please arrive on time as the gates to the centre may be locked
We are invited to join or support the
Peace Pilgrimage: walking from Oxford to the Arms Fair at ExCeL Centre, London
Tuesday 5 September 2023 – Monday 11 September 2023
A number of our friends and colleagues are taking part in this Peace Pilgrimage, a walk of witness against the DSEI Arms Fair. The walkers are looking for hospitality along the way. For more information and to register to join them for all or part of the way see peacepilgrimage.org.uk
Permanent link to this article: https://paxchristi.org.uk/arms-trade/
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