Author: Pax Christi

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IN THE PRESS: Pax Christi – A world without nuclear weapons

Imagine a world without nuclear weapons: it isn’t hard to do…

In the press this weekend, The Catholic Universe has published an article by Pax Christi Director – Theresa Alessandro.

The Non-Proliferation Treaty has been stuck on Article VI for decades.
Nuclear weapon-possessing governments cite the risk to stability of any
upsetting of a nuclear balance. They point to a reduction in warhead
numbers as their contribution to disarmament. So the UK is down to
120 available warheads; equivalent to ‘only’ 960 Hiroshima-sized
bombs. New ways to be players on the world stage and new ways to
balance international relationships need to be constructed. Such are the
shifting, complex, interconnected sands of wicked problems.  The full article can be Found Here

(With thanks to Martin Birdseye for help with the reasoning around this topic, and to Mati Warwick for the photo of Theresa).

 

 

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Pentecost: Renew the face of the Earth

Feeling a presence that disturbs – Pentecost

Our final Pax Christi Eastertide reflection comes from Sister Katrina Alton. Katrina is a Sister of St Joseph of Peace and a Pax Christi member from Nottingham.

Trusting the Pentecost promise can be made real through our prayers and actions for peace and justice, we acclaim: ‘Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.’ (Psalm 103)

Download here.

PDF / Word

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European Elections – Pax Christi Statement

The future relationship between the UK and Europe remains frustratingly unclear. In time for the European Parliamentary elections this month, Pax Christi International have launched a European Manifesto, subtitled ‘The Europe We Want’.  The document encourages citizens of Europe to choose members of the European parliament based on values of solidarity, fraternity and peace.

In contrast to the recent rhetoric suggesting that the British Trident nuclear deterrent is responsible for maintaining peace in Europe for the last 50 years (recently “celebrated” at Westminster Abbey), this document highlights the achievements of Europe as a ‘project for peace’ since 1945.  A central ‘pillar’ of that achievement has been ‘the promotion and protection of human rights’.

Read the document for yourself here.

Pax Christi UK intends to continue our productive working relationship with our European partners and other sections in Pax Christi International, regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations. We affirm the European Manifesto’s view that “Europe” is still very necessary for achieving the goals of peace, prosperity and sustainability in a world shaken by inequalities, conflicts, cataclysmic climate change and geopolitical imbalances.’

Download The Manifesto Here

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71st anniversary of the Nakba (Arabic for “catastrophe”)

The 15th May 2019 is the 71st anniversary of the Nakba (Arabic for catastrophe). We commemorate the expulsion of more than 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and the destruction of over 400 Palestinian towns and villages to make way for the State of Israel. Around the world there will be activities in support of the Palestinian people, especially those who, after more than seven decades, remain refugees. There will be a press release from Pax Christi International on 15th May and here in the office, we plan to have a ‘silent circle’ at 11 o’clock.

Download and share the Pax Christi International Press Release

Can you get involved?  Sign the petition here

There are plenty of Actions and Ideas for Palestine to try – Let us know about your actions, and send a photo. It’s good to be able to report on our support for Palestinian people.

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4th Sunday of Easter Reflection

Sunday reflections from Easter – Pentecost : 4th Sunday Reflection

To deepen our understanding of Gospel nonviolence, we invited seven members of Pax Christi to explore the powerful readings for the Sundays after Easter – readings that tell us something of the struggle of the early Christian communities to create a life-path for themselves built on the life and witness of Jesus.

Their reflections are short and personal and each of them has something to offer on the vocation we all have to be people of nonviolence.

This Sunday our reflection comes from David McLoughlin. David is a member of Pax Christi’s Nonviolence Working Group and Emeritus Fellow of Christian Theology at Newman University, Birmingham.

PDF / WORD