Category: Campaigns

The new film by writer-director Terrence Malick is out now. The story of the Austrian farmer and conscientious objector, Franz Jägerstätter, is already well-known to many Pax Christi members. We have been inspired by his determined witness, for many years. In August 2019, we held our 30th Franz Jägerstätter commemoration service in Westminster Cathedral. We will be in the crypt of Westminster Cathedral again this year on Sunday August 9th.

Read more about Franz and take a look at our resources. We also have excellent  education resources. Our education worker, Aisling, finds that the session she delivers about Franz is the one most commonly requested by schools. Contact Aisling for more information about this: education@paxchristi.org.uk

Mexico reported a record total of 31,000 murders in 2019.  A few days into the New Year, we hear reports of continuing violence in many parts of the world. For example, there were more  drone strikes in Somalia,  continuing attacks in Syria, and the killing of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani.

Pax Christi USA Executive Director Johnny Zokovitch issued a statement following the killing of Qassem Suleimani: ‘Such actions go against everything we stand for as people of faith and are incompatible with the message of Jesus.’

During his Angelus address on January 5th, Pope Francis made an appeal for peace . He reminded us of his World Peace Day message: Peace as a Journey of Hope: dialogue, reconciliation and ecological conversion.

Regarding the potential escalation of violence between Iran and the West, more analysis pieces are here from Eli McCarthy, Paul Rogers and Richard Reeve, Rose Marie Berger,  Jim Wallis and Cardinal Turkson. There is also a radio interview with Paul Rogers.  We recall Walter Wink’s words on the myth of redemptive violence: ‘Its metaphor is not the journey but the fortress. Its symbol is not the cross but the crosshairs of a gun. Its offer is not forgiveness but victory. Its good news is not the unconditional love of enemies but their final elimination.’

Pax Christi’s work for peace will continue in 2020.

Peace Sunday was marked in lots of parishes and schools around England & Wales in many creative ways. Thank you to everyone who is sending in reports and pictures. You can get a flavour of all the work in our Member News section. More information will be added as we receive it.

Here is Pope Francis’ World Peace Day message

Peace as a Journey of Hope: Dialogue, Reconciliation and Ecological Conversion

Some parishes will mark Peace Sunday on a different date still to come. Check on the resources as they will continue to be relevant through the year to help share the message of peace where you are.

We do encourage all parishes to mark Peace Sunday and to consider taking a collection for, or making a donation to, Pax Christi. This financial support is very important to our work in the year ahead.

Pope Francis visited Japan between 23rd and 26th November. He spent time in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Pope Francis took the opportunity to speak up clearly against nuclear weapons in a speech in Hiroshima and again in Nagasaki saying, ‘a world without nuclear weapons is possible and necessary’.

Pax Christi International’s Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty Working Group and the Asia-Pacific Facilitation Group jointly drafted a statement to coincide with this important opportunity to advocate for an end to nuclear weapons.

Pax Christi’s National President, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, also released a statement:

‘Here is an opportunity for the leaders of nuclear weapons-possessing countries such as the United Kingdom to demonstrate creative, moral courage.’

We pray for a change of heart among those world leaders who have been so slow to act on this issue.