More than 70 events took place this year to commemorate the 70th anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Pax Christi members and activities were among these.
In Liverpool, hundreds of people were reached during the Nagasaki Day vigil/stall in the Metropolitan Cathedral which was run by Pax Christi Liverpool
To link with the Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversaries the Pax Christi ICON of Peace is on display at Westminster Cathedral for several weeks, attracting lots of attention and creating an opportunity for us to share our Pax Christi story and invite others to join us in prayer and action.
There was a great buzz of energy and activity at the 2015 NJPN Conference on The Things that Make for Peace and Pax Christi was a key partner in the planning and running of the Conference.
You can read an fuller reports on the Conference from Leeds J&P commission here … from page 5 and from journalist Paul Donovan here
Prof Paul Rogers was the first speaker on the theme A century on the Edge: From Cold War to Hot War 1945-2045. Paul’s presentation was challenging and hope-filled. He said that we are involved in ‘suggesting the possible’, the prophetic work of peace and justice. You can read more of Paul’s work and analysis here. Fr Edu Gariguez spoke of his peace and justice ministry in the Philippines, his talk can be found here.
Pax Christi offered several workshops. Matt Jeziorski our Education worker ran a workshop on Militarism and Young People and Fr Paul Lansu from Pax Christi International ran a workshop on the EU as a force for peace. Fr Martin Poulsom gave very moving and focused reflections after each session to help us link what we had heard to our own experiences and faith.
Three women took part in a panel discussion on grass roots peace work – work with young people and violence presented by Lorraine Dinnegan; interfaith work for peace, given by Sr Maire Hayes and empowering women in Zimbabwe from development from Jenny Vaughan & Fiona Mwashita of Progressio.
The conference was chaired by Pax Christi’s Pat Gaffney
27 June 2015 – War marketed as family entertainment
Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi and Bruce Kent of the Movement for the Abolition of War are among signatories to a letter published in the Independent today challenging the impact of military culture on young people.
Today is Armed Forces day, a relatively new venture created by the Government to provide a way for ‘the public show their support for the Armed Forces’. However, signatories to the letter believe that it is primarily a promotion and celebration of military culture that is very much aimed at children and young people. This is clearly seen in the number of family fun events, exhibitions and ‘hand-on’ activities that are being held around the country. They are especially concerned for those under-18s who may be recruited into the armed forces as a result of these events. More than 7,000 people have signed a Petition urging our Government to raise the recruitment age to 18. Currently the recruitment age is 16. More here
Ellen Teague and Chris Cole near the Banksy art-work, Bethlehem
160 people met in Bethlehem Palestine at the Pax Christi International World Assembly to mark the 70th anniversary of the Movement. A group from the UK took part, including Pat Gaffney, Chris Cole, Ellen Teague, Ann Farr, Sue Scott, Holly Ball and Heather Kiernen.
You can see a full range of photographs from the Assembly and exposure visits here
Sadly, two important members of the movement were missing, Jose Henrique, International Secretary of Pax Christi was refused entry as he tried to enter Israel/Palestine through Jordan and Bishop Kevin Dowling from South Africa unable to attend because of illness.
Pope Francis prayer poster placed on separation wall
Two documents came from the gathering
The Bethlehem Commitment: Bringing the future into focus 2015 – 2020, a document for inspiration, forward planning to help the Pax Christi family all plan for the coming five years and the statement on Palestine calling for recognition of Palestine, end to settlements and support to the nonviolent struggle for justice and peace.
You can read a series of excellent articles written by Ellen Teague:
The election is over – we are in a new era. With so many new MPs and others holding on to seats now is the time to make contact, start the process of informing and educating them on all the issues we are passionate about: peace, disarmament, Trident, the arms trade, foreign policies, peace education…. we know more than they do!
Our Election Briefing, used in the run-up to the election is still up-to-date! The background and the questions could be used in your first letter, your first meeting, your first phone call to you new/existing MP…… here it is
More than 70 events took place this year to commemorate the 70th anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Pax Christi members and activities were among these.
