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New York: Pax Christi supports Islamic community centre plan
Pax Christi Metro New York, a regional chapter of the international Catholic peace movement, has express its full support for the proposed Islamic community centre in Park 51, in lower Manhattan, saying: 'As an organization with members who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center site on September 11th, 2001, we recognize the excruciating suffering endured by so many. Read More ...
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London: messages of peace on Hiroshima Day
Messages of peace, hope and encouragement written to the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, formed part of Pax Christi's annual Hiroshima Anniversary vigil outside Westminster Cathedral today. One said: "I feel bad now that in 1945 I was only thankful that the war was over... it was a few years before I really understood the horror of what brought it to an end.
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Churches appeal for end to nuclear arms on Hiroshima anniversary
Government and society must find “new resolve to protect the sanctity of life,” Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), said in a statement recognizing the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “The Bible urges us to ‘choose life’ so that all may live” Tveit said in the statement. Read More ...
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Pope welcomes ban on cluster bombs
The Vatican Press office has issued a statement welcoming the Treaty to Ban Cluster Munitions (CCM), which came into effect on 1 August. The convention, first launched in May 2008 and then proposed for signing on December 3, 2008 prohibits “all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions." Read More ...
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Pax Christi member Cecily Fernbank celebrates 100th birthday
Reading and maintaining a keen interest in life seems to be the secret of an active long-life for Cecily Fernbank who celebrates her 100th birthday on 6th August. Members of Pax Christi gathered this week to celebrate with Cecily, a volunteer with Pax Christi for almost 30 years. Cecily, who lives in Ladbroke Grove and is a member of St Francis of Assisi parish, Pottery Lane. Read More ...
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Young Muslims, Jews and Christians train together to build peace
While peace is a commonly held value within Judaism, Islam and Christianity, other religious values can often become sources of conflict. In order to build community beyond faith boundaries a group of young adults from each of the three faith groups spent a week focusing on the common value of peace recently. Read More ...
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UK-wide events to commemorate Hiroshima, Nagasaki
The 65th anniversaries of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki take on August 6 and 9. A number of vigils, exhibitions, walks and prayer services will be taking take place around the UK to mark the event. Some of the main ones are detailed. Please also check the Listings page for further updates.
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NJPN Conference: Our Daily Bread
A candle burned quietly last weekend, throughout a conference on: ‘Our Daily Bread: Food Security, People and Planet’ at Swanwick in Derbyshire. More than 400 people gathered for an intensive two days of prayer, lectures, workshops and discussions, at the 32nd Justice and Peace Conference, Read More ...
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Text: Can Fair Trade help feed a hungry world?
The land is life, it is our source of food and nourishment and that of every living creature on this planet and yet we humans, the species with the brains, with intelligence, the species that has come to dominate the earth are in the process of destroying it, or standing by while it happens. We are here today because none of us want to be part of this, none want that to happen and for sure all of us are striving to prevent it with heart and mind. Read More ...
Fr Shay Cullen SSC |
Britain’s child soldiers
Sixteen-year-olds are too young to drive a car, buy a drink in the pub, or place a bet in Britain. They are too young to have civil contracts enforced against them. They cannot vote. Yet they are old enough to join the army where, in the event of hostilities, they may become a legitimate target, even while not serving in the front line.
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Michael Bartlet |
Christian conference to explore future of food
International speakers will call for sustainable food and agriculture at a conference in Derbyshire 16-18 July on the theme ‘Our Daily Bread: Food Security, People and Planet’. Around 400 people will attend the annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, a liaison organisation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
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North London parish acts on global poverty
More than 600 parishioners from Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George, Enfield have written to the Prime Minister, asking him to Act on Global Poverty, as part of the new CAFOD Act on Poverty campaign. Talks were given by the Justice and Peace group members at all Masses highlighting that global poverty is not a misfortune but an injustice faced by our brothers and sisters overseas. Read More ...
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Cuts shut down refugee legal service putting lives at risk
Charities, clergy and prominent figures including Colin Firth and Michael Morpurgo have greeted with rage and dismay news that Refugee and Migrant Justice is being allowed to shut down. Refugee and Migrant Justice, formerly the Refugee Legal Centre, was the largest specialist national provider of legal representation to asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants. Read More ...
staff writer |
'Armed Forces Day must re-focus on conflict resolution'
David Cameron's desire to beat a war drum for military force as the "front and centre of our national life", fails to engage key policy issues on the Afghan conflict and to acknowledge research findings about the public's desire for more realistic ways of remembering the victims of war, says Christian political thinktank Ekklesia. Read More ...
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Christian conference to explore future of food
International speakers on sustainable food and agriculture will be gathering in Derbyshire on 16-18 July at a conference on the theme ‘Our Daily Bread: Food Security, People and Planet’. Around 400 people will attend the annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, a liaison organisation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Read More ...
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Lebanese Christian women plan new Gaza aid convoy
A group of women planning to sail to Gaza gathered to pray by a statue of Our Lady in south Lebanon, before setting out on boat called Mariam, a voyage bringing aid to Gaza. Spokeswoman Rima Farah said she felt their prayers were already being answered as Israeli officials have now announced plans to slightly ease the blockade on Gaza. Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
Pax Christi peacemaking in Oxford
Around 80 members of Pax Christi, the Catholic peace organisation, attended its Annual Meeting at Blackfriars in Oxford on Saturday, 19 June. They heard youth worker Matt Jeziorski report that nearly 850 young people have attended Pax Christi peace education workshops this year and that there will be more outreach with university students over the coming months. Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Feature: UN majority call for abolition of nuclear weapons
Is it time to start work on banning nuclear weapons? “Yes” says a growing majority of governments and civil society groups. “No” insists a tiny nuclear-armed minority. “Premature” say some of their closest allies. That is the barest summary of what happened at the United Nations when 189 countries met recently on what to do about nuclear weapons. Churches seeking specific steps to stop nuclear arms shared long-standing disappointments Read More ...
Jonathan Frerichs |
Westminster J&P condemn attack on Gaza Flotilla
Westminster Justice and Peace Commission has issued a statement today condemning the action of the Israeli authorities on the aid mission to Gaza. Head of the Comission, Fr Joe Ryan writes: 'The Israeli military attack on an unarmed vessel, bearing humanitarian aid deserves our total condemnation. It does nothing to further the cause of peace in the Middle East, or the reputation of Israel. Read More ...
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Victim of Northern Ireland violence brings message of hope and forgiveness
Richard Moore, a man blinded by a rubber bullet in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1972, will be sharing his inspiring story at St Ethelburga's Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in the City of London this Wednesday. Mr Moore, who was shot by a British soldier when he was just 10, went on to found Children in Crossfire to help other children across the world who are caught in conflict.
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Christian peace campaigners hold silent vigil in Parliament
Six members of campaign group Trident Ploughshares protested silently inside the lobby of Parliament for two hours on Thursday, calling on the incoming government to honour its disarmament commitments by scrapping the Trident nuclear missile system and its planned replacement and signing up to a Nuclear Weapons Convention. Read More ...
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Trace the Tax campaign
Here's one thing we can do right now to help end poverty: put an end to tax dodging by unscrupulous businesses operating internationally. For every US$10 in aid that flows into poor countries, US$15 slips out through tax dodging. Read More ...
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Pax Christi Peace Icon at St Ethelburga's
A week of activities around Pax Christi's Icon of Peace begins on Monday at St Ethelburga's Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2 4AG. There will be daily guided meditation with the Icon between 12.30 - 1pm.
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Pax Christi calls for prayers for Gaza Flotilla victims
Catholic peace movement Pax Christi issued the following statement this afternoon: Pax Christi is deeply shocked at the dramatic military actions of the Israeli Defence Forces against the Gaza Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and injured. Read More ...
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Peace campaigners killed on mercy mission to Gaza
At least 10 people were killed and many injured yesterday, after Israeli troops stormed a flotilla of boats in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is believed 28 British citizens were on board one of the boats. The Foreign Office says they are not among the dead. Read More ...
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Pax Christi International Assembly
In a world where the Catholic Church is now generally associated with clerical sexual abuse, it's good that there are still parts of the Church which give a more positive message. 'There are many Rooms in the House of Peace' was the theme of the Pax Christi International Triennial World Assembly (TWA), which took place in Strasbourg, Read More ...
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J&P serves the world, not just the church
Justice and Peace campaigners were told at the weekend that their mission to the world is vital in an age of widespread poverty, conflict and environmental breakdown. “Our mission is for the life of the world, not just the church” speaker Frank Regan told the quarterly meeting of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) of England and Wales in London on Saturday. Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
‘SOS Climate’ service and vigil in London
Christian climate campaigners joined an overnight vigil in Central London over the weekend to remind Britain’s new government that dealing with the climate crisis needs to be their top priority. Mark Dowd of Operation Noah, the Churches Climate Change Campaign, spoke at an ecumenical vigil service at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, on Saturday night. Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Booking now: annual J&P Conference
BBC filmmaker Mary Colwell, and Columban priest Fr Shay Cullen from the Preda Foundation in the Philippines, are among those speaking and leading workshops at the 32nd Annual Justice & Peace Conference taking place at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire from 16 - 18 July. This year's theme is: Our Daily Bread: Food Security, People and Planet. Read More ...
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London: service, candlit procession, night vigil for climate change
A service for climate change takes place on Saturday, 15 May at St Martins in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. Starting at 11pm, Revd Chris Brice is leading the service. Mark Dowd of Operation Noah, Channel 4 'God is Green' documentary presenter, will speak on the damages the world is already experiencing, the failures in the international negotiations, and hopes for what the new British Government can bring. Read More ...
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Churches find positive signs at nuclear summit
The president of Iran and the US secretary of state made early headlines at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference in New York with a volley of accusations over nuclear development and nuclear weapons. However, for the members of a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation pursuing peace and human security goals at the conference the event, which opened Monday in New York, started with a more constructive air. Read More ...
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Election time: asylum seekers lose their last safety net
When terrified men, women and children are being shunted off to countries where they face real and imminent risk of rape, torture, genital mutilation or death, an MP’s urgent appeal to government may tip the balance, stalling removal directions, making time to get legal advice. Read More ...
Clare Sambrook |
Letter: young peace campaigners demand more from election candidates
The leadership debate this week sidelined young people's desire for a peaceful future. Trident is not the only policy that needs reviewing. We have seen an approach to security which relies on the fear factor and militarism, whilst supporting the perpetrators of mass atrocities through arms sales and offering them refuge. Read More ...
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Pax Christi at Imperial War Museum
Presenting peace history creatively was one of the strong features of Pax Christi's contribution to the annual Movement for the Abolition of War Peace History Conference, held at the Imperial War Museum in London on 16 and 17 April. Valerie Flessati, a peace historian and vice-president of Pax Christi, Read More ...
Pat Gaffney |
Groups mobilise to halt deportation of Christian asylum seeker
Anselme Noumbiwa could be deported from Britain on Wednesday, but supporters of the asylum seeker from Camaroon are campaigning hard to stop it happening. Many people – including members of church groups - have signed an online petition in support of Anselme, asking the Home Office to stop his removal
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Ellen Teague |
London: Zimbabwe exiles to hold anniversary vigil
Zimbabwean exiles and their supporters are to lay 30 candles outside the South African High Commission in London on Saturday 17 April to mark the 30th anniversary of Zimbabwe's Independence. The demonstrators will carry the candles from the nearby Zimbabwe Embassy to symbolise their hopes for South African help in achieving true independence. Read More ...
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Outrage over ‘green’ award for Philippine president
The UK-based Working Group on Mining in the Philippines - which includes church groups - has written letters of complaint to the Chief Executives of two organisations which gave a ‘green’ award to the Philippine president at the US Congress in Washington yesterday.
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Ellen Teague |
Scottish clergy hold Easter Saturday peace service at nuclear base
Scottish Clergy Against Nuclear Arms (SCANA) held a Communion Service in the middle of a blockade of the Trident nuclear weapons base at Faslane at 1.15pm on Easter Saturday. Half a dozen ministers of churches from Glasgow, Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland joined with people from all walks of life in this "symbolic blockade" as part of a Europe-wide Read More ...
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Catholic voters invited to 'have a hand in history'
In the coming general election, MPs and parliamentary candidates will be looking for votes. The decisions taken by the next government on issues like aid, climate change and regulating business will have far-reaching consequences for poor communities worldwide. Read More ...
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Election briefing on peace and security issues
The Network of Christian Peace Organisations, of which Pax Christi is one of 25 members, has produced a briefing for Christians to use in preparation for the forthcoming General Election. It covers four areas: The Middle East, the Arms Trade, Nuclear Proliferation and Military Spending. Read More ...
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Holy Land: Three children detained while gathering herbs
On Saturday, Israeli soldiers detained three Palestinian boys in At-Tuwani Village in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank. The boys, aged 13 and 14, were gathering herbs above al-Khelli Valley, 300 metres from the Israeli settlement of Ma'on, on land owned by the eldest child's family. Read More ...
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Parishioners in demo to save London hospital
Parishioners from several churches joined a massive demonstration on Saturday, against healthcare cuts which threaten to close accident and emergency and maternity wards at the Whittington Hospital, in north London. More than 5,000 people took part in the protest, including politicians from all mainstream parties, Read More ...
Staff Reporter |
Join the Big Swap
One million and one people are being invited to join in The Big Swap this Fairtrade Fortnight. The nation is being asked to swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff; for example, your usual wine, sugar, or oranges for Fairtrade wine, sugar or oranges. Read More ...
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Petition calling for end to child detention
A petition to Number 10 Downing Street calling on the Government to stop detaining children has already been signed by hundreds of lawyers, teachers and social workers, Bishop Michael Campbell of Lancaster, Bishop James Newcome of Carlisle, dozens of leading writers, plus Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Read More ...
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Church leaders protest over UK's 'shameful incarceration of children'
Leaders from all the main churches today have called for the Government to end “the unnecessary and inhumane practice of imprisoning children, babies and young people in immigration removal centres.” Their letter published in the Daily Telegraph says: “our faith calls us to look particularly to the needs of the most vulnerable in our community.” Read More ...
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London: Mugabe birthday demonstration
Church groups and exiled Zimbabweans in the UK will gather outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Saturday 20th February to mark the 86th birthday of President Mugabe this weekend. The demonstration is organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil which has been protesting Read More ...
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Fast so that others may eat
This year marks the 50th anniversary of CAFOD's annual fundraising initiative, Lent Fast Day. Since it started, ordinary people have raised more than £65million which has transformed the lives of thousands of people living in extreme poverty in Africa. Asia and Latin America. Read More ...
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Challenging the climate sceptics
A rebuffal to the latest media scepticism about climate change has been made by Sir John Houghton, formerly Oxford Professor of Atmospheric Physics, chief executive of the Meteorological Office and Co-Chairman of the IPCC Scientific Assessment. He is currently President of The John Ray Initiative.
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Ellen Teague |
Pax Christi in peace service at Aldermaston
Bishop Thomas McMahon, vice-president of Pax Christi and Bishop of Brentwood Diocese, joined people from other faith traditions at a peace service at the faith gate of the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment this morning (15 February). Read More ...
Pat Gaffney |
Launch of Green Church support network
Christian Ecology Link have launched a support network for 'Churches in Transition', part of the Transition Towns movement, and held a major national conference on the transition to low carbon lives. At their bi-annual gathering in Scarborough this weekend,
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Ash Wednesday peace liturgy at Ministry of Defence
The annual liturgy of Repentance and Resistance to nuclear war preparations will take place in London at 3pm on Ash Wednesday, 17 February. The gathering will meet in Embankment Gardens and process to the Ministry of Defence, in Horseguards Avenue where a liturgy with prayers, songs Read More ...
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Christian peace groups to join Aldermaston blockade
Christian peace groups from all denominations will be joining hundreds of campaigners next Monday, to block access to every gate of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston in Berkshire. The blockade, initiated by Trident Ploughshares (TP) is supported by Pax Christi, Christian CND and the Catholic Worker movement, Read More ...
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Philippines: "authorities ignore child sex trade"
It is no easy task to rescue the child victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in the Philippines. The authorities deny it even it exists. "The problem has been solved", they say, "it does not exist now". Journalists and human rights workers are not welcome in the office of Mayors that host sex industries in their communities Read More ...
Fr Shay Cullen |
US Bishop calls for world free of nuclear threat
Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore said humanity must “build a future free of the nuclear threat” in remarks on 3 February at the Global Zero Summit in Paris. The two-day conference brings together 200 international political, military, business and faith leaders for strategy talks on the phased elimination of all nuclear weapons. Read More ...
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Vincentian Day for Justice
The Vincentian Millenium Partnership (VMP) will be holding a day-long conference in London on 6 March for anyone who is interested in justice work. The aim of the day is to give the knowledge, skills and confidence to become more involved in campaigning on behalf of vulnerable people. Read More ...
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Vatican: Cardinal Turkson takes over Justice and Peace
The most senior African cleric in the Roman Curia, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson has officially taken over from Cardinal Renato Martino as the president of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace. Cardinal Turkson took over last week from Cardinal Martino, who retired on grounds of age. Read More ...
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‘A Thirst for Justice’ in Arundel and Brighton Diocese
‘Water in our World, a Thirst for Justice’ was the theme of the 2010 Arundel and Brighton diocesan justice and peace assembly, held on Saturday 23 January at the Christian Education Centre in Crawley. Around 150 participants, including diocesan bishop Kieran Conry Read More ...
Ellen Teague - exclusive report |
Shift in ‘Doomsday Clock’ welcomed by Bruce Kent
The movement this week of the Doomsday Clock - a barometer of nuclear danger for the past 55 years – in a positive direction has been welcomed by Bruce Kent, Vice President of both Pax Christi and the campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). On Thursday it was moved one minute further away from the ‘midnight hour’. Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
New policy director for Traidcraft
Paul Spray, currently a Deputy Director at the Department for International Development, is to be Traidcraft's new Director of Policy. Bringing more than thirty years' experience of international development, Read More ...
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London: become a CAFOD volunteer
This time last year, CAFOD made an appeal to the people of the Diocese of Westminster asking them to put themselves forward as volunteers as part of their New Years’ resolution for 2009. The response was remarkable. Over 60 people attended an Understanding CAFOD workshop and many went on to become Read More ...
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Walled-in people of Bethlehem remembered during Advent
Around the country, in schools, prayer groups, parishes and families, Pax Christi members and friends are sending messages to the people of Bethlehem for Christmas. This is part of a project that began some years ago with Pax Christi partners the Arab Educational Institute. I Read More ...
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“Do not be afraid”, church leaders implore climate negotiators
With the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen sputtering and showing signs of being less than legally binding, ambitious and fair, leaders of churches and international church organisations have sent a message to the negotiators from 192 countries imploring them to "not be afraid". Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Worldwide petition to save Copenhagen summit
With only a few days to go, the Copenhagen climate change summit has not reached any agreements. A consortium of churches, aid agencies, and campaign groups from around the world have drawn up the following Petition to the 110 Presidents and Prime Ministers negotiating in Copenhagen: Read More ...
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Bells ring a wake-up call for climate justice
As a wave of ringing bells embraced the globe, churches sent a strong message to world leaders gathered at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen: There is only one world and in order to preserve it, bold action needs to be taken now. "We have only one world, this world, if we destroy it, we have nothing else", said Archbishop Desmond Tutu Read More ...
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British parishioner joins Copenhagen Day of Action
A young man from Westminster Diocese has travelled to Copenhagen to demand in person that world leaders attending a major climate conference agree to act immediately and effectively against climate change. James Buchanan, 24, from Our Lady of Mount Carmel & St George Parish in Enfield
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Church bells ring out for action on climate change
Churches around the world will be ringing their bells at 3pm local time this Sunday at the height of the talks at United Nations climate negotiations in Copenhagen, to call for an ambitious, fair and effective deal on climate change. In the UK, dozens of churches taking part include Westminster Cathedral, York Minster, St Elizabeth’s RC Church, Durham Read More ...
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Bristol parish speaks out for refugees on Human Rights Day
Parishioners from St Nicholas of Tolentino in inner-city Bristol will be describing what life is like in Bristol when you are seeking safe refuge at a special event marking Human Rights Day (10 December). The anniversary, which marks the UN's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Read More ...
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More Wave stories
Reports from the Wave are pouring in to ICN today. Click on the following links for more stories, films and pictures from the different groups who took part. Read More ...
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Wave story
Doug Lowe from Somerset joined the Wave on Saturday with granddaughters Emily and Katie. He writes: "sorry could not get into the prayer service (it was so overcrowded) so did not see Bishop Declan which is a shame as I am sure he would have loved to try on my blue wig and wavy hands!"
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Archbishop Nichols: live simply, so that others can simply live
It is vital that the needs of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged are at the centre of the debate about climate change, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has told Christians at 'Time to Pray', an ecumenical service about the environment and climate change held in London today. Read More ...
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More than 20 church leaders join The Wave
At least 20 senior church leaders are joining The Wave tomorrow to call for an “ambitious, fair and effective deal in Copenhagen”. Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales will be there because Read More ...
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Church leaders to join climate change protest
Sixteen leaders of Christian Churches in the UK will be attending an ecumenical service in London this Saturday, 5 December, to urge political leaders meeting in Copenhagen to ‘Act Now To Stop Climate Change’. Among them will be Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury; Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Catholic Archbishop of Westminster
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Pax Christi Advent Service
The Pax Christi Advent Service and Christmas Fair takes place next Monday, 7 December.. There will be prayers, readings and Carols for Peace, followed by a Christmas Market in the church hall, with goods from Peru, Bethlehem and the Jesuit Refugee Service, Christmas cards, mulled wine and mince pies and more Read More ...
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Bruce Kent receives Coventry International Peace Prize
The 2009 Coventry International Price for Peace and Reconciliation was awarded to Bruce Kent, former Chair of CND and vice-president of Pax Christi on Saturday 14 November in Coventry Cathedral. The ceremony takes place each year on the anniversary of the bombing of the City and Cathedral. This year marked the 69th anniversary.
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Viewpoint: Young Catholics should not be encouraged to join the Army 
“I do not think it right that the Army should be allowed to come to a careers evening in our school,” I said as a governor of our local Catholic comprehensive school. Amazement, surprise and incomprehension greeted me. My assertion that I did not think that a career which trained people to kill was suitable for a Christian,
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Catherine Hand - 3 opinions posted |
US priests and nuns protest at world's largest nuclear base
Two Jesuit priests and three nuns, aged 60 - 83, were arrested on an American navy base yesterday, as they took part in an anti-nuclear protest. Fr Bill Bischel, SJ, 81, from Tacoma, Washington; Sr Susan Crane, 65, of Baltimore, Maryland; Sr Lynne Greenwald, 60, of Bremerton Washington; Fr Steve Kelly, SJ, 60, of Oakland, California, and Sr Anne Montgomery RSCJ, 83,
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Columban priest tackles a mining giant
A Columban priest has challenged the appalling environmental and human rights record of the world’s biggest mining company at its recent AGM on 29 October. Attending alongside other justice and peace activists and indigenous Wayuu people from Colombia, he called on Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
CARJ anniversary celebration: 'Changing Face of Britain'
The Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) are marking their 25th anniversary, this year with a series of events in parishes and schools around the country on the theme of: 'The Changing Face of Britain'. On Saturday, 7 November they are holding a special day-long national celebration in Westminster Cathedral. Speakers in the morning will include: Rt Hon John Battle, Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Dr Usama Hasan. Read More ...
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Birmingham J&P assembly focuses on global financial crisis
The impact that the global financial crisis of the past twelve months has had at a national and parish level, and in particular on families and individuals, was the focus of the Fifth Annual Assembly of the Birmingham Justice and Peace Commission, held at St Peter's Catholic Secondary School in Solihull in the West Midlands. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Climate change is 'God holding a mirror up to us'
Climate change “is God holding a mirror up to us,” according to Mark Dowd of Operation Noah, the churches ecumenical climate change campaign. In a talk at the Westminster Diocese Annual Justice and Peace Day on 24 October, he explained that the relationship between human society and the natural world has become “disconnected,” Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Westminster Diocese: Energy to make a Difference!
In the lead up to the Copenhagen Climate Summit, Westminster’s Annual Justice and Peace Day will focus on issues of Climate Change, Credit Crunch, Christ and Community. Mark Dowd of Operation Noah will speak on ‘The Economy and Climate Change’, and Tricia Zipfel, MBE, consultant on neighbourhood renewal, Read More ...
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Faith communities have vital role to play in tackling climate change
Faith communities have a “vital role” to play in tackling climate change, a Nobel laureate told a packed Progressio AGM on 19 October. “Whatever religion you espouse” said Professor Mohan Munasinghe, “they all teach you values of fellowship and respect for others and it’s very important to build on that base when addressing this issue”. Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Londoners join world peace walk
Peace campaigners will walk 20 miles across London this weekend (17-18 October) to link in with a three-month global initiative called the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. Supporters of the walk include the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the vice chair of Pax Christi, Bruce Kent, Read More ...
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Text: Bishop McKeown at Pax Christi Ireland Mass for Non Violence
Today's Gospel may seem a strange one for us to proclaim on this Sunday when Pax Christi celebrates its annual Mass. But Jesus had a great way of surprising, shocking his disciples when he was with them. God still wants to raises our vision outside the narrow box that our mind offers us, outside the narrow range of priorities and preoccupations that our Western culture Read More ...
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All creatures great and small
A large blue parrot, a flame-bellied frog, tortoises and guinea pigs were among animals brought to a special Pet Blessing service in north London on Sunday, the feast of St Francis of Assisi. There were also more than a dozen dogs, cats, and several guinea pigs at the celebration, held in the garden Read More ...
Jo Siedlecka |
Resources for Day of Prayer for Climate Change
Churches of all denominations around Britain are organising events for a Day of Prayer on Climate Change on 4 October, the Feast of St Francis. Linda Jones Head of Spirituality at CAFOD said: "Prayer is at the heart of all our actions. Read More ...
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Statement of Pax Christi delegation to Iraq
An international Pax Christi delegation visited Iraq last week. They went to Kirkuk, Mosul, Erbil and Dohuk from 10 September to 17 September. The situation for the Iraqi people is very uncertain and more violence being expected in the period leading up to the elections in January 2010. Read More ...
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Climate change cocoa challenge
With less than 100 days to go until the biggest climate change summit in history, Churches across the UK are being called on to take part in a ‘climate change cocoa challenge’ as a way of urging the UK and other governments to prioritise action on water in poor countries at the Copenhagen climate negotiations this December Read More ...
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Pax Christi delegation visits Iraq
Between 10 - 17 September, a delegation from Pax Christi are visiting Iraq. The purpose of the visit is to meet with different Church leaders and organisations as well as with Muslim leaders, refugees, representatives of the nonviolence movement in Iraq and other NGOs. They will also visit refugee camps and displaced people. Read More ...
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Krakow: interfaith gathering ends with appeal for peace
“We are led onwards by the memory of the Second World War, the prophesy of John Paul II, as pilgrims of peace, establishing a new season of dialogue with patience and audacity, uniting those who hate or are indifferent – all peoples – in peace!” These words form the conclusion of the Peace Appeal Read More ...
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Christian peace campaigner arrested at arms fair
Christian peace activist, Chris Cole, 46, was arrested this morning (Monday 7 September) and charged with £2,000 of criminal damage following a protest at the UK Defence Conference, at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in central London, as part of the week-long Defence Systems Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair. Read More ...
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Public art takes on the arms fair
'One and other' - is the project of sculptor Antony Gormley who is asking the people of the UK to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, a space normally reserved for statues of kings and generals, in an image of themselves and a representation of humanity. Read More ...
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World Day of Prayer for Climate Change
British Church leaders of all denomination have expressed support for a Climate Change Day of Prayer on 4 October in the run up to the next United Nations climate change summit due to take place at the end of the year.
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Conference calls for 'welcoming the stranger'
Defending migrant rights in the UK and challenging the racist British National Party (BNP) were two themes to emerge from this weekend’s annual National Justice and Peace Network Conference in Derbyshire. In a week that BNP leader Nick Griffin said that boats carrying illegal migrants to Europe should be sunk, Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Catholic peace protester jailed
Susan Clarkson, from the Oxford Catholic Worker group, was sentenced to 21 days in prison at Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday after she refused to pay fines of £1,235 for anti war protests at Northwood Military Headquarters in north London last year. Read More ...
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Justice & Peace Conference to examine migrant rights and BNP
What is to be done about the British National Party, which polled 943,000 votes in the recent European Elections, securing two seats in the European Parliament? Has the Church been too timid in its pronouncements regarding the growth of the far right? How many Catholics sitting in the pews are among those who vote BNP? Read More ...
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Noah’s Ark on Thames urges climate action
A bishop, Carmelite friars from Aylesford Priory, a replica ark, 200 plus Christian school children dressed as animals, and an array of real alpacas, sheep, goats and ducks celebrated a colourful climate event beside the Palace of Westminster on 2 July. Organised by Operation Noah, the churches’ climate change campaign,
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Ellen Teague |
Spirit of Humanity sets out from Cyprus for Gaza
Larnaca: The Free Gaza boat the 'Spirit of Humanity' sailed from Cyprus at 7.30am yesterday. Twenty one human rights and solidarity workers representing 11 different countries were aboard. The passengers include Catholic Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former US congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Read More ...
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Medical report concludes attack on Gaza was 'terror without mercy'
Israel’s 22 day invasion of the Gaza Strip served no other purpose than to create 'terror without mercy' according to the authors of an independent medical report which was released in London last night. The international delegation, including Comboni Missionary Sister and nurse, Sister Alicia Vacas found human rights violations in the way that the injured were treated Read More ...
Mary Carson - ICN exclusive |
photo: Jamie Farrell |
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Quakers call for Unarmed Forces Day
As the government prepares for its first 'Armed Forces Day', Quakers are busy preparing themselves for peace. In recognition of the essential work carried out by peacebuilders around the world, Quakers in Britain are calling for an Unarmed Forces Day. Read More ...
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London teacher receives Pax Christi Peace Award
A school teacher from east London has been given the Pax Christi Peace Award. Rachel Kane, who is second-in-charge of the RE department at Our Lady's Convent High School, Amhurst Road, Hackney has pursued peace issues for the past ten years. Read More ...
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Holy Land: Vacancies for Ecumenical Accompaniers
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme (EAPPI) is currently recruiting Ecumenical Accompaniers for the West Bank and Israel. The EAPPI provides protection by presence, supports Israeli and Palestinian peace activists and advocates for an end to the occupation. Read More ...
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Eco-theologian Thomas Berry has died
Fr Thomas Berry, an American Passionist monk who made it his life's work to explore the connection between humans and the earth, died on 1 June in the United States at the age of 94 years.
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Ellen Teague |
Churches mark World Environment Day
With species extinctions occurring at 1000 to 10,000 times the natural rate, fish stocks plummeting, and climate change increasing, care of the environment for future generations is a growing concern for people of faith.
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Ellen Teague |
Christians pray for a farewell to arms fairs
Christian peace activists throughout the country will hold a Day of Prayer on Sunday 14 June as a contribution to Stop Week. Prayers will focus on the death and destruction caused by war and the pernicious role of arms fairs in perpetuating wars, specifically the world's largest arms fair (DSEi) scheduled to take place in London in September 2009. Read More ...
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Scottish J&P Commission protests at 'dawn raids'
The National Chairperson of the Catholic Church's "Justice & Peace Commission" Ellen Charlton has written a strongly worded letter to the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith in protest at the recent early morning arrest of a mother and her four year old child and their subsequent transfer to Dungavel Removal Centre. Read More ...
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Strangers into Citizens rally
Just days after their defeat on Ghurkas, the Government will be facing a call on Monday by a coalition of faith leaders, NGOs, MPs and trade unions for 450,000 long-term irregular migrants to be made UK citizens.
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Slumdog and prayers for poverty
A Christian charity has used the Oscar success of Indian movie Slumdog Millionaire to remind believers to think of what living in poverty really means as part of Global Poverty Prayer Week. Read More ...
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