Pax Christi celebrates Pacem in Terris 40 years on

To mark the 40th anniversary of Pope John XIII's encyclical Pacem in Terris, Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace will hold a day conference entitled Pacem in Terris - Unfinished Business for the Church Today, in London this Saturday. 140 participants from around the country will attend the day. The purpose of the conference is to review the impact that Pacem in Terris had on the world in 1963 and to explore directions for the Church's peace witness in the future. Three speakers will address the conference. They are: Roger Ruston, Christendom Research Fellow, Centre for Law and Religion, University of Cardiff; Tina Beattie, theologian, writer and lecturer at Roehampton Institute , University of Surrey; and Ian Linden, writer on globalisation issues and former Director of the Catholic Institute for International Relations. Participants will also have an opportunity to attend practical workshops on the following themes: Obstacles to a Peace Church, The Abolition of War: utopia or practical politics, Shelling Out: the human and economic costs of militarism, Refugees Today and Tomorrow and Blessed are the Peacemakers. Pax Christi is delighted to welcome Mr Kishore Jayabalan from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in Rome as a guest at the Conference. Mr Jayabalan has responsibility for disarmament affairs at the Council. The conference is taking place at the Maria Assumpta Centre, 23 Kensington Square, London W8. From 10.30 am. For more information contact: Pat Gaffney 0208 203 4884