Witnesses for Peace at NJPN conference

Patricia and Michael Pulham

Patricia and Michael Pulham gave the following ‘witness’ presentation at the annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network last weekend. The couple are currently on the national executive committee of Christian CND and involved in UN lobbying on nuclear disarmament.

Michael:

Justice and Peace issues had always been important to us, but one particular event made us realise we were striving against Powers with more strength than we imagined. Do you remember how it all began?

Patricia:

Yes. For a long time we had felt very uneasy about the way Remembrance Sunday was commemorated. It seemed to have become a celebration of militarism. I had started going to ‘Chester Women for Peace’ meetings where I mentioned this. I was given the remit to plan something that would show a different aspect.

Michael and I worked together. We thought a silent all-night vigil to commemorate all the victims of war by the Cathedral War Memorial would be non-threatening and dignified, so we told the authorities. The dean supported us and the Mayor was tolerant.

At first we heard nothing from the police. Then they phoned to forbid the vigil (even on private ground) and threatened us with arrest if we went ahead. The local press got hold of the story, then the national papers. Suddenly, the ban was lifted, though the vigil was followed by an uncomfortable interview in the police station! We were puzzled and began to realise just how important an issue “Peace” was and how anyone who stood on an anti-war footing was seen as unpatriotic and a threat to society.

Then one day I received a letter calling for women to go and surround the air base at Greenham Common. It was shortly before the US Cruise Missiles arrived there. I had a sudden conviction that I was being called to take part – to take the witness to its conclusion, whatever that entailed. But how? I turned to Michael. We had seven children – how could I go?

Michael:

I knew something extraordinary had happened, so I told Patricia not only could she go but that she should go and I would look after the family. We both felt strengthened by that decision.

Patricia:

So then followed five years of vigiling, protests often involving civil disobedience (mostly focussed on the Capenhurst Uranium enrichment plant which serviced the nuclear power and the nuclear weapons industries. All the time you watched and prayed and cared for the family – but it did give you opportunities for action too, though as the bread-winner you were limited in how involved you could be.

Michael:

Yes. My careers work meant I was often up against the Armed Forces recruitment drive in schools and, in our area, the nuclear industry too. So I made sure the students also received the kind of information that would balance the propaganda, I also received news from apprentices about their exposure to radiation.

You, Patricia, found the prison system itself created great injustice, particularly with people who were already marginalised - travellers, foreign nationals and even people with a learning disability. You once shared a cell with a woman from Ghana who was 8 months pregnant and a devout Catholic, but had been forced to become a “drugs mule”. Remi was dreadfully distressed. She knew she could not name the baby without her husband’s approval and it would quickly be taken from her. I got permission to visit as soon as the baby was born and photographed him. I contacted our bishop who was able to persuade the prison authorities to allow Remi a telephone call to Africa.

Patricia:

Prison changes you. The experience of absolute powerlessness cuts you off from all except those who have shared it. I wish prison chaplains could understand that the umpteenth sermon on the Prodigal Son is not terribly helpful to women (and maybe men too) who are racked with guilt at being separated from their children. Just sometimes, it would be good for them to hear how beautiful and wonderful they are – because God only creates works of perfection.

Michael:

There are obvious Powers in our society: Militarism, the Police, the Justice System, the Financial World; which have influence far beyond that of the individuals who make them up. Even sometimes the Church! We remember a Chaplain to the Newman Society who refused the Sign of Peace to Patricia during Mass and turned his back on her. Can you imagine how hurt she was when even her Church seemed to reject her?

We were fortunate to find solace in a newly formed organisation called “Dominican Peace Action” which consisted of Priests, Sisters and lay people whose main function was to support people who, acting from religious conviction, had come up against the Law. This was a comfort, as it seemed that some parts of the established Church did understand after all. Dominican Peace Action no longer exists in this form – what a pity!