London: Peacemakers to be honoured at Pax Christi annual gathering

Rev Nagase

Every two years Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, honours the work of unsung and unknown peacemakers as a way of acknowledging the essential daily work of peacemaking. The first awards were given in 2001 and since then thirty-one women and men have been recognised in this way

The awards will be presented by Greet Vanaerschot, General Secretary of Pax Christi International, who is coming from from Brussels.

The 2017 award is a peace medal created by the artist Natasha Ratcliffe with the title P(lease) E(ngage) A(ll) C(ommunities on) E(arth).

The ceremony takes place with the Annual Gathering of Pax Christi on 3 June at Marie Fidelis School, Phoenix Road, London.

The 2017 Awards go to Nan Saeki and Rev Gyoro Nagase, London

Nan Saeki

Nationally Nan has been Chair of National Justice & Peace Commission and for many years a member, and Treasurer of Pax Christi's Executive Committee, perhaps her first love. Nan understands the importance of local groups, and of the friendships and networks these can form across communities. A founder member of York Ecumenical Justice and Peace group and an active participant, she has a special gift of welcoming new people. She is involved with various York organisations including City of Sanctuary, and Friends of St Bede's Pastoral Centre.

Nan was a prison visitor for six years, and she represents NJPN on the CSAN Criminal Justice Forum. Nan was a member of the chaplaincy team and a governor at All Saints School. She supports the Fairer World shop in York, maintaining a regular stall in her parish. Nan is an active member of Middlesbrough J&P Commission, at onetime as Chair, and currently as Treasurer.

Rev Gyoro Nagase, London

Rev Nagase has lived in Battersea Park, London since 1984 where he is responsible for the care and upkeep of the London Peace Pagoda.

Rev Nagase is a monk of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order founded in 1917 by the Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii. Faced with the devastation of WW2, in 1947 Fujii Guruji determined to build Peace Pagodas in Japan and across the world to inspire peace and provide a focus for all to unite in working for reconciliation and harmony.

Rev Nagase first came to England in 1978 to help with the construction of the Milton Keynes Peace Pagoda.

As part of its 1984 Year of Peace, the GLC`s last legislative act was to approve the London Peace Pagoda. Rev Nagase worked on the construction along with other Nipponzan Myohoji monks and nuns; the pagoda was completed in 1985 and presented to the people of London.

Rev Nagase has become part of local, national and global peace-making networks. He is a regular participant in the Westminster Interfaith Peace Walks, the Pax Christi Ash Wednesday Witness for Peace at the Ministry of Defence and Franz Jagerstatter Memorial Service on Nagasaki Day, London Catholic Worker Peace Actions, & Hiroshima Day Commemorations in Tavistock Sq; the Japanese Against Nuclear weekly Friday demonstrations outside the Japanese Embassy and TEPCO in solidarity with the people of Fukushima.

To book tickets see: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pax-christi-annual-gathering-2017-tickets-33112080123