Pax Christi AGM: Religion as source of conflict, resource for peace

The role of religion as a sources of conflict and resource for peace is the theme that guest speaker, Canon David Porter will address at the Pax Christi Annual Meeting in London on Saturday, 28 May.

David Porter is currently Director for Reconciliation Ministry at Coventry Cathedral. He has thirty years' experience in community relations and peace-building in regional, national and international faith-based organisations. In 1987 he co-founded the Evangelical Contribution to Northern Ireland which gave voice to Evangelical Protestant involvement in the peace process.

Pax Christi will also recognise the work of grass-roots peacemakers, giving the Pax Christi Peace Award to Audrey and Frank Campbell from Southampton and Dave Webb from Leeds. The award, given every two years, is to recognise the often hidden work of peacemakers.

Audrey and Frank have devoted much of their life to the work for peace and justice. They have had a long term commitment to the reduction in the nuclear arsenal and have campaigned against the renewal of Trident. They have been involved in Diocesan Justice and Peace Day events for many years, bringing to that network their concern of the iniquities of the arms trade. They have supported peace vigils at AWE Aldermaston and the annual Pax Christi Ash Wednesday witness in London.

In 2009 they were part of the ecumenical fact finding group to Israel and Palestine and have shared their experiences with a number of local groups. Frank and Audrey are active on a local level in support of causes such as asylum and homelessness. They have visited Latin America for first-hand experience of oppression there. They have established a link with San Antonio de Padua in Rio Dulce in support of children there.

Dave Webb has been a member of CND Headingley and the Leeds City Council's Peace Links Group and the Menwith Hill Forum. He has been involved in organising the annual Olaf Palme Memorial Leeds Peace Lecture. Dave has also been acting chair of the national CND. He has appeared as an expert witness for peace campaigners active in protests at Menwith Hill and has been a speaker for the peace movement against missile defence in a European Parliament discussion.

In 2005 he was the co-founder of the Praxis Centre for the study of information and technology for peace, conflict resolution and human rights. He is involved in encouraging people to take part in activities such as walks around the Early Warning Station at Fylingdales and the Menwith Hill base. Dave encourages the young to stand up for nonviolence providing them with a personal example with his own decades long commitment. Dave is Professor of Engineering Modelling at Leeds Met University.

The meeting takes place in Holy Apostles Parish Hall, Cumberland Street, Pimlico, London, from 10.30am (for 10.50am) to 4pm. Bishop Malcolm McMahon, National President, will celebrate Mass at 3.15 pm.

All are welcome to attend. For more information call: 0208 203 4884 or visit: www.paxchristi.org.uk