Pax Christi England and Wales AGM 2022 - Chair's Report

Rev Mary Gregory Canon for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral with Pax Christi National President Archbishop Malcolm McMahon and Chair, Ann Farr

Ann Farr gave the following report at the start of Pax Christi England and Wales AGM on Saturday. Living in a time of war in Europe, and seeing the devastating consequences of the arms trade, militarism, nationalism and occupation, is a stark reminder of why Pax Christi came into being and why our work continues to be so vital. In 1945, French teacher, Marthe Dortel-Claudot, was convinced that it was vital to pray for her country's enemies and with the support of Bishop Pierre-Marie Théas started a movement working for peace and reconciliation. It was a very unpopular thing to do. It needed conviction, courage and perseverance, backed by prayer; qualities that we see in so many of the peacemakers we promote and in those we work alongside now. Being part of a this global movement of Pax Christi International gives us insights into the problems facing those in areas of conflict and enables us to support each other internationally - something we need more than ever as we witness the on-going conflicts around the world.

The Russia - Ukraine War took many by surprise and has been a profound shock to all of us in Europe. To those of us who have lived with, 'Never Again', after the last war in Europe it feels almost impossible. We look back and see that the decisions made after WW1 resulted in festering resentment and the social conditions that led to WW2. All major conflicts seem to leave that festering undercurrent that at some point erupts because the pain and injustice is often unspoken and there is rarely a peace and reconciliation process that produces the justice that is sought.

Trying to be peacemakers in times of war has been, and continues to be, challenging. What to say. What to do. How to denounce increasing militarism when a country and its people are being attacked relentlessly and illegally;
- when misinformed soldiers are being sent to fight;
- when the relentless media coverage of the war is polarised into black and white, good and bad;
- when Conscientious Objectors are being forced to fight or are criminalised.
- when a whole country is demonised but we know that thousands of them are protesting nonviolently, in whatever way they can, - - - and being met with violence and detention;
- when innocent civilians are being killed, injured, displaced and forced to flee for their safety …. What do we say. What do we do. We are ALL struggling with these questions.

During the Russia Ukraine war we have been in touch with peacemakers in both countries, listening to and sharing their stories, offering our solidarity and sharing in times of prayer with them. There can be a sense of hopelessness when we have no control and don't know what to do. But we know we are called, by the gospel, to be peacemakers, to listen, to seek justice for others and to be the voices of those who are denied a voice. Accompaniment is an important form of peacemaking; being alongside others, hearing them and offering what we can, when we can. In sharing resources, prayers, articles and statements we hope all of us in Pax Christi can reflect on events in prayer and in the light of the Gospel.

The war came on top of the other global and national upheavals, the pandemic, climate change, the desperate plight of thousands of refugees, and the countless numbers of people being pushed further and further to the margins. We have tried to ensure that the links are made between all these issues. An immoral amount of money is being spent on weapons that kill and maim people, destroy their homes and means of making a living, denies them health care, education, shelter and water and prevents spending on alternative energy sources and caring for our environment. Countless thousands of innocent people are fleeing their homes, seeking refuge and sanctuary because of the violence and hatred caused by wars, fuelled by the arms trade.

Pope Francis said recently: "What great poverty is produced by the senselessness of war! Wherever we look, we can see how violence strikes those who are defenceless and vulnerable."

Because we want to change this, to see an end to the arms trade, an end to nuclear weapons and to see a world where all people can live in peace and be treated with justice, Pax Christi continues the work of challenging the injustices and working for peace.

Despite the challenges of our precarious financial situation we have tried to ensure that the Pax Christi community continued to put peace into action.

Our drastically reduced income meant that we were unable to appoint a new Director, or a new Communications Officer, when Rachel left. In the last year the Executive has concentrated on a process of discernment about these appointments and we reached the stage where we could advertise for someone to take us into the future. We were pleased to receive a number of applications for the post of CEO and the interviewing process went very well, but sadly we were unable to make an appointment. The Executive has decided to advertise again in September and we ask for your prayers for that process.

I want to thank Bishop Malcolm, our National President; Fausta and Aisling, the staff team, Valerie our editor, our volunteers and the executive who have all worked tirelessly to ensure that the peacemaking work of Pax Christi has continued under these unusual and demanding circumstances. In particular, I want to thank Joan who was elected as Vice-Chair last year and has undertaken lots of work and gained new skills as she manages the website for us. I am very grateful for all the support she has given me. In November we said thank you and farewell to Rachel and we wish her well as she undertakes her new work in education.

Thanks also go to those who are standing down from the Executive, Margaret Pitt who took on the work of Treasurer and was excellent in that role; Henrietta Cullinan has very ably represented us at national and international meetings on Nuclear Weapons, Ann Kelly who was co-opted last year and has expertly led the Working Group for the new appointment, and Paul McGowan, who was co-opted immediately after serving his two terms of office and has provided expertise on divestment strategies relating to Local Authority Pension Funds and given us a steady stream of reflections on the Gospel and the Psalms that are an important element of our website. Thank you all very much, we have appreciated all you have done and look forward to future contributions from you.

I have been delighted and encouraged by my encounters with members, online and in person. Sometimes people say, I can't do much now or I can't get to the protests but then go on to say how they share resources and prayer cards with their community, parish or school, put up posters, write poetry, have done some amazingly creative fundraising and encouraged prayers for our work.

Everything that each member does makes a difference and spreads peace wherever we are. Thank you to all of you. You have been encouraging, supportive and very generous in so many ways. Please continue to spread the word by encouraging others to join us and so increase our membership and the work for peace.

In the Liturgy this afternoon we will remember those Pax Christi Members and Friends who have died during the year. All of them contributed so much both in the wider peace community and very much to peacemaking on their doorsteps. Here, I want to mention Stewart Helmsley, a former Chair, who led us with integrity, enthusiasm and great humour. Meetings with him were always a joy. You may remember meeting him at Ash Wednesday events dressed in sackcloth and ashes and holding a banner beautifully created by his wife Anne. Obituaries can be found on the Pax Christi website.

Today, of course we miss Bruce Kent, always with us at an AGM. He has been a constant presence for all of us for so many years. Courageously outspoken, deeply concerned about the injustices suffered by others and working tirelessly on so many issues including for an end to nuclear weapons and militarism to achieve peace. His visits to schools, conferences, demonstrations, embassies and all manner of events, his letter writing and persistent campaigning, has made such a deep impression on so many of us, and he continued to do this right up to the end. He has made a difference that is impossible to measure. We miss his presence, his questioning interest, his knowledge of history, his wealth of experience and of course his humour that never failed to lighten a gathering.

Our love, condolences and assurance of our prayers go to Valerie and to all his family and friends.