Florence: Pax Christi International Conference second full day

Fr Joe Ryan and colleagues with Pax Christi icon

We began our day with a Spirituality input lead by the Asian/Pacific delegates. We praised the Lord in Tagalog, the Philippino language, and individual prayers of intercession.

Session four focussed on disarmament and integral human evaluation. The Speakers were: Jonathan Frierchs, PCI UN Representative, Geneva; Dr Richard Bosch, Pax Christi, Stuttgart; Sr Filo Hirota, Justice and Peace, Japan's Bishops Conference; Fr Claude Mostowik, Pax Christi Australia; and Marie Dennis, CIN Director, Catholic Initiative Senior'

The gift of Shalom, or a state of wellbeing, where human beings, at peace with one another and with nature, can rise to full potential, is spoiled by the dominance of destructive weaponry, including nuclear arms. This negates the call at the heart of the Gospel ' to have life to the full'.

Jonathan highlighted the fact of 2,719 billion dollars spent of weapons of mass destruction. He also reminded us that we are made in God's image and likeness. Yet, as a humanity are capable of atrocities like Hiroshima and Nagasaki and all in between. He reminded us of Martens Clause and the Law of Armed Conflict of 1907. There are limits within warfare, most of which have been overlooked and ignored.

Richard asked us to imagine the mind-set which allows so much money to be spent on arms!! We are at a loss for an answer.... the world hurts.... we are in fear and fear paralyses.... Fear is a poor Advisor... it can be socially contagious.

In the afternoon the Pax Christi International Assembly took place. At this AGM there were the various reports since the last Assembly; Financial reports and agreements on concerns because of financial constraints. Election of New Officers has been delayed for one month to allow further discussions.

In the evening we went to visit the 'Casa per la Pace', the Pax Christ Italy, centre. It is a magnificent building , and extensive Villa, left to Pax Christi by an Italian family. We were shown round and then treated to banquet marking the 80th Anniversary of the founding of Pax Christi.

Awards were presented to the representatives of various regions and also to those who had long served in the work of Pax Christi over the years. There were congratulations and thank you's all round to show the appreciation of work and dedication to peace shown by so many.

What a wonderful evening to celebrate the 80th Anniversary!