Tag Archives: Syria

SYRIA: Pax Christi International calls for the release of kidnapped bishops

Posted on April 28, 2013 | 1 Comment

pcilogonew

Pax Christi International calls for the immediate liberation of Yohanna Ibrahim, the Syriac Orthodox archbishop of Aleppo, and Paul Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox archbishop of Aleppo in Syria.

The two archbishops reportedly were kidnapped, and a deacon driving them – Fatha’ Allah Kabboud – was killed, while they were undertaking a joint humanitarian mission near the Turkish border north of Aleppo on 22 April 2013. There is no new development in the abduction of the two Metropolitan Bishops.

The Syrian government and the opposition forces have accused one another of these crimes, but no group has claimed responsibility. These kidnappings are a further sign of the tragic situation that is enveloping the Syrian nation, where violence and weapons continue to sow death and suffering.

Pax Christi International deeply regrets what happened and condemns all similar acts targeting civilians, regardless of their origin.

The International Catholic peace movement keeps calling the international community to engage fully in diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to respond to and end the horrific violence in Syria. A political solution to the crisis must be found as soon as possible.

Pax Christi International expresses its solidarity with the Syriac and the Greek Orthodox churches and invites its Member Organisations and people of good will to offer prayers for the missing archbishops and for a just peace in the region.

 

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Posted in Middle East, Pax Christi International, Syria

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PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL: Our campaign is ending but our solidarity with Syria will not cease

Posted on April 3, 2013 | 1 Comment

josehenriquezby José Henríquez
Secretary General, Pax Christi International

Easter is the central event in the Christian tradition; it is a time to celebrate the victory of life over death. For Christian communities, the certainty of that victory opens an endless source of hope, and it becomes a permanent motivation for those committed as peacemakers.

pcilogonewAt the end of both the Lenten season and our fasting campaign in solidarity with the people of Syria, we remain extremely concerned as violence in our sister nation keeps taking numerous human lives because there is no clear path in sight to solve the conflict. As the campaign progressed throughout the Lenten season, we read the news about the increasing number of refugees – over one million people; about the bombing of neighborhoods, universities and places of worship; and even about opposition to dialogue as a conflict-transforming mechanism.

We close our campaign but our solidarity with Syria will not cease. We will keep calling for uncompromising respect for the life of every person, and we will keep condemning every violation of human rights. At the same time, we will be especially attentive to the signs of life coming from Syrians themselves: The nonviolent expressions asking for peace have not all been silenced, and grassroots solidarity is still very alive to address basic human needs of the civilian population – we have heard of cars distributing bread around neighborhoods to avoid the formation of lines which could become military targets. The Syrian people want a just peace, and our voice and our commitment will echo that desire. Peace is still possible…

To read the entire letter, click here.

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Posted in Middle East, Pax Christi International, Syria

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ON THE LINE: March edition features climate change rally report, immigration reform support, calendar items and more!

Posted on March 13, 2013 | Comments Off

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

Each month, “On The Line” features news items and announcements from around the nation featuring Pax Christi members, local groups, regions and partners. These are gleaned from articles in local newspapers, websites, magazines, and elsewhere.

FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S FATHER PASSES AWAY: Pax Christi USA learned that the father of Dave Robinson, former Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, passed away last week. Jean Stokan, former PCUSA staff member, wrote: “Dave had come back home after being with his father for a week in New Jersey, when he got the word from his sister, who was with him at the time of his death… It all happened so fast. I think it was only two weeks ago that they got a diagnosis of cancer.” Sr. Patricia Chappell, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, asked that we “keep Dave and his family in our prayers and may the soul of his father rest in peace.” Messages of sympathy can be sent to: David Robinson & Family, 10175 Dietzel Road, Union City, PA 16438.

Pax Christi Michigan State Coordinator embraces PCUSA Executive Director Sr. Patty Chappell, SNDdeN, at the Michigan regional dialogue in February. (Photo courtesy of PC-Michigan).

PC-Michigan Coordinator embraces PCUSA Executive Director Sr. Patty Chappell, SNDdeN, at the MI regional dialogue in February. (Photo courtesy of PC-Michigan).

VANDERHAAR SYMPOSIUM HAPPENS THIS WEEK IN MEMPHIS: The Vanderhaar Symposium was founded in memory of Dr. Gerard A. Vanderhaar, a professor of religion and peace studies at Christian Brothers University and a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace. Vanderhaar spent his lifetime promoting peace through active nonviolence, writing six books, as well as speaking the message worldwide. The symposium seeks to continue Vanderhaar’s legacy by bringing a noted scholar or peace activist to Memphis each year to address social and moral issues related to peace and justice and/or Catholic social teaching. This year’s symposium features several young dynamic speakers on the theme, “Communities Engaged in Resolving Urban Social Conflict.” The symposium will take place on Thursday, March 14. For more information: http://www.gvanderhaar.org/

Pax Christi Metro-DC-Baltimore members vigil outside the White House in support of Article 9. (Photo by Ted Majdosz)

Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore members vigil outside the White House in support of Article 9. (Photo by Ted Majdosz)

PC ILLINOIS MEMBERS MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN FOSTER ON IMMIGRATION REFORM: (From PC-Illinois member Tom Cordaro) “On February 20th members of Pax Christi Illinois organized a religious leaders delegation to urge Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The delegation included minsters and representatives from the Jewish, Muslim, Christian (Catholic and Protestant) and Unitarian faith communities in the 11th Congressional District. The group urged Congressman Foster to embrace key principles that should be included in any immigration reform legislation; family unification, a pathway to citizenship, worker protections and an immediate moratorium on all deportations. The group was well received and will continue to work with local immigrant communities to advocate and organize in support for these principles.”

A Pax Christi Illinois organized delegation to visit Congressman Bill Foster (front row, 3rd from the left) to urge support for comprehensive immigration reform. Pax Christi members include Tom Garlitz (front row, 2nd from the left), Steve Jackson (front row, third from the right), Eleanor Wegman (front row, far right) and Tom Cordaro (second row, 3rd from the right).

A PC Illinois-organized delegation visited Congressman Bill Foster (front row, 3rd from the left) to urge support for comprehensive immigration reform. PC-IL members include Tom Garlitz (front row, 2nd from the left), Steve Jackson (front row, third from the right), Eleanor Wegman (front row, far right) and Tom Cordaro (second row, 3rd from the right). (Photo courtesy of Tom Cordaro)

PC MADISON (WI) MEMBER REPORTS BACK FROM CLIMATE CHANGE RALLY: (Trudi Jenny of PC Madison attended the Feb. 17th climate change rally in Washington, D.C. This is her report.) “It was a long bus ride and a long rally in frigid wind chills, but the short of it is—the climate action grassroots movement is alive and very well! Three busloads (150 people) from Wisconsin arrived in D.C. around 11:00 am on February 17th, just in time to join everyone gathering near the Washington Monument. Between 35,000 and 50,000 souls from across the country braved the cold to express the urgent need to lower our carbon emissions if we are to save God’s gift of Earth. Young and old carried signs, chanted and sang, and shared their own stories, inspired by the words of rally speakers including Bill McKibben (350.org), Michael Brune (Sierra Club), two leaders of First Nation tribes in Canada, and Tom Steyer, a California investment fund manager and major Obama fundraiser.The event brought back memories of being in D.C. to participate in civil rights marches and protests against the Vietnam War. While those events were much larger, it was inspiring and energizing to be among so many of my fellow citizens who are working on the front lines of what I consider to be the most important issue of our time. If we don’t save the Earth, all our peace-building efforts will be thwarted.” Read the entire article here: http://paxchristiusa.org/2013/02/26/care-for-creation-report-back-from-february-17th-climate-rally-in-dc/

Upcoming or Ongoing Events:

Mar. 23 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Metro New York and Long Island: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Mar. 23 – Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore’s annual Spring Assembly, “Drone Killings—Not in Our Name!” with Medea Benjamin, Ray McGovern and Phyllis Bennis: http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/

April 5-7 – PCUSA Ambassador of Peace Fr. John Dear, S.J. hosts a retreat on “Jesus the Peacemaker” at Kirkridge Retreat Center in PA: http://paxchristiusa.org/2013/03/11/regional-event-retreat-with-fr-john-dear-s-j-on-jesus-the-peacemaker/

April 6 – “Jesus, Model for Our Nonviolence,” Pax Christi Massachusetts’ retreat with Fr. Simon Harak, S.J.: http://paxchristima.org/

April 6-7 – Pax Christi Florida Spring Retreat, “The Spirituality of Intentional Communities: An Evolving Vision”, with Christine Vladimiroff, osb: http://paxchristiflorida.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/2013-pcf-retreat-brochure.pdf

April 7 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Texas: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

April 15 – Global Day of Action Against Military Spending: http://www.paxchristi.net/international/eng/news.php?id=2233&wat=show

April 20 – Pax Christi Michigan State Conference, “Prophetic Leadership of Women: Justice from the Margins,” with Elizabeth Walters, IHM, and Barbara Reid, OP: http://www.paxchristimi.org/2013_state_conference.htm

April 26-29 – Midwest Catholic Worker Faith and Resistance Retreat in Winona, MN: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!searchin/national-cw-e-mail-list/april$2026%7Csort:date/national-cw-e-mail-list/JlxevjlWaoc/6x9YFwqa0J0J

Quicklinks:

Pax Christi Metro D.C.-Baltimore members protested outside the White House during the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan last month … Pax Christi Long Island member Bob Keeler spoke on the American War Economy in February … Pax Christi at Corpus Christi University Parish in Toledo offered workshops on nonviolence education at their parish in February … As part of Pax Christi Memphis’s “Conversation About Predator Drones,” the group presented The Predator, a two act play by PCUSA member Jack Gilroy that highlights America’s fascination with drones … Pax Christi Haiti Program Director Daniel Tillias was featured in a video for his work in Cite Soleil … Pax Christi International has launched the Bread is Life campaign, a fast for a just peace in Syria … Pax Christi Western New York regional coordinator William Privett is stepping down from the position this Spring. Thanks for your years of service Bill! … Pax Christi International’s March 2013 newsletter is online … See more local and regional updates in the Spring 2013 edition of The Peace Current …

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Posted in Calendar, Local Group News, News, On The Line, Regional Dialogues, Regional Events, Regional News

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ON THE LINE: February edition features anti-drone activism, anti-torture op-ed, calendar items and more!

Posted on February 14, 2013 | Comments Off

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

Each month, “On The Line” features news items and announcements from around the nation featuring Pax Christi members, local groups, regions and partners. These are gleaned from articles in local newspapers, websites, magazines, and elsewhere.

PAX CHRISTI MEMPHIS HOSTS TALK ON DRONES: From the University of Memphis’ school newspaper, The Daily Helmsman – “The University of Memphis Catholic Center will play host to a discussion on the controversial use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S. military on Tuesday. Pax Christi Memphis, the local branch of Pax Christi International, a non-profit Catholic peace movement that advocates against violence and war, is hosting the discussion. Judy Bettice, coordinator for Pax Christi Memphis, hopes this discussion will open people’s eyes to the moral implications of targeted killing and surveillance. “I hope that people will be more engaged in examining the moral implications of targeted surveillance of civilians and the killing of ‘bad guys,’” said Bettice. “I think the discussion has only been in politics and not in morality.” Read the whole article here: http://www.dailyhelmsman.com/pax-christi-to-speak-about-drone-warfare-1.2984920#.UR0Dh6XCaSo

PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL CO-PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT CODEPINK PRESS CONFERENCE: In a February 4th press conference hosted by CodePink, Marie Denis, President of Pax Christi International and Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace spoke out against CIA Director nominee John Brennan and the use of drone warfare. She represented over one hundred faith-based leaders that called for a rejection of Brennan’s nomination as Director of the CIA. See the YouTube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJCaFXb6QPc

Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Rev. Joe Nangle, ofm, leads an Ash Wednesday witness outside the White House with other Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore members, member of the PCUSA National Staff, and others.

Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Rev. Joe Nangle, ofm, leads an Ash Wednesday witness outside the White House with other Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore members, member of the PCUSA National Staff, and others.

PAX CHRISTI USA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INTERVIEWED IN WISDOM VOICES: From Wisdom Voices blog – “Blessed are the peacemakers.”  We all know that phrase from the Bible, the Beatitudes.  But how many of us center our personal, much less our professional lives on working to create a world in which peace is the dominant factor. It’s not hard to argue that the word “peace” has somewhat disappeared from the national conversation. Drones, guns, war, military intervention, political polarization, bullying, hate talk. But for Sister Patricia Chappell SNDdeN , Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, peace and what it means in the 21st century is the cornerstone of her daily personal and professional life. “We may not be using the actual word ‘peace’ in today’s social justice and peace movement, but all of our efforts are centered around trying to provide peace and to bring peace in a non-violent way,” Chappell said in a recent interview with Wisdom Voices. Click on this link to read the full interview: http://paxchristiusa.org/2013/02/04/interview-wisdom-voices-interviews-sr-patty-chappell-on-pax-christi-usa-peace/

PAX CHRISTI ANTI-TORTURE ACTIVIST PUBLISHES OP-ED IN THE HILL: Susan Kerin of Pax Christi at St. Francis Parish (MD), had the following op-ed posted in the Congressional newspaper The Hill: “This month marks the 11th anniversary of the arrival of the first prisoners at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Coupled with the theatrical opening of the torture-justifying film, ‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ the debate on torture has risen to the forefront, and this week, I join the National Religious Campaign Against Torture in its efforts to tell the truth about torture in opposition to the new film and to ensure that the public realizes that President Obama vowed to close the Guantanamo prison, but has reneged on his promise – leaving the United States in a moral lurch. Like most people, much of my opinion on the matter is shaped by my personal experiences and values. Torture is a moral issue. As a person of faith, I was taught that all humans are created in His image. As a Christian, I know that Jesus was a victim himself of torture and informed his followers that ‘what you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.’ Read the entire op-ed here: http://paxchristiusa.org/2013/01/25/torture-the-problem-with-torture/

PCUSA DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS PUBLISHES PIECE ON GUN VIOLENCE: The following article by Pax Christi USA Director of Programs Sr. Anne-Louise Nadeau, SNDdeN, was featured in JustFaith Ministries Voices newsletter  – “Oh, when will they ever learn…” These are the haunting and plaintive lines from a 1955 Pete Seeger song ‘Where have all the Flowers gone?’ that have been a recurring loop since the December 14, 2012 massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. On that day those who experienced and heard of this event concluded that madness had reared its evil and ugly head. In a country that boasts of a foundational principle of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’ there also exists a madness where we choose to sacrifice our children, our sisters, our brothers, our mothers and fathers instead of placing limits on our right to bear arms. When will we awaken from this madness, this sickness that feeds our desire to own any type of weapon—without limit or restraint of any kind—over the safety and well-being of our children and of one another? The topic at hand is not whether the Constitution gives us the right as citizens to bear arms. The issue is whether we as a society value each other enough to place common-sense, reasonable restrictions on that right… Read the entire article here: http://paxchristiusa.org/2013/01/13/reflection-oh-when-will-they-ever-learn/

Upcoming or Ongoing Events:

Feb. 23 – Regional Dialogue in Minnesota: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Mar. 1-3 – Pax Christi Metro New York’s retreat, “Have this mind in you which was in Christ Jesus…Conversion to the active love of Jesus by praying Sacred Scripture,” with Bishop Thomas Gumbleton: http://www.nypaxchristi.org/events.html

Mar. 1-4 – Pacific Life Community Faith and Resistance Retreat: http://pacificlifecommunity.wordpress.com/

Mar. 2 – Pax Christi Twin Cities and Call to Action are hosting their winter gathering with Sr. Simone Campbell: http://www.paxchristimn.org/2013/01/18/winter-gathering-with-sr-simone-campbell/

Mar. 9 – Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore hosts an anti-drone protest at CIA Headquarters: http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/2013/01/stop-cia-killer-drones/

Mar. 10 – Regional Dialogue in Richmond, VA: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Mar. 23 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Metro New York and Long Island: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Mar. 23 – Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore’s annual Spring Assembly, “Drone Killings—Not in Our Name!” with Medea Benjamin, Ray McGovern and Phyllis Bennis: http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/

April 6-7 – Pax Christi Florida Spring Retreat, “The Spirituality of Intentional Communities: An Evolving Vision”, with Christine Vladimiroff, osb: http://paxchristiflorida.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/2013-pcf-retreat-brochure.pdf

April 7 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Texas: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

April 15 – Global Day of Action Against Military Spending: http://www.paxchristi.net/international/eng/news.php?id=2233&wat=show

April 20 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Maine: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

April 20 – Pax Christi Michigan State Conference, “Prophetic Leadership of Women: Justice from the Margins,” with Elizabeth Walters, IHM, and Barbara Reid, OP: http://www.paxchristimi.org/2013_state_conference.htm

Quicklinks:

Pax Christi International has launched the Bread is Life campaign, a fast for a just peace in Syria … Pax Christi Florida member Joseph Mahon publishes a blog, ChristFaithPower, dedicated to promoting issues related to peace and justice based on the witness of Cistercian monk, Thomas Merton … Read the latest news from Pax Christi Tampa Bay (FL) in their newsletter … Pax Christi Burlington (VT) member and PCUSA Ambassador of Peace Beatrice Parwatikar posted this piece on economic justice … Pax Christi Southern California holds a monthly peace and justice Mass every third Sunday … Pax Christi El Paso recently screened the documentary “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” … Pax Christi Virginia recently hosted several talks by Paul K. Chappell, Iraq War veteran and director of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation … Pax Christi Birmingham coordinator and PCUSA Teacher of Peace Shelley Douglass wrote this piece on having a new perspective for the Bread for the Journey blog … Pax Christi UK recently published a statement on drones … See more local and regional updates in the Spring 2013 edition of The Peace Current …

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Posted in Calendar, Local Group News, News, On The Line, Regional Dialogues, Regional Events, Regional News

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SYRIA: Bread is Life – Fast for a just peace in Syria

Posted on February 8, 2013 | Comments Off

pcilogonewfrom Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International is launching a “bread is life” campaign during Lent 2013 to raise awareness about the suffering of civilian communities in Syria and to express solidarity with those who are trying to survive in Syria and as refugees in surrounding countries.

The Bread is Life campaign will take place from 13 February to 31 March 2013, to coincide with the Christian observance of Lent. The acute suffering of civilian communities has been made immeasurably worse by a shortage of bread, Syrian’s staple food, caused in part by the deliberate bombing of bakeries.

We call on all Pax Christi members and friends worldwide to raise awareness about the plight of the Syrian civilian population, who feel abandoned by the rest of the world; to join in a global act of solidarity through prayer and fasting; to send the Syrian people messages of support; and to advocate for effective humanitarian assistance.

We invite all Pax Christi Member Organisations and people of good will to:

1. Leave a message of solidarity for the people of Syria that we will pass to our contacts in Syria and those living abroad. You can forward your message via email, through our Facebook page or via Twitter.

2. Fast for one day or more to show your solidarity with the Syrian people. Please also tell us when you are fasting so we can let our contacts in Syria know (also via email, Facebook or Twitter). This can be done individually or as a group. Prayer services or fasting vigils in parishes and religious communities could be organised as opportunities to learn about the situation in Syria and to write solidarity messages. The power of fasting joins the political with the very personal.



Pax Christi International urges the end of violence and calls to respect the life of all Syrians without any distinction because of race, ethnic origin, creed, gender or others. Pax Christi International calls for a just peace in Syria.

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Posted in Lent 2013, Pax Christi International, Syria, Take Action

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TAKE ACTION: Humanitarian aid for Syria

Posted on January 24, 2013 | 1 Comment

pcilogonewfrom Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International, on 15 January 2013, wrote a letter on Syrian humanitarian aid to act as a call to ensure relief to the Syrian people.

Pax Christi International called upon the UN, the EU, and other intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies to increase and diversify the aid to be given for the refugees and displaced people in and around Syria.

The movement expressed its concern about the winter conditions that are adding to the hardships for more than 600.000 Syrian refugees.

The full call to action is available here 2013-0021-en-me-HR.

Pax Christi USA is encouraging its members and friends of good will to write member of Congress requesting the the United Nations, the European Union and other intergovernmental bodies to provide the necessary and urgent humanitarian aid  to the refugees and displaced people in Syria, as well as neighboring countries particularly in light of the winter conditions.

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PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL: Urgent letter concerning Syria addressed to the UNGA

Posted on September 28, 2012 | Comments Off

from Pax Christi International  

Pax Christi InternationalMarie Dennis and Bishop Kevin Dowling, Co-Presidents, and José Henriquez, Secretary General of Pax Christi International have forwarded an urgent letter addressed to Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations on the occasion of the General Assembly taking place in New York.

Pax Christi International has been following the deteriorating conflict in Syria with great attention and deep concerns given the risk of destabilization in the entire region, thus subsequently the world, and the complete disregard of the civilian population. The Movement has reiterated its rejection of violence, regardless of the source it originates from, and regrets the loss and disruption of so many innocent human lives. Even though it seems hard to find solutions to the various problems that affect the region, we cannot resign ourselves to violence and to the aggravation of tensions. The commitment to dialogue and diplomacy must be a priority for all the parties concerned and must be supported by the international community. That is why international diplomacy needs to be strengthened and the mandate of Lakhdar Brahimi needs to be enforced.

Read a copy of the letter by clicking here.

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