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 MICHIGAN HOLDS 19TH ANNUAL STATE RETREAT: (by Carol Jachim) “As Pax Christi people we stand for peace and nonviolence. Simplistically, against war and weapons. Yet, there are different levels of violence besides use and manufacture of guns and other weapons to denounce, that perhaps one hasn’t thought about. Pollution is one form of violence and the damage it does to our earth’s waters – lakes, oceans, streams, rivers, etc., besides the water used for drinking, bathing and recreation. The 19th Annual PC-Michigan Retreat focused on refreshing oneself … and that we did with the presence of wonderful people who truly care about each other, about promoting peace and nonviolence, and demonstrating a commitment to nonviolent ways in our lives.”… Read more at http://paxchristimi.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/19th-annual-pax-christi-michigan-retreat-october-18-20-2013/
PAX CHRISTI MASSACHUSETTS WRITES CARDINAL ABOUT MILITARY ARCHDIOCESE COLLECTION: “We, as members of Pax Christi MA, are writing to you today because of the distress we feel after hearing of the ‘Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services’ scheduled this coming weekend, prior to Veterans Day. Our understanding is that the Boston Archdiocese will not participate in this initial collection, and for that we are grateful. We hope that it indicates a desire to reflect on the implications of such an endeavor. However, the greater issue beyond this particular collection concerns what appears to be the militarization of the Catholic Christian conscience through the oxymoronic conflation of Christian and nationalistic values. Beginning with the poster intended to promote the collection, of young men in battle dress gathered in front of the Eucharistic table presided over by a military chaplain, we are led to believe that there is no inherent contradiction between the celebration of the Eucharist and what these young people may be called on to do, perhaps only minutes after the completion of the mass. (Note that a helicopter hovers nearby, suggesting urgency).”… For a copy of the entire letter, contact Pat Ferrone at patferrone@rcn.com.
PAX CHRISTI MAINE ASKS POST TO RENOUNCE THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY: (From the Bangor Daily News) “Pax Christi Maine on Sunday passed a resolution urging the group’s national and international organization to call on Pope Francis to renounce the Doctrine of Discovery. Last year, the World Council of Churches endorsed a similar resolution that began with the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. In March, the Onondaga Nation called on the pope to renounce the doctrine. The Doctrine of Discovery was used to justify the subjugation of aboriginal people in the Americas and the dispossession of their lands by European sovereigns all over the world, Marilyn Roper, a member of the Houlton chapter of Pax Christi, said Thursday. Pax Christi Maine ‘renounces the Doctrine of Discovery formulated in the papal bulls of the 15th century which legitimized the subjugation by Christian, European monarchs of indigenous peoples in North American and other parts of the glove, and the usurpation of their lands on the basis of their being non-Christian and ‘barbarous.’”… Read more at http://bangordailynews.com/2013/10/31/religion/pax-christi-maine-asks-pope-francis-to-renounces-doctrine-of-discovery/
PAX CHRISTI PHOENIX (AZ) WITNESSES FOR ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY: (From Margaret McChesney) “Arizonans allowed the State to execute two men in the month of October. On the 9th, Edward Schad was killed for the murder of Lorimar Groves in 1978. Mr. Schad, 71 at the time of his death, was the oldest person on Arizona’s Death Row and its 2nd longest resident, having spent 33 years awaiting death. On October 23rd, Robert Jones was killed for the murder of 6 persons, which occurred during two different robberies in the summer of 1996. Pax Christi-Phoenix members attend the Clemency Hearing for each person scheduled for execution. A vigil is held on the eve of each execution where prayers are offered for the victims and their loved ones, the person accused of the crime and their family/friends, and for all participants in the execution process (attorneys, judges, juries, clemency boards, wardens, guards, clinicians). On the day and time of execution, members witness for abolition of the death penalty at the entrance to the prison. Those members, and other people from the community, who cannot make it to Florence, pause to offer their prayers in unity with all concerned on the morning of the execution. In December, PC-Phoenix will partner with the Franciscan Renewal Center in showing the film ‘Unlikely Friends: Total Strangers, Brutal Crimes’ – which documents victims of brutal crimes who, through forgiveness, unexpectedly become friends with their perpetrators (see: http://www.chancefilmsinc.com/our-films/unlikely-friends). PC-Phoenix meets monthly at the Franciscan Renewal Center.” For more information, please contact Margaret McChesney, marventura1@aol.com.
GROUND THE DRONES DEFENDANTS FOUND NOT GUILTY! (from Waging Nonviolence) “A crowd of over 50 people in New York’s DeWitt Town Court broke out into cheers at 10 p.m. yesterday when Judge Robert Jokl issued a not guilty verdict for five members of the Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars. The five pro se defendants — including Ellen Grady, Bill Streit (PCUSA member), Carmen Trotta, Fr. Bill Pickard (PCUSA member) and Linda Latendre — were on trial for disorderly conduct, stemming from a symbolic blockade of the National Guard 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Airfield in Syracuse, N.Y., earlier this year. The defendants’ action took place on February 13, 2013 — Ash Wednesday — when together they stood in the driveway to the air base holding signs that described drone activities and the murdering of children around the globe. During the action, Latendre read a statement that said, ‘We come to Hancock Airfield this Ash Wednesday to repent for the actions of our government and to ask God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of the people we daily terrorize with these drones.’” Read more at http://wagingnonviolence.org/2013/10/ground-drones-members-found-guilty/
Upcoming or Ongoing Events:
Nov. 17 – United Prayers for World Peace, with Pax Christi Memphis, 4-6pm, Memphis, TN. Contact Janice Vanderahaar at gvanderh@earthlink.net for more info.
Nov. 17 – Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore’s Peacemaker of the Year Mass and Award Dinner, honoring Michael Walli with former PCUSA Executive Director Dave Robinson as keynote speaker. For more information: http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013-poy-flyer.pdf
Nov. 23 – A Faithful Budget: Creating a Federal Budget that puts “the least of these” first, 1:30 pm at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, 60301. Co-sponsored by Pax Christi Illinois. For more information, contact Nancy Oetter at 630-904-3859 or nloetter@comcast.net.
Quicklinks:
Tiffin Area Pax Christi (OH) sponsored a talk by PCUSA Teacher of Peace Kathy Kelly … Pax Christi Southeastern South Dakota held a “Take Back the Site” vigil following the death of Minnesota Viking’s star Adrian Peterson’s son in October … Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Tom Cordaro writes on “The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor” … Pax Christi Caspar (WY) hosts a monthly film series, “Matters in Question” … Read Pax Christi Pacific NW member Fr. Bill Bichsel SJ’s article on his trip to Jeju Island … Pax Christi Santa Fe member Bud Ryan had a comment published on the NY Times website this past summer … Pax Christi International’s November 2013 newsletter is online … See more local and regional updates in the Summer 2013 edition of The Peace Current …
- Send your news items, announcements, photos and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to jzokovitch@paxchristiusa.org.