July 2014

Issue 246

CONTENTS

Global International on military spending and disarmament for Pax Christi International: World War I Commemoration Events 2 development 7 Forward Deployed Nuclear Weapons: A European Perspective 8 Africa Update on South Africa's platinum miners’ strike 2 Human Rights Southern African Bishops’ Conference declares Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns against metal mining in Guatemala 8 “Year of the ” in Cape Town 2 Pax Christi member in Mexico denounces threats to Simojovel Council members 8 Americas and the Caribbean Human Rights Center Frayba takes action on Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns on worldwide Feast of International Day against Torture 8 Corpus Christi celebration 2 Comissão Pastoral da Terra celebrates 39 years of defending peasants Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns launches newsletter Encounters 3 and indigenous’ rights 9 Pax Christi USA co-signs letter in support of the Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo 30th anniversary 9 2014 Voting Rights Amendment Act 3 Pax Christi USA co-signs letter on immigration reform 3 Just World Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo commemorates the PAX issues report “The Dark Side of Coal” 9 Day of the Forced Disappearance 3 Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns welcomes 20th anniversary of Inter-American Convention on new carbon emissions regulation measures 9 Forced Disappearance of Persons 3 Comissão Pastoral da Terra in Bahia helps communities Colombian Pax Christi member joins “Vota por la Paz” initiative 3 impacted by mining projects 9 Human Rights Centre Fray Bartolomé de las Casas installs Pax Christi International attends debate on transitional justice Peace Camp in Chiapas 4 in Colombia 10

Asia-Pacific Peace Education Pakistan to establish National Council for the Rights of Minorities 4 Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg holds civil rights webinar series 10 JRS Asia Pacific on the 2014 World Refugee Day 4 Pax Christi organises peace pilgrimage in July 10 International Day in Support of the Survivors of Torture 4 Pax Christi France organises youth event in Assisi, 10 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India organises Pax Christi Italy workshop on peace education in ecclesial contexts 10 “Environmental Justice” Sunday 4 Pax Christi Italy Youth Summer Camp 10 PAX organises the Peace Week in September 11 Middle East Pax Christi International solidarity message to the Peace Spirituality Synod of the Chaldean Church in Iraq 4 Pax Christi member works for rights-based activism & catholic social Pax Christi USA statement on the crisis in Iraq 5 teaching 11 Pax Christi Italy statement on the situation in Iraq 5 Pax Christi International co-President Bishop Kevin Dowling speaking PAX Netherlands on the issue of depleted uranium in Iraq 5 tour in the UK 11 Pax Christi on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 5 Praying with Refugees in Thailand 11 US-based Pax Christi members advocate for better Tribute book for centenary anniversary of Mgr. Jan Van Cauwelaertstraat 11 representation of Palestinian reality 5 Pax Christi Italy Statement on Israel 6 Advocacy and Campaigning Forced ceasefires: The case of Barzeh and Qaboun 6 Action day for Syrian refugees in Brussels 12 New Wars in the Middle East 6 Peace for Ukraine Platform: Info Evening 12 What role for the European Union in the Middle East? 6 Pax Christi International in the Media 12 Europe Pax Christi statement on World War I commemoration 6 Resources 12

Pax Christi UK on the commemorations of the First World War 6 International Calendar 12 PAX Netherlands hosts debate on Future of North Kosovo 7

Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg releases reports on human rights and the army 7

Disarmament/Demilitarisation Pax Christi Flanders welcomes the ratification of the International Arms Trade Treaty 7 Pax Christi member calls for Arms Trade Treaty ratification 7

issued an update on the five-month GLOBAL platinum miners’ strike in South Africa which came to an end on 30 June. In his note, Bishop Dowling highlights how the Southern Pax Christi International: World War I African Catholic Bishops' Conference and Commemoration Events others in the field have worked together in solidarity and great generosity throughout On 4-10 June, Pax Christi International was in the crisis. Read more here. ■ Sarajevo for the biggest international Peace Event of 2014, commemorating 100 years Southern African Catholic Bishops’ since the outbreak of World War I. In Conference declares “Year of the addition to organising workshops on Deacon” in Cape Town transformative justice, the role of faith-based organisations in peacebuilding, and The year 2014 has been declared the “Year campaigning for disarmament, Pax Christi of the Deacon” in Cape Town by the International also held its International Board Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Meeting, its Annual General Meeting, and a Conference, whose Justice and Peace series of joint events, including a meeting Department is a Pax Christi member with representatives of the Global Network organisation. The aim is to commemorate of Religions for Children, whose Secretary the promulgation of the Vatican II’s General, Dr. Mustafa Ali, is a member of Pax Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Christi International Board. Pax Christi used “Lumen Gentium” which, among other the opportunity of being in a symbolic place things, restored the permanent diaconate like Sarajevo to hold its annual Peace that had been discarded at the Council of Award ceremony which honored the Jesuit Trent. Read more here. ■ Refugee Service Syria for its outstanding dedication in providing emergency relief to Syrians since the war began in 2011. The AMERICAS AND CARIBBEAN award ceremony took place during a Peace Concert featuring Pontanima, the Interreligious Choir of Sarajevo, recipient of Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns on the 2011 Pax Christi International Peace worldwide Feast of Corpus Christi Award. Throughout the event, Pax Christi celebration youth also took part in the Sarajevo Youth Camp, as well as in the Peace Fair outdoors The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, in downtown Sarajevo. ■ Pax Christi member organisation in the US, released an article explaining how the Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated in Tanzania - AFRICA one of the many examples of how this church service is celebrated in different

countries and regions of the world. This Update on South Africa's platinum miners’ article written by Sr. Mary Reese, who has strike lived in Tanzania for more than 50 years,

Pax Christi International co-President Bishop focuses on the different actions performed Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg, South Africa, during the Feast of Corpus Christi,

2 | P a g e celebrated this year on 19 June. Read more Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo commemorates here. ■ the Day of the Forced Disappearance

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM), Pax Christi launches newsletter Encounters member organisation in Guatemala, commemorated the Day of Forced The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Disappearance, celebrated worldwide on issued the first issue of the newsletter 19 June. On this occasion, GAM organised a “Encounters: where faith, economy and mass followed by a seminar entitled ecology meet”. The publication aims to “Manual de Búsqueda de Personas Víctimas provide readers with the possibility of getting de Desaparición Forzada y Otras Formas de acquainted with topics concerning human Desaparición” (“Manual for the Search of dignity and God’s creation. Victims of Forced Disappearance and Other Ways of Disappearance”). Read more in To read the first issue, click here. To subscribe Spanish here. ■ for regular updates, click here. ■ 20th anniversary of Inter-American Pax Christi USA co-signs letter in support of Convention on Forced Disappearance of the 2014 Voting Rights Amendment Act Persons Pax Christi USA co-signed a letter to the Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray United States Congress in support of the Bartolomé de las Casas (Frayba), Pax Christi Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014. member organisation in Mexico, co-signed Endorsed by 88 organisations from more a statement on the commemoration of the than a dozen religious dominations, the 20th anniversary of the Inter-American letter stresses the importance of the Voting Convention on Forced Disappearance of Rights Amendment Act, signed initially in Persons. On 9 June 1994, a number of states 1965 to prohibit discrimination in voting. adopted this convention recognizing the Read more about this initiative here. ■ forced disappearance of many people on the continent due to political reasons, Pax Christi USA co-signs letter on putting in place mechanisms to reestablish immigration reform the truth for each particular case.

Sr. Patricia Chappell, Executive Director of Frayba calls for the ratification of the Pax Christi USA, co-signed a letter circulated convention which so far has only been by Faith in Public Life asking for the reform of ratified by 15 of the 35 members of the the US immigration law. The letter, sent to Organisation of American States. Read Speaker Boehner of the United States House more in Spanish here. ■ of Representatives, urges moral courage Colombian Pax Christi member joins and leadership in dealing with immigrants, “Vota por la Paz” initiative while respecting their dignity and human rights. Red Nacional de Iniciativas Ciudadanas por To learn more, click here. ■ la Paz y contra la Guerra (REDEPAZ), Pax Christi member organisation in Colombia,

3 | P a g e joined the initiative “Vota por la paz” (“Vote JRS Asia Pacific on the 2014 World for Peace”) launched by a group of Refugee Day organisations aiming to stress that peace is a matter concerning every man and On the World Refugee Day, celebrated woman in the world. The statement every year on 20 June, JRS Asia Pacific addressed to Juan Manuel Santos, president released an article entitled “Finding safe of Colombia, highlights the necessity to spaces together”. This offers an overview on implement a real democracy, develop real refugees and displaced in the world, programmes that protect human rights, and focusing on the Syrian situation which JRS commit to work for peace and has addressed repeatedly as a core part of reconciliation. Read more in Spanish here. ■ their work. Click here to read the complete article. ■ Human Rights Centre Fray Bartolomé de las Casas installs Peace Camp in Chiapas International Day in Support of the Survivors of Torture On 4 June, the Human Rights Centre Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, installed a On 26 June, the Kandy Human Rights Office, permanent Peace Camp in La Realidad, Pax Christi International member in Sri Lanka, Chiapas, Mexico. The camp aims to organised a series of events in connection document attacks against the Bases de with the "International Day in Support of the Apoyo del Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Survivors of Torture". Read more here. ■ Nacional (Support Bases of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation). Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India organises “Environmental Justice” Sunday To learn how to get involved, click here (in Spanish). ■ On 17 August, The Catholic Bishops’

Conference of India, whose Justice, Peace and Development Commission is a Pax ASIA - PACIFIC Christi member organisation, organises an

“Environmental Justice” Sunday to stress the

importance of environmental activism in Pakistan to establish National Council for India and beyond. Download the booklet in the Rights of Minorities English and Hindi. ■

Pax Christi member National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops' MIDDLE EAST Conference in Pakistan welcomes the decision to establish a "National Council for the rights of minorities", i.e. an independent Pax Christi International solidarity state body that will act as observatory, message to the Synod of the Chaldean monitoring the status of ethnic and religious Church in Iraq minorities, and cases of violence and discrimination, in Pakistan. Click here to read Pax Christi International issued a message of more. ■ solidarity with the Iraqi people and with the Chaldean Church on the occasion of the

4 | P a g e annual Synod of the Chaldean Church, held PAX Netherlands on the issue of depleted on 24- 28 June in Ankawa, Iraqi Kurdistan. uranium in Iraq

Pax Christi is deeply saddened by the PAX Netherlands has released a report on ongoing violence in Iraq and its escalation the use of depleted uranium in Iraq. The in recent weeks. In this context the report entitled “Laid to waste. Depleted international peace movement reiterates uranium contaminated military scrap in the call to peace and reconciliation Iraq” offers an overview of the lack of a launched by Louis Raphael I Sako, clear strategy to deal with the legacy of the especially his call of 24 June praying for the use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions in gift of peace throughout the Middle East. Iraq, from either the Coalition Forces, the Read more here. ■ Coalition Provisional Authority or the Iraqi Pax Christi USA statement on the crisis in government, has resulted in the continued Iraq exposure of civilians to DU. Read more in Dutch here and here. ■

Pax Christi USA released a statement Pax Christi Flanders on the Israeli- expressing their concern over the violence Palestinian conflict which has gripped Iraq over the past weeks, leading to further suffering for the people of Brigitte Herremans, Middle East expert with that nation. The US section of Pax Christi Pax Christi Flanders and Broederlijk Delen, stresses once again the fact that a military issued an opinion piece on the escalation of deployment in the country will not lead to a the conflict between Israel and Palestine solution but, on the contrary, will only serve due to the kidnapping of three Israel to increase the suffering of Iraqi people. teenagers on 19 June. According to Pax Christi USA demands US authorities to Herremans, both the political reaction and channel their efforts towards political and the military response were disproportionate: diplomatic solutions, so that the end of the Israeli army arrested over 150 people, violence is achieved once and for all. Read one boy was murdered and severe the complete statement here. ■ restrictions on the freedom of movement were introduced. Read the complete article Pax Christi Italy statement on the situation in Flemish here. ■ in Iraq US-based Pax Christi members advocate Pax Christi Italy issued a statement on the for better representation of Palestinian situation in Iraq. While expressing solidarity reality with those affected by the ongoing violence, notably civilians, the Italian section The US section of Pax Christi and the of Pax Christi invites people of all religious Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns denominations to fast and pray for peace advocate for a wider coverage of the and reconciliation in Iraq. Palestinian territories when visiting Israel. Both organisations deplore the fact that Read the full statement in Italian here. ■ many members of the US Congress take visits to Israel but ignore other sites located in the Palestinian area. The two Pax Christi

5 | P a g e members call on members of the US organised by the Rosa Luxemburg Congress to visit both Israel and the Foundation in the context of the Sarajevo occupied Palestinian territories and meet Peace Event 2014. His interventions focused with Israelis and Palestinians alike, to listen to on the recent Arab Awakening, the their concerns and their hopes for peace. Israel/Palestine negotiations, and prospects Read more here and here. ■ for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East. The discussion papers are Pax Christi Italy Statement on Israel available for download here. ■

Pax Christi Italy issued a statement asking for What role for the European Union in the the immediate release of the three young Middle East? Israeli citizens living in one of the illegal colonies in Hebron, Palestine. The Italian Pax Brigitte Herremans, Middle East Expert with Christi section further calls for stronger Broederlijk Delen and Pax Christi Flanders international pressure on the Israeli gave an interview on the role of the government to comply with UN resolutions European Union in the Middle East, in regarding this issue. For more than ten years, particular in the ongoing unrest in Iraq and Pax Christi Italy has been closely monitoring Syria for the Flemish newspaper De Tijd. the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, through the Read more in Flemish here. ■ campaign Ponti e non muri (Bridges, not

Walls), which enables the Italian section to advocate for a better resolution of conflicts EUROPE in the area. Read the statement in Italian here. ■ Pax Christi Germany statement on World Forced ceasefires: The case of Barzeh and War I commemoration Qaboun Bishop Heinz Josef Algermissen, president of The latest Syria Alert from PAX – the Dutch Pax Christi Germany and Bishop of Fulda, Pax Christi section – focuses on two cases of issued a statement on the commemoration local ceasefires - two neighbourhoods in of 100 years since the outbreak of the First Damascus. This Alert concludes that some World War, entitled “Catholics and the First local ceasefires are temporary and tactical, World War”. Bishop Algermissen recalls the but not necessarily political agreements. This horrifying events that triggered the war and underlines the urgency for the international reminds us how we should all look back at community to genuinely search for a new this war to never walk back into such political framework to address the conflict, disaster. Read more in German here. ■ after the failure of the Geneva 2 talks. Read more here. ■ Pax Christi UK on the commemorations of the First World War New Wars in the Middle East Pax Christi UK has been preparing over the Fr. Paul Lansu of the Pax Christi International months to create events, seminars and Secretariat was a keynote speaker in the resources to make sure that the 2014-2018 workshop "New Wars in the Middle East", commemorations of the First World War

6 | P a g e reflect the need of repentance and change, and lead to a commitment to DISARMAMENT/ peacemaking. DEMILITARISATION

A large selection of articles, resources, talks and event overviews prepared by Pax Pax Christi Flanders welcomes the Christi UK is available here. ■ ratification of the International Arms Trade Treaty PAX Netherlands hosts debate on Future of North Kosovo One year after the signing of the

International Arms Trade Treaty, On 27 June, PAX Netherlands hosted a civil ratified the treaty, being the 40th country to society briefing of their latest report “North have done so. Once it reached 50 Kosovo 2020: future histories in the making”. ratifications, the Arms Trade Treaty will enter The report is the end product of a scenario into force. Pax Christi Flanders welcomes the exercise carried out by PAX and partners to decision taken by Belgian authorities, and assess possible futures for north Kosovo, sees it as an important step towards the end collect grassroots recommendations, and of uncontrolled and irresponsible weapons stimulate discussion and understanding proliferation. To read more in Flemish, click between policymakers and citizens. here. ■ To download a copy of the report, click Pax Christi member calls for Arms Trade here. ■ Treaty ratification Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg releases reports on human rights and the army In an open letter published on the occasion of the Global Week of Action against Gun Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg, Pax Christi Violence (16-22 June), the National member organisation in Russia, released two Episcopal Commission for Justice and reports on the human rights situation in the Peace in Haiti, Pax Christi member army and the relationship between the organisation, expresses its solidarity with the military and the civil society. The reports numerous organisations and civil society entitled Non-Governmental Message in groups working in the field of peace and Civil-Military Relations in 2013 and An disarmament around the world, and Independent Report on Torture in the Army, reiterates its call to the Haitian Government were prepared by Soldiers' Mothers of St. to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty adopted by Petersburg expert Alexander Peredrukom, the UN General Assembly on 2 April 2013. who is also member of the International Read more (in French) here. ■ Youth Movement supported by the UN Committee Against Torture. Pax Christi International on military spending and disarmament for Read more in Russian here. ■ development

On 7 June, Pax Christi International and the International Peace Bureau organised a workshop on “The role of faith-based

7 | P a g e organisations on military spending and on mine which would contaminate water and disarmament for development”, in the land, displacing the community, has been a context of the Sarajevo Peace Event. major concern for the last two years. Drawing attention on why the negative While looking at challenges and impacts of extractive industries are a serious opportunities for faith-based organisations cause of concern, the Maryknoll Office campaigning for disarmament towards urges everybody to take action. Read more sustainable development, the workshop on this topic here and here. ■ aimed to facilitate dialogue between like- minded partners and explore ways of Pax Christi member in Mexico denounces collaboration on activities to trigger the shift threats to Simojovel Council Parish of the global military budget to sustainable members development, and advocate for the insertion of this priority in UN’s post-2015 Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray agenda. Bartolomé de las Casas (Frayba) in Mexico is concerned over the threats suffered by Fr. An introductory note can be downloaded Marcelo Pérez and other members of the here. ■ Council Parish in Simojovel, Chiapas. Forward Deployed Nuclear Weapons: A According to the human rights centre, Fr. European Perspective Pérez has faced death threats, harassments and assaults after convoking a pacific

march to ask for the closure of bars, European nations currently hosting nuclear nightclubs and prostitution centres last 6 weapons on their territory have a key role to June. Frayba urges the authorities to provide play in broader disarmament and non- protection for him and other members of proliferation efforts. Pax Christi International the Parish and to guarantee and respect calls on these states to recognize their non- the right to freedom of thought and of proliferation responsibilities and take expression. Read more in Spanish here. ■ transparent, irreversible, and verifiable action to remove nuclear weapons from the Human Rights Center Frayba takes action continent. Check our website for the latest on International Day against Torture analysis and recommendations on this issue from Pax Christi International’s Senior Policy Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Advisor Fr. Paul Lansu. ■ Bartolomé de las Casas (Frayba) held an event entitled “La tortura, mecanismo de HUMAN RIGHTS terror” (“Torture, mechanism of terror”) on 26 June, International Day against Torture. The presentation reported on the cases of Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns torture suffered by Chiapas citizens and was against metal mining in Guatemala attended by relatives of the victims, psychologists and Frayba representatives. The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Read more in Spanish here. ■ has repeatedly shown its concern on human rights violations performed in La Puya, Guatemala, where a proposal for a gold

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Comissão Pastoral da Terra celebrates 39 30 June 2014, to the Dutch Minister of years of defending peasants and Development Cooperation, Lilianne indigenous’ rights Ploumen.

The report is available for download from Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT), Pax Christi www.stopbloedkolen.nl, along with a member organisation in Brazil, summary, a FAQ list, and additional details commemorates 39 years of working for the on the Stop Blood Coal campaign. ■ defence of the human rights and the lives of peasants and indigenous communities in Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns various regions of Brazil. CPT was founded welcomes new carbon emissions on 22 June 1975 by a group of bishops and regulation measures prelates of the Amazon. Since then, many initiatives have helped thousands of families The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, to protect their lands and their human rights. Pax Christi member organisation in the US, Click here to read the commemorative welcomes the decision of the US Environmental Protection Agency to words of various CPT sections (in Portuguese). regulate carbon emissions from existing Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo 30th anniversary power plants. Concerned about the devastating effects of environmental On 4 June, Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM) catastrophes in poor communities, in Guatemala celebrated its 30th Maryknoll priests, sisters and lay missionaries anniversary. While calling for a more equal hope that the new measures will ensure and just world order, GAM reiterates its better and more sustainable natural continued striving for a real democracy, resources management. and stands against human rights violations in the country. Read more in Spanish here. ■ Click here to read more. ■

Life Campaign Comissão Pastoral da Terra in Bahia helps communities impacted by mining projects JUST WORLD

Pax Christi member organisation in Brazil, PAX Netherlands issues report “The Dark Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT), launched Side of Coal” a project to help 260 families affected by mining projects in Bahia. CPT will create

videos, articles and geo-referenced maps PAX – the Dutch section of Pax Christi to delimit the historical areas that have International - is calling on Essent, Nuon, been occupied for the expropriation of the E.ON, Delta and Electrabel to stop buying lands where many families live and work. Colombian "blood coal" from the mining CPT states how these families require companies Drummond and Prodeco. These government intervention to ensure the mining companies paid paramilitaries and preservation of the area and the protection exchanged strategic information with them, of their human rights. Read more in according to statements from perpetrators Portuguese here. ■ and witnesses in the investigation report "The Dark Side of Coal", which PAX presented on

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Pax Christi International attends debate Pax Christi France organises peace on transitional justice in Colombia pilgrimage in July

With peace talks taking place between the Pax Christi France organises a peace government of Juan Manuel Santos and the pilgrimage from 27 to 31 July to Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Colombia (FARC) in Havana, Cuba, the 1944 disembarkation in Normandy. The Mont topic of transitional justice has become Michel, a place of pilgrimage for over more present than ever in Colombia. a thousand years, will be the main spot where the pilgrims will gather. To learn more, On 11 June, Pax Christi International including how to get involved, click here. ■ attended a debate on “Transitional Justice in Colombia: Enhancing victims’ Pax Christi France organises youth event participation” organised by the European in Assisi, Italy Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) in Brussels, of which Pax Christi is a member. From 17 to 24 August, Pax Christi France will Participants addressed fundamental organise a youth event entitled “La questions for transitional justice, and fraternité, fondement de la paix” (“Fraternity, analysed the progress made towards the foundation for peace”) in Assisi, Italy. See recognition of victims and the the brochure and read more in French here. compensation they received so far. For Pax Christi Italy workshop on peace details, click here. ■ education in ecclesial contexts Food for Life Campaign

PEACE EDUCATION A three-day workshop on peace in ecclesial contexts entitled “La trinità di Dio, fondamento dell’educazione ai rapporti”

Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg holds (“The of God, the foundation of civil rights webinar series education to relationships”) will take place under the auspices of Pax Christi Italy from 1 Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg, Pax Christi to 3 August in Casa per la Pace (Florence). member organisation in Russia, together The Workshop will feature games, exercises, with the non-profit partnership presentations of tools and techniques for a "Grazhdanin.Armiya.Pravo", will organise a better approach on peace education series of webinars on the protection of the issues. To learn more, click here. ■ life, health and civil rights of conscripts, soldiers and their families. Pax Christi Italy Youth Summer Camp

To sign up for these free webinars, email From 24 to 30 August, Pax Christi Italy is Alexander Peredruk, organising an International Labour Camp for [email protected]. young people in Florence, Italy. The aim of the camp is to allow participants to share Read more in Russian here. ■ and exchange ideas on how to make societies fairer and more respectful of

10 | P a g e people and their rights. Read more in Italian Cathedral Hall. The title of the lecture was here. ■ “'From South to North: lessons for the Church.” Bishop Kevin’s commitment to PAX organises the Peace Week in marginalised people in his own diocese and September to peace in violence-torn countries as co- president of Pax Christi International This year, PAX will hold its annual Peace engaged and inspired the audience. More Week from 20 to 28 September under the details here. ■ motto “Arm yourself with peace”. The event Praying with Refugees in Thailand will focus on disarmament and will feature various activities organised by the Embassies of Peace, as well as a “Night of Peace” The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Asia Pacific, where everyone will join their churches on a Pax Christi member organisation in Thailand, Sunday night. Click here to read more in released an article entitled “Praying with Dutch. ■ Refugees in Thailand: hope in a foreign land.” In the message, the organisation expresses solidarity with the people who PEACE SPIRITUALITY were forced to flee their countries and are now starting a new life in Thailand. These people often face the dangers and Pax Christi member works for rights-based insecurities of being in a country with activism & different religious and cultural traditions, which is why JRS Asia Pacific encourages The Justice, Peace & Development (JPD) the Catholic community to be welcoming Commission is a Pax Christi member and allow refugees to seek consolation in organisation based in India working on the church. Read more here. ■ promoting justice, peace and development Tribute book for centenary anniversary of within the country. JPD directors from all Mgr. Jan Van Cauwelaertstraat over Karnataka State, along with their team, met to discuss how the Commission could A collection of 18 historical and journalistic bring into their activism a rights-based articles, as well as exegetical, approach and work in the light of catholic ecclesiological, missiological, spiritual and social teaching. Read more here. ■ theological reflections drawing a picture of Pax Christi International co-President the “Mission Today” have been published in Bishop Kevin Dowling UK speaking tour in honour of the centenary of Mgr. Jan Van Cauwelaertstraat. Bishop Jan Van Pax Christi International Co-President Bishop Cauwelaert was the first bishop of the Kevin Dowling (South Africa) delivered a talk Congolese diocese of Inongo, participating entitled "The Joy of the Gospel Then and actively in the . He Now: From Hurley to made a tremendous contribution to the Francis", at the Lauriston Jesuit Centre, work of Pax Christi International, always Edinburgh (UK) on 24 June. Bishop Dowling striving to highlight the importance of justice also delivered The Tablet’s annual lecture to and peace in society and the church. He a packed audience in Westminster was Vice President of Pax Christi Flanders

11 | P a g e during 1984 – 1994. This tribute book is a Pax Christi International rend hommage aux unique collaboration of the Scheutists and victimes de la Grande Guerre other missionaries, priests and bishops, Radio Vatican, 6 June 2014 activists, professors, and lay people of all Pax Christi premia il JRS della Siria ages. The book is available in French and KORAZYM, 8 June 2014 Dutch. For more information, click here. ■ Steun Dag van Vasten en Gebed voor Irak F Kerknet Niews,18 June 2014 ADVOCACY AND Internationale Vredesprijs voor Syrische CAMPAIGNING Afdeling van JRS

Kerknet Niews, 11 June 2014

Action day for Syrian refugees in Brussels Pax Christi: Sarajevo, Evento di Pace nel 100° della Prima Guerra Mondiale On 3 July, Pax Christi Flanders and others will Servizio Informazione Religiosa, June 2014 organise an action in support of Syrian Sarajevo 2014: La giustizia per le vittime, atto refugees. The initiative is aimed to call on dovuto Belgian authorities to o take action to Vita Nuova, 20 June 2014 reunite Syrian families forced to live separated because of the ongoing war in Jesuit Refugee Service – Il dono della vita Syria. Syrians living abroad and friends of per l’unità della Siria Syria from everywhere are invited to join this Vita Nuova, 20 June 2014. ■ action, on Thursday, 3 July, 12:00, in Place de la Monnaie, Brussels. For details, click here. ■ RESOURCES

Peace for Ukraine Platform: Info Evening A new section with online resources from the Pax Christi Flanders and Platform Solidarity Pax Christi International network is available will hold an info evening to present the on our website! newly established Peace for Ukraine Platform, on Friday, 4 July, from 19h00 onwards, in the Auditorium 7 De Stroming, INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR Nationalestraat 111 Antwerpen. Activists for peace from Ukraine and Russia will join the discussion. For further details and Click here to view the International registration, click here. ■ Calendar of upcoming events.

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JRS Syria awarded Pax Christi Peace prize Find us on Facebook. Independent Catholic News, 9 June 2014 Follow us on Twitter. ■

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