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Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
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Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Membership Organisations
Pax Christi International is a network made up of National Sections, Affiliated Groups, Associated Groups, and Partners. Click below for a complete list.
Go…
Celebrating 60 Years
Throughout 2005 Pax Christi members have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the movements founding. Visit our website to see details about events that were held.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now
Want more information?
Visit our document archive and search through 1000s of documents by Subject, Keyword, or Reference Number.
Go…
Pax Christi International is
The International Catholic Peace Movement with Members Worldwide.
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 21 ~ B-1000
Brussels ~ Belgium
Support Us
A financial contribution to support our work is truly appreciated and is a concrete way you can contribute to helping to create a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Donate Now / Pax Christi International ~ Newsletter no. 160~ May 2007
~ In this issue ~
Obituary
Dr. Ansgar Koschel died on 5 March 2007
Africa
Great Lakes of Africa Consultation Meets in Rwandan Capital
Pax Christi Goma Celebrates International Women’s Day
Arche d’Alliance in DR Congo Publishes Reports on Children and Conflict
Justice Plus Calls for Greater Security for People in Eastern DR Congo
Pax Christi International Criticises Clampdown on Zimbabwe Church Groups
Greater Horn of Africa Consultation Meeting Planned for April
Americas & Caribbean
Fairness of Haitian Elections is Called into Question
Human Rights and GAM in Guatemala
Protest Against Killing of Farmer and His Children in Zacapa, Guatemala
Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.
Asia & Pacific
Pax Christi Australia Goes National
Jesuit Refugee Service Says Displaced Women Need Protection and Assistance
Pax Christi USA Hosts Japanese Delegation
Middle East
Pax Christi Australia NSW Welcomes British Plan to Withdraw Iraq Troops
The Situation of Iraqi Refugees and Displaced Persons.
Written Submission
Oral Statement
International Protests Mark Fourth Year of Iraq War
Reminding the Dutch Government of its Responsibility towards Iraq
Iraq Anniversaries Marked With Vigil of Remembrance
End Blocking of Diplomacy with Iran
Irish Position Paper on Palestine/Israel: Principles for a Just Peace
Europe
Pax Christi UK Welcomes Historic Northern Ireland Power-Sharing Agreement
Pax Christi Wallonie-Bruxelles Seminar on Enlargement of European Union
National Congress of Pax Christi France on the Environment
Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign in Ireland
Disarmament & Demilitarisation
Towards a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East: Debate in Belgium
Arms Trade Treaty Position Paper now Available
Colombian Efforts for Arms Trade Treaty
Flanders and the Arms Trade
Pax Christi International Delegation Meets with H.E. Cardinal R. Martino
Cambodia Announces Support for New Treaty Banning Cluster Munitions
Building Towards a Cluster Bomb Treaty
Belgium Bans Cluster Munitions and Now Depleted Uranium Weapons
Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Violent Conflict
Pakistan NGO Support Group Meets in Geneva
Petition Launched in Support of Special Procedures of UN HCR
Conscientious Objector Tried by U.S. Military Court in Germany
Pax Christi Germany on the Violation of Refugees’ Human Rights
Peace Building
Conference on the Future of Catholic Peacebuilding
Interfaith and Intercultural Cooperation for Peace
Brussels Seminar on the Coexistence of Civilisations
Developing Peace Spirituality and Theology
Pax Christi Portugal Publishes Reflection on Anniversary of Populorum Progressio
Networking
Upcoming Council of Europe Meeting in Strasbourg
International Calendar
Obituary
Dr. Ansgar Koschel died on 5 March 2007
We are deeply saddened by the recent news of the unexpected decease of Dr. Ansgar Koschel, the former Secretary General of Pax Christi Germany, who passed away on 5 March 2007. Born on 18 October 1943, he had been retired since only the end of November 2006. From 1982 to 1989, he served Pax Christi Germany as Secretary General. In later years, Ansgar and his wife Margaret were active as Pax Christi members in a number of General Assemblies, Seminars and Commissions. Ansgar devoted his entire life to inter-religious dialogue, freedom of conscience and reconciliation.Ansgar Koschel also participated in various meetings of Pax Christi International with the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1984, he organised the Pilgrimage of Pax Christi Germany to Auschwitz, 20 years after the German section had organised its first Pilgrimage. Dialogue with the Polish and Jewish peoples was always a priority for Ansgar.
Ansgar, sometimes accompanied by Margaret, participated in many of the international gatherings of Pax Christi International. He was a respected colleague of the other national secretaries, and a cherished friend of the International Secretariat.
The International Secretariat of Pax Christi would like to offer its sincere condolences and Christian prayers to Margaret, his children and family. We pray that God will bless him with eternal life.
The funeral took place on 9 March 2007. Read more in the In Memoriam in German, in07-0190.
TOP
Africa
Great Lakes of Africa Consultation Meets in Rwandan Capital
Over fifty participants from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo gathered from 17 to 22 February 2007 at the Centre Christus in Kigali for the Fourth Regional Consultation of Pax Christi in the Great Lakes. High on the agenda were an analysis of the current situation of peace and security in the region and the formulation of an Action Plan for the coming years. A final report of the event is forthcoming. To read an article on the Great Lakes Consultation, see 07-0262. To read the statement of analysis and recommendations (in French), see AF06F07. To read the press release (in French and in English), see AF09F07.TOP
Pax Christi Goma Celebrates International Women’s Day
The women’s section of Pax Christi Goma commemorated International Women’s Day 2007 by organising numerous consciousness-raising actions on the situation of women and their children in North Kivu (DR Congo). International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March every year, is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world and is observed by the United Nations and many countries as a national holiday. To read the report (in French) of Pax Christi Goma’s activities, see 07-0272.TOP
Arche d’Alliance in DR Congo Publishes Reports on Children and Conflict
Pax Christi Member Arche d’Alliance has recently published reports on research and initiatives carried out by the organisation in the war-affected province of South Kivu in the DR Congo. These reports (in French) are on the rehabilitation of child combatants who were involved in acts of sexual violence (See 07-0237), on the assistance and protection of refugees and displaced persons (07-0238) and on the right to education for children resettling in their home communities after the war (07-0242).TOP
Justice Plus Calls for Greater Security for People in Eastern DR Congo
Under the Sun City agreement that was designed to guide the peace process for the DR Congo, the unification of all armed groups into a single national army was considered a critical element for sustaining peace. Pax Christi Member Organisation Justice Plus in the northeast DRC has published a study on the security situation in the region, charging that the new army has not provided the security so sorely needed by the population. To read this report (in French) see 07-0203.TOP
Pax Christi International Criticises Clampdown on ZimbabweChurch Groups
The recent arrests and torture of opposition leaders in Zimbabwe has provoked widespread condemnation by the international community. President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has also clamped down on Zimbabwean church groups carrying out human rights work. Following the arrest of eight church leaders and the closure of a church-based human rights organisation in Harare, Pax Christi International joined other European agencies to speak out on behalf of these church groups. To read the joint statement on government intimidation in Zimbabwe, see 07-0198.TOP
Greater Horn of Africa Consultation Meeting Planned for April
Pax Christi International is organizing a Greater Horn of Africa Consultation Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 12 to 18 April 2007. The Consultation brings together 50 to 60 people from Member Organizations and other NGOs in the region. Mark Barwick of the International Secretariat and Edwin Ruigrok of Pax Christi Netherlands, together with a Regional Steering Committee, are organizing the event. The preliminary topic for discussion is the empowerment of civil society, and the development of an Action Plan for the coming years.The Ethiopian/Eritrean conflict is also on the agenda, as well as the Lord’s Resistance Army-Government of Uganda peace process, the Islamic courts and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and a number of other issues. For more information email:
TOP
Americas & Caribbean
Fairness of Haitian Elections is Called into Question
La Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International in Haiti, observed the country’s elections proceedings from February until December 2006. In several cases the proceedings were not carried out in good order and some confusion and irregularities may have occurred. For these reasons the Commission has urged the authorities to do every possible in order to ensure a fair, legal functioning of the elections in the future. The Commission has also noted that in more than in more than 70 localities, new elections should rightly take place because of irregularities the first time. On 5 March 2007, a press release was issued in Creole and French, available in 07-0187.TOP
Human Rights and GAM in Guatemala
Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM), a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International in Guatemala, regularly issues press statements on violations of human rights in the country. The aim of these statements is to influence the authorities of Guatemala and to raise awareness and focus public opinion on the issue of human rights. Each month GAM publishes facts, analyses and information on the types of violations taking place. The most recent analysis from February is available in Spanish in 07-0211.TOP
Protest Against Killing of Farmer and His Children in Zacapa, Guatemala
On 6 February 2007, farmer leader Israel Carias Ortiz and his children Robin Aroldo and Luswin Alexis Ramirez were killed on the road from Zacapa to Achiotes. Israel Carias was the local leader of two farmers’ organisations. Many believe that he was killed because he championed the cause of more equitable land distribution in the region for farmers. Amnesty International has confirmed the facts of the case. At the request of the Global Campaign for Agrarian Reform (FIAN), the International Secretariat sent a letter of concern to Dr. Eduardo Stein, Vice President of Guatemala, dated 14 March 2007. Read the letter in Spanish in 07-0227.TOP
Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.
From 9 to 12 March 2007, hundreds of U.S. church members met in Washington to attend workshops on various aspects of justice and peace work. Betty Begley, delegate of Pax Christi International at the United Nations in New York, attended a talk by Sr. Filo Hirota from the Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International, on the Pacific Rim and the U.S. military restructuring for rapid deployment of forces. An Ecumenical Peace Vigil was held on 16 March 2007. Madeline Labriola, who is also a delegate of Pax Christi International to the United Nations, was in attendance.TOP
Asia & Pacific
Pax Christi Australia Goes National
Pax Christi Australia organised its first National Council on 27 November 2006. Present at the Council were representatives from each Australian branch—New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The Council outlined its purposes, which included the facilitation of communication and interaction with the Asia Pacific region and Pax Christi International. Joe Camilleri will act as National President of Pax Christi Australia for at least twelve months. Maggie Galley accepted the nomination for the position of National Secretary. In addition, the priorities of each of the branches for the year 2007 were put forth. For further details, read 07-0155.TOP
Jesuit Refugee Service Says Displaced Women Need Protection and Assistance