PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL ~ NEWSLETTER No. ~ 146 MARCH 2006
~ In this issue ~
Africa 1
Bishops of Southern Africa Call for Greater Sense of Responsibility in Elections 1
Publish What You Pay Urges Talks to Resume over Chadian Oil Revenue 1
Americas & Caribbean 2
Pax Christi USA’s 2006 National Conference 2
Elections in Haiti 2
Demobilisation in Colombia 2
Towards a Negotiated Solution in Colombia? 2
Immigration Reform in USA: Call for Prayer and Fasting 2
Violence Against Communities in Brazil 3
Corruption in the Congress of Guatemala Must be Investigated. 3
Asia & Pacific 3
Pax Christi Pilipinas' Assembly Deepens and Renews for Reconciliation 3
National Summit of Religious Leaders towards a Culture of Peace in the Philippines 3
In Memory of Eddie Kneebone, Indigenous Leader in Australia 4
Interventions of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, Pakistan 4
NCJP Pakistan Condemns Reappearance of Violence Against Christians 4
Further attacks on Churches in Sukkar, Pakistan 4
Pax Christi International Intervenes on Behalf of Tribals in Gujarat - India 5
Dialogue on Regional Interfaith Cooperation for the Asia-Pacific Region 5
Middle East 5
Build Bridges not Walls! Aboud Village in West Bank 5
Separation Wall Postcards 6
International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel 6
Pax Christi USA Supports Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington 6
EAPPI has moved! 6
A Call for Moderation Regarding the Danish Cartoons 6
Pax Christi Germany Statement on the Future of Iraq 7
Christian Call to Stop Torture Now 7
Christian/Muslim Leaders in UK Urge Release Christian Peacemakers Held in Iraq 7
A Call for Political and Religious Dialogue Concerning Iran 7
Central Europe-Middle East Meeting 8
Europe 8
"Hate leads to Genocide" 8
Pax Christi France Celebrates Peace Pilgrimage Anniversary 8
Pax Christi Ireland’s Annual Mass for Peace 8
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church Presented in Ireland 9
Pax Christi Wallonie-Bruxelles Hosts Dialogue on Peace Spirituality 9
Social Rights in Europe 9
Security and Development 10
Belgian Presidency of the OSCE 10
Promoting Interfaith Dialogue Amongst Youth 10
Pax Christi Portugal’s New Electronic Newsletter 10
Third European Ecumenical Assembly 10
Security & Disarmament 11
Towards a Peaceful Solution for the Iran Crisis? 11
Pax Christi Flanders Joins in ‘Red Hand Day’ Against the Use of Child Soldiers 11
UN Small Arms Preparatory Meeting Ends on Disappointing Note 11
Church-Backed Peace Initiatives 'Can Help Break Flow' of Small Arms 11
CCADD in Slovakia 12
Control Arms Campaign 12
Belgium Vote Banning Submunitions 12
Human Rights 12
Pax Christi International Appeals to Human Rights Commission 12
Pax Christi USA Instrumental in Historic Moratorium on Death Penalty 13
Christian Discipleship and the Use of Torture 14
Peace-building & Peace Education 14
“Just Peacemakers” : New Book by Sr. M.E. Jegen 14
International Calendar 14
Africa
Bishops of Southern Africa Call for Greater Sense of Responsibility in Elections
The Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa have issued a pastoral statement entitled “History, Hope and Responsibility” concerning the forthcoming local and municipal elections in South Africa taking place on 1 March 2006. Expressing frustration with the current social and political situation in the country, the Bishops call for a renewal of individual responsibility in public life, community-based activism and personal participation in democracy.
“Many people died for the New South Africa,” they wrote. “We wonder if people are now willing to commit to living for South Africa.”The Peace and Justice Department of the Southern African Bishops Conference is a member organisation of Pax Christi International. To read the text of the Bishops’ statement, see Ref. AF.08.E.06.
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Publish What You Pay Urges Talks to Resume over Chadian Oil Revenue
The Publish What You Pay (PWYP) coalition has expressed concern for the current stalemate between the government of Chad and the World Bank regarding the proceeds of oil revenues toward poverty reduction in the Central African nation. The coalition calls on all parties to resume negotiations in order to continue progress toward an adequate solution. Pax Christi International participates in the PWYP campaign to make the governments of resource-rich countries accountable to their citizens for the management of the revenues from the oil, gas and mining industries. You can read the PWYP statement at Ref: AF.09.E.06 or visit their website at:
www.publishwhatyoupay.org
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Americas & caribbean
Pax Christi USA’s 2006 National Conference
Pax Christi USA’s 2006 National Conference, God’s People Can Wait No Longer: Twenty Years Since ‘Economic Justice for All,’ will be held July 28-30, 2006 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Confirmed presenters include Marty Haugen, internationally renowned composer of liturgical music for both Roman Catholic and Protestant congregations, and Rev. John Rausch, a Glenmary priest who is also board chair of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia as well as a syndicated columnist. To read many of Fr. Rausch’s columns, go to:
http://www.ccky.org/commentary.htm .
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Elections in Haiti
The first round of voting for a new Haitian president took place on 7 February 2006. The Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix (JILAP) issued on 9 February a press release with a first evaluation of the election proceedings. JILAP, a member organisation with Pax Christi International, has about 1,100 observers nation-wide to monitor the elections. These elections have been seen as very important in this period of transition in Haiti. Haitians want to see a smoothly functioning country and government and to live in dignity. However, JILAP has observed some difficulties, confusion, and obstacles in the process of organising a normal voting procedure. Read more in Creole and French: AM.10.F.06.
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Demobilisation in Colombia
Pax Christi Netherlands organised a conference to launch the 2006 campaign for the (individual) demobilisation process in Colombia The meeting took place on 8 December 2005, in the Hague, from which a 16-page report was produced. The report is available at www.paxchristi.nl or e-mail Marianne Moor:
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Towards a Negotiated Solution in Colombia?
Pax Christi France and the CCFD (Comité Catholique contre le Faim et pour le Développement) organised a public meeting on the issue of a possible political and negotiated solution for the social and armed conflicts in Colombia. The main speaker was Luis Eduardo Salcedo of the Permanent Assembly of the Civil Society for Peace in Colombia. The meeting took place on 24 February 2006 in Paris. Etienne De Jonghe, Secretary General of Pax Christi International, attended the meeting.
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Immigration Reform in USA: Call for Prayer and Fasting
Bishop Gavino Zabala, Pax Christi USA’s Bishop President invites all members of the Catholic Church to engage in a month of prayer and fasting for the poor and vulnerable, especially the immigrants who have been separated from their families and faith communities by their journey.
Millions of people go to the United States pursuing opportunities for themselves and for their families and looking forward to a better life, enriching the communities that receive them.In recent months, the topic of immigration reform has been on the forefront of U.S. Policy Debate, with new proposals for laws which would introduce harsh new penalties for undocumented persons and for those who show them compassion.
By way of advocacy toward justice, Pax Christi USA calls for letters to be sent to the National Representatives in Congress, asking them to endorse a plan for comprehensive immigration reform. Read more at AM.11.E.06
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Violence Against Communities in Brazil
On 14 February 2006, Pax Christi International (PCI) wrote a letter of concern about what is happening with the violent displacement of indigenous people in Aracruz, Brazil. PCI has learned that, in a violent operation on January 20th, federal forces destroyed the houses of the indigenous communities of Córrego D’Ouro and Olho D’Água, where Tupinikin and Guarani families were forcibly displaced from their lands.Indigenous people from these tribes were injured during this operation. Pax Christi International addressed a letter to the Justice Ministry of Brazil, asking to investigate the facts behind the violent actions against these communities. The Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) in Brazil, an Affiliated organisation with Pax Christi International, is dealing with these questions. Read the letter at AM.12.E.06.
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Corruption in the Congress of Guatemala Must be Investigated.
In a press release issued on 20 February 2006, the Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM) asked for an investigation into the Guatemalan Congress’ management of funds designated to social programs. GAM is an affiliated organization with Pax Christi International. Read the statement at AM.13.S.06.
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Asia & Pacific
Pax Christi Pilipinas' Assembly Deepens and Renews for Reconciliation
The Pax Christi Pilipinas 2nd National Assembly was held on the 4th and 5th of February, 2006, in Bacolod City, Philippines. The Assembly both engaged the participants in a further deepening of peace work and reconciliation and renewed them in their commitments. The subject of peace was explored through a Public Lecture Forum, while reconciliation was examined in a Study Forum on Reconciliation (SFR). At the Assembly, business and administrative matters were discussed and key areas of Pax Christi Philippines’ work for the next three years were identified. For details of the National Assembly, see AP.18.E.06
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National Summit of Religious Leaders towards a Culture of Peace in the Philippines
Most Rev. Antonio Ledesma, of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Philippines (CBCP) – Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue (ECID), was one of the conveners of the National Summit of Religious Leaders towards a Culture of Peace, 5 – 8 September 2006. Bishop Ledesma is also the President of Pax Christi Pilipinas, a national section of Pax Christi. The summit was successfully conducted with the cooperation of a number of organisations including the CBCP. The gathering was an occasion for the participants to exchange views and opinions on varied issues, existing programmes, and activities of each religious/faith group that builds on peace and religious understanding. Her Excellency, President Gloria Arroyo, closed the Summit with a few remarks.
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Pax Christi Australia Plans its National Conference
The Australian section of Pax Christi will host its National Conference from September 29 - October 1, 2006 in Victoria. The members will discuss several major projects that Pax Christi Australia is involved with or in which it has taken an initiative. These include interfaith dialogue, critical action against counter-terrorism legislation, Global Action against War, Anti-Bases campaign, Asylum Seekers, East Timor, West Papua and more. Prior to the National Conference, Agapes (an AGAPE is a gathering of Pax Christi members and supporters that involves sharing a meal, a presentation, and discussion around a theme of peace with reflection and prayer led by the host family) will update members on some of these initiatives and will explore ways for further involvement. More at www.paxchristi.org.au
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In Memory of Eddie Kneebone, Indigenous Leader in Australia
Pax Christi International joins Pax Christi Australia in paying tribute to the life and times of Eddie Kneebone who worked towards building cross-cultural understanding in Australia, between its Indigenous people (Aborigines) and its non-indigenous/white citizens. Eddie Kneebone won the Pax Christi International Peace Award in Thailand in 2001. Eddie passed away in December 2006 at the age of 58. Read the tribute at AP.15.E.06.
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Interventions of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, Pakistan
The National Commission for Justice and Peace in Pakistan (NCJP), a member organisation of Pax Christi International, has intervened in a number of human rights violations across the country, in particular, those directed at the minority community of Christians. The laws governing the country support and legitimise the actions of those who seek to alienate and discriminate against non-Muslims. This can be illustrated by the people whom the NCJP has taken upon itself to defend, for example Yousaf Masih, the accused in the blasphemy case at Sangla Hill, and Ms Benjamin, a Christian girl denied admission to King Edward Medical College. The NCJP has also joined the National Solidarity for Equal Rights, a coalition of 12 human rights organisations that will campaign for the repeal of Hudood and Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan. For more information see documents AP.12.E.06 and AP.13.E.06.
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NCJP Pakistan Condemns Reappearance of Violence Against Christians
The NCJP issued a press release condemning the attack on a Church in the Sialkot district on the morning of 3 February 2006. Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha, and Peter Jacob, Chairman and the Executive Secretary of NCJP said in a joint statement which referred to the Sangla Hill incident, “violence against the weaker communities is reappearing because the government has failed to take measures on the incidents that happened before”. For the full report see: AP.16.E.06. For updates on previously reported cases like the Sangla Hill incident, please refer to AP.17.E.06.
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Further attacks on Churches in Sukkar, Pakistan
The NCJP has condemned the most recent destruction of two churches, a school, and other properties owned by the Catholic Church in Sukkar, Sindh on February 19, 2006. This act of intolerance was perpetuated by a mob after a dubious allegation of blasphemy. The NCJP demands that the government ensure a fair enquiry by the police, bring the culprits to justice, and adopt a clear policy towards inculcating democracy, peace, and tolerance in the country. For the full text of the press release, read AP.25.E.06. For additional news and updates on Christian-Muslim conflicts in Pakistan, please read AP.26.E.06.
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Pax Christi International Intervenes on Behalf of Tribals in Gujarat - India
Pax Christi International received an Urgent Appeal from Hotline Asia (Asian Centre for the Progress of Peoples) to lend support to the tribals living in Dangs in Gujarat, India. The issues that need attention are the ecological damage being wrought by the preparations for the Shabri Kumbh (a Hindu festival); issues arising from the construction of the Shabri temple and Shabri Kumbh that are infringing the tribals' right to adequate standard of living; the protection of the tribals' rights as minorities; and protection of the Dangi tribals from violence, threats and intimidation from the Sangh Parivar (a loose "family" of organizations with political leanings to promote the ideology of Hindutva), who are believed to act with the support of state administration. Through the means of an appeal letter, Pax Christi International pleaded with relevant National Authorities and the National Human Rights Commission to uphold the rights and ensure the protection of the Dangi tribals. The appeal letter, dated 10 February 2006, and a background article can be viewed in AP.19.E.06 and AP.21.E.06.