tagged articles with: peace

Council of Europe hailed for religious freedom resolution

A resolution passed by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly is being lauded as an important – although limited – recognition of religious and conscience rights in the public sphere. “The important step with this resolution is the mention of the right to conscientious objection and the enlargement of its scope of application,”

January 13, 2013 World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Migration is in fact “a striking phenomenon because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the social, economic, political, cultural and religious problems it raises, and the dramatic challenges it poses to nations and the international community”, for “every migrant is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance”

Focus on conflict in Papal speech to diplomats

Benedict strongly appealed for an end to the bloodshed in Syria saying that the conflict will “know no victors but only vanquished if it continues.” He called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to “commit themselves to peaceful coexistence within the framework of two sovereign states,” a solution which remained far from reality in 2012.

Pope's new year address deplores rampant capitalism

Pope Benedict XVI has condemned "unregulated capitalism" for contributing to world tension, in a new year address to worshippers. The Pope also thanked the world's peacemakers and said humanity had "an innate vocation for peace".

Christians without compromises

In an article for the 'Financial Times' Benedict XVI presents Christmas as a time to engage with the world. This infant, born in an obscure and far-flung corner of the Empire, was to offer the world a far greater peace, truly universal in scope and transcending all limitations of space and time.

An organization to empower believers to speak to the world

 A “bridge” between religions and culture at a global level: this is essentially what the  King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue [KAICIID] intends to be

Global security must not rely on nuclear weapons

"Global security must not rely on nuclear weapons", the archbishop said in his English-language remarks. "The Holy See considers the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) an important tool to achieve this aim, without mentioning its potential civil and scientific application through its International Monitoring System

Pope says he is a ‘pilgrim of peace’ as he arrives in Lebanon

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Lebanon, saying that he comes “as a pilgrim of peace, as a friend of God and as a friend of men”. In his remarks at a welcoming ceremony at Beirut’s airport, Pope Benedict praised Lebanon, with a mixed population of Christians and Muslims, for its distinctive record of “coexistence and respectful dialogue”.

The Dreyfus Affair by Piers Paul Read: review

This is the book I was telling you about; It is necessary to really understand the French Revolution in order to understand all the wars and religious hatred that have happened since.  The Dreyfus Affair brought down one government, caused the resignation of three Ministers of War, led to France’s most famous novelist being sentenced to a year in prison and almost precipitated the country’s second civil war in little more than 100 years. 

London 2012 and the triumph of British diversity

Multi-culturalism is not, as its detractors claim, an ideology. It is simply a fact. It is not an aim, but a description. London has 300 languages spoken inside its vast boundaries. It gets along, by and large, without any particularly violent consequences from this unparalleled amalgamation of cultures.

The Nun Who Broke Into the Nuclear Sanctum

Sister Megan Rice, 82, a Roman Catholic nun of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and two male accomplices have carried out what nuclear experts call the biggest security breach in the history of the nation’s atomic complex, making their way to the inner sanctum of the site where the United States keeps crucial nuclear bomb parts and fuel.

Syria’s unpredictable future

The innocent victims are at present the citizens of Aleppo, Syria’s second city. The rebels held important districts until the Syrian army launched overwhelming force against them. As ever, women and children are particularly at risk.Aleppo has a significant Christian population, and no doubt Pope Benedict had them in mind when he called for an end to the bloodshed. 

Pope: Symphony of peace between peoples

The concert by this unique orchestra of musicians from Israel, Palestine and other Arab nations, began as the sun-set over the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo. As the last notes of the symphony died on the evening air, Pope Benedict addressed those gathered, praising the foresight of the Israeli Maestro, whom together with the late Edward Said – a Palestinian intellectual and accomplished pianist – founded the orchestra to give the children of these divided communities a vehicle to look beyond their differences.

Philippines: Missionaries escape Basilan ambush

Two Claretian missionary priests, a deacon and a theology student narrowly escaped an attempted ambush by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan province Sunday. The incident occurred four days after the al-Qaeda-linked terror group were thought to have killed eight people and wounded 22 others in an attack on plantation workers on the same road near the village of Tumahubong.

Philippines: Claretian Missionaries seek answers on Basilan violence

  Missionaries working in rural Basilan province challenged the government and the Catholic Church Friday to do something about the spate of violence in the province, after another bloody incident this week.  “We question those in authority, what have you done to protect and grant justice to the lives of the people?” the Claretian Missionaries said in a statement

Queen Visits Bomb-Hit Town Of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland

The Queen makes a groundbreaking church visit as she tours one of the towns hit hardest by Northern Ireland's Troubles. For the first time, the Queen has stepped inside a Roman Catholic church on the island of Ireland in what is being seen as a hugely symbolic moment.

Child soldier recruitment up, says UN

The involvement and association of children in armed conflicts in the Philippines continues to increase, the UN said Wednesday.“These children are not only casualties of explosions, shootings, and attacks but are also victims of kidnapping, killing, and maiming.” 

Olympic Excitement Reaches Whitburn

There's another snip of news from the NE, says Angela. "I'll have to be up early on Saturday but I only have to look out of the window to see the torch!"  Nicholas Ridgeon, from Westoe Village in South Shields, has the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch through Whitburn on Saturday.

Forgotten wars: People flee as armed clash intensifies in the Philippines

At least 150 people, most of them children, were forced to flee a remote village in Agusan del Sur province in Mindanao Tuesday as a battle between government troops and communist guerrillas intensified.

Seeing Spring and Easter

Hugo of St. Victor once famously said: Love is the eye. When we see with love we not only see straight and clearly we also see depth and meaning. Those searching for life through the eyes of love, like Mary of Magdala searching for Jesus in the Garden on Easter Sunday morning, see spring and the resurrection. Any other kind of eye, and we're blind in springtime.

Conference gets under way to address Christian mission and evangelism

 “We come together to proclaim our common faith in Jesus Christ and mission that we can work together for our mission in a world where competition, fragmentation, division are so strong,” said Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila before addressing the conference at the Traders Hotel.

In Iraq as in Syria, foreign troops cause only troubles, Jordanian priest tells Alain Juppé

Fr Rif'at Bader, director of the Catholic Media Study Centre in the Jordanian capital, wrote a letter in response to an article by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé praising France for coming to the defence of Christians, urging Syrian Christians to fight more decisively against Bashar Assad.

Buddhist monk helps priest open clinic

Religions unite to care for those most in need in Mandalay, Myanmar. Working together is an interesting experience, according to Fr Aye Kyaw. “The relationship between us will develop even further through this clinic, Venerable Seinnita and I already consider ourselves as brothers,” he said.

Commitment to and Prayer for Unity

The Pope Celebrates Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio with the Primate of the Anglican Communion.  In the Church of the monastic complex of San Gregorio al Celio - “birthplace of the link between Christianity in Britain and the Church of Rome” - the Pope presided at First Vespers of Third Sunday of Lent on Saturday evening, 10 March, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan William, Primate of the Anglican Communion.

International colloquium on “Asian Cultures in Dialogue”

Among the most important issues discussed at the meeting include the violence, economic crisis, corruption, conflicts between cultures, environmental damage, destruction of cultures and values ??and good governance. 

Bishops’ Australia Day call for time limit on detention

To mark Australia Day, the Catholic Bishops Commission for Justice, Ecology and Development calls upon political parties to work towards a common approach to asylum seekers, so that human beings do not become pawns in a political argument.

British Museum Haj show seeks to explain Islamic ritual to non-Muslims and Muslims

Billed as the first major exhibition devoted to the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, "Hajj: journey at the heart of Islam" at the British Museum aims to lift the veil on a ritual that is a mystery to many in the non-Muslim world.  Pakistan-born Khan believed that its message of peace was particularly important because the outside world's image of the Middle East had been associated in recent years with violence and upheaval.

Korea: Rights group also slams naval base arrests as 'serious failure of governance'

Some 35 sisters and priests from the Association of Major Superiors of Religious Women in Korea and the Catholic Solidarity to Realize Peace in Jeju held a press conference  to protest against the arrest of 29 people including 19 Religious on January 10. They had been praying in front of a naval base construction site on the resort island and urging a halt to the project. All were released within two days.

Christians and Muslims a year since the start of the Arab spring

The Arab uprising spread like wildfire and every Arab country felt its effects. However, the changes must be seen against the backdrop of the Islamist rise to power. Christians are afraid but must cooperate with Muslims. Syria’s case and the bishops’ reaction are a case in point. The West is confused and Obama discredited. A year on, here is a review of what happened in the Arab world.

The Greatest Speech Ever Made

God came to dwell among us. Since then humanity is capable of bringing forth the highest values. But if any of us look away from God's presence what was supposed to be a Kingdom of Justice, Peace and Love, becomes an Empire of evil. Charlie Chaplin final speech in The Great Dictator film reminds us of this truth.

Educating Young People in Justice and Peace

Realise that you yourselves are an example and an inspiration to adults, even more so to the extent that you seek to overcome injustice and corruption and strive to build a better future. Be aware of your potential; never become self-centred but work for a brighter future for all.

Suu Kyi meets papal envoy in church in Yangon

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino spoke together for several minutes ahead of the celebration, the details of which were not immediately known. Her visit underscores her call for national conciliation to include all in society no matter their ethnic or religious background.

Friars Respond to Occupy Movement in USA

We Have to Work Together - People Before Profit.  “It would be good if we did that as a Church.” So far the closest thing to that is a document on global finance by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. “Catholic social teaching and the Occupy Wall Street movement agree that the economy should be at the service of the human person and that strong action must be taken to reduce the growing gap between rich and poor,”

Archbishop of Westminster's statement on the Royal Succession

 "You may not be aware that until a few years ago Catholics could not become Prime Minister or Lord Chancellor (Head of the Judiciary)", writes Ann Mullaney from the Justice and Peace Commission in Botwell Parish in Hayes. It is very significant last week announcement on the Royal Succession.

Claretian Missionary and US Ambassador praise Restraint Policy of Philippine Government

A Spanish missionary activist priest and the US ambassador have praised President Benigno Aquino for showing restraint in dealing with recent alleged rebel attacks on troops in Basilan, Philippines. It will help to keep the peace talks alive.

The true God is accessible to all

The address of the Pope in the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels.  God is not the "property" of believers and no one can in his name "feel vindicated in using force against others". This was the appeal made by the Pope in Assisi on the occasion of the Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World which opened Thursday morning, 27 October, with religious leaders in the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels. 

Assisi 2011: religions to renew their commitment to peace and justice

“Pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace”. It aims “to show, with simplicity, that as religious men and men of good will, we want to offer our own articulated contribution to the building of a better world, whilst at the same time acknowledge the need to grow in dialogue and mutual esteem so as to improve the efficacy of our actions.”  At the initiative of Benedict XVI, this event is designed to mark the 25th anniversary of the first Assisi meeting and is meant “to be a dream that continues, becoming more and more a reality. As everyone is with others, no one is against others. Marching from various points on earth, all nations come together as a one family.”

Egypt: Militant Muslim Mob Burns Christian Homes, Businesses and Coptic Church

 The persecution of Coptic Christians escalates. If this is an indication of the attitude of the government of Egypt, the so called "Arab Spring" is a fraud. Authentic freedom recognizes the fundamental human rights of others, including religious freedom.

London 2012: "100 days of peace" campaign is launched

Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani refuses to recant during trial

 Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has twice refused to recant his Christian faith during two court hearings held in Rasht, Gilan Province on 25 and 26 September. Sources close to CSW indicate that recanting will again be demanded at sessions scheduled for 27 and 28 September, and that if he continues to refuse, he will be executed thereafter.

September 21: International Day of Peace

 On September 21, 2011, a variety of groups, organizations and people worldwide will host and attend International Day of Peace.   In 2002, the U.N. General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.  The JPIC commission of the General Superiors invites all of us to be part of this action for peace in a prayerful way. This prayer material was prepared to be used by your communities, houses, groups, parishes and dioceses.

Meeting Real Heroes Who Expose Themselves to Kidnappers and the MILF to Help Kids.

Today I doff my hat off to real heroes in the person of Claretian priest Fr. Larry Miranda and Fr. Pedro Cleofe who run the Claret Kindergarten School of Tungawan and the Calret Mission Center in Sitio Bangkal where we brought books to start work on what would later be a full-scale library borne out of the partnership of the Claret Mission Center, Kris Peace Library; and the Kapatirang Claretian Inc, a group of Claretian priests and seminarians I now head. 

World remembers Hiroshima and Nagasaki

 Over the next few days, around the world, Pax Christi members will be remembering the anniversaries of the first use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki through prayer, discussion and action. In the UK, vigils, exhibitions and stalls will be held in London, Coventry, Oxford, Abingdon and Aylesford, inviting people to work to reverse Government policies on the renewal of Trident.

Eyewitness report from Brazil, meeting with Bishop Casaldáliga

We are welcomed with gentleness and warmth by Claretian Bishop Casaldáliga, who thanked CAFOD and it’s supporters for its solidarity over the years. CAFOD’s representative in Westminster Diocese, 

National Justice &Peace signs up to ‘Close the Gap’

 More than 300 Justice and Peace activists attending last weekend’s annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) in Derbyshire agreed to help ‘Close the Gap’ between the richest and the poorest in UK society.

South Sudan: How long will the smiles last?

 "Our parents and grandparents were suffering for so long because of war. They brought us independence and so I thank them and I thank God," secondary school student Sarah Keji told me. Expectations here are high and the wish list is as long as the Nile. "After independence, life will be better than before. We are going to see justice, prosperity and our country will develop."

How do social action and evangelisation fit together?

At the general assembly of the Catholic network in Rome this week a new secretary-general, Michel Roy, was elected, after the Vatican said they wanted a new leader who would give the confederation of charities a more distinct Catholic identity.

A goal greater than profit

The Church has always stressed that commercial activity is essential to the common good.  Her social teaching, past and present, insists that commercial activity should be directed to the common good and not merely to the private profit of property holders

One year to go to prepare for the Olympic Truce!

Justice and Peace Commissions from Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster dioceses are preparing activities for '100 Days of Peace' around the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.In particular, they are highlighting  two initiatives for peace, one involving churches and schools, and one involving the UK government and the UN.

The Spanish Revolution grows and spreads

They want to see fiscal reform that favours those on a low income, they demand dignified housing, and the ability to cancel mortgage debt if the property becomes embargoed. They want to see a single constituencies arranged proportionally to the number of votes in each area, ... They demand that financial rescues be directed at families facing eviction rather than at the banks.

The heart of the West’s dilemma

Pope Benedict XVI’s words last weekend need to be heeded. He said: “I am becoming progressively more concerned about the wellbeing and safety of civilians.” He went on to plead for a ceasefire and a negotiated solution to the conflict.

Priest to cross country on foot for peace

The Filipino missionary is taking little more than his optimism on the 2,000 km journey to promote peace and the protection of the sanctity of life.

Turning crisis into action - Keys to the City of God

In his social encyclical Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict presented the global economic crisis as an opportunity to shape a new vision for the future. Here, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace sets out the steps to realising that vision

Against All Odds: Sudan’s Peaceful Vote

Against all odds, southern Sudan’s fragile government called on its people—scattered and benumbed by generations of war—to cast a credible vote on an historic measure in the span of a week. Against every rational forecast, they did so not only without physical violence, but without grumbling.