Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference - Vatican

War never againMy father was in World War II and his uncle died in World War I. Just thinking about the effects of violent war on the families today in war torn places like Syria makes me ache in empathy. We must insist, “War never again!” It is never the solution.

Pope Francis' Message

Pope Francis sent a message to the international conference held at the Vatican on Nonviolence and Just Peace. 

Nonviolence and Peace Conference Rome April 2016

Rationale for the Conference

“To seek peace, deep peace rooted in justice, shalom – not a mere absence of war, but the fullness of life for all – that is the Christian vocation and way of life. As followers of the One who is Peace, who on the cross overcame the violence of our world and who then called for peace and modelled forgiveness, we are called to help move our broken and violated world toward the full flowering of the New Creation, repeating Jesus way of active, nonviolent, persistent, risky, creative peacemaking.”

Attendees

Catholic practitioners of nonviolence and practical peacemaking from countries around the world, including places of current and recent wars gathered at this event, appropriate at this time after the recent grievous bombings, including in Brussels, the headquarters of Pax Christi International.  

The conference convened by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax Christi, was opened by Cardinal Turkson. It initiated a conversation about Catholic teaching on war and peace that rejects “just war” and engages in the spirituality and practice of nonviolent peacemaking, lived and taught by Jesus. 

Columban Attendees

Columban Fr Patrick Cunningham, Nonviolence and Peace Conference Rome April 2016The Columbans were represented by Fr Pat Cunningham from South Korea. Fr Pat is part of a peace movement on Jeju where the villagers of Gangjeong have been resisting the building of a naval base as part of the South Korean Government’s increasing military presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Planning Committee - Anne Lanyon said

I am proud to have represented the Columbans on the planning committee. I am especially proud to have contributed an Australian flavour to the conference prayer by enabling the use of a powerful image of the Crucifixion painted by gifted Aboriginal artist, Richard Campbell.

Special Prayer for the success of the Conference

Columban Fr Niall O’Brien’s journey in Non-violence: Silence is a Political Act

Melbourne Conference: Violence in the Name of Religion

Culture of Peace bulletin (PDF): Based on the Gospel of the first Sunday in April is an excellent resource you can use in your school, parish and community newsletters.Anne Lanyon is the Coordinator of the Centre of Peace, Ecology and Justice at the Columban Mission Institute in Sydney, Australia.

Anne Lanyon is the Co-ordinator of the Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice based in the Columban Mission Institute, Sydney.

War cemetary

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