Italian Catholic bishops call for nonviolence

War Is Irrational, Italian Bishop Affirms

Conference Considers Priority of Disarmament

ROME, FEB. 8, 2010 (Zenit.org).- War is irrational and inhuman, and non-violence needs to become a language, reconciliation a style of life.

These were some of the conclusions at the Italian episcopal conference’s convention last month on “For a World of Peace: the Dream of Isaiah and the Proclamation of Christ.”

Caritas-Italy and Pax Christi co-sponsored the event.

An official from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Tommaso Di Ruzza, told the conference participants that disarmament is an ethical question that involves everyone, not just governments. Continue reading “Italian Catholic bishops call for nonviolence” →

4th Annual Celebration of St. Marcellus announced for N. Indiana

Mennonites and Catholics will again be joining together in Northern Indiana October 30-31 to celebrate the Feast of St. Marcellus, the late fourth-century saint who was martyred for refusing military service, and whose relics are embedded under the altar at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame The keynote speaker and workshop facilitator will be Dr. Mary Jo Leddy, director of the Romero House Community for Refugees in Toronto, and adjunct professor at Regis Colllege, University of Toronto. The event is organized by the Center for Peace and Nonviolence of St. Joseph County around the theme, “Living with Spirit in the Midst of Empire” For more information or to register for the workshop online, visit http://www.cpnv.net/Events.htm. To download a flier on the event, click here.

Pope Benedict Praises Nonviolence

Pontiff Calls Volunteers Peace Workers
Addresses Youth of Italy’s Civil Service

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 29, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI called the youth volunteers of Italy’s civil service “workers of peace” and congratulated them on their enthusiasm and generosity.

“Peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly,” he said, quoting the Vatican II pastoral constitution Gaudium et spes. “How real this observation is! Unfortunately, wars and violence never end, and the search for peace is always a toilsome business.”

Quoting the council fathers, the Pontiff explained: “New approaches based on reformed attitudes must be taken to remove this trap and to emancipate the world from its crushing anxiety through the restoration of genuine peace.”

According to Benedict XVI, “the authentic conversion of hearts represents the right way, the only way that can lead each one of us and all humanity to the peace that we hope for.”

“It is the way indicated by Jesus: He — the King of the universe — did not come to bring peace to the world with an army, but through refusing violence,” he added. Continue reading “Pope Benedict Praises Nonviolence” →

Join us in prayer, as Vatican hosts worldwide Mennonite representatives

Please join us in prayer as Mennonite delegates from 10 countries around the world travel to Rome for continuing consultations on Mennonite-Catholic dialogue and peace. Continue reading “Join us in prayer, as Vatican hosts worldwide Mennonite representatives” →

Colombian Catholics and Mennonites strike new bonds at first dialogue

Bogotá, Colombia (MWC)- “I have been able to get to know a new world that I never knew before,” said Monsignor Fidel Cadavid, the bishop of Quibdo, Colombia. “Without knowing one another, it is impossible to practice ecumenism.”

Bishop Cadavid plans to connect with the Mennonite congregation in Quibdo on his return. “I see a great affinity [between our churches] in peace work. Working together, we will have more strength and be more effective in our advocacy.”

He was speaking of “Called Together to be Peacemakers,” an encounter for Catholic – Mennonite Dialogue which took place here August 15 and 16 at the Episcopal Conference of Colombia. Continue reading “Colombian Catholics and Mennonites strike new bonds at first dialogue” →

Pope Approves Objector for Beatification

Last week news we learned that Pope Benedict XVI has officially recognized Franz Jägerstätter as a martyr. Jägerstätter was a Catholic conscientious objector in Nazi-occupied Austria at a time when the Catholic Church did not yet recognize the legitimacy of conscientious objection from military service. His witness has been a source of encouragement as the ranks of Catholic conscientious objectors and peacebuilders has grown since the Second Vatican Council. The Catholic Peace Fellowship explains the significance of this news in a just-released article: Continue reading “Pope Approves Objector for Beatification” →

Mennonite Central Committee leads ecumenical delegation to Iran

An ecumenical delegation organized by Mennonite Central Committee — the arm of Mennonite churches in North America for relief, development and peacemaking — has just returned from Iran. Among the delegation was David Robinson, executive director of the Catholic peace organization Pax Christi USA. Continue reading “Mennonite Central Committee leads ecumenical delegation to Iran” →

Pontiff Encourages Work With the Poor

War Is Irrational, Italian Bishop Affirms

Conference Considers Priority of Disarmament

Pontiff Calls Volunteers Peace Workers Addresses Youth of Italy’s Civil Service

Pontiff Calls Volunteers Peace Workers
Addresses Youth of Italy’s Civil Service