Tag: Peace and nonviolence

Churches prepare for International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica in May

The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) will be a “harvest festival” celebrating the achievements of the Decade to Overcome Violence which began in 2001. At the same time it encourages individuals and churches to renew their commitment to nonviolence, peace and justice.  In the video below, Mennonite theologian and ecumenical leader Dr. Fernando Enns of Germany, introduces the convocation, which will be held in Kingston, Jamaica, May 17-25.

Continue reading “Churches prepare for International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica in May” →

Pope links violence in God’s name to Antichrist

Vatican City (ENInews). Violence committed in the name of God or religion is a “favorite instrument of the Antichrist,” Pope Benedict XVI writes in a new book on the life and teachings of Jesus.

“Violence does not build up the kingdom of God, the kingdom of humanity,” Benedict writes. “On the contrary, it is a favorite instrument of the Antichrist, however idealistic its religious motivation may be. It serves not humanity, but inhumanity.” Continue reading “Pope links violence in God’s name to Antichrist” →

Kreiders publish new book on Worship and Mission After Christendom

Bridgefolk participants Alan and Eleanor Kreider have published a new book,  Worship and Mission After Christendom.  Their publisher, Herald Press, hints at why their work will appeal to the “sacramentally-minded Mennonites and peace-minded Catholics” who make up Bridgefolk:

Today, as Christendom weakens, worship and mission are poised to reunite after centuries of separation. But this requires the church to rethink both “mission” and “worship.” In post-Christendom mission, God is the main actor and God calls all Christians to participate. In post-Christendom worship, the church tells and celebrates the story of God, enabling members to live in hope and attract outsiders to its many tables of hospitality.

In this passionate and thoughtful study, Alan Kreider and Eleanor Kreider draw upon missiology, liturgiology, biblical studies, church history, and the vast experience of today’s global Christian church-to say nothing of their long tenure as teachers and writers in contemporary England and the United States. Academically responsible but also practical and accessible, Worship and Mission After Christendom is a much-needed guide for people who take seriously God’s call to be the church in a world where institutional religion is no longer taken for granted. Continue reading “Kreiders publish new book on Worship and Mission After Christendom“ →

“The Road to Nonviolence:” America magazine assesses ecumenical peace efforts

Two special designations were proclaimed for this millennium’s first decade, which comes to an end this year: the Decade to Overcome Violence, sponsored by the World Council of Churches; and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World, sponsored by the United Nations. The core objective of the World Council of Churches’ decade was to move the concern for peace from the periphery of the churches to their very center.

To view the rest of the article, click here.

Cardinal Turkson: Today’s Wars Won’t Bring Future Peace

Justice, Peace Council President Stresses Role of Religions in Reconciliation

BERLIN, Germany, NOV. 29, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The wars of today will not lead to the peace of tomorrow, says the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

This was affirmed by Cardinal Peter Turkson in an address at a congress of the German Bishops’ Conference Commission for Justice and Peace.

The congress, which was held in Berlin in November, focused on the theme, “Wars of Today, Peace of Tomorrow.”

“It is becoming increasingly clear, especially in today’s world, how a seemingly ‘small’ and ‘local’ conflict can trigger ‘global’ consequences,” the prelate observed. Continue reading “Cardinal Turkson: Today’s Wars Won’t Bring Future Peace” →

Thirty Christian faith traditions share the peace

L-R: Philip LeMasters, McMurray University; Earl James, Reformed Church in American, New York, N.Y.

by John Bender

ELKHART, Ind.—Jamal, a Muslim refugee from Zanzibar, and Matthew, a Jew, got acquainted as their children played in a neighborhood parkette in Canada’s largest city, Toronto. Learning of Jamal’s computer skills, Matthew found him a job.

Later, as the events of September 11, 2001, unfolded, Jamal came to Matthew’s house, shaken. ”I’m so sorry, but I don’t know who to say sorry to.” Matthew invited Jamal’s family to share dinner with them.

The relationship of these neighbors represents “a testimony to the possibility of peace among peoples,” said Mary Jo Leddy, addressing the opening worship of an ecumenical peace conference, “Peace Among the Peoples,” July 28–31. Continue reading “Thirty Christian faith traditions share the peace” →

Saint John’s awards Mennonite peacebuilder John Paul Lederach its highest honor

As part of its commencement ceremony May 9, Saint John’s University and Abbey in Minnesota awarded Mennonite peacebuilder John Paul Lederach its Pax Christi award.  The university’s highest honor, the Pax Christi award ” recognizes those who have devoted themselves to God by working in the tradition of Benedictine monasticism to serve others and to build a heritage of faith in the world.”  Saint John’s Abbey has hosted Bridgefolk conferences and Abbot John Klassen is the Catholic co-chair of Bridgefolk.  The text of the award appears below.

The public radio program Speaking of Faith, recently featured Lederach and his work. The program is at http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/art-of-peace.  Gerald Schlabach, executive director of Bridgefolk and a colleague of Lederach’s in the 1980s, recommends this extensive interview as an introduction to the style of grassroots relationship-building that has influenced Bridgefolk’s approach to ecumenical dialogue.

Saint John’s Abbey and University
Collegeville, Minnesota

John Paul Lederach, coming from a Mennonite Christian tradition of peacemaking, you have had a life-long commitment to working toward the non-violent resolution of conflict.  Continue reading “Saint John’s awards Mennonite peacebuilder John Paul Lederach its highest honor” →

Study guide to help prepare world convocation on peace

Geneva (WCC) — “Telling the Truth About Ourselves and Our World”, a study guide on overcoming violence in contemporary contexts, has been published by the World Council of Churches in English, French, German and Spanish as part of the build-up to the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in May 2011 at Kingston, Jamaica.

Gathering about 1,000 representatives from church-related peace networks from all over the world, the convocation will mark the culmination of the ongoing ecumenical Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010) – Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace.

Four main sections of the study guide provide resources for discussion of the central themes of the IEPC: peace in the community, peace with the Earth, peace in the marketplace and peace among peoples.

The pattern suggested as a process for considering each theme provides an opportunity to relate the theme to one’s own context and experience, further reflection on the theme in a global perspective, a search for one’s own vision of peace and a commitment to action.

The study guide also provides resources for prayer, study, further reading and action.

The publication is now available in English, French, German and Spanish on the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) website.

Printed booklets may be ordered from dov@wcc-coe.org; these hard copies are free of charge, but there will be a charge for shipping quantities of more than 25.

The DOV would welcome offers to translate the study guide into additional languages. Such translations would then be posted on the website.

The new study guide is a follow-up to the widely used DOV publication “Why Violence? Why Not Peace?” which has been translated into 16 languages.

Study guide “Telling the Truth About Ourselves and Our World” (pdf, 1.1 MB)

Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV)

International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC)