Five Reasons to Support a Total Ban of Nuclear Weapons Today

The date, September 26, is the United Nations’ International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. One year has now passed since the historic adoption of an international treaty which aims to make these weapons illegal. In an article published by Greenpeace International on September 26 this year, Jen Maman provides five reasons as to why these weapons of…

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Pax Christi Australia (NSW) Convenor’s Report

The September Report describes how representatives of human rights groups went to the Philippine Consulate-General Office in Sydney to protest the imminent deportation of Professor Gill Boehringer. The groups represented were Action for Peace and Development in the Philippines (APDP), Philippine Australian Union Links (PAUL), Migrante Australia, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), Association to Defend Freedom & Human…

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Why the Catholic Church Should Abolish the Anti-Christian ‘Just War’ Theory

Below is an extract from a reflection on abuse, violence, war, and peacemaking by Mairead Maguire that was written after Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland. It was published in Common Dreams on September 6, 2018. In Ireland, and throughout the world, people are looking for moral and spiritual leadership. Pope Francis’ two-day visit to Ireland on August 25-26 comes at a time when people need hope.…

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Catholic Support for War: Another Child Abuse Scandal

The Church cannot condemn child abuse by pedophiles and yet bless the government’s murder of children in its wars, if it wants to be consistent and faithful to Christ.  Below is an extract from an article by Brian Terrell on this theme: On August 14, a report from a grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania identified 300 Catholic priests across the…

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Pax Christi Australia (NSW) Convenor’s Report

The August Report includes information about meetings with the Inter-Congregational Voice on Climate Change and the Pacific Islands. This is a group of Catholic congregations with historical and ongoing involvement among peoples in Pacific Island nations in the areas of education, health, community development and climate justice. The group participated in the ‘Inquiry into the strategic effectiveness and outcomes of Australia’s aid…

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People’s Peace Movement (PPM ) in Afghanistan

In his article, 'In Afghanistan, Our Need to Rethink the Institution of War', author Dr Hakim writes, “We’ve been thinking that we need armies to stop ‘terrorists’, but armies don’t stop ‘terrorists’. Instead, they give ‘terrorists’ reason to keep fighting”. Dr Hakim says that it is "frustrating that whereas all human beings wish to live meaningful lives, we seem helpless…

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Senator Pat Dodson’s response to Fraser Anning’s maiden speech

In his maiden speech, Katter’s Australian Party senator Fraser Anning called for an end to Muslim immigration and a return to the White Australia policy. Below is Patrick Dodson’s response: Senator DODSON (Western Australia) (10:21): I wasn't intending to say anything, and I won't say anything that will be better than what my leader has said on this side of the…

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New Zealand ratifies the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons

Recently, New Zealand became the 14th state to ratify the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons. Pax Christi Aotearoa-New Zealand, our member organisation in New Zealand, issued the following statement upon ratification: Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand has been a strong advocate against the possession, testing and use of nuclear weapons since our beginnings in the mid 1980s. This has included…

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