Desmond Tutu has ‘refused to remain silent’ on Aung San Suu Kyi
Premier Christian News 09.09.17
Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu has called on Aung San Suu Kyi to bring an end to military-led operations against Myanmar’s Rohingya minority.
Critics have slated the Burmese leader for not speaking out against the violent persecution of Rohingya Muslims.
In an open letter that he posted on Facebook to his fellow Nobel prize winner, the 85-year-old South African archbishop said, “I am now elderly, decrepit and formally retired, but breaking my vow to remain silent on public affairs out of profound sadness”.
There have even been calls for her Nobel peace prize to be revoked, however, the overseeing organisation says that this cannot be done.
Read more here
WCC General Secretary: Jews and Christians need to stand together
The shofar is blown for Rosh Hashanah. Photo: MinoZig
On 20 September, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit sent greetings to the WCC’s Jewish partners for Rosh Ha-Shanah and the High Holy Days.
“This ‘New Year’ falls at a difficult time, when assumptions that have governed life in significant parts of our world for a generation or more have, during the last year or so, suddenly been called into question,” Tveit wrote.
Full text of the letter
WCC News: Dozens of countries sign nuclear weapons ban treaty
On 20 September at the United Nations in New York, a treaty to ban nuclear weapons was formally opened for signature. At the time of writing, some 49 states have signed.
This historic new treaty, the text of which adopted in July by two-thirds of the 193 UN member states after months of talks, bans the manufacture, possession and use of nuclear weapons and provides pathways for their eventual elimination. It not only prohibits nuclear weapons, it also requires the provision of aid to victims and environmental remediation. The World Council of Churches (WCC) is among the many groups and governments that have worked toward this development in international law for more than six years.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will enter into force 90 days after 50 countries have ratified it, the final step after signature. Already three nations – the Holy See, Thailand and Guyana – ratified the treaty on the same day as it was opened for signature.
WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed thanksgiving for the treaty and its signatories. “By signing the treaty today, these nations have taken a lead in protecting all our countries and the planet that is our home,” he said, adding that he urged national leaders to quickly ratify as well as sign the treaty. “This new treaty has to potential to save millions of lives, and creation itself, from the most destructive and indiscriminate weapons ever developed by human beings,” he said.
Dr Emily Welty, Vice-Moderator of the WCC’s Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, attended the treaty’s opening and signing ceremony. “This treaty represents the moral courage of the international community – and an active partnership between a wide range of civil society organizations and governments – to condemn one of the most horrific and morally indefensible weapons of our time,” Dr Welty observed. “We commit ourselves to continuing to work for a world free of the threat of nuclear weapons.”
For the WCC, this is a major landmark on the long path since the 1983 WCC Assembly denounced the production, deployment and use of nuclear weapons as a crime against humanity. The WCC called explicitly for a ban treaty at its 2013 Assembly in South Korea. “We vowed there to live in ways that protect life and creation, not in fear, protected by nuclear weapons,” said Tveit. “Our moral imperative against nuclear weapons is clear and categorical.
WCC expresses support for Swedish ban on nuclear weapons(WCC press release of 19 September 2017)
Banning nuclear weapons, 122 governments take leadership where nuclear powers have failed (WCC press release of 8 July 2017)
Emily Welty: tide of hope for a world free from nuclear weapons
A Tribute: John Baxter Ruming, RIP.
Born in Surrey in April 1931, John lived for many decades in Carshalton, being a director of his residents’ society for 16 years, and moving to the Sussex coast only a couple of years before his death in August. In the 1970s he was a member of the Bishops’ Conference former Commission for International Justice and Peace (“CIJP”), which fostered diocesan J&P groups. He worked with a small Southwark group from about 1975-81, bringing people together to build a J&P community, collaborating with Paddy Purnell, SJ, to produce biblical reflections on the Sunday readings for all three liturgical years and seeing a part-time paid worker recruited. I first met him during the 1980s when he was Chair of the diocesan Management Team.
At that time he was also a leading member of CLC (the Christian Life Community movement), representing them on NCLA. He was He was an appreciated spiritual director and retreat leader, and National Chairman in 1986-88,, often speaking of the preferential option for the poor. The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius were at the heart of his life and all that he did, and CLC provided the root and support for him. He made very definite decisions about what work he was going to do, where to live, and so on. He was an enthusiastic walker, reflecting that we often read of Christ making journeys on foot.
He left office in CLC to become the first paid national J&P worker in 1988, interviewed by a panel chaired by a certain Mgr Vincent Nichols (General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference), and including senior people from CAFOD and CIIR (later “Progressio”). On leaving, he wrote “I leave the Chair of CLC about the same time as I retire early and change direction in my own life, a very exciting time for me. I intend to become a student with a whole range of new inputs over the next year or so, to deepen my mission arising from our seventh General Principle, especially to work, as God wills, for the reform of the unjust structures of society.” His first act upon appointment in mid-1988 was to delay his starting date for 6-months to attend an Ignatian course of study and retreat at St Bueno’s in Flintshire, afterwards working through 1989, 1990 and 1991, returning for a few days to help at the 1992 conference in Lancaster.
The CIJP originally provided National J&P Conferences with secretarial services, while the commission in the diocese hosting the conference did the local organising. Upon John’s appointment, CIJP provided office space at Eccleston Square. John diligently recorded and filed everything, even more importantly taking initiatives in organizing events and maintaining contact with the network. He had worked with the electrical conglomerate, Philips, retiring early, and brought expertise on ‘new technology’, such the then cutting edge of home office equipment – a BBC-B computer. Providentially his successor had the same machine and daisy-wheel printer, ensuring a smooth changeover.
John was gentle with a smile for all, yet very determined and able to put forward his viewpoint fearlessly. Whilst being respectful, he was zealous and well able to confront those who disagreed, clergy included, usually maintaining equilibrium and ending upon good terms. A rosy complexion, a wicked sense of humour and twinkling eyes provided a passing resemblance to a garden gnome, perhaps helping his acceptance as a non-threatening innovation! He created the worker’s role, quietly winning over Bishops’ Conference staff and others. A familiar accessory was his old WW2 gas mask case, which he strung across his shoulder to carry materials and sandwiches.
When I became NLC Chair for the last of his three years with us he was unfailingly helpful and timely in knowing when to offer advice. His presence improved the handling of work in key areas such as supporting members, liaison with others and servicing regular meetings: the network became more productive and participation grew. He kept in touch with fieldworkers, getting their annual gatherings started. He visited at least 12 dioceses, meeting bishops and local concerned people to find out what support might be offered. He also established regular communication with a number of religious orders and church organisations. Consequently the scope of work expanded the Exec gained time to think strategically and work to develop the network and ensuring its visibility.
John was on Pax Christi ‘s Executive Committee for eight years from 1996, spending a year as Chair. In 1997 he was key to the logistical planning of their International Council in London, again demonstrating tremendous gifts for clear thinking and organisation. Pax Christi also benefited from his skills as a spiritual director.
He was good servant of the church with great commitment to the J&P mission, missed and remembered with admiration and thanks for his qualities, and with love. A truly lovely and dedicated person: may he rest in peace and continue to give us energy and hope from his new vantage point, face to face with the Lord.
Phil Kerton – with thanks to several others for their memories!
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament: Take action for peace
Is the world heading to nuclear war?
CND is alarmed by the threat of nuclear war in North East Asia and the wider Pacific region. North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons and missiles in defiance of the international community, while the US and its allies continue provocative actions, threats and exercises in or near North East Asia and the Pacific. There is a real danger that these actions will lead to the use of nuclear weapons by intention or miscalculation. There are no safe hands for nuclear weapons and any detonation of a nuclear device would be a humanitarian catastrophe with global impacts. Threatening and isolating the North Korean regime risks escalating the conflict rather than encouraging solutions.
Take action here:
Bishop supports Francis’ call for prayer and action to support Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims
The lead Bishop for international affairs, the Rt Revd Declan Lang, has urged Catholics in England and Wales to take up Pope Francis’ call for prayer and action to support Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.
Read the statement here:
NJPN Fracking Briefing Paper: Important update
The NJPN Environment Group published its first discussion paper about fracking in 2014, opening up the scientific debate to the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching. This latest edition touches on some of the current evidence about the process, the uncertainties and the controversies surrounding it, and the protests and campaigns, before looking at the place of Christian insights and wisdom to help form a balanced judgement about the role of fracking in the UK.
Download updated document here: NJPN Fracking Briefing Paper
Home Mission Sunday: Share the Joy of the Gospel
This Sunday, 17 September, the Catholic Church celebrates Home Mission Sunday. This is an opportunity to inspire Catholics and help them to engage with the mission of the Church, whilst supporting the work of the Home Mission Office.
Often when we hear the word ‘Mission’ it is associated with the valuable work of sharing our faith and helping people in other countries. Whilst this is still important, the Home Mission Office helps Catholics to share their faith with those they love, know and meet on home turf. If home is where the heart is, the best place to start sharing our faith is with the people we carry in our hearts.
The Home Mission Office is part of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis at the Bishops Conference of England and Wales. Our long term vision is to help the Catholic Church make the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ a reality in England and Wales.
To help us realise our vision we will focus on the following areas this year:
- Enabling people to pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire their loved ones to turn towards Jesus.
- Inspiring communities to consider their approach to those seeking Christ by developing an attitude of welcome, acceptance and love.
Providing support and training for those engaged in sharing their faith.
More information here
*** NJPN Action of the Week *** Avaaz: Cut support to Burma’s military
Very few had heard of Rwanda, until 800,000 people were dead. And right now in Burma, the Rohingya community is being hunted down by rampaging bands of soldiers hellbent on murder.
But here’s the craziest thing — the military behind this massacre is supported by countries like Britain, Germany and Italy!
Burma’s generals have spent years building these alliances. Let’s demand our governments end their support until the slaughter is stopped.
Governments around the world have engaged with Burma’s military — hoping to prevent massacres like we’re seeing right now. It’s clear that policy has failed, but they have massive leverage by breaking ties with these butchers!
The Rohingya are a poverty-stricken community who are denied citizenship in Burma, and have been persecuted for years because of their darker skin and different religion. Some have taken up arms and attacked security forces. But this is all out ethnic cleansing — the worst crisis the Rohingya have ever faced.
Sign now and share everywhere
Creation Time: Update from Operation Noah
September saw the start of the Season of Creation (also known as Creation Time or Creationtide), when Christians around the world are praying and caring for creation. The Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October, is an opportunity to celebrate creation and contemplate our role in protecting it.
More ideas and information here:
