The invitation went out last November – following an ecumenical Pax Christi conference last summer entitled Reclaiming Gospel Nonviolence, there was to be a meeting to explore setting up a Pax Christi Scotland. And so, on a chilly February Saturday, around 25 people from all over Scotland came together in Glasgow for that exploration.
It is perhaps testament to how important we felt this ‘exploration’ could be that delegates travelled from the Borders, from Aberdeenshire, and from Argyll, as well as from many parts of the central belt. Some were rooted in the anti nuclear campaign, others in Catholic Social Teaching that seeks, as Pope Francis has reminded us, to move towards a holistic nonviolent society. We all shared a hope for peace in all facets of society.
As the day progressed and our intentions rose to the surface of our discussions, it became clear that the majority shared the idea that Scotland has its own identity, its own culture, and its own picture of peace. We wanted a Pax Christi Scotland.
As we moved towards this conclusion, there was a surge of positivity. We may be about to punch above our weight, reach beyond our pay grade – any cliché in the book that suggests we will be very small fry in a very big pond – but if we don’t give it a try, we will simply sit on the coat tails of Pax Christi England and Wales, however efficient and effective that organisation may be. We have things to say on the international stage about peace, and establishing Pax Christi Scotland will allow our voice to be heard.
We will, of course, be bound by Pax Christi’s mission statement – why would any organisation with the temerity to aspire to being part of the international Pax Christi change a word? That statement speaks of:
• Peace – based on justice. A world where human rights are respected, basic needs are met and people feel safe and valued in their communities.
• Reconciliation – a process that begins when people try to mend relationships – between individuals or whole countries after times of violence or dispute.
• Nonviolence – a way of living and making choices that respects others and offers alternatives to violence and war.
But what an exciting step forward - and one that we hope will gather in all those who believe in the concept but have felt themselves on the fringe of something that mainly happens south of the border.
Baby steps, of course. There are procedures to follow and to enable them, we ended that Saturday meeting with hands going up to identify volunteers for a steering committee. Those of us whose hands seemed to rise of their own accord – or was that the Holy Spirit tugging and telling us there was a task for us to get on with? – are now wondering what fine mess we’ve got ourselves into this time, Ollie.
The idea is to start Pax Christi Scotland under the wing of Justice and Peace Scotland, which of course, shares and promotes all of the Pax Christi ideals. That will allow us to meet the criteria set down by Pax Christi International, seek the approval of the Scottish Bishops’ Conference and hopefully engage the interest of a Bishop President. When the time is right and the requirements have been fulfilled, we aim to fly solo.
We’re recruiting for peace! We – Grace Buckley, Hugh Foy, Rosalyn Mauchline and me – want to hear from you because we want everyone who believes in peace and nonviolence to share this exciting moment when this new initiative is in its embryonic state. Help us to nurture it. We can achieve peace if we work for justice.