UK churches prepare for Peace Sunday

From Abindgon to Altrincham, Southport to Sheffield, orders for Peace Sunday 2017 are rolling in to the Pax Christi office. It seems that parishes across the country are taking up the World Peace Message challenge of Pope Francis "Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer. Everyone can be an artisan of peace."

The theme for 2017, 'Nonviolence: a style of politics for peace', seems to have captured the attention and imagination of individuals, communities and parishes. This is the first time that nonviolence has been explored as a force more powerful in seeking peace, recognising that it is not merely a tactic but a way of life. Pax Christi have distributed more than 25,000 peace prayer cards in addition to liturgy booklets and study materials on the theme. Pax Christi members will be speaking as Masses, holding prayer vigils for peace and organising activities for children on the theme of peacemakng.

In his letter to parishes for Peace Sunday, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Pax Christi said: " the message of Pope Francis offers a timely opportunity for our parishes to explore the Catholic tradition of nonviolence which goes back to Jesus, and to develop ways to make Gospel nonviolence better known."

Pax Christi see Peace Sunday on 15 January 2017, as the start of a year-long process of reflection and study of the message and all that it has to offer our world community in better responding to injustice and violence.

Resources for Peace Sunday can be found here: http://paxchristi.org.uk/news-and-events/peace-sunday/