PAX CHRISTI IN OMAGH
Pax Christi in Omagh
BY BERNIE NIXON
Christians unite when Catholic movement brings peace conference to town
IN a week in which saw the people of Omagh and District come together to remember the victims of August 15,1998, it seemed appropriate that the international Catholic peace movement Pax Christi held their annual conference in the town.
Pax Christi was established in France, just after the Second World War by a Catholic teacher who worked for Franco German reconciliation. The organisation is now active in opposing any attacks on Iraq. Its recent statement delivered to 10 Downing Street stated: "We deplore any military action that regards the deaths of innocent men, women and children as a price worth paying in fighting terrorists, since this is to fight terror with terror. The people of Iraq must not be made to suffer further because they are living under a dictator who in his early years of power enjoyed the support of Western nations."
In its declaration, Pax Christi always called upon the United States and Britain to open their own "nuclear, chemical and bacteriological facilities" to inspection by the United Nations as a gesture of goodwill.
How often have we heard the claim that the Church should be more active in moves towards peace? However, it seems that when such an opportunity for participation was offered by Pax Christi, few people appeared to be interested.
The vast majority of those participating in the two-day event were members of the organisation who had travelled from many parts of Britain and Ireland. There was a very small representation from Omagh. However, Independent Councillor Paddy McGowan was praised by the organisation for his tireless support. Cllr McGowan arranged the conference facilities and the accommodation as well as "officially" being present to welcome the group to Omagh.
The fist day of the two day conference began on Saturday afternoon when Fr Kevin Mullan was asked to lead a special service at the Memorial Garden. The group then travelled on to the Round Gallery in the Ulster American Folk Park where a series of talks and lectures had been arranged.
MOVING ACCOUNTS
The opening session was a reflection on the individual journeys of two relatives of victims of the bomb. Michael Gallagher and Kevin Skelton both gave moving accounts of their individual experiences on the day of the Omagh Bomb. Many visitors were moved by the factual accounts of how a normal day ended in tragedy.
On the Sunday morning, the conference continued with a discussion on the theme: "Omagh Then and Now What it has to say to us?" This discussion was chaired by Betty Newtown, Convener of the British Section of Pax Christi. The speakers for this session were Bishop Donal McKeown who has been a long time member of Pax Christi, Dr Maureen Andrew, representing Omagh Church of Ireland and Julitta Clancy of the Meath Peace Group.
Bishop McKeown talked of "ultimate obscenity" in attitudes or ideologies which believed that "people were disposable" in order to make a point. He quoted some lines from O'Casey's play, Shadow of a Gunman: "It's not the gunmen who are dying for the people; the people are dying for the gunmen."
"The spirit of Pax Christi was one of the finding other ways of handling conflict, evil must be resisted. Conflict has it's roots in resentment and pain. Sectarianism is a symptom of a dysfunctional society," said Bishop McKeown.
"We need to move beyond the superiority of victim-hood. The victim can become the bully.
"I believe Christian people need to offer prophetic leadership which will lead us out of choppy waters. The churches need to speak prophetically about what is happening in society. To move beyond the superiority of victimhood."
Roy Garland appeared to echo the Bishop's idea of prophetic leadership. However, he believed his role was to work on the ground.
"Leaders are trapped by their people" he said. "I feel my work is on the ground, changing the people, so they can change their leaders".
JOURNEY FROM EXTREMISM
Mr Garland gave a remarkable account of his Journey from extremism: "I was a member of the Free Presbyterian Church, an Orangeman, and I was associated with a particular wing of loyalist fundamentalism. Strangely enough, it was here in Omagh in 1981 after meeting in the Royal Arms Hotel, that I made the decision to resign. I knew something was wrong, violence."
Dr Maureen Andrew, representing the Church of Ireland, reflected on her involvement with the 'walking wounded' immediately after the bomb, and she referred to the ongoing needs of the people of Omagh, particularly the young people.
Rev Ian Meirs and Rev John Gilmore spoke from a local Presbyterian and Roman Catholic perspective. They, too, reflected on the immediate cries following August 15, 1998. During the crisis, both men formed a friendship that has continued to this day.
"We discovered how much we had in common; we thought the same things, so we could not let issues of doctrine come between our Christian friendship."
The conference included a special Mass celebrated by Rev. Paul Lansu. Fr Lansu, who is based in Brussels, works on a permanent basis with Pax Christi International. In his homily, he referred to his work in some areas of conflict such as Bosnia, the Middle East and Rwanda. Pax Christi attempts to link youth groups from these different areas of conflict, to allow them to see how other societies are coping with similar situations.
Praising the organisers behind the Pax Christi event, Council Chairman Pat McDonnell later described the prayer service as "a quiet, reflective and very fitting event".
"I am glad to see Pax Christi choose Omagh for this visit and congratulate Cllr Paddy McGowan who was instrumental in organising the link-up," he added.
BY BERNIE NIXON
Christians unite when Catholic movement brings peace conference to town
IN a week in which saw the people of Omagh and District come together to remember the victims of August 15,1998, it seemed appropriate that the international Catholic peace movement Pax Christi held their annual conference in the town.
Pax Christi was established in France, just after the Second World War by a Catholic teacher who worked for Franco German reconciliation. The organisation is now active in opposing any attacks on Iraq. Its recent statement delivered to 10 Downing Street stated: "We deplore any military action that regards the deaths of innocent men, women and children as a price worth paying in fighting terrorists, since this is to fight terror with terror. The people of Iraq must not be made to suffer further because they are living under a dictator who in his early years of power enjoyed the support of Western nations."
In its declaration, Pax Christi always called upon the United States and Britain to open their own "nuclear, chemical and bacteriological facilities" to inspection by the United Nations as a gesture of goodwill.
How often have we heard the claim that the Church should be more active in moves towards peace? However, it seems that when such an opportunity for participation was offered by Pax Christi, few people appeared to be interested.
The vast majority of those participating in the two-day event were members of the organisation who had travelled from many parts of Britain and Ireland. There was a very small representation from Omagh. However, Independent Councillor Paddy McGowan was praised by the organisation for his tireless support. Cllr McGowan arranged the conference facilities and the accommodation as well as "officially" being present to welcome the group to Omagh.
The fist day of the two day conference began on Saturday afternoon when Fr Kevin Mullan was asked to lead a special service at the Memorial Garden. The group then travelled on to the Round Gallery in the Ulster American Folk Park where a series of talks and lectures had been arranged.
MOVING ACCOUNTS
The opening session was a reflection on the individual journeys of two relatives of victims of the bomb. Michael Gallagher and Kevin Skelton both gave moving accounts of their individual experiences on the day of the Omagh Bomb. Many visitors were moved by the factual accounts of how a normal day ended in tragedy.
On the Sunday morning, the conference continued with a discussion on the theme: "Omagh Then and Now What it has to say to us?" This discussion was chaired by Betty Newtown, Convener of the British Section of Pax Christi. The speakers for this session were Bishop Donal McKeown who has been a long time member of Pax Christi, Dr Maureen Andrew, representing Omagh Church of Ireland and Julitta Clancy of the Meath Peace Group.
Bishop McKeown talked of "ultimate obscenity" in attitudes or ideologies which believed that "people were disposable" in order to make a point. He quoted some lines from O'Casey's play, Shadow of a Gunman: "It's not the gunmen who are dying for the people; the people are dying for the gunmen."
"The spirit of Pax Christi was one of the finding other ways of handling conflict, evil must be resisted. Conflict has it's roots in resentment and pain. Sectarianism is a symptom of a dysfunctional society," said Bishop McKeown.
"We need to move beyond the superiority of victim-hood. The victim can become the bully.
"I believe Christian people need to offer prophetic leadership which will lead us out of choppy waters. The churches need to speak prophetically about what is happening in society. To move beyond the superiority of victimhood."
Roy Garland appeared to echo the Bishop's idea of prophetic leadership. However, he believed his role was to work on the ground.
"Leaders are trapped by their people" he said. "I feel my work is on the ground, changing the people, so they can change their leaders".
JOURNEY FROM EXTREMISM
Mr Garland gave a remarkable account of his Journey from extremism: "I was a member of the Free Presbyterian Church, an Orangeman, and I was associated with a particular wing of loyalist fundamentalism. Strangely enough, it was here in Omagh in 1981 after meeting in the Royal Arms Hotel, that I made the decision to resign. I knew something was wrong, violence."
Dr Maureen Andrew, representing the Church of Ireland, reflected on her involvement with the 'walking wounded' immediately after the bomb, and she referred to the ongoing needs of the people of Omagh, particularly the young people.
Rev Ian Meirs and Rev John Gilmore spoke from a local Presbyterian and Roman Catholic perspective. They, too, reflected on the immediate cries following August 15, 1998. During the crisis, both men formed a friendship that has continued to this day.
"We discovered how much we had in common; we thought the same things, so we could not let issues of doctrine come between our Christian friendship."
The conference included a special Mass celebrated by Rev. Paul Lansu. Fr Lansu, who is based in Brussels, works on a permanent basis with Pax Christi International. In his homily, he referred to his work in some areas of conflict such as Bosnia, the Middle East and Rwanda. Pax Christi attempts to link youth groups from these different areas of conflict, to allow them to see how other societies are coping with similar situations.
Praising the organisers behind the Pax Christi event, Council Chairman Pat McDonnell later described the prayer service as "a quiet, reflective and very fitting event".
"I am glad to see Pax Christi choose Omagh for this visit and congratulate Cllr Paddy McGowan who was instrumental in organising the link-up," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1084
Published Date: 22-Aug-02
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