PEACE IN ACTIVISM

The Presentation Sisters and BizNOW magazine have partnered to create monthly social justice articles. The March article reflects on Peace in activism.

Submitted by Sister Kay O’Neil and Sister Michelle Meyers, members of Presentation Sisters’ Social Justice Team. They focus on deepening and strengthening peacemaking efforts in the spirit of nonviolent Jesus.

“Peace between countries must rest on the solid foundation of love between individuals.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

We need your help. Coming together for peace is a crucial mission in our world.  Today, the Presentation Sisters’ Social Justice Team works passionately toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. Engaging with Pax Christi, a group that works toward a more peaceful, just and sustainable world through prayer, study and action, is a way we can encourage leaders to continue to speak out as a peaceful voice for others.   To help and learn, go to presentationsisters.org/socialjustice.   

“One, two, three, four, we don’t want this war anymore” was the chant we joined as we marched against the Vietnam War down the streets of rural Marshall, Minnesota, during our campus and parish ministry days in the‘70’s. This was our wake-up call to pray and work for peace. 

In 1984, the Presentation Sisters took a firm stance on nuclear weapons and adopted the corporate statement: “We are women who value life as a sacred gift of our Creator. Nuclear weapons threaten to destroy life. Moreover, available resources which could be used to free the poor from oppression are now being allocated for the building of nuclear weapons…(We) believe we are morally obligated to oppose the possession of nuclear weapons.” 

An important action to consider is the bill restricting the use of Nuclear Weapons Act (HR669/S200), which prohibits the President from launching weapons without a Congressional declaration of war. To voice your opinion, contact Congress at 800-826-3688.

In the next 30 years, the United States plans to spend $1 trillion to ‘modernize’ all aspects of its nuclear arsenal. This means investing four million dollars an hour for the next 30 years to build instruments of death and massive destruction. (OREPA, June 2016.)

Pope Francis challenged us at the United Nations on September 25, 2015. “There is an urgent need to work for a world free of nuclear weapons, in full application of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, in letter and spirit, with the goal of a complete prohibition of these weapons.” I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life that you and future generations may live.
– Deuteronomy 30:19

Challenge Question: How can you promote peace in your daily life and inspire others to deepen their involvement?

To discover more, please visit: www.gzcenter.org or www.orepa.org

Please take a moment to watch the Peace in Activism video above the article.