Scottish Visit of the Secretary General of Pax Christi International
It was an honour to welcome Martha Inés Romero, Secretary General of Pax Christi International, visiting Scotland in March. Follow her visit below.
Pax Christi Scotland Residential Gathering and Retreat, March 9 to 11
From Sunday to Tuesday, March 9-11, we held our residential gathering and retreat for Pax Christi Scotland members at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge.
On Sunday Martha Inés shared with us her background growing up in her conflicted country, Colombia. Marian Pallister, chair of Pax Christi Scotland interviewed Martha Inés and invited discussion. Martha Inés's work over the years has included nonviolence training in the area where projects supported by SCIAF are situated in north western Colombia.
Martha Inés leaves us for Brussels, the HQ of Pax Christi International, for the events there that will mark our peace organisation’s 80th anniversary.
We are incredibly grateful to her for giving her time and wisdom.
Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious Dialogue Annual Symposium 7 and 8 March
On Friday & Saturday March 7 & 8 Martha Inés was with Bishop Brian McGee, Bishop President of the Scottish Bishops Conference Committee for Interreligious Dialogue at a two-day Interreligious Dialogue symposium.
Fellow speakers were Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, trustee of Religions for Peace, and chair of their Women of Faith Network & Dr Maureen Sier, director of Interfaith Scotland. Their message was to work for a nonviolent world through dialogue with our brothers and sisters of all faiths.
You can read the presentation given by Martha Inés by clicking this link.
A visit to SCIAF March 6th
On Thursday March 6 Martha visited the offices of SCIAF. SCIAF’s Lent campaign focuses on Colombia, her home country.
Plans were discussed to share campaigning on climate with SCIAF, Pax Christi Scotland & Pax Christi International ahead of COP 30.
Martha also visited the Archdiocese of Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Ash Wednesday Vigil at Faslane
On Wednesday March 5 Martha Inés joined representatives of Glasgow Catholic Worker, Justice & Peace Scotland, & Pax Christi Scotland in an Ash Wednesday Vigil at Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde.
Martha Inés stressed the need to work together for peace & a nonviolent world.
Click below to listen to her reflection on attending the vigil at Faslane and the wider work on nuclear disarmament undertaken by Pax Christi International, in conversation with Marian Pallister, our Pax Christi Scotland chair. This link opens in a new window - just hit the blue 'play' button to begin.
Scottish Parliament March 4th
On Tuesday March 4: Martha led the 'Time for Reflection' in the Scottish Parliament and attended a Parliamentary Reception in the evening.
Watch and listen to her thought provoking Time for Reflection below...
The evening reception was attended by parliamentarians and others and was made possible through the generous assistance of Richard Leonard MSP. It was hosted by Pax Christi Scotland, Justice & Peace Scotland, & SCIAF, whose Lenten campaign focuses on Colombia. Pupils from St Columba’s High School, Dunfermline also attended and asked some perceptive questions about making their voices heard.
Glasgow University March 3rd
On Monday March 3rd Martha spoke at Glasgow University. Her talk was entitled '“A Living Theology of Peace: Exploring Gospel Non-Violent solutions to contemporary Global issues.”
