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Introduction
In this essay, David Atwood presents views about peace and justice against the template of Pope John XXIII's last encyclical, Fbcem in Terris, issued April 1 1,1963. Using words from the encyclical and Scripture, Atwood first describes how our present world does not conform to the ideal of "Peace on Earth" and follows with six action steps for peace and justice modeled on Popejohn's document.
From Pax Christi Texas's website is this statement, which can serve as a background to this presentation: "In a world that settles differences by armed violence or the threat of it, Pax Christi offers a nonviolent alternative. In a world that too often defines 'revenge' as 'justice' Pax Christi breaks the cycle of violence by fostering reconciliation. In a world where countries invest more money in weapons than in the well-being of their people, Pax Christi calls individuals to disarm their hearts and work toward a world free of nuclear and conventional weapons." Mr. Atwood brings his considerable experience and activity with Pax Christi and the Houston Peace and Justice Center to bear on the subject of his essay.
Paul Pojman, Chair of Parish and Community Library, Services Section, CLA, session sponsor
Presentation by David Atwood, Pax Christi Houston, given at the CLA convention in Houston, Texas, on April 4, 2013.
Dear Friends,
It is an honor to address you today on the important subject of Pacem in Terris, the encyclical written by Pope John XXIII that was published in 1963, fifty years ago.
I think we would all agree that we need more peace on earth-both in our own nation and throughout the world. The recent murders of twenty school children in Connecticut, as well as the thousands of murders each year in the United States, are indicative of the problems we have in this country. The recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the current conflicts in the Middle East and Africa are indicative of the need for peace in the world.
When talking about a vision for peace, I am always drawn to the words of Isaiah in the Old Testament: "Once more there will be poured on us the spirit from above; then shall the wilderness be fertile land and fertile land become forest. In...