Pax Christi Asia-Pacific News Brief

Aotearoa

On May 20, Sr. Bridget Crisp, rsm, opened Pax Christi Aotearoa’s 80th anniversary Zoom series on how self-insight and relationship building are key to peace in a fragmented world. The next session in series with David Tutty, will be held on June 17, 7–8:30 PM NZST.

To register, email here.

Australia

Pope Francis was known as Buenos Aires’ “slum bishop” for his compassion towards its poorer members. He with “a heart open to the world” left a profound impact on the Church and humanity. Our presenters will reflect on his teaching in the context of our times during the webinar.

Check the flyer here and register here to attend.

Korea

On June 1, 2025, Pax Romana and Pax Christi International jointly launched the Pax Jubilee 2025 Declaration, “80 Years Is Enough” for a nuclear weapons-free Asia-Pacific. The Declaration is the result of Catholic Peace Forums

held in Nagasaki, Rome, and Geneva.

Click here to endorse the Declaration.

Japan

This year, Okinawa marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of World War II on June 23. Okinawa is the only place that suffered a brutal battle with more than 200,000 people. Bishop Wayne Berndt, the Ordinary of the Diocese of Naha, who is an American Capuchin, sends his message.

The image has the names of 238,000 victims killed in the battle in Okinawa are carved in the "peaceful foundation".

Philippines

On April 30, the webinar “Building a Peaceful Future: Understanding Disarmament” engaged around 70 participants, mainly students. The discussion focused on small arms and light weapons, land mines, nuclear weapons, and cluster munitions, emphasising disarmament as a moral imperative and advocating for civil society’s role in fostering a peaceful future.

Watch the webinar here.

Sri Lanka

Held from 10 - 13 February 2025 in Batticaloa, the “Campaign to achieve Democratic Goals with Hope” workshop brought together 28 Priests and Religious. Organized by the Human Rights Office Kandy,it focused on democracy, human rights, and civic engagement, ending with a commitment to reunite in July.