Compiled by Dick Bennett https://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2024/06/omni-war-watch-wednesdays-182-june-19.html
PEACEMAKING, PEACEMAKERS
Jesus, Philip Berrigan
United Nations
JESUS A REVOLUTIONARY FOR PEACE AND NONVIOLENT ACTION
Brad Wolf. A Ministry of Risk: Philip Berrigan, Writings on Peace and Nonviolence. Fordham UP, 2024. Rev. by Mark Colville in The Catholic Worker (May 2024).
When Dana Copp, M.D., and I started OMNI in 2001, for peace and nonviolence, we did not have Jesus in the forefront of our minds, though we did have some of his followers, like Martin Luther King, Jr. Copp was a scientist and I was a young skeptic, and such aspects of Jesus’ life as exorcism, which he was reported to have practiced, could not provide a modern foundation for peace. Mark Colville concentrates upon other aspects of Jesus.
His review celebrates a book on the peacemaking life and writings of Philip Berrigan. Mark Colville writes: “Philip Berrigan was the most single-hearted person we ever knew, a man unswervingly devoted, both in public and in private life, to the unity of word and deed. . . .Phil would never stop asking himself, or us: ‘What does Christ want from me? What do the times demand of me? How can I lay down my life for others?’ The answers he found form the substance of this book, as well as the convictions upon which he joyfully staked his life. . . .The only starting point from which to form a Christian conscience or ‘to take on the mind of Christ’ as St. Paul instructs, is identification with the victims of state violence. That is the precisely the path Jesus followed to the cross. . . .” Berrigan via Wolf via Colville continues: “Dissent without resistance is consent. Silence before the crimes of empire brings spiritual death. Properly understood, then, the Christian conscience is a midwife that delivers revolutionary action into the world.”
The review is also a celebration of the author’s book: “Brad Wolf’s chronicle captures brilliantly the voice, as it evolved, of a true North American Christian revolutionary. . . .smashing the murderous idols of war and white supremacy.” I urge everyone who seeks a nonviolent world to read this review leading to the book and the life.
For me on Juneteenth, a local connection: Recently the Black Like Me demonstrations led to calls for the removal of statues around the country of notorious warriors and racist bigots. Some students called for the removal of former Arkansas Senator Fulbright’s statue, which stands in front of Old Main and the offices of the College named after him. Students know the complex truth about racist J. William Fulbright thanks to UAF’s History professor Randall Woods’ biography, Fulbright. But like the story of Jesus’ flaws, Fulbright’s limitations are countered by his life’s work for peace, as Woods shows. Fulbright’s student exchange program and his advocacy of empathy even toward enemies, even to the Soviets, I believe, justifies statue and college name. His racism created an opportunity for students to learn more of the complexities of the world, of individual and national growth, and of our flawed heroes (slave owners Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin), as part of the eminent mission of all colleges of Arts and Sciences. –D
UNITED NATIONS 2024 NEWS FROM UN-USA
Palestine
The UN General Assembly voted on the status of Palestine on Friday May 10, 2024. Through this development, some have inaccurately claimed that if the UNGA draft resolution is approved, the vote would trigger the 1990 Foreign Relations Authorization Act that requires the U.S. to automatically defund the UN. This is not true and it is important to stay informed. Read the latest article from our sister organization, The Better World Campaign, to get the facts and continue to stay informed.
UNA-USA at the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference
As part of the World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA), a UNA-USA delegation, along with 13 other UN Associations, attended the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference (UNCSC) in Nairobi, Kenya, May 9-10, 2024. Read more about the UNCSC and how UNA-USA joined other civil society organizations to influence global policymaking and to share their voice in preparation for the upcoming Summit of the Future.
World Refugee Day Toolkit
Every year on World Refugee Day, UNA-USA encourages its chapters and members to advocate for refugees around the globe with programming, communications, and advocacy initiatives.
Join us in showing your support on June 20, 2024. We will continue updating and adding to the toolkit as it gets closer to the World Refugee Day. In the meantime, plan how you, your chapter and your community will show your support!
| International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers |
Show your support for UN Peacekeeping on May 29th, 2024! More than 2 million peacekeepers have served in over 70 UN peacekeeping operations since 1948!
How do peacekeepers protect civilians? They identify a threat to the safety of civilians, peacekeepers work swiftly to:
Prevent the threat from escalating,
Reduce the impact of the threat,
Intervene on behalf of civilians,
Facilitate dialogue to restore peace and security.
To honor their service and sacrifice, show your support for peacekeeping on social media using #UNAforPeacekeeping and #ServingForPeace
END WAR WATCH WEDNESDAYS, #182, June 19, 2024.