A NEW campaign for peace, instigated by Catholic women, starts today, Easter Sunday.
Catholic Women – Creating a Culture of Peace, is being launched by the Commission for Australian Catholic Women (CACW).
It invites Catholic women to create a culture of peace, in their hearts, their families, communities and nation.
The project is designed to bring alive Christ’s promise of peace in the world.
The commission’s executive officer, Therese Vassarotti, said the idea had sprung from a meeting involving members of the Catholic Women’s League, Women and the Australian Catholic Church and the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes.
‘At a time in our history when talk of war and seeds of fear are more and more beginning to impact on our lives and responses, it became apparent that the quest for peace, within ourselves, our families and our wider communities is the fertile ground for coming together across differences,’ she said.
‘The various organisations found that they could work together, and with others, to help foster action on faith, life and women’s contribution to living with dignity and eliminating violence.’
The project will encourage groups and communities, through dialogue, pastoral planning and theological reflection to consider creating a culture of peace within and across various groups.
Suggestions for action include encouraging dialogue with parliamentarians or community leaders on values in society, and identifying aspects of parish life in need of peacemaking.
Others include promoting dialogue as a tool for a more peaceful family, work and community life, and engaging with social issues through writing letters or articles to newspapers or community leaders.
Catholic Women – Creating a Culture Peace will have a cyber launch on Easter Sunday at www.cacw.catholic.org.au
