German Engineers Released -- posted 4th May, 2006.
Mr. Rene Braeunlich and Thomas Nitzschke, the engineers from Leipzig who have been kidnapped in Iraq are free!
Ninety-nine days after their kidnapping, Rene Braeunlich and Thomas Nitzschke are safely back. The German Press Agency reported that the aeroplane landed in Berlin on Wednesday, 3rd May at 14:18.
Both are very relieved and happy to be back in Germany and also very grateful to all who supported them. "We have a difficult time behind us", said Braeunlich.
Thank you very much for your prayers in the CCN centres and keep on praying for the hostages who are still in Iraq.
Two German engineers kidnapped in Iraq -- posted 18th April, 2006.
On the 24th of January 2006 two citizens of Leipzig, Thomas Nitzschke and Rene Bräunlich, were kidnapped in Iraq. Since that day, the CCN and the community of St. Nikolai in Leipzig have staged quiet demonstrations each Monday and Thursday. At these assemblies, prayers, candles and green ribbons link Christians and Muslims, including many from Iraq, who together want to be a sign of hope for the two young men's families, colleagues and friends. They are going to continue quiet demonstrations until the citizens are free again.
In 2003, when the world looked at pictures of huge demonstrations against the war in Iraq, these two men took part again and again in Leipzig. In order to help in the reconstruction work they later went to Iraq. They strongly believed that even in Iraq a new beginning is possible.
We know, that for God nothing is impossible. We must not stop praying for Thomas Nitzschke and Rene Bräunlich. Doing so, we also think of all the others captured in Iraq. We ask all who are linked with us in the Cross of Nails to join our prayers.
News from Romania -- posted 6th March, 2006
The Revs Geoff and Gill Kimber have recently returned to Romania after a six months leave and deputation in the UK. They look forward eagerly to the re-presentation of the Cross of Nails to the new Lutheran Orthodox-Anglican Centre for Ecumenical Research in Sibiu this coming September. We hope that the Bishop of Coventry will be able to be there.
Geoff and Gill are also very grateful to a number of donors for money to buy books to add to the theological library they are building, which has moved to this new centre already, and is of great use to students and staff at the theological faculties in this university town.
Collection of different versions of Coventry's litany -- The Revd Dr. Oliver Schuegraf, CCN Project Officer -- posted 21st November, 2005
Fall is always the season of the board meetings of the US-American and German Community of the Cross of Nails. As always, we at Coventry Cathedral are very grateful for all the good work done in the name of CCN by these two bodies. Thank you so much!!
One of the interesting discussions at both meetings was the question, whether Coventry's Litany of Reconciliation is apt for the specific issues of our time and to the local challenges of each individual Cross of Nails centre. The question raised was whether Coventry's litany should be updated and altered to meet the local needs and the present day theological insights.
During the discussions both in America and Germany we came to the conclusion that indeed there might be the need to root the litany better into the cultural and theological background of a place and that centres that feel the need for this should do so. However, if this is the case then the Litany should not bear the name Coventry's Litany of Reconciliation. If the prayer is introduced as the Litany of Reconciliation of Coventry Cathedral then the text of the historic version (or a precise translation) should be followed. This is based on the historic events of 1940 and takes up the words "Father forgive" inscribed in the ruins of the old cathedral. Otherwise centres should feel free to use also their local litany of reconciliation adapted from Coventry's Litany.
We would be very interested to know what local versions of the litany are in use and how it has been adapted to the local context. If you use an adapted version, I would be very grateful if you could send me a copy of it.
We hope that we are able to compile a small collection of all the different versions in use and offer this collection to all interested centres. I think this could be a good way of learning more about each other. So please send me the litany of reconciliation used in your centre if it differs from the Coventry text.
Greetings from Margaret Middleton and blessings from Coventry,
Oliver (Schuegraf)
Prayer request from Canon Sylvester Thomas Kambay, Dean of CCN centre All Saints Cathedral, Khartoum Sudan -- posted 28th October, 2005.
Most of you are only aware of the conflict in Darfur and LRA activities in Eastern Equatoria in Southern Sudan. Maybe some of you may come across of the news, of the present conflict in Moru land, which is in Mundri, and Lui Dioceses. The conflict arose in the middle of September 2005 between the Moru pastoralists and Dinka Bor, the cattle owners. This issue has been going on for more than 2 yrs. The Dinka Bor ran into Moru land because of the civil war and took refugee in Moru land, before the present peace agreement in February they agreed to all return back by the end of April this year. It never happened.
Time and again, when the cattle graze the land they graze to the crops as well which erupted conflict between the cattle owners and the Moru people. The latest one was the worst, which caused displacement of the people numbered 45,000 according to OLS statistics. The worst affected areas are, Kediba, Wandi, Minga all in East Mundri. Houses, schools and churches were burnt down.
Kediba is my birth place or home village where all my relatives both dead and alive have lived. It disturbs me a lot, when I hear of the parish buildings, schools and clinics that were all burnt down. Numbers of people, including two priests who are my close relatives reported killed. We still hoped to confirm it.
We in Khartoum and those in Juba, are raising some funds to buy some relief items to send to help them. Most of these relief items from Juba, has to be carried by Bicycles. God willing if all goes well, I shall come to see the tombs of those who were dead and those who are living.
Do remember us in your prayer support my best wishes to all of you. The issue of reconciliation and forgiveness will always be our priority in this post war conflict.
God bless
Canon Sylvester Thomas Kambay, Dean
Rededication of the Frauenkirche -- posted 28th October, 2005
Sixty years after its destruction the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden will be rededicated this Sunday.
The Frauenkirche was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden in February 1945. Due to political circumstances in the GDR, intentions to rebuild were not followed up, but the heap of ruins was conserved as a monument within the inner city of Dresden. After the reunification of Germany efforts were revived for the reconstruction of the ruins. In 1994 the foundation stone was laid, and in 1996 the construction work began.
The reconstruction is mainly financed through donation from all over the world. As far as possible, the church, except for its dome, was rebuilt using original material and plans, with modern technology. To this end, the pile of rubble was removed stone by stone. Every usable piece was then measured and catalogued. The original position of each stone could be determined from its position in the pile. As older stones are covered with a darker patina due to weathering, the difference between old and new stones is clearly visible. Because of that, the rebuilt church remains a monument to the horrors of war. At the same time, it is a symbol of hope and reconciliation.
In February this year, Dean John Irvine presented the Frauenkirche with a Cross of Nails. On the October 30th rededication service, Bishop Colin, Bishop of Coventry, will bless the new baptistery and in the evening, he will be the preacher at an ecumenical service.
Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary -- posted 10th October, 2005
"Forgive, forgive, always forgive. That is the Christ-like thing".
These are the words of Bishop Joseph Shanahan (1871-1943), founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR). The similarity to Coventry Cathedral's famous inscription "Father forgive" is striking.
Both quotations were quite appropriately printed side by side on the order of service for the presentation of a Cross of Nails to the Coventry Community of the MSHR last Friday, 7th of October (The Feast of the Holy Rosary). For the commissioning service we were joined by sisters from Bristol and Ireland and friends of the congregation and the ICR.
Reconciliation is indeed right at the heart of the Missionary Sisters' vocation. They have been called to live and work with people of many different countries and cultures for the past 80 years for example in Nigeria, Zambia, Mexico, South Africa, Cameroon, Sierra Leone). With those in need in these countries they struggle for justice and reconciliation through the ministries of education, social work, and health care.
The mission statement of the Coventry 'branch' of the MSHR also has reconciliation right in its centre: "Our mission is to be a reflection of God's presence, supporting one another in promoting peace and reconciliation by our listening and way of being. In all things we try to follow Christ especially in his compassion, respect and desire for unity".
The Coventry sisters have a particular interest in Africa, since they spent most of their adult life in that continent. Sister Ruth is actually a valued consultant to the International Centre for Reconciliation.
Greetings and blessings from Coventry, Oliver Schuegraf
News from the Sudan - Damazin State -- posted 30th August, 2005
Canon Sylvester Thomas Kambaya from all Saint's Cathedral Khartoum, was so kind to send a report of the work he is involved with in the Sudan. I am very grateful for this moving first hand report. Canon Sylvester asks for our prayers, especially for the safety of the Southern Sudanese in Khartoum city and the displaced people as many of them are losing hope. With blessings from Coventry Cathedral, Oliver Schuegraf
News from the Sudan - Damazin State
Damazin State is in the eastern part of the Sudan. Historically, this town was known "Funji Kingdom". It was a Christian Kingdom as from 250-600 AD. When the Arabs invaded Sudan in 700 AD, they gradually began to establish Islamic ideology, culture and Arabic language. Most people in the towns become Muslims and culturally Arab oriented. But the people in the rural areas remained African and maintained their local languages, African Tradition Religion and mostly illiterate. The area is virtually un- developed even electricity is only in small part of the town. This is the town where the hydroelectric power is installed which provides power to all Northern Eastern and Western part of the Sudan.There is no electricity in southern Sudan, expect Generator is been used for the towns only. Beginning from 1900 AD, the Christian community in Damazin began to be built up again. Leaders from the local communities were trained for the ministry in the various Christian Churches. Sunday services are held under the trees as there was no building and no permission from the government to do so. The life of the community was formed into parties and groups Islam, Christianity and African Tradition Religion
The CCN at All Saints Cathedral thought of organizing a trip to Damazin, sponsored by discipleship Group, under All Saints Cathedral. The training workshop which ended with a public rally in a special Muslim square known as " Midan El Mouleed" which means (Mohamed's Birthday square). It was in this place Canon Sylvester Thomas Kambaya, delivered the message of "Reconciliation and Forgiveness"
The St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London -- posted 12th July, 2005
The St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London is just a short distance from one of the bomb sites in London. Members of that Center wrote the following prayer the day of the bombing and they will begin regular use of it. The prayer comes as a gift to the Community of the Cross of Nails.
A Prayer for an End to Violence
God of life,
Every act of violence within our world, our communities, between myself and others, destroys a part of your creation.
Stir within my heart a renewed sense of reverence for all life.
Give me the vision to recognise your spirit in every human being, however they behave towards me.
May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence by realising that your peace begins with me.
Make possible the impossible by cultivating in me the fertile seed of your healing love.
Unemployment and Reconciliation - Youth Workshop Bauhof, Halle, Germany -- The Rev. Dr. Oliver Schuegraf, CCN Officer, Coventry -- posted 12th July, 2005.
We welcome our latest Cross of Nails Centre into our community: Last Saturday the Youth Workshop Baufhof in Halle was presented with a Cross of Nails.
After the German reunification, the unemployment rate in Halle went up to about 20% and the young people were especially affected. The Lutheran Church felt compelled to do something about this dramatic social challenge. It was seen as an important issue of reconciliation within the city: How should society deal with those who are excluded from the job market and thus often feel like second-class citizens?
In the early 90s, the Youth Workshop Bauhof was founded to give unemployed and unskilled youth an opportunity to improve their chances on the job market. Training in various fields and professional advice is offered. Furthermore, the Bauhof creates new experiences for those young adults. Youth education projects and field trips are organised as well as intercultural events, seminars and workshops against racism. An inter-religious dialogue with Christians, Jews and Muslims is run. Practical work with migrants is also done.
During the presentation service some of the young adults shared their stories with the worshippers. Others had made a big globe out of metal surrounded by candles with a Cross of Nails on top. During the intercessions we were invited to attach to it our written prayers for a reconciled and peaceful world.
The next day I had the chance to take part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Roman Catholic Parish of the Holy Cross, which was presented with a Cross in 1988 by Paul Oestreicher. Holy Cross was maybe the only Catholic Church in the former GDR that opened its doors to Christians, who were critical of their own church and above all the regime. It offered hospitality and a safe haven to those who were looking for a peaceful and democratic change within the country. After the fall of the Berlin wall, the Round Table, which brought together all relevant groups in Halle, met in the church hall under the Cross of Nails. Holy Cross has strong ecumenical relations with its Protestant neighbour parishes practicing exceptional reconciliation between the denominations.
It was a lively and happy service. I was asked to intercede for the worldwide Community and the Cross of Nails, which I felt honoured to do. I was moved by the fact that their Cross of Nails was used as the altar cross for this special service.
Finally, I was also able to see the third Cross of Nails in Halle. It was presented to the Hospice St. Elisabeth, one of the first hospices in the former GDR. The Cross of Nails has a prominent place in the Quiet Room and is used during counselling with the dying and the bereaved. The Cross made out of nails reminds the viewers of their own suffering and pains and helps them to accept the cross they have to carry.
As on so many of my trips, I was once again deeply impressed how much the Coventry Cross is honoured and indeed "cherished as a token of the merciful forgiveness of God" (to use words from the presentation liturgy) and by how many people came up to tell me how much the Coventry story means to them.
Cross of Nails Tour across Germany -- Best wishes from Leipzig, Waltraud Neuschäfer -- posted 6th July, 2005
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2)
In 1996 our church of St. Nikolai, Leipzig was presented with a Cross of Nails. From that day on the idea of the Community of the Cross of Nails did not let me go. For a long time I had the dream of visiting the German centres.
In 2003 I heard of the Hospitality Club and the possibility of staying at member's of the club. So I joined the club. Now with the possibility of being a guest of fellow- members of the Hospitality Club as well as being a guest of other CCN centres - why shouldn't I at least try to make my dream real?
My journey started with the oldest CCN centre in Germany, the church of St. Nikolai, Kiel. By train and bike I travelled to Kiel. Finally, I was standing in front of Kiel's Cross of Nails, made of the original nails of the old Cathedral - it was impressive.
After a nice weekend with my hosts I started cycling again, this time towards the CCN centres in Lübeck and Magdeburg. Everywhere I went I experienced great hospitality. This made me want to [visit] other centres as well.
This spring I contacted the CCN centres Pforzheim-Huchenfeld, Mainz and Kranenburg.
In Pforzheim I met with up Rany Jabbour who has been studying in Stuttgart for five years and comes from the CCN centre "House of Hope" Shefar am in Galilee. We just wanted to join a service and to learn about local CCN activities. We were welcomed like VIPs. The vicar and members of the congregation took much time for us.
The day after Pentecost I started my cycling tour along the Rhine and Nackar to Mainz. There also I was cordially received. The CCN centre is currently going through a time of change, the former work is not done any more. I was glad to hear that my visit helped them to start thinking about how they can move on with CCN activities. On that night my hosts invited members of their centre. It was an exiting encounter.
My visit to the Centre in Kranenburg was disappointing: it would have been great to have met with some of the people and find out what was going on here in the spirit of reconciliation. I felt like a passing tourist, rather than a fellow member of an international family.
During my travels, it was very important for me to be really a guest at the CCN centres, to learn more abut the work of each centre and to join them in worship - just as the Rule of Live of the German CCN says: "we all contribute to a culture of hospitality". I indeed enjoy experiencing this hospitality as a guest and a host.
Labyrinths -- St. George's Cathedral, Cape Town, South Africa -- Di Oliver, CCN Centre -- posted 26th June, 2005.
Dean Rowan Smith sends his warmest greetings and has asked me to write a few lines about the recent visit of Canon Lauren Artress to St George's Cathedral, which it is my privilege to do.
We have built a magnificent labyrinth, based on the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France which was built in 1201. The Revd. Dr Lauren Artress, President and founder of Veriditas - the Voice of the Labyrinth Movement - is committed to reintroducing the labyrinth in its many forms as a spiritual tool. She is author of "Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool". One of her remarkable programmes is a pilgrimage, 'Walking the Sacred Path', a series of one-week seminars held annually at Chartres Cathedral.
The purpose of Dr Artress' visit to us was to assist us on our path of learning how to use the labyrinth as a tool for spiritual growth and to provide training to facilitators of others' learning. We feel greatly enriched by her visit during which she shared how, during her first visit to Chartres with five others from Grace Cathedral in San Francisco where she is Canon, they found the labyrinth with 256 chairs covering it! Unable to find an official of the Cathedral, the group moved the chairs and began walking the labyrinth about which she writes: "Everyone in our group felt an awesome, mysterious sense of grounding and empowerment from the walk. Looking back on that experience, I feel we touched the Holy Spirit. Each of us had ventured to the centre of our beings in the Chartres labyrinth that day".
Dr Artress used this experience as just one of many illustrations of the power of people walking the labyrinth together, which she described as "a resonance that binds them ... a silent experience that enriches the soul".
In her book, Walking the Sacred Path, Dr Artress writes of the development of her own focus on creating group events that nurture the connection between the human spirit and the Divine: "I moved from curiosity to scepticism to profound respect for the uncanny gifts of insight, wisdom and peace the labyrinth offers. It connects us to the depths of our souls so we can remember who we are".
Linked to Dr Artress' visit was the involvement of Clare Wilson of Cape Town, who designed the 'Reconciliation Labyrinth' and built one at St George's Cathedral for use during the workshops run by Dr Artress. In our South African context, Clare says of the need for this labyrinth on our own path of seeking to reconcile and come together as a community "Sadly, we still lack a real sense of community, we are still 'many communities'. We still live in suburbs that were largely defined by apartheid. Yes, there are people who do live in open, mixed communities where diversity is honoured and cherished. But, by and large, most of our people still live divided from their fellow citizens".
The Reconciliation Labyrinth has two paths, recognising that as South Africans because of apartheid we do not start the journey towards reconciliation from the same place. The Reconciliation Labyrinth can be used "with the intention to relate, to recognise and reconcile our differences and to grow in the strength of our diversity.... it allows us to make a start on our journeys towards the mythical place, a South Africa that feels like a home to all its people. Sometimes the path allows us to travel alongside each other, sometimes it takes us away and sometimes towards each other, but if we keep walking, when we are at the furthest point from our divided entrance we find we are in the same single path. We then pass each other that 'the other' has walked before eventually reaching the centre together, a centre which belongs to us all. When it is time to leave we find that there is a third path, a new path, by which we can exit together. This is pretty much how our leaders enabled us to find the common ground of 1994".
At the foot of Slangkop Lighthouse in the south peninsula of Cape Town lies a permanent Reconciliation Labyrinth. It was built of beach rocks in September 2003. It is a place "beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing". It is a place for South Africans to meet. During the Second International Youth Conference of the Community of the Cross of Nails due to be held in Cape Town in April 2006, our young visitors will be staying in the south peninsula for part of their visit. This presents an opportunity to introduce the Reconciliation Labyrinth during their programme. During their visits to various Centres of the Cross of Nails in Cape Town conference delegates will have had the opportunity of a visit to St George's Cathedral and its labyrinth during the first leg of their visit.
Dresden and Rotterdam, An Old Bond -- The Revd Dr. Oliver Schuegraf, CCN Project Officer -- 14th May, 2005
Years before the "Wende" in Eastern Germany, a group of people from the Rotterdam St Laurenschurch contacted the Kreuzkirche in Dresden. Then, it was quite an undertaking to visit Dresden. Crossing the border was very difficult, with papers and luggage being thoroughly checked. But it was all worthwhile. The heart-warming hospitality and the meaningful discussions with the Germans made a deep impression. Now, more than 20 years later, real bonds of friendship have survived and a new generation of people visit Dresden every two years, as a group from Dresden, old and new representatives do vice versa. When the bells of the Frauenkirche were welcomed in the city of Dresden, a group from Rotterdam was present (coincidentally on our Remembrance Day!) and on that occasion, a member of the Rotterdam City Council invited the Dresden Kreuzchor to Rotterdam. Last week they came, 60 boys and young man aged 8-18, and sang during the official remembrance service in the Laurens church. The "Oberbürgermeister" (lord mayor) of Dresden laid a wreath at the remembrance monument in the heart of the city, together with his Rotterdam colleague. Two more concerts and another one in The Hague completed the tour for the choir.
This year, another group from Rotterdam will visit Dresden. Mutual understanding and friendship come from those visits. Both cities were destroyed in WW II and the stories of those war days are remarkably the same for both cities.
Our host in Dresden told us how he, as a 4-year old, walked hand in hand with his mother along the still red-hot ruins of the church. It created quite the same picture I had heard from my parents, in our city.
On 14th May we had a remembrance meeting in the Laurenskerk, at the hour when 65 years ago the German bombers destroyed the city. Some 100 people attended and listened to a Rotterdam-born author who told us how he had experienced the bombing as a young boy. Some representatives from Berlin asked us (in English!) for forgiving. One single bell tolled at 13.20, the hour the first bomber threw its deadly load. A quite impressive event.
Annelies Steenbrink
Impressions from Berlin -- The Revd Dr. Oliver Schuegraf, CCN Project Officer -- 8th May, 2005
Dear friends,
Here a some impressions from Berlin. I welcome the two new centres into our
community.
Oliver
Berlin, 60 years after end of World War II. St. Mary's Church is situated in the heart of Berlin, right on the Alexanderplatz, the main square of the Eastern part of the city. Looking down from its tower on the afternoon of the 8th May, one was able to get a feel how emotional the end of World War II was for many Germans - and still is even 60 years onwards.
On the one end of the big square a crowd of Neo-Nazis had gathered ready to start a demonstration under the slogan: "60 years of liberation lie - End the idolization of guilt". On the other side of the square 6000 people came together for a counter-demonstration invited by the unions, churches and political parties. They wanted to remember the 8th of May as a day of liberation from the National Socialist tyranny. They remembered the crimes of the war unleashed by Germany and the millions who died and suffered on both sides. They wanted to stand up against all forms of promotion for anti-democratic and inhumane ideologies and against all revanchism. A police force of 7000 right around St. Mary's ensured that both blocks were kept separate. At the end, the counter-demonstration succeeded in blocking the route intended to be taken by the right wing demonstrators. The Neo-Nazi march never took place. Still, from St. Mary's tower I could hear some of their hate messages blown over by the wind.
A few hours before, in the morning of the 8th, I had presented on behalf of the Dean of Coventry two Crosses of Nails in this beautiful church: one Cross to the congregation of St. Mary's, the other to St. George's Anglican Church, Berlin; one church Protestant, the other Anglican, one German, the other English speaking. It was quite a sign of reconciliation itself on this 8th of May - reconciliation between denominations and peoples. The service was also a strong message against right-wing gatherings later in the day. It was a special pleasure that we were joined by Canon Paul Oestreicher, who had participated in a service at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Memorial Church, one of our other CCN centres in Berlin and rushed over to St. Mary's just in time for the presentation.
In the last months with my trips to Dresden, Würzburg, Potsdam and Berlin I have learned more about the horrors, destruction and the suffering of WWII than any time before. The commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the final months of WWII have come to an end (at least in Germany; we shouldn't forget, however, that the war did go on in the Pacific culminating in two atomic bombs). These were moving and challenging times for me. Our Cross of Nails proved to be a powerful symbol against all wrong remembrance and any attempts to rewrite history. It lays open for all to see the horrors and sins of war and calls for a reconciled future. I am now looking forward to focusing on other aspects of my work again.
Cross of Nails Centre in Potsdam, Germany -- Oliver Schuegraf, CCN Project Officer -- May, 2005
Rebuilding of the Garrison Church, Potsdam: Our Cross of Nails Centre in Potsdam invited Stuart Beake, Sub-Dean of Coventry Cathedral and me to take part in the ceremonies for the laying of the foundation stone for the rebuilding of the historic Garrison Church.
The Garrison Church of Potsdam had played an important role in the Prussian military tradition and Hitler misused it when he took power on 21 March 1933. Because of this so-called 'Day of Potsdam' the Garrison Church can be seen as a symbol of the ill-fated relation between Prussian tradition and National Socialism. At the same time, however, as home of the 9th Infantry Regiment, it has been the spiritual home of several men of the resistance against the barbarism of the National Socialists. During the Second World War the church had been destroyed and in 1968 the remains were blown up.
Potsdam went through long, painful and heated discussions as to whether the church should be rebuilt. Fears had been raised and still are raised that the rebuilding might give a wrong signal to right wing groups in Germany. Although taking these fears in consideration the Protestant Church of Potsdam, the city and the federal state of Brandenburg finally approved for the start for rebuilding the church. What were the reasons? They wanted to give back to Potsdam's skyline an important architectural landmark. And secondly and even more important, it is envisaged it will bear witness to a new spirit.
The Garrison Church will be rebuilt as an open and inviting city church and as an international centre of reconciliation with the Coventry Cross of Nails as the central focus point. For Potsdam our Coventry Cross, which had been presented last year by Canon Paul Oestreicher and the President of the German CCN, will be a constant reminder of their new commitment for peace and reconciliation.
The ceremonies we attended marked the 60th anniversary of the destruction of the church during the last weeks of WW II. The day was a bit overshadowed by the protest of far left wing groups, chanting 'Nazis go home'. Representatives of these groups were invited to present their view during the ceremonies, however, refused to do so. In his speech, the Bishop of Berlin and Brandenburg addressed them directly, saying: "Whoever is shouting here without being open to dialogue, has no right to deny others their commitment for peace and reconciliation".
Our Sub-Dean brought the greetings of Coventry Cathedral and the entire Community of the Cross of Nails reminding the audience that they are not alone in their work but are supported in it by their fellow members of the CCN.
In the evening, a memorial service for the victims of the 14th of April 1945 was held. In his meditation Canon Stuart stressed that even though reconciliation is always tough, demanding and risky, it ought to be a hallmark of all Christian ministry, whether it be on the world stage or working out tensions in a congregation or between workers and management. The service led then into a contemporary Requiem by a local composer especially composed in remembrance of the destruction of Potsdam.
I wish this Garrison Church project God's blessing and all the best - particularly that the founding will continue to come in and that a team will be found that will put the theory of the objectives into good practice.
Cross of Nails Centre in Sibiu, Romania -- Oliver Schuegraf -- 25th April, 2005
MEETING OF ORTHODOX AND BAPTIST CLERGY IN SIBIU: Tensions between the Orthodox and Baptist churches here in Romania have been running high for some time, especially since the revolution. The Orthodox church particularly resents what they see as the 'proselytising' by the so-called 'neo' Protestants. This situation gives rise to a great deal of rumor which exacerbates the situation.
Recently we were able to host a small group of Orthodox priests and Baptist pastors in the Sibiu Cross of Nails centre. We asked them to share their thoughts and experiences on the love of God. Occasionally the discussion strayed on to difficult subjects, but each time they recalled themselves to our primary aim, to build friendship and understanding, and to share the faith we have in common, in order to build a firm foundation for discussing more controversial topics in the future.
We are very encouraged that the pastors agreed to attend an Orthodox Easter liturgy, and the group decided to meet again after the Orthodox Easter in early May.
We ask for the prayers of Cross of Nails friends, that this small beginning would grow to God's glory and to greater mutuality.
Gill and Geoff Kimber
Pope John Paul II: He Sought Peace in the Middle East -- Canon Andrew White -- 4th April, 2005
I remember well the very first time I met the Holy Father. It was a bright spring day in Rome and I was with a delegation of young Jews and Christians from around the world. I was leading the delegation of the young leadership section of the International Council of Christians and Jews, being the chairman at that time. I spent hours preparing the speech which was to be the first of several. We were on a pilgrimage from Rome to Jerusalem and the Pope hearing about this endeavour had asked to meet us.
Prior to my speech I met him and paid homage and gave greetings. On being with him all fear disappeared, I was in the presence of a profoundly holy man, a man who had no heirs and graces about him. I gave my speech, the Pope returned with inspirational words obviously overjoyed that a group of young people who were Jews and Christians had come together to meet him. After the formal encounter was over he took my hand and walked me through the corridors of the Vatican. I was just a young curate; an Anglican priest still in my youth yet this great spiritual leader was prepared to welcome me as one of his own.
Over the years there were several more meetings with him, each time he responded with such love and warmth. I have met many of the world's political and religious leaders but none compared with the Holy Father. He was simply a personification of Holiness, Love and Goodness. He was deeply concerned about the Middle East and passionate about the relationship between Jews and Christians. No Church leader in history did more to bridge the gap between Jews and Christians as did Pope John Paul II. For the first time ever he established diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel and then did the same with the Palestinian Authority. From my first meeting with him we discussed his possible visit to Israel. Ten years later it happened.
A great proponent of Peace the Holy Father had also shown a great interest in Iraq. He was deeply disturbed about the suffering of Iraqi Children under the sanctions regime. He had hoped to begin his millennium pilgrimage in Ur of the Chaldeans the birth place of our father Abraham. I remember discussing this in depth with both the Chaldean Patriarch and Tariq Aziz. As time went on it became clear that such a visit would be used as propaganda for the former regime. The Holy See eventually withdrew from this idea but to other countries in the region the Holy Father did go.
His Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes was surely one of the highlights of his incredible ministry. Another sermon on the mount to thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world, Jews, Christians and Muslims. But the image that will remain with me was the Holy Father praying at the Western Wall, his only aid being my great friend and colleague Rabbi Michael Melchior the then deputy foreign Minister of Israel. It is an image that will stay in my mind forever. A rabbi and the Pope praying together at one of the most holy sites in the world. The whole of Israel was magnetised by this visit every moment of it was covered on television, it gave a new sense of hope amongst increasing difficulties.
It was not long after this great visit that things started going very wrong. The second Intifada begun and all hell was again let loose in the land of the Holy One. It was soon after this event that both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority asked me if we could get the Archbishop of Canterbury to gather the religious leaders of Israel and Palestine to gain support for peace. It was clear that the recent positive visits by both the Holy Father and the Archbishop of Canterbury had contributed to this desire. As we know the Archbishop of Canterbury fully took on this endeavour which led to the Alexandria Declaration and the religious track of the Peace Process. After my move to Coventry the Pope recalled to me the image of death and resurrection in the New and Ruined Cathedrals. He knew the importance of Coventry as a place of peace and reconciliation, though never making it to the Cathedral he celebrated a great service at Coventry Airport on his one visit to the UK. There he mentioned the significance of the Cathedral of this Midlands City on the world stage.
It was in the context of the Alexandria process that I last saw the Pope in 2003. More than a decade after my first meeting with the Holy Father, by now he was very ill, old and with little strength. With the key leaders of the Alexandria Process we went to visit the Pope to take the declaration. The Pope had followed closely the developments of "Alexandria" and had invited its leaders to visit the Holy See. The party was made up of Jews Christians and Muslims. The Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah was there, along with Dr Emil Jarjoui the only Christian on the PLO Executive. The Muslim representative was Sheik Tal El Sader, one of the founders of the Hamas now turned peace activist. With me was Dean James Diamond of Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati.
The Holy Father looked old and ill, around his neck was a bib collecting the saliva the leaked from his mouth, but he was just as warm, just as holy and just as inspiring as he had been on my very first visit. I could not but wonder weather it was right to bring out a world leader in such a state. Then I changed my mind, his frailty spoke to me of the suffering of Christ, of our strength being made perfect in weakness and of the reality of the fact that despite our frailty God can still the race, he had completed the task, and he had been an example to all Christians to never give in. He will rest in peace and rise in glory.
CCN Report -- 23rd March, 2005
As in previous reports this year, CCN events have been dominated by the 60th anniversary of World War II and consequently many trips to Germany. The latest was a visit to Würzburg by the Coventry Cathedral Choir, Bishop Colin and Oliver Schuegraf. This appears to have been a great success involving a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem and Oliver has returned exhausted but delighted.
Margaret Middleton has now returned from her visit to Sierra Leone. It was a pretty eventful time, with significant riots in Freetown, with one of their Conferences having to be evacuated owing to a surplus of teargas. However, she seems to have come back in very good form. The Sierraleonians are showing all the signs of getting the bit between their teeth on the development on CCN, not only in Freetown itself, but also elsewhere in the country, both among Anglicans and Roman Catholics, together with a clear further ecumenical aspect and involvement of the majority Muslim community, It is hoped that they will fairly rapidly develop a national association.
Preparations are underway for the next CCN UK Conference, which is happening on April 20th.
Daniel Meyer is hard at work in the CCN section, as Project Officer, and this is a significant added resource in terms of people. Unfortunately, there is no added resource in terms of finance, and so the constraints on development remain considerable.
The Global Bulletin Board is in the final stages of completion and should be launched in the next month or so. Oliver and Margaret will write to you about this. It provides the opportunity for all CCN centres to post news, information, requests or anything else that they feel like, and should, if well used, be a significant symbol of the linking of the network around the globe.
Cross of Nails Youth Conference, April 2006 -- Jenny Wilson -- 17th March, 2005
The Cross of Nails of South Africa is delighted to inform you that we will be hosting the Second International CCN Youth Conference in Cape Town, South Africa from 10th till 22nd April, 2006. The purpose of the Conference is to spread the message of reconciliation to the next generation based on the Coventry story which still inspires people today even after sixty-five years, thereby uniting them in understanding their uniqueness and differences by developing tolerance and acceptance in celebrating their richness in diversity.
DATES : 10th till 22nd April,2006 in Cape Town, South Africa.
ACCOMMODATION : 10th till 17th April (Easter Monday) St Cyprian's School, Cape Town.
17th till 22nd April Rocklands, Scripture Union Centre, Simonstown.
CONFERENCE FEES : (unknown at this stage. Possibly about R3,000 p.p for 12 days accommodation, food, entrance fees to some tourist attractions and transport in Cape Town, depending on costs and sponsorship in 2006. Approx 400 Euro's / 300GBP/ $500. depending on exchange rate)
THEME : Journeying towards the light.
Young people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six who are members or affiliated to a CCN Centre and who have a strong link with youth or reconciliation ministry are welcome to attend. Centres are requested to encourage and support their youth in attending this Conference, especially with fund raising as at this stage no funding is available from CCN SA.
As we wish this Conference to be truly representative, we appeal to those who are able, to consider sponsoring other delegates. Each delegate will be responsible for their fare and travel arrangements to Cape Town, conference fee, medical and travel insurance and visa. We can accommodate seventy delegates. Places will be available on a first come, first served basis.
If you are interested, kindly note the dates and advise us of the possible number that may be attending. We will then forward you further information, the conference programme, fee and application forms.
Jenny Wilson,
Co-ordinator, CCN SA.
St Saviour's Church.
Bowwood Road, Claremont, 7700.
Cape Town, South Africa.
Ph 27-21-7622464Email: anorbury@iafrica.com
Touch-Down in Sierra Leone! -- Margaret Middleton -- 14th March 2005
Sierra Leone is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world - 90% unemployment, the majority living way below the (SL) poverty line and still struggling to recover from ten years of a brutal civil war in which an estimated 70,000 died, 500,000 became refugees in other countries, 215,000 women experienced sexual violence and thousands remain traumatised by killings, rape, mutilations and amputations (grim reminders wherever you go - there is little that the amputees can do except beg, and be a constant reminder - if we needed one - of the depths to which human beings can stoop.
The harmattan - the Saharan dust-cloud - accompanied me on my dust-enveloping journey to Bo, SL's second largest town and successfully twinned with Leamington Spa for over 20 years via One World Link. Bishop Gbonda and Canon James welcomed me to the Anglican cathedral, also the centre for the monthly gatherings of Christian and other religious leaders - all work very closely in helping to heal their country.
From there to Kenema (at the invitation of Fr. Augustine Combey, Vicar-General, and Bishop Karoma of the Catholic diocese) and visits to some skills training projects (with woefully inadequate resources), the site of a mass grave on the outskirts of the town and a small school across the track. One or two CCN Centres there would be warmly welcomed. The creation of a memorial garden, a healing centre and a school, are projects that would contribute enormously to attracting the villagers back after the massacres. A worthwhile grassroots scheme to which perhaps we (and other CCN Centres) could offer support.
The second week - back in Freetown - was taken up 'knocking on doors' of potential funding agencies, both for the above and also for a Reconciliation Resourcing Centre attached to St. George's Cathedral, our one existing CCN Centre (currently supported by one such in Dayton, Ohio). This would provide a much-needed base for counselling and advisory work with three groups of potentially vulnerable people - women, youth and others particularly traumatised during the war. Hundreds of thousands of young people missed out on education during the war: poverty, suffering and appalling living conditions will remain while under-funded skills groups, disaffection with the government and psychologically damaged people are left without much help. Most people agree that the current state of the country parallels that pre-war: it is a dangerous time and whatever we can do in a practical way will be very welcome.
The next initiative will be three one day conferences nest week to which all faith leaders and women's religious groups (plus Ministers) will be invited: Bishop Lynch (Diocese of Freetown) feels that the energy and impetus has gone out of attempts at reconciliation and seeks to use the Coventry story to reawaken the work in this area. It should be a challenging time!
Cross of Nails Presentation to the City Church, Pforzheim, Germany -- Oliver Schuegraf -- 14th March, 2005
The City Church of Pforzheim, Germany is the latest Cross of Nails Centre. Here is a short piece on the presentation of the Cross to the City Church.
We welcome the City Church of Pforzheim into the Community of the Cross of Nails. The church has a special role as the central city church of Pforzheim. Out of this awareness, intensive work for peace and reconciliation was started in the 70s and 80s.
The Cross of Nails was presented on the 23rd of February by Dean Emeritus John Petty. The day marked the 60th anniversary of the destruction of Pforzheim.
In the morning the Lady Lord Mayor of Pforzheim spoke to those assembled on the hilltop of the Wallberg, built from the bombed rubble, after the raid exactly 60 years ago. She particularly addressed those pilgrims who in eight weeks will walk from Pforzheim to its twin-city, Gernika, in the Basque region of Spain. Gernika was bombed in 1037, the first city to suffer such a raid.
Later the British Ambassador joined the citizens of Pforzheim at the Cemetery for a special Act of Remembrance. John Petty addressed the people assembled, stressing the importance of penitence, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.
In the evening a candlelit procession from the Castle Church to the City Church was timed to be for the twenty minutes of the bombing, which killed 17 000 people. The bells were rung during this time and the Cross of Nails was carried between lines of candles held by over by 5000 people. John Petty writes: "It was a serious and solemn moment. It was cloudless and the deep snow was illuminated by the full moon. The people looked beautiful in the snow."
In the city church the Cross of Nails John Petty presented to Revd. Christopher Grüneisen und the 'church-warden' Roland Ganninger. It was then placed on the wall and Mozart's Requiem was offered to the packed congregation.
Report from Canon Andrew White -- 12th October 2004
This is the more in depth Update for the last few days. Since returning from Washington things have been incredibly busy. Two days were spent with the British military. One day with the Royal Air force and another with the Army. On both of these occasions I was talking about our work in Iraq.
These meetings were all very positive, and there was very good engagement with the officers present and a real desire to learn more of the religious and tribal dimensions of the present Iraqi crisis. As a result of giving these lectures there have been several more invitations to speak at military and intelligence establishments. At present I am in Devon speaking at the Exeter Diocesan Clergy Conference--as usual I am speaking on Middle East issues.
I also visited Cambridge recently, seeing both the Divinity Faculty and Clare College. We will be holding a major international seminar in Cambridge in January on the theme of Jerusalem. I hope to spend some time back at Clare College later in the year as I attempt to finish me next book on Iraq.
Israel/Palestine: Our trip to Israel and Palestine was also very positive, despite the difficulties of the present time and the ongoing crisis in Gaza. We had an intensive series of meetings with British and U.S. diplomats as well as meeting with Israeli and Palestinian political leaders. There is a very real desire of all parties for us to try and get the religious track of the Peace Process back on track. Most of the recommendations we made have been accepted. There has been a sum of money from the U.S. Embassy dedicated for us to hold some key meetings before the end of the year. These meetings will probably take place in Cairo early December. If you would like to see the full non-confidential report for this visit please sends an email requesting it.
Jordan Visit and the Iraqi Institute of Peace: The visit to Jordan was also very positive. Two of our Iraqi team joined me in Amman including Fadel, the Secretary General of the IIP [Iraqi Institute of Peace]. It was wonderful to meet up with Fadel again. He has been doing a wonderful job keeping the IIP running well; he has a lot of support from Simon Elvy at the British Embassy which we all greatly appreciate. Things continue to be very difficult in Iraq, the security situation continues to deteriorate. We are committed to continuing the work in Iraq despite not being physically there at the moment. We have to take seriously the advice from our Embassy and FCO. We hope and pray that it will not be too long before I can return.
We are hoping to have a major meeting of Ramaddi leaders in Jordan in the near future. This we will do in order to try and preventing Ramaddi flaring up like Fulujah. We were able to meet with Sheik Abdul Latif Humayem, one of the key Ramaddi Sheiks, and talk through what he thinks would enable a peaceful resolution to the crisis brewing in Ramaddi. In these discussions we made it clear that the Ramaddi people needed to have something clear to offer. What was interesting is that they want this conference to be hosted by Coventry Cathedral and not the IIP. They said they trust us more than anything Iraqi. They are prepared to work with us and the US Army/Government. A lot more work needs to be done on this issue, and we also need to raise the funds for the process. Whilst in Jordan we also had a very positive meeting with Prince Raad, a truly wonderful man, and his equally impressive sons, Prince Mired and Prince Fires.
The rest of this week will be spent in meetings; not least on the agenda will be the establishment of the new Forum.
Report from Canon Andrew White – 6th October, 2004
This is a very quick update done very late at night from Jerusalem. We have had a very positive day though we have only been able to see a fraction of those who wanted to see us. There are some real signs of hope amongst the difficulties here.
We started off the day with Rabbi Melchior, having a long and positive meeting with him. From Jerusalem we went to Ramallah and had a very good meeting with Saeb Ariekat and Yasser Arafat. We then stayed for lunch with President Arafat before returning to Jerusalem for more meetings including one with Charles Clayton, the head of World Vision here. We are working well together and there is real hope that World Vision will be taking a more conciliatory approach to its work here. Charles is a very good man.Went to see in Simchat Torah at the Western wall. From there we had another meeting before going on to speak to a group of visiting British politicians, Newspaper editors and the new dean of Norwich. The response to what we have to say is always phenomenal.
Iraq: On Friday I go to Jordan to meet with some of the Iraq team. David was hurt slightly in a bomb blast yesterday. He had a shrapnel injury to his leg after a bomb at school yesterday. Also yesterday the Head of world vision Iraq was shot dead.
ICR REPORT from The Rev. Canon Justin Welby – 28th September, 2004
In my last email I wrote about the attack on Andrew White in Baghdad. The fall out on that continues, and he has been in the USA for the last 10 days, mainly North Carolina and Washington, I think, although I am not sure. Funding for the Iraq centre has effectively run out, and it will be mothballed at the end of the month. He is talking with the Iraqi government and the UK Foreign Office about safe ways of returning, and is giving a lot of attention to Israel.
Israel is showing fresh signs of life, and Andrew is planning a trip in about 10 days. Funding has been received recently.
Nigeria is very busy. In Plateau state we continue to work on the projects mentioned last time. In the Delta, we have been appointed as international mediators for a complex dispute, with funding provided. Simon, Jon and I will be there in early October. The situation around Port Harcourt has deteriorated a lot recently; in villages south of the city there have been air strikes, and we have unconfirmed reports of casualties exceeding 200, in the last few days, and over 500 in the last two months.
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