Friday, March 10, 2017
 
I had the great privilege this past Wednesday of being at the Vatican in Rome for an inspiring day raising up the voices of  courageous   women peacemakers and honoring them for all that they have done.  The event, "Stirring the Waters: Making the Impossible Possible", was sponsored by Voices of Faith for the annual observance of International Women's Day, March 8.
 
My thirty-five years at the International Secretariat of Pax Christi International have shown me how important and essential are the contributions of women toward creating peace. Anyone who attends a Pax Christi International event or explores the work our member organisations are doing will undoubtedly see that women are at the heart of the work we do. This is one of the reasons why I believe so deeply in Pax Christi International. Because you believe in our movement too and want to honor the leadership and vision of the women who have shaped our work, I'm hoping you'll consider making a financial contribution today to support our mission.
 
Pax Christi International Co-President Marie Dennis challenged the audience gathered at the Voices of Faith event for International Women's Day. She asked, "What if Catholics were trained in the centrality of nonviolence to the Gospel and women were central to this effort?" 
 
Pax Christi International has already risen to meet that challenge with women leading the way at every level--from the co-presidency to the International Board and my own role as Secretary General, to the women who lead our member organisations in Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, the Middle East and elsewhere. From our very beginning, starting with our co-founder, Marthe Dortel-Claudot, we have known how important the leadership of women is for the promise of peace in our world.
 
I know that you too appreciate, especially within the context of being a Catholic organisation, how much we depend upon and celebrate the leadership of women for our movement. And I hope you'll join me today, challenged by the words of our Co-President Marie Dennis, and make a contribution now, quickly, easily and securely by clicking here.
 
Together we are training Catholics in the centrality of nonviolence to the Gospel, and women are not only central to the effort--they are the engine driving the effort. To all of my sisters in our worldwide movement, in these days following International Women's Day, I, and all of us at Pax Christi International, celebrate you and we give thanks for you.
 
In peace,
 
Greet Vanaerschot
Secretary General, Pax Christi International