With Christmas now just around the corner, the staff of Pax Christi International would like to extend our heartfelt wishes for a season of peace, hope and renewed commitment to justice and Nonviolence.
This year’s novelty is that the Christmas message, unlike in previous years, does not come from the Secretary General Martha Inés Romero, but from the two Co-Presidents of our Movement.
Below is the message from Martha Inés Romero, which introduces the greetings from the Co-Presidents.
Spanish and French versions are available below
Martha Inés Romero (on the left) at the Peace Award Ceremony, held during the 2025 World Gathering in Florence, with former Co-President Bishop Marc Stenger and Co-President Sister Wamuyu Wachira
English
Dear Pax Christi International Community,
Although the tradition has been for the PCI Secretary General to write a Christmas message, this year is wonderfully different, due to the arrival of a pastor as new Pax Christi Co-President, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, who has generously sent a message, which Sister Wamuyu Wachira, beginning her third three-year term as Co-President, has received with joy and a special greeting.
With the joy of having celebrated our 80th Anniversary in Florence and reaffirmed our commitment to a just peace based on harmony, human dignity, and the tireless struggle for human rights and the rule of law, I greet you from Colombia, with immense gratitude for the year built collectively with you, our members, partners, and allies.
We will continue building bridges of a disarmed and disarming peace, from the nonviolence that inspires us and strengthens our utopian vision!
A peaceful greeting,
Martha Inés Romero
Español
Querida Comunidad de Pax Christi Internacional,
Aunque la tradición ha sido que la Secretaria General escriba un mensaje de Navidad, este año es maravillosamente diferente, por la llegada de un pastor como nuevo Co-Presidente de Pax Christi, el Obispo Jose Colin Bagaforo, quien generosamente ha mandado un mensaje, que la Hermana Wamuyu Wachira, quien comienza su tercer término de tres años ha recibido con alegría y con un saludo especial.
Con la alegría de haber celebrado nuestro 80 Aniversario, de haber refrendado nuestro compromiso por la paz justa basada en la armonía, la dignidad humana y la lucha incansable por los derechos humanos y el imperio de la ley, les saludo desde Colombia, con una inmensa gratitud por el año construido de manera colectiva, con Ustedes, miembros, copartes, aliados.
Seguiremos construyendo puentes para una Paz desarmada y desarmante, desde la Noviolencia que nos inspira y fortalece la utopía!
Un saludo de Paz,
Martha Inés Romero
Lea el mensaje de los Co-Presidentes aquì
Français
Chère communauté internationale de Pax Christi International,
Bien que la tradition soit que le secrétaire général écrive un message de Noël, cette année est merveilleusement différente, avec l’arrivée d’un pasteur comme nouveau co-président de Pax Christi, Mgr José Colin Bagaforo, qui a généreusement envoyé un message que Sœur Wamuyu Wachira, qui entame son troisième mandat de trois ans, a reçu avec joie et un salut particulier.
Avec la joie d’avoir célébré notre 80e anniversaire, d’avoir réaffirmé notre engagement en faveur d’une paix juste basée sur l’harmonie, la dignité humaine et la lutte inlassable pour les droits de l’homme et l’État de droit, je vous salue depuis la Colombie, avec une immense gratitude pour l’année construite collectivement, avec vous, membres, partenaires, alliés.
Nous continuerons à construire des ponts pour une Paix désarmée et désarmante, à partir de la Non-violence qui nous inspire et renforce l’utopie !
Salutations de Paix,
Martha Inés Romero
Great messaging. I am involved with Pax Christi in the Nuclear Threat Reduction and Weapons Abolition initiatives. I am also involved with efforts in Colombia in matters of peacebuilding.
Dear Sister Wamuyu Wachira and dead Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Thank you for these inspiring words for the whole Pax Christi family and all others who are longing for Peace. Peace and all good! Jerome van de Loo The Netherlands
Beautiful messages from Martha Ines, Wamuyu and Bishop Colin… looking forward to more cooperation in the year ahead.
Here at the cusp of Christmas, the contrast between Jesus’ message of nonviolence and the arrogant world of power politics, intent on what Isaiah called “grinding the face of the poor,” is truly jarring. Who these days is not deeply rattled? With growing attempts by the various elites to normalize this inhumanity – making some victims even doubt their basic rights, the need for a humane and viable alternatives is palpable. As such, we must cling to hope and strive to speak truth to power – seeking dialogue whenever possible. Only then can our witness be visible; and real. Only then, resisting humanely and actively, can our light pierce the shroud that threatens us. So this year, while comfort and joy are essential, may they join with courage and outreach, too. Let’s strive to be the beacon. If not now, then when?
Thank you so much for your work and fortitude in such dark and challenging times. Keep being a beacon!