WELCOME MESSAGE OF BISHOP MENGELING
PAX CHRISTI MICHIGAN CONFERENCE
APRIL 19, 2008
CRISTO REY PARISH, LANSING

In the name of the Diocese of Lansing, I am pleased to say 'Welcome in the name of Christ and Peace to you Pax Christi Michigan, Sisters and Brothers all':

Your theme 'NEITHER SERVANT NOR MASTER', 'SISTERS AND BROTHERS ALL', is a perennial challenge. It is rooted in Christ and is, of course, foundational for Pax Christi.

I am happy to note that two significant coincidences are contemporary to your conference and especially to your theme.

Providentially your 27th Pax Christi Conference coincides with the pastoral visit of Pope Benedict to our Church and our nation. He is a messenger of love and reconciliation, a bearer of hope and peace to Church, Nation and World.

The theme of his encyclical 'Deus Caritas Est' (God is Love) of December 25, 2006 is LOVE. The theme of his second encyclical Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope) of November 30, 2007 is HOPE. LOVE and HOPE are the heart and promise of PEACE. Your Pax Christi witness and service for peace is truly on act of LOVE and HOPE.

Providentially at this time, the world and we also mark the 60th Anniversary of the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights'. We do so as the world faces seemingly endless and increasing hatreds, divisions, conflict, violence and war.

This Declaration of 1948 came as a bright ray of light and hope in the middle of the 20th century. After the First World War that would end all wars and twenty years later the vast and gross horrors of the Second World War, the nations of our world signed this Declaration three years after the end of World War II.

Ten years ago, John Paul II noted the 50th Anniversary of this Declaration of Human Rights. The theme of his annual World Day of Peace message on January First was: 'Respect For Human Rights: The Secret of True Peace'. That message is 'MUST' reading.

Yesterday, April 18, Pope Benedict and the members of the United Nations observed the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration. The pope centered his Address on Human Rights.

As "Sisters and Brothers All", YOU ARE, in your strong and courageous presence and your pacific service, People of HOPE; Servants of HOPE; Agents of HOPE and Witnesses of HOPE. I thank Our Lord for YOU! I thank YOU!

During this Pax Christi Conference you will recognize and honor two 'Peace-Makers' of the Lansing Diocese. As temporary Administrator of the diocese it is a privilege and pleasure to join you in honoring these witnesses and servants of peace. The diocese and I thank them. We are proud of Father Fred Thelen, priest of our diocese, pastor of Cristo Rey Parish, member of Pax Christi, Lansing and member of Cristo Rey Cesar Chavez Pax Christi. He will receive the '2008 Purple Ribbon for Peace'.

Miss Jennifer Mills, member of St. Mary Student Parish in Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Pax Christi. She will receive the 'Young Adult Peace-Maker Award'.

Dear Servants of Pax Christi, Luke notes at the end of his account of Jesus speaking for the first time in his hometown synagogue, "the eyes of all in the synagogue were FIXED on HIM".

Keep your eyes FIXED on Jesus! HEED the greeting of the Risen Christ: "Peace Be With You". "It is I". " DO NOT BE AFRAID".

Thank you for inviting me.