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Dear
friends of Pax Christi,
We would
like to offer our heart-felt
condolences to all family, friends
and colleagues of Giovanni Scudiero,
including Pax Christi Italy, Pax
Christi International and other
friends and colleagues in the peace
movement who had known him. Giovanni
was the inspiring worker for peace
whom we all admired. We knew
Giovanni for his wise judgments on
peace policies and as a dedicated
grassroots worker connecting to
different regions including our
area. May God hold his soul in
peace.
Arab
Educational Institute
Bethlehem
In
Memoriam
Passing
away of Giovanni Scudiero
Member
of the Executive Committee of Pax Christi International
It is with great sadness that we have to share
the news that Giovanni Scudiero died on Sunday morning 14 June 2009.
Pat Gaffney, Coordinator of Pax Christi UK, was with him all of Saturday
and during his last night as were his brothers and sisters. According
to Pat, he had a terrible struggle for the last hours... as for the
last two weeks... such a trial but through it all he was serene, ready,
lucid and as critical as ever...What a great loss to us all. Many
 friends
have been so wonderful in keeping Giovanni in their prayers and thoughts,
especially the last weeks and months.
Giovanni was a member of the Consolata
Missionary Fathers and has worked with them in South Africa, Kenya,
Tanzania, the United States and in London, where he was Dean of Studies
at the Missionary Institute. He was an Executive Committee Member of
the British section of Pax Christi between 1991 and 1998, during which
time he played an important role in helping to develop the theology
and spirituality of non-violence and peace making. During this time
he took full responsibility for the Pax Christi British sections’
IT needs. Giovanni has also been involved in practical support for the
Pax Christi Youth Hostel that took place in London each summer. In addition
to this he took part in the planning of the Triennial World Assembly
of London 1997 and has represented the British Section at these and
other international meetings. Giovanni was elected to the Pax Christi
International Executive Committee at the 2004 Triennial World Assembly.
He had a special interest in Non violent Social Change and in the development
of peace theology and spirituality of non-violence and peace-making.
Giovanni participated in a visit to Israel and Palestine of Pax Christi
International while doing his Sabbatical leave in the Holy Land some
years ago. He was the national coordinator of the Justice and Peace
Commission of the Conference of Missionary Institutes in Italy and an
active member of Pax Christi Italy.
His life was a blessing to all who
knew him. We pass our sincere Christian condolences to the family of
Giovanni. We offer our prayers to all who have known Giovanni. May he
rest in the Peace of our Lord.
Reaction from Patriarch Michel Sabbah
“I received with
great pain the news of the passing away of Fr Giovanni. He was so near
to every one, to me too. I present my sincere condolences to all of
you, to his relatives, and to his friends. This morning, 16 June, as
I have received the notice of his death, just before saying Mass, I
will offer the Mass for the repose of his soul. May God give him His
eternal rest and keep in all of us the hope of the Resurrection. Michel
Sabbah Patriarch Emeritus.”
Claudette Werleigh, Secretary General,
joined with Pat Gaffney and Valerie Flessati from Pax Christi UK, with the members of Pax Christi Italy, with
the members of the Consolata Missionary Fathers, Giovanni's family and
friends to say good bye to our friend. The funeral takes place at 2 pm
on 16 June 2009.
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