A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it... We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive... And yet we could hurt no man that we believe loves us. Let us try then what love will do: for if men did once see we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but Love gains: and he that forgives first, wins the laurel.
William Penn

Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone...
George Fox

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Work/Study MIR Peace Camp at Betania II

Tommaso Bogliacino, the man behind the religious retreat at Betania.  Tommaso speaks several languages, including Swahili.
Franco Perna with his scythe
By my second and third day at the work and study peace camp near Lago di Garda, I was beginning to learn  something of the organization whose members I was living with. The Movimento Internazionale della Riconciliazione is the Italian chapter of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. According to IFOR's website, ( http://www.ifor.org) the fellowship was founded in 1919 in response to the horrors of war in Europe, and has taken a consistent stance against war and its preparation throughout its history. Perceiving the need for healing and reconciliation in the world, the founders of IFOR formulated a vision of the human community based upon the belief that love in action has the power to transform unjust political, social, and economic structures.
In 1952, the fellowship came to Italy as the Movimento Internazionale della Riconciliazione with the help of 4 people, including two Quakers. For more on MIR, go to: http://riconciliazione.wordpress.com/


Luciano gives shiatsu

Planning the walk to a nearby monastery

Setting out from Betania


Taking a break during the walk

One of the dangers faced during the walk

The monastery

The view from the monastery of Lago di Garda

The picnic lunch at the monastery

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