Nominated Peacemakers (Get Nomination Forms here)
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I nominate John Ochola for the Peacemaker Prize because
he is willing to forgive his attackers
photo by Paul Jeffrey
although he has suffered terribly and continues to struggle with the resulting handicaps. The article, Hope for Uganda, by Paul Jeffrey, in America Magazine, Sept. 18, 2008, p10, says
“I was angry about what happened to me and bitterly against any amnesty. But now I know we’ll never have peace if they don’t come out of the bush. And they won’t do that unless we forgive them. Holding a grudge in our hearts doesn’t get us peace. I’ve forgiven them and want them to come back and live in harmony.” John Ochola, who spoke these words, has reason to be angry. He has no ears, nose or fingers, and part of his lips are missing—all cut off by soldiers of the Lord’s Resistance Army in 2003.
John Ochola's photo by Paul Jeffrey accompanies the article. The article discusses the war in Uganda, and the efforts by John Ochola and many others for justice, forgiveness, peace, and a traditional tribal form of justice known as mato oput which seeks restoration of right relationships.
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Two nominations were received for Paul Stretch of Portland, Oregon:
I nominate Paul Stretch because Paul Stretch was the driving force behind bringing the Children's Peace Fair to St. Andrew. He and his family are an inspiration for us all.
I nominate Paul Stretch because he puts his heart into the Children's Peace Fair and is able to motivate many, many people to volunteer and work at the Children's Peace Fair.
Angel(l) and friend showing Angel's artwork to Paul Stretch(r) at the Children's Peace Fair:
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I nominate Sr. Mary Immaculee Heinl, S.N.D., who lives in Toledo, Ohio. A religious sister for more than 65 years, Sister is a living example of how to be a “wellspring peacemaker,” a source of peace that is carried out into the world. After decades of work in schools and administrative positions, helping to form new parishes and in building safe havens for abused women and helping migrant farm workers, she is tethered to an oxygen bottle in her order's care facility. Not quite so able now to travel Sister has a vibrant letter-writing apostolate that includes writing to over 150 prisoners, most of whom are living on death rows throughout the country. She encourages these prisoners to live a peaceful life, helps them solve problems, prays for them and for victims of crime and assists the families of crime victims. She is an advocate for restorative justice, helping with projects that include prisoner art auctions that have raised nearly $30,000. in school scholarship funds for children of murder victims.
These efforts are a peace bridge, bringing hope to victims while at the same time allowing some measure of goodness and redemption for those who have committed crimes. Sister advocates peace to all sides of the equation.
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Robert Rycroft of Salem has been nominated as a Peacemaker.
See some of his paintings are in the Search For Peace On-Line Exhibit.
See who won the 2009 Peacemaker Prize !
To nominate your favorite Peacemaker click here.
Click to Enter the Search For Peace On-Line exhibit