8 March 2016
3 hours

International Fellowship Of Reconciliation Collection
Archive Box 1.
Box 1 contains 2 folders.
Folder I. The cover states: IFOR / 1925-1967
Subfolder 1. The cover states: IFOR / 1925-1947

- “The International Fellowship Of Reconciliation: The Religious Basis”
Pamphlet. No author. No date [1925]. Format: A5. 3 pages.
A short history of IFOR and the particular brand of Christianity (its original name had been Movement Towards a Christian International) it was based on. In the early days, IFOR’s main focus had been its opposition to war: “There could be no reconciliation between armed violence and love […] But it became clear that the greatest and most indispensable power for the generation for the whole life of society was to be found in the love which became a reality in the personality and life of Christ. […] It inevitably happened therefore that, whatever the subject under discussion in the Fellowship, the central question always was: ‘What is the meaning of brotherhood and following of Christ in the actual social relationships of to-day?”
The core belief of the Fellowship was that through love and following the example of Christ all violence could be conquered. As the pamphlet tell us, “The distrust and hatred which still rule in public life, the intolerable tension between classes and nations, arising from the opposition of interest, the widely prevalent belief in Violence and Mammon, all these seem to render the task of the Fellowship impossible.” Yet, following the example set by Jesus will eventually overcome all these hurdles. 

- “Dear Friend”
Original typescript. Authors: Kasper Mayr, Nataniel Beskow and Roger Soltou. Date: 1928. Format: A5. 4 pages.
A “news letter” that offers a short history of IFOR, announces the year’s main events (a youth camp dedicated to Francis of Assisi and the International Mutual Aid Program), and an overview of local IFOR activities in Europe, the USA and Latin America.

- “The International Fellowship Of Reconciliation”
Pamphlet. No author. Date: 1941. Format: A5. 4 pages.
The war didn’t stop IFOR from issuing pamphlets or organizing activities. This pamphlet provides a short history of IFOR, a brief overview of its ideals and religious basis, and a host of local and international activities to prevent the war from growing even bigger.

Subfolder 2. The cover states: IFOR / 1948-1969.
- “Report on Working in Latin America from May to August 1966 (Confidential – not to be circulated in Brazil and Argentina)”
Original typescript. Authors: Hildegard Goss and Jean Goss. Date: 1966. Format: A4. 14 pages.
A much earlier report than the one we posted on the website.
The report by Hildegard and Jean Goss is a fascinating account of the spreading of the gospel of nonviolence in Latin America, in particular in Argentina and Brazil. Their work involved taking a “look behind the façade built by those in power” and to mobilize nonviolent forces striving for social and economic justice. With the newly established military dictatorship in Brazil and the ongoing political turmoil in Argentina, “the whole problem of the Latin American revolution remains extremely complex. […] And while time presses tremendously, while hundreds of thousands perish of hunger and illness on this continent, we have come to see that it takes time for man to change, to evolve, to become conscious and responsible. This holds true for the violent as well as for the non-violent revolutionary effort. Leadership has to evolve, to be prepared – and we want to insist – as to non-violent leadership, this is not only a question of learning about non-violent technique, but it is also a question of grace that men and women of this continent, who have the vocation and capacity of non-violent leadership, to accept the call of God to assume responsibility. We, foreigners, Europeans, can only help to sow the seed, to give the example and initiative. The answer has to come from within the country.” And increasingly it does, as Hildegard and Jean note. They remark on the improved status of the concept of nonviolence – at least it is no longer being laughed at – which is now considered a valuable strategy. Not the only one, admittedly – the revolutionaries haven’t sworn off violence all together – but they seem willing to give it a go. 
An important aspect in all this is the position of the Catholic Church and the support it lends (or refuses to lend to) social and economic justice. Old habits die hard, but with a new generation of young, socially minded priests, Hildegrad and Jean see much room for optimism. At the beginning of their trip the clergy more or less shunned their presence. At the end they have established warm relations with many of the young priests. “Last day. I am exhausted but very glad and grateful for all that God has permitted to happen. His seed will grow.”