(ZENIT News / Rome, 09.30.2024).- Pope Francis celebrated the creation of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence and expressed his hope that the initiative will awaken “a renewed commitment to the values of peace and fraternity.” He did so during the inauguration of the Institute, in which members of Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative officially presented the organization at the Institutto Maria Santissima Bambina in Rome, Italy.
In a telegram sent by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of His Holiness, Pope Francis urged attendees to “work together to guarantee the defense of the rights of every human being and become architects of a society founded on justice and reciprocal love, considering ‘…nonviolence as a style of peace policy, may charity and nonviolence guide the world in the way we treat one another, in interpersonal, social, and international relations’” (message for the 50th World Day of Peace, January 1, 2017).
Nonviolence as a way of life
“This Institute will help us reclaim the nonviolence of Jesus, learning from the wisdom of theological reflection, practical strategies for addressing violence and the experiences of marginalized communities who embody this radical call to peace,” said Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar as he led, along with Cardinal Robert McElroy, the inauguration of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence.
Aligned with the words of the Archbishop of Yangon, the Bishop of San Diego -Cardinal McElroy, said the following: “This is a new moment marked by the need to fundamentally renew and prioritize the claim of nonviolent action as the central tenet of Catholic teaching on war and peace.”
Cardinal McElroy argues that the failure of the «just war» doctrine to prevent violent conflict or pave the way to peace challenges the Church to rethink its moral stance, permitting war only in extreme cases. In that regard, Cardinal Bo adds that the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence will play a vital role in “helping the Church learn the true meaning of Gospel-centered nonviolence.”
The Voices of Nonviolence at the Inauguration
The event, streamed live on YouTube, was led by Cardinal Bo, Cardinal McElroy, Sister Teresia Wachira of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and acclaimed author and researcher Dr. Maria Stephan.
Sister Wachira highlighted the Institute’s role in promoting various nonviolent approaches to peacebuilding, stating, «One aspect we focus on is Peace Journalism, as we’ve seen how media can sometimes escalate conflicts. The media should present both sides and explore ways to bring communities together, helping them reach a point where they are ready for mediation.»
Dr. Maria Stephan, former Director of the Program on Nonviolent Action at the U.S. Institute of Peace, shared insights from her research emphasizing the effectiveness of nonviolent protest in addressing social conflicts. «Our research shows that movements are more likely to succeed when they maintain nonviolent discipline, even under repression, creatively alternate between methods of concentration (like sit-ins and demonstrations) and dispersion (such as boycotts and stay-aways), and prioritize strategic planning and decentralized leadership.»
At the close of the inauguration, Pax Christi International’s Secretary General, Martha Inés Romero, addressed the growing global violence and the critical role of the new institute in tackling these issues. «There is already extensive knowledge, research, and experience on nonviolence. The institute seeks to enhance this body of work and make it more accessible to the Church.»
Following Romero’s remarks, Marie Dennis, the Senior Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, stated: “Through the synod process, the global Catholic Church is discussing nonviolence as a practice of the faithful. The launch of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in Rome will continue this conversation now and after the synod closes.”
The inauguration event was centered around three pivotal themes that underscore the importance of aiding the Church to establish nonviolence as the solution to the crises of injustice, war and every form of destruction across the world. These themes include “Nonviolence is Faithful”, being a principle found at the center of the Gospel; “Nonviolence is Effective”, as it works to transform conflict and build peace better than violence; and “Nonviolence is a Powerful Way Forward” for the Church and for the world.
Artisans of Peace
The institute is dedicated to providing research, resources, and hands-on experience in nonviolence for Catholic Church leaders, communities, and institutions, with the goal of deepening the Church’s understanding of and commitment to Gospel-based nonviolence. The Catholic Institute for Nonviolence focuses on documenting real-world case studies of nonviolent practices across diverse communities, offering ethical and spiritual alternatives to violence and passivity. Sponsors offer financial support and collaborate closely with an Institute Coordinating Committee made up of representatives from multiple nationalities.
An advisory council, consisting of prominent nonviolence advocates, scholars, religious community members, and spiritual leaders, supports the program. The council members will advance the institute’s mission, connect it with nonviolence practitioners within and beyond the Catholic Church, and serve three-year renewable terms.
The Pax Christi International Peace Award
On October 29th the Pax Christi International Peace Award ceremony will also take place. Since 1992, Pax Christi International has been the award’s benefactor, honoring men and women who stand for peace, justice, and nonviolence worldwide.
The award will be presented to the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), a unique organization comprising over 600 Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families. PCFF members participate in more than 300 reconciliation, dialogue, and public events each year, and lead educational, awareness, and advocacy initiatives that promote empathy and humanization on both sides. Co-Directors Yuval Rahamim, Rami Elhanan, and Bassam Aramin, who joined the Forum after the tragic loss of family members, have dedicated their efforts to transforming anger and grief into actions of hope and reconciliation.
From the Synod of Bishops to Four Nonviolence Seminars
As a contribution to the discussions on nonviolence at the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence will host a series of four seminars, each scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The topics are as follows: Nonviolence: Faithful and Effective on October 4th, Managing Conflict Nonviolently on October 11th, Nonviolent Defense: Beyond War and Cycles of Violence on October 18th, and The Role of the Church in Nurturing a Global Nonviolent Shift on October 25th.
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