Leaders in Catholic Higher Education Contribute to Vatican Conference on Nonviolence and Just Peace

Amidst a period of devastating violence throughout the world, people of faith are called to reflect, discern,and act. Following this call, in spring 2016, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Pax Christi International, and other international organizations held a conference on “Nonviolence and Just Peace: Contributing to the Catholic Understanding of and Commitment to Nonviolence” in Rome. The conference, attended by lay people, theologians, and consecrated individuals from all over the world, explored the call of the Church to renew its commitment to “take a clear stand for active nonviolence and against all forms of violence”.

Among the the five scholarly works chosen to serve as background papers for the conference, three were written by professors of Catholic higher education. These papers and their authors include:

• “Official Catholic Social Thought on Gospel Nonviolence,” by Dr. Lisa Sowle Cahill, Boston College
• “Our Nonviolence Tradition,” by Dr. Ken Butigan, DePaul University and Pace e Bene; Fr. John Dear, Campaign Nonviolence
• “Contemporary Scriptural Exegesis Ethics on Jesus’ Nonviolence,” by Dr. Terrence Rynne, Marquette University

The conference’s closing statement urges to be attentive to the signs of the times, and “to invoke, pray over, teach and take action” in response to our current age of violence.

How does your college or university work towards building a culture of peace? Let us know! 

Resources on the Death Penalty

The USCCB’s Office on Human Life and Dignity provides news, legislative materials, and educational materials regarding the death penalty on their website.

The Community of Sant’Egidio is a Catholic Lay Community dedicated to peacemaking. As part of its mission to promote peace in the world, this organization stands in opposition to the death penalty. Visit its website to find out more.

Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, is one of the world’s leading advocates against the death penalty. She is the author of several books on this topic, including Dead Man Walking, which became a major motion picture. Visit her website to find out more about her life and work.

The website of Pax Christi International on the Death Penalty shows some of the work this international Catholic peace movement is doing to combat the death penalty.

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) proclaims the Church’s unconditional pro-life teaching and its application to capital punishment and restorative justice. Visit their website to find resources specific to college campuses.

The Death Penalty Information Center is a national non-profit organization which provides analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. Their activities include preparing reports, conducting briefings for journalists, and serving as a resource to those working on this issue. See their website for more information.