Join us for “Nonviolence: A Tradition for Our Transformation,” this Friday, a special pre-conference lead-in event from the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative

>> Watch the videos of the opening and closing plenaries of this special pre-conference event on nonviolence.

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Join Pax Christi USA for a special pre-conference event planned by the U.S. cohort of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative exploring one of the central charisms of Pax Christi USA, gospel nonviolence.

“Nonviolence: A Tradition for Our Transformation” is a special lead-in event to the 2021 Pax Christi USA National Conference and will focus on nonviolence, taking place on Friday, July 30, from 1-5pm EDT. The event will include an opening plenary with speakers:

• Jeannette Rodriguez, author and theologian
• Dan Moriarty, Sustainable Pathways to Peace program coordinator for the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
• Marie Dennis, Senior Advisor to the Secretary General of Pax Christi International and Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace

The opening plenary will be followed by 4 breakout sessions on:

1. Gospel Nonviolence for a Laudato Si’ Future – Moderator: Marie Dennis.
   
   Description: As the Catholic Church undertakes a multi-year plan to pursue the goals laid out in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, this session will explore what role nonviolence has within the context of the Laudato Si action plan.

Panelists: 

• Amy Echeverria, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative Steering Committee
• Michelle Sherman, Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus, Campus Minister
  

2. The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative: Transforming the Tradition – Moderator: Sr. Florence Deacon.
   
   Description: The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative started when peace practitioners, theologians, religious, and others were first brought together in 2016 by Pax Christi International and the Vatican’s Council for Justice and Peace to explore and affirm the role of nonviolence in the Church. This session will revisit highlights of the past 5 years as well as lay out the roadmap for going forward with this work. 

Panelists: 

• Sister Mary Tiernan, CSC, leadership team of the Sisters of the Holy Cross
• Judy Coode, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative Coordinator, Pax Christi International
  

3. Nonviolent Strategies and Today’s Social Movements – Moderator: Rose Berger.
   
   Description: The strategies and tools of nonviolence are evident in today’s movements for social change. This session will draw out the lessons around nonviolence as it has been practiced in various campaigns and actions aimed at some of the most pressing issues of our time. 

Panelists:

• Leo Guardado, theologian, Fordham University
• Anne McCarthy, osb, Benedictines for Peace, Erie Peace Team
• Scott Wright, Director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
  

4. The Just Peace Ethic as a Tool for Advocating Nonviolent Policy – Moderator: Dan Moriarty. Description: This session will include a conversation with promoters and practitioners of the “just peace” ethic as a tool for advocating for nonviolent policy and affecting concrete socal change. 

Panelists: 

• Eli McCarthy, author, coordinator of the DC Peace Team
• Katie Murphy, theology teacher, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore

You can register here for this lead-in event at the same time you register for the 2021 Pax Christi USA National Conference. You’ll be sent a follow-up email asking which breakout sessions you want to attend and giving you a special link for this event shortly before the event is scheduled to take place.