This year, 27 nominees were put forward for consideration for the Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace Award.
Each year (with the exception of a four year hiatus between 2017-2020), Pax Christi USA honors an outstanding peacemaker in the tradition of Sr. Thea Bowman, Fr. Dan Berrigan, Cesar Chávez, Sr. Dianna Ortiz, Dorothy Day, Fr. Ray East, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Fr. Bryan Massingale, and others. Last year’s recipient was Marie Dennis.
The award recognizes women and men whose lives and work exemplify the theme of Pope Paul VI’s World Day of Peace message, “To reach peace, teach peace.”
“It is a highlight every year to intentionally name and recognize so many incredible people who demonstrate by their lives what it means to ‘teach peace,'” stated Johnny Zokovitch, Pax Christi USA Executive Director. “The Teacher of Peace Award, and each of these people who are nominees this year, is meant to lift up the vocation of peacemaking which is at the heart of the gospel, at the heart of what it means to follow the nonviolent Jesus.”
The Pax Christi USA National Council, following consultation with the Teacher of Peace Committee, makes the final decision regarding this year’s recipient. Next month, the 2023 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace will be announced with this year’s recipient receiving the award at a time and place to be determined this fall.
Following is a list of this year’s nominees (listed randomly):
- Fr. Harry Bury
- Sr. Margaret Sikora
- Dr. Rosemarie Pace
- Andrew Bacevich
- Sr. Florence Steichen, CSJ
- Jack Gilroy
- Dr. Craig Ford Jr.
- National Black Sisters Conference
- Sr. Rosemarie Milazzo
- Sr. Carol Gilbert, OP
- Bob Cooke
- Pope Francis
- Sr. Jan Cebula, OSF
- Fr. Joseph Nangle, ofm
- Kim Redigan
- Archbishop John C. Wester
- Tom Wannemuehler
- Robert Ellsberg
- Fr. John Dear
- Mary Hanna
- Dan Misleh
- Dolores Huerta
- Robert Keeler
- Sr. Paulette Schroeder, OSF
- Catherine Morris and Jeff Dietrich
- Molly Rush
- Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv
Pax Christi USA congratulates each of the nominees and gives thanks for their work on behalf of peace with justice. We encourage our members and others to send notes of congratulations to those you know among the nominees and to thank them for their commitment!
I vote for Robert Cooke.
Hi Roni! The national council and Teacher of Peace committee will make a decision in a few weeks.
What an inspiring list! All are true peacemakers.
I nominate Archbishop John Wester.
Yes! He’s on the list. We are so grateful for Archbishop Wester.
Why is the vote not a vote of the membership as opposed to the present hierarchical vote structure with the decision being made by folks at the top of the pecking order?
Hi Ed, the national council members are elected by the membership, so they represent the larger movement in this decision. I’m not sure the original reason that the process was set up this way, but I think it helps achieve a few things and mitigates against at least one possible problem. The thing it helps achieve is to be somewhat strategic about who is recognized if it helps to further particular campaigns or policies, raise awareness of a particular field of work or issue, etc. It also mitigates against the award being a popularity contest where only the best-known candidates have any chance of being the recipient or it becoming something that someone campaigns for. Hope this clarifies the process somewhat.
Dolores Huerta ~Thank you for tireless efforts .
All are excellent choices for this prestigious honor. Thank you for recognizing the National Black Sisters’ Conference’s to work for peace by working for racial justice.
Yes, Thank you for recognizing the National Black Sisters” Conference
Thank you for recognizing Tom Wannemuehler. He is definitely a Teacher of Peace! A truly outstanding Christian!
Tom Wannemuehler is such a deserving nominee as he has helped so many of us learn how to witness to the Prince of Peace and build peace based in justice for our world. Our deep gratitude to Tom… Sue and Charlie Martin, Rockport, IN