This year, 26 nominees — including two organizations and four married couples — have been put forward for consideration for the Pax Christi USA 2025 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 Mary Catherine Bunting.
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.”
“What a blessing to see the breadth and depth of our movement, represented by these wonderful nominees!” said Charlene Howard, Pax Christi USA Executive Director. “Every one of these nominees is recognized for their witness in following the nonviolence of Jesus, their work for justice and peace in whatever way that manifests.”
The Pax Christi USA National Council, following consultation with the Teacher of Peace Committee, will make the final decision regarding this year’s recipient in the next few weeks. An announcement will be made soon, with this year’s recipient receiving the award at the Pax Christi USA national conference in Detroit in July.
Following is a list of this year’s nominees:
- Mark and Luz Colville
- James Dolan
- Robert Ellsberg
- Joryán Hernández
- Sr. Carol Gilbert
- Jack Gilroy
- James R. Kelly, Jr.
- Fr. Steve Kelly SJ
- Christina Leaño
- Molly Linehan-Belcher
- Fr. Thomas Lumpkin
- Sr. Pat McCormick
- Nick Mele
- Philip Metres
- Mike Moran
- Patrick O’Neill and Mary Rider
- Frank Panopoulos
- Kim Redigan
- Bishop Mark Seitz
- Suzanne Belote Shanley and Brayton Shanley
- Jean Stokan and Scott Wright
- Fr. Bernie Survil
- Archbishop John Wester
- Pope Francis
- Meta Peace Team
- National Catholic Reporter
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!
Pope Francis needs to be acknowledged as the Teacher of Peace he has always been
Fr Tom Lumpkin would be an amazing selection..most of all because his quiet manner makes him less seen than others. I had the privilege of spending some time in his presence at Manna Meals and it was truly like seeing an extension of God as he served the homeless who also clearly felt His presence around him. He is so humble. Please consider him for this award.