On the most recent episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Fr. John Dear talks with our own Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., bishop president of Pax Christi USA. (Please note, the podcast was recorded before the death of Pope Francis.)
Bishop John reflects on how his theological training and pastoral assignments have shaped his understanding of the nonviolent Jesus, and speaks about current challenges to the church in this country. He also gives a strong affirmation of the Pax Christi movement!
“It’s so essential to root out the violent tendencies within ourselves, or to think violently about others, ” said Bishop John, who leads the Diocese of Lexington, KY. “Violence doesn’t provide the lasting solution that Jesus does. But the nonviolent Jesus hasn’t been preached enough in our churches. … It’s a lack of faith to think it’s impossible to live in a nonviolent way.”
Take some time to listen and learn more about Bishop John, his work to share the good news of Gosepl nonviolence, and how we can find hope in community.
Use this link to listen to the podcast.
Meditating on the Jesus of Peace, facilitated by Bishop Stowe and Fr John Dear, brings inner peace to my psyche in this time of spleen. So, by the bye, where our the hundreds of other bishops and thousands of priests and deacons who instead of peace have us pray for our military? Are they really so daft? Can’t they say it once and for all that all wars, even WWII, were unnecessary and preventable according to the Jewish-American historian Howard Zinn. In what state of mind was Catholic Biden’s spiritual director when he placed the Eucharist on the tongue of a person whose words greenlighted the initial genocide of Palestine?
David-Ross Gerling, PhD