Pax Christi USA is heartbroken to share the news of the death of Ambassador of Peace and former national council member Fr. Chris Ponnet, leader of Pax Christi Southern California. Fr. Chris died during surgery on Tuesday, October 7; he was 68 years old.
“Fr. Chris was the heart and soul of the St. Camillus Spiritual Center and the community in which he ministered,” said Pax Christi USA Executive Director Charlene Howard. “A pivotal advocate, spiritual leader and persistent force, his work within and among the Hispanic communities in Los Angeles was powerful and deeply rooted. Pax Christi Southern California and Pax Christi USA are saddened by his passing yet honored by his commitment to Gospel nonviolence.”
Ordained a Catholic priest in 1983, Fr. Chris was the beloved pastor of the St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care in Los Angeles and administrator of Urban Interfaith Chaplaincy Clinical Pastoral Education program based at the LAC USC Medical Center. He had been director of the Department of Spiritual Care at the USC Medical Center since the 1990s. He was also deeply active in the local and national interfaith social justice communities, particularly around the death penalty, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights.
“This is a loss to so many to whom he ministered here in Los Angeles. He will be keenly missed.” – Sr. Diane Smith, CSJ, former national council member, Pax Christi SoCal
“He was an extraordinarily, extraordinarily unique priest and person. We know that he is in the loving arms of our Lord.” – Ambassador of Peace Cathy Crayton, Pax Christi SoCal
“Father Chris Ponnet was a constant inspiration for others to live in peace.” — Ambassador of Peace Olga Sarabia, Pax Christi SoCal (seen with Fr. Chris at the 2022 Pax Christi USA national conference when they were both designated as Ambassadors of Peace.)
“Chris Ponnet was a long-time activist, priest, and Pax Christi leader. His compassionate pastoral care was not limited to his formal ministry, but was central to his character and evident to everyone he encountered.” – Ambassador of Peace Tom Cordaro
Use this link to watch a 2021 video from the Los Angeles Times about Fr. Chris’s chaplaincy ministry during the Covid pandemic.
Use this link to read more about Fr. Chris’s advocacy to end the death penalty.
Please share your memories of or prayers for Fr. Chris in the comments below.
I’ve been fortunate enough to sit in with the LA Catholic Worker’s liturgy a few times. Fr. Chris’ decency – earnest, honest, simple decency – will not be something I forget. He was kind and funny and real, approachable in the way the best priests can be.
I can’t and won’t dare to try and speak to the degree of loss his community and his people must be feeling. All I can say is that, from a not-insignificant distance, I was still able to catch a glimpse of what a special person this was. Because that’s how special this person was.
“Love is always stronger than death, and unto that love you have now returned.”
Chris was one of the first priests to reach out to people with AIDS in the early eighties, especially tending with loving care to those on the street who were HIV+. His persistence in providing pastoral care to those who were in incredibly vulnerable positions is what set Chris apart. He was prophetic on the issues but he lived daily in solidarity with those who knew firsthand the suffering of war, violence, poverty, discrimination and marginalization. Chris was one of the great witnesses to the wounded yet risen Christ.
The Cloud of Witnesses has increased its glow with the addition of our brother, Priest and dear friend Chris Ponnet. Our Peace and Justice journey began with him in 1978. My wife hosted Seminarians for a homecooked meal through a Marriage Encounter program in those days, Chris tagged along with our assigned Seminarian and the journey began.
He has blessed and officiated at family wedding, Memorial services and 50th Anniversary celebrations. In 2020 we were privileged to share with him in a Holy Land Pilgrimage. All along the journey Chris brought the challenge of the Gospel of Nonviolence and inclusion.
We will all miss his encouraging voice, sense of humor and smiling face. May we remember the glow of his Pastoral light during times of darkness.
Presente, Good and Faithful Servant.