First and foremost: THANK YOU!
We say it in many ways and use different words, but we could not do this without you!

A new member/donor recently told us that he joined Pax Christi USA because he had finally found “a home, a place for him”! So this report is a GRATITUDE to you who support us and find your home here.

Speaking of new members, Pax Christi USA grew by 366 in 2024.

Throughout 2024, Pax Christi USA continued its steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and nonviolence through advocacy, education, and direct action, even while navigating significant organizational transitions. As Executive Director Charlene Howard noted in her end-of-year reflection, “We have come through it steadied by the longevity of our mission and more than 50 years of resolve to be a prophetic voice of peace through the practice of Gospel nonviolence.”

This report highlights the organization’s significant activities and accomplishments across several program areas, demonstrating Pax Christi USA’s multifaceted approach to peacebuilding and social justice in challenging times.

Key impact areas

1. Advocacy for international peace and justice

Initiatives for justice for Palestine

Nuclear disarmament

  • Building a world without nuclear weapons: An urgent imperative (January): Pax Christi Massachusetts, with assistance from the national office, offered a two-hour online forum with almost 1,000 participants on the urgent need for nuclear disarmament
  • Japan delegation (March): An 11-person pilgrimage of reconciliation to Hiroshima and Nagasaki included Pax Christi USA members who offered formal apology for atomic bombings
  • Pax Christi Rhode Island victory (June): Celebrated passage of state’s Nuclear Treaty Resolution
  • “Teresa of Ávila and Peacemaking in a Nuclear Age” (July): Co-sponsored conference on contemplative approaches to nuclear disarmament
  • Hiroshima-Nagasaki days (August): Organized prayer, study, and action to remember atomic bombings; Charlene Howard, Bishop John Stowe and Director of Operations Iyana Turner-Vance provided recorded messages for the inaugural Nagasaki Catholic Peace Forum held August 10 in Japan
  • Offered a Prayer-Study-Action resource on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (July)
  • Nuclear Disarmament Working Group: Maintained active engagement throughout the year with educational initiatives and advocacy
  • Congratulated Nihon Hidankyo: Celebrated Hibakusha organization’s 2024 Nobel Peace Prize (October)
  • New prayer card (December): Released prayer card using a prayer for nuclear disarmament written by Sr. Diane Smith, commemorating the upcoming 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Japan

Other international justice work

2. Domestic social justice initiatives

Immigration justice

  • Support for Annunciation House (February): Stood against threats from Texas attorney general
  • In September, Ambassador of Peace Scott Wright joined the staff as an Ignatian volunteer to lead immigration efforts
  • Immersion experiences: Supported local chapters like Pax Christi Little Rock in organizing immersion trips to the U.S.-Mexico border, where members learned about immigration challenges and volunteered at refugee centers
  • Amicus Brief filed (January): Supported NJ bill to end use of private detention centers that prohibits private and public facilities from entering into new detention contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and prevents the facilities from renewing their current contracts once they expire

Criminal justice reform

Economic justice

3. Organizational development and growth

Anti-racism initiatives

  • Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team (PCART): Revitalized the team by conducting two training sessions for the inaugural cohort of members in October and November. By November, 13 individuals of various ages, locations and ethnicities formed the new PCART team to continue to guide Pax Christi USA in becoming an anti-racist movement at all levels.

Leadership transitions and recognition

  • New national field organizer: We welcomed Stephen Niamke to the team
  • New leadership team: In July, Charlene Howard and Daniel Francis joined the staff as the new Executive Director and Director of Development respectively; Johnny Zokovitch was celebrated at a farewell party with colleagues, family, and friends after more than 30 years of experience at various levels of Pax Christi
  • National Council elections were held in May, with newly elected members announced in June
  • Staff unionization: Demonstrated commitment to worker rights
  • Staff retreat: National staff gathered in Washington, DC for its “Dream Week” in September to create a work plan for the coming year
  • Office relocation (October): Moved to new office space upstairs from previous location in Theological College in Washington, DC
  • Awards and recognition:

Youth and young adult engagement

  • Pax Christi Young Adult Catholic (PCYAC) initiatives:
    • Literary Circle for Liberation (February): Read Kaitlin Curtice’s book “Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day”
    • Monthly gatherings: Hosted speakers including Marcel from Friends of the Congo on global solidarity (September), Dr. Ansel Augustine on Black Catholic History and anti-racism (October), and PCYAC member Anna Nowalk on martyrs of El Salvador (November)
    • Annual retreat and prayer witness (August): Held in Washington, DC
    • Published inaugural ‘zine, “The Rose and the Barbed Wire“
    • Launched third Peace Pairs cohort in February 2024 with nine sets of intergenerational peacemakers
    • Online Advent retreat (December): Focused on the theme “Solitude to solidarity: How contemplative work can make us better peace builders” with speakers Eliane Lakam, Michael Martin, and Gavin Rice

4. Education and formation programs

Nonviolence training and education

Gun violence prevention

  • Working Group formation (May): Established a dedicated working group focused on this critical issue
  • Beating guns into plowshares: A challenging conversation with Shane Claiborne, a webinar held in May
  • Local chapter initiatives: Pax Christi Little Rock hosted a three-part speaker series on human trafficking featuring experts from NGOs and the FBI, later focused on gun violence prevention collaborating with Moms Demand Action and the Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits; their 10th annual Pilgrimage for Peace honored victims of gun violence, and Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore held a webinar, “Stop in the name of God: Multi-generational perspectives on gun violence,” in May.

Spiritual formation

  • Lenten resources: Published Lenten reflection booklet by Frida Berrigan, “A Fast that Matters,” which sold out 3,000 copies; offered weekly Lenten online prayer services (February-March)
  • Quarterly PAX Masses: Established regular worship opportunities throughout the year:
    • March, celebrated by Fr. Francis Gargani
    • June, celebrated by National Council treasurer Fr. Fred Thelen, with a special focus on torture survivors
    • September, celebrated by Ambassador of Peace Fr. Chris Ponnet, with a special focus on the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action
    • December, celebrated by Bishop John Stowe
  • Mass of lamentation on the anniversary of the October 2023 attacks in Israel and the subsequent destruction of Gaza, held in partnership with the Association of US Catholic Priests
  • Advent resources: Published prayer booklet “Seeking Wisdom’s Light” with reflections by Leslye Colvin; offered four Zoom Prayer Services
  • Specialized retreats:
  • Updated card for Muslim-Jewish-Christian peace prayer
  • New prayer card for nuclear disarmament

Communication and outreach

  • The Peace Current, our membership newsletter: Regular publication keeping members informed, including our most recent issue which includes “Staying the course: 2024 Year in Review.”
  • Virtual national conference (September 6-7): Focused on the theme “We are one body: Being a prophetic Church in a time of polarization and conflict”
  • Public statements: Released timely statements on critical issues throughout the year, including Bishop Stowe’s post-election message in November encouraging members to consider what they are willing to risk in hope in the changing political landscape. We also sign onto statements circulated by trusted partners and colleagues.
  • Archbishop Wester Christmas appeal (November)
  • Giving Tuesday campaign (November)
  • 2025 National Conference planning: We’ve started preparations for the July 25-27, 2025 conference in Detroit titled “Reclaiming the power of nonviolence in a broken world” featuring keynote speakers Maria Stephan, Jonathan Kuttab, and Martha Inés Romero

Remembering those we lost

In 2024, Pax Christi USA mourned the passing of several peace champions: our first bishop president, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton (April); Ambassador of Peace Bill Carry (September); 2023 Teacher of Peace Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM (December); and Ambassador of Peace Donna Toliver Grimes (December), to name only four. We know many other loved ones also left us in 2024.

Looking forward

As Pax Christi USA prepares for 2025, the organization continues to build on the strong foundation established throughout 2024. Upcoming initiatives include:

Conclusion

Throughout 2024, Pax Christi USA demonstrated the power of faith-based activism through coordinated advocacy, educational programs, and community building. Despite significant transitions in leadership and the challenging political landscape, the organization maintained its steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and nonviolence.

As Executive Director Charlene Howard noted in her year-end reflection, “Despite criticism, attacks, humiliation, and even execution, hope still prevails!” By addressing both international and domestic issues, fostering new leadership, and honoring its founding principles, Pax Christi USA continues to be a leading voice for peace and justice in the Catholic tradition.

The impact of these programs extends beyond their immediate outcomes—they represent Pax Christi USA’s ongoing commitment to building a world that reflects gospel nonviolence. As we navigate challenging times, this work remains as urgent and necessary as ever.

Again, THANK YOU! If you made it this far, you are invested in our work and we appreciate that. Would you consider making a(nother) gift so that we our impact in 2025 even better, to reach more people, to help us make a difference in our country and in this world? You can do so here:

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NOTE: This impact assessment was compiled by Daniel Francis, Development Director at Pax Christi USA, through an analysis of calendar activities and reporting on regional chapter events. Any errors or oversights? Kindly contact dfrancis@paxchristiusa.org. This report is not an official annual audit but rather a grateful narrative of the accomplishments and points of progress made by Pax Christi USA!