Pope Francis Celebrates the Launch of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence, Calls for Peace and Fraternity

Pope Francis expressed his hopes that the newly founded Catholic Institute for Nonviolence will inspire a fresh dedication to peace and fraternity. This message was delivered during the institute’s inauguration, an event where members of Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative officially introduced the organization. The inauguration was held at the Istituto Maria Santissima Bambina in Rome, Italy.

In a telegram sent by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of Pope Francis, the Pope urged attendees to unite in defending human rights and working towards building a society based on justice and mutual love. He referred to a key message from the 50th World Day of Peace, emphasizing that nonviolence should serve as the foundation of peace, stating: “May charity and nonviolence guide the world in the way we treat one another, in interpersonal, social, and international relations.”

Nonviolence as a Way of Life

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego led the inauguration, highlighting the institute’s potential to bring attention to the nonviolence embodied by Jesus. Cardinal Bo stressed that the Institute would draw upon theological reflection, practical strategies for addressing violence, and the experiences of marginalized communities committed to peace. He said, “This Institute will help us reclaim the nonviolence of Jesus, learning from the wisdom of theological reflection, practical strategies for addressing violence and the experiences of marginalized communities who embody this radical call to peace.”

Cardinal McElroy pointed to the need for the Church to reconsider its stance on war, which historically permitted war in extreme cases under the “just war” doctrine. He noted that this doctrine had failed to prevent violent conflicts or pave the way to true peace. “This is a new moment marked by the need to fundamentally renew and prioritize the claim of nonviolent action as the central tenet of Catholic teaching on war and peace,” said McElroy. Cardinal Bo echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in helping the Church grasp the true meaning of nonviolence as centered in the Gospel.

Voices of Nonviolence at the Inauguration

The event, streamed live on YouTube, was a platform for several key figures to speak about the Institute’s mission. Among them was Sister Teresia Wachira, from the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She underlined the role of the Institute in promoting different methods of nonviolent peacebuilding. “One aspect we focus on is Peace Journalism, as we’ve seen how media can sometimes escalate conflicts. The media should present both sides and explore ways to bring communities together, helping them reach a point where they are ready for mediation.”

Dr. Maria Stephan, an acclaimed author and former Director of the Program on Nonviolent Action at the U.S. Institute of Peace, shared her research findings on the effectiveness of nonviolent protests. Her studies demonstrated that movements are more likely to succeed when they maintain nonviolent discipline, even in the face of repression. She explained, “Our research shows that movements are more likely to succeed when they maintain nonviolent discipline, even under repression, creatively alternate between methods of concentration (like sit-ins and demonstrations) and dispersion (such as boycotts and stay-aways), and prioritize strategic planning and decentralized leadership.”

At the conclusion of the inauguration, Pax Christi International’s Secretary General, Martha Inés Romero, spoke on the rising tide of global violence and the critical role the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence can play in addressing these issues. “There is already extensive knowledge, research, and experience on nonviolence. The institute seeks to enhance this body of work and make it more accessible to the Church.”

Following Romero’s remarks, Marie Dennis, Senior Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, stressed the significance of nonviolence within the Church. “Through the synod process, the global Catholic Church is discussing nonviolence as a practice of the faithful. The launch of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in Rome will continue this conversation now and after the synod closes.”

Themes of the Inauguration

The inauguration event centered around three major themes that underscored the importance of establishing nonviolence as a core Church doctrine. The first theme, “Nonviolence is Faithful,” reflects the belief that nonviolence is a principle deeply rooted in the Gospel. The second theme, “Nonviolence is Effective,” emphasized that nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution and peacebuilding are far more successful than violent alternatives. The final theme, “Nonviolence is a Powerful Way Forward,” encouraged the Church and the world to embrace nonviolence as the solution to global crises of injustice, war, and destruction.

Artisans of Peace

The Catholic Institute for Nonviolence is committed to equipping the Catholic Church, its leaders, and institutions with the knowledge and experience needed to promote nonviolence. The institute focuses on documenting real-life examples of nonviolent practices in diverse communities, aiming to offer ethical and spiritual alternatives to both violence and passivity. Through research, resources, and hands-on experience, the institute seeks to deepen the Church’s understanding of Gospel-centered nonviolence.

The institute’s work is supported by financial sponsors and guided by a Coordinating Committee, which includes representatives from various countries. An advisory council, comprising scholars, religious figures, and prominent advocates of nonviolence, provides additional support. These council members help advance the institute’s mission by connecting it with nonviolence practitioners both inside and outside the Catholic Church. Each member serves a renewable three-year term.

Pax Christi International Peace Award

On October 29th, Pax Christi International will also host its annual Peace Award ceremony. Since 1992, the award has been given to individuals and organizations who have championed peace, justice, and nonviolence around the world. This year, the award will be presented to the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), an organization comprising over 600 Israeli and Palestinian families who have experienced personal loss due to the conflict in their region. PCFF promotes reconciliation and dialogue between the two communities, organizing over 300 events annually to foster empathy and humanization on both sides. The organization’s co-directors, Yuval Rahamim, Rami Elhanan, and Bassam Aramin, all of whom lost loved ones in the conflict, have turned their grief into actions of hope and peace.

Nonviolence Seminars

As part of the discussions on nonviolence at the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence will be hosting a series of four seminars in October. These seminars will cover topics like the effectiveness of nonviolence, nonviolent conflict management, and the Church’s role in nurturing a global nonviolent movement. The schedule for the seminars includes: “Nonviolence: Faithful and Effective” on October 4th, “Managing Conflict Nonviolently” on October 11th, “Nonviolent Defense: Beyond War and Cycles of Violence” on October 18th, and “The Role of the Church in Nurturing a Global Nonviolent Shift” on October 25th. These seminars aim to deepen the Church’s commitment to nonviolence as a practical and spiritual path forward.