We are involved in the hands-on living, incarnating of nonviolence in various ways from traditional protests, to group liturgies and collaboration with other peace-groups, shepherding our people nonviolently, preaching and writing to sustain the vision of nonviolence, learning the meaning of nonviolence in action — praxis — then reflecting on it together. Many methods are needed for a Just Peace. We believe that the methodology of our episcopal consultor, Archbishop John Wester, has much to teach us by using his pastoral letter, Living in the Light of Christ’s Peace: A Conversation Towards Nuclear Disarmament, following the synodal journey of prayer, study, listening, dialogue, discernment and action on behalf of Gospel Nonviolence. Our group has requested that AUSCP officially endorse his partnership with the Archdioceses of Seattle and Nagasaki and the Diocese of Hiroshima. Here is a further review of our sojourn this past year.
Our Gospel Nonviolence Working Group (GNV-WG) meets once a month on Zoom to be accountable to one another for various peace actions and issues and to promote a Just Peace culture. This year we have had 2 new members, pastors who bring their unique concerns to our table. Our mission includes staying in touch with other peace groups, priests and bishops around the world. These include the International Peace Coalition, Catholic Nonviolent Initiative, Pax Christi USA, the Association of Pittsburgh Priests, Friends of Ben Salmon, Nonviolence International, and British and German bishops. A collaborative effort with PC-USA enabled our Executive Director
to preside at a national Zoom Mass of Lamentation for our nation’s part in actively supporting the apartheid regime of Israel’s relentless siege of Gaza and the dispossession of Palestinians. We used our Eucharistic Prayer of Gospel Nonviolence, wore black armbands, and prayed in our parishes for all the victims of Gaza and Israel since Oct. 7, 2023.
Many of our efforts take years to produce the fruit of Just Peace. Attending PNC Bank share-holder meetings to support “Stop Banking the Bomb” by challenging investments in nuclear weapons continues. Establishing a national draft registry system for Conscientious Objectors with Pax Christi USA is coming to fruition. Since 2016, Pope Francis has been most supportive
in calling for gospel nonviolence to be a normal part of Catholic Social Teaching, establishing an office based in Rome for the explicit purpose of making Just Peace normative for daily Catholic life. He invited us all to become “Artisans of Peace!” Implementing the prophetic legacy of Pope Francis remains our hope. Pope Francis’ most significant gift to the Church was his development of the synodal process.
It is an embodiment of nonviolence, listening for heart-to-heart dialogue for the direction of the Holy Spirit for the future of the Church. This is where we want to go.