Pax Christi USA

Pax Christi USA

@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

"Peace of Christ!" We're the Catholic peace movement in the US. Grounded in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, we reject war, preparations for war, every form of violence and domination, and personal and systemic racism. www.paxchristiusa.org

968 followers288 following405 posts

Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes about the recent beatification of Fulton Sheen, a "Cold Warrior" who influenced more Catholics' views on communism, Cuba, the Soviet Union than any other clergy person of his time. "He preached a version of Catholicism that supported US foreign policy and the…

paxchristiusa.orgArchbishop Fulton Sheen, an American saint, for all that might meanby Johnny Zokovitch I live in St. Louis, and perhaps one of the biggest events to happen in this city in recent memory was the beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen last month. It is estimated that more than 50,000 attended the Mass and surrounding events, turning it into the equivalent of a Catholic version of Lollapalooza, with faithful of all stripes streaming into The Dome at America’s Center. 
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA announces the publication of "Living with sacred readiness: Reflections for Advent 2026," now available for sale! Written by Jeanette Rodriguez and Sharon Henderson Callahan, this daily reflection guide will be a treasured part of your Advent journey. Order today for yourself, your…

paxchristiusa.orgOrder your 2026 Advent reflection booklet today!This year's edition of Pax Christi USA's Advent reflection booklet, Living with sacred readiness: Reflections for Advent and Christmas 2026, features reflections for Sundays and Holy Days from Advent through Epiphany written by Jeanette Rodriguez and Sharon Henderson Callahan. The print version of this booklet is available for $5.00 (with further discounts of 10 percent on orders of 10-99 or 30 percent for 100+).
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

🗳️🙏 Pax Christi USA invites you to join a 24 hour prayer vigil, starting 12 PM PT/3 PM ET Mon, Nov 2, until 12 PM PT/3 PM ET Tues, Nov 3. We will pray together to show solidarity with each other and to share our belief in a democratic system based on the common good. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

docs.google.com24-hour prayer vigil for a peaceful electionAs we prepare for the upcoming elections and their aftermath, you are invited to select one or more half-hour periods to pray for a peaceful process and that any difficult or challenging situations wi...

Pax Christi USA reposted

Pax Christi Pennsylvania
@paxchristi-pa.bsky.social

Local members of Pax Christi PA witnessing to the Church's opposition to the death penalty in a Philly Inquirer piece. @paxchristiusa.bsky.social, #Philadelphia, #Pennsylvania, #PeaceAndJustice, #NoDeathPenalty, #CatholicSocialTeaching share.inquirer.com/09QWq6

share.inquirer.comCatholic vibe check: Hegseth’s thwarted plan, Trump’s backtrack, and Pope Leo’s moral voice | Sabrina VourvouliasTrump announced Thursday that the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan first posited by Pete Hegseth will not take place publicly. But for many Catholics that’s not the end of the discussion.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Catholic theologians and educators are invited to add their names to an open letter to the USCCB, urging the bishops to take a stronger, clearer public witness against military operations against Iran and to continue to promote teachings on peace and nonviolence.

paxchristiusa.orgCatholic theologians urge USCCB to speak out about war against IranA group of US Catholic theologians recently worked together on a sign-on letter to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, both to thank those bishops who have spoken out against US military action against Iran and to encourage and support them to continue speaking out for the peace of Christ, especially as they prepare for their meeting in Baltimore in November.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch reflects on the life and writings of St. Augustine and our Christian call to love. "[L]et the root of love be within, of this root can nothing spring but what is good."

paxchristiusa.orgLove, and do what love willsby Johnny Zokovitch In the missal earlier this week, we read from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:18-25). There are some nearly laugh-out-loud moments in Paul’s instruction to the – let’s just say “boisterous” – Galatians. He warns them, apparently for the second time (“I warn you, as I warned you before”), about all sorts of nonsense many of them seem to be wrapped up in: sorcery, rivalries, outbursts of fury, drinking bouts, orgies and “the like.” (When “and the like” follows “orgies,” you’ve got to wonder just what this early Christian community was up to.)
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes about the need to engage deeply, honestly, and openly with those who have sincere questions and concerns about the efficacy of nonviolence.

paxchristiusa.orgTaking the critiques of nonviolence seriouslyby Johnny Zokovitch I remember sitting in the living room of the Assisi Community in Washington, DC one night and listening in on a conversation about nonviolence. Conversations around nonviolence weren't unfamiliar to me. I had been working for years within a context in which nonviolence was central. But this conversation landed differently. Most often when I had heard the value of nonviolence addressed within Catholic peace and justice circles, it was treated as an obvious, even unassailable truth.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA Ambassadors of Peace Jean Stokan and Scott Wright will lead an Advent pilgrimage/immersion trip to the US-Mexico border from Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Space is limited; apply by Oct. 20 to participate in this special experience. Find the link to apply on our website.

paxchristiusa.orgJoin Advent pilgrimage to the borderFrom Nov. 27-Dec. 3, Pax Christi USA Ambassadors of Peace Scott Wright (with the Pax Christi USA immigration working group) and Jean Stokan (with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team) will lead an immersion experience to El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The proposed program includes: joining clergy and lay workers on Saturday, November 28, for their monthly trip to the desert to commemorate migrants who have died during their journey.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

We had an amazing response to our first student essay invitational -- almost 50 submissions from across the US, including Puerto Rico. Thanks to everyone who entered -- we are proud to share the six winning essays, three from university-level students and three from high school-level students.…

paxchristiusa.orgAnnouncing the winners of the 2026 Pax Christi USA student essay contestThis year, Pax Christi USA launched our first-ever essay invitational for young peacemakers, “Blessed are the Peacemakers"; the contest generated almost 50 powerful submissions from high school and college students across the United States, including Puerto Rico. Thanks to a generous lead gift from Pax Christi Michigan's Fr. Fred Thelen, six students -- three from high school and three from college -- were selected to receive awards ranging from $200 to $1,000.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Join us on Saturday, November 21 in Washington DC to celebrate Archbishop John Wester as our 2026 Teacher of Peace and Lauren Agresti as our 2026 Sr. Dianna Ortiz Peacemaker award recipient! We'll have a light reception followed by the ceremony at Trinity Washington University.

paxchristiusa.orgNov. 21: Celebrate our 2026 Teacher of Peace and Sr. Dianna Ortiz Peacemaker recipientsPax Christi USA is excited to announce that we will celebrate Santa Fe's Archbishop John C. Wester as our 2026 Teacher of Peace and Lauren Agresti as our 2026 Sr. Dianna Ortiz OSU Peacemaker award recipient at a special event in Washington, DC on Saturday, November 21. All are welcome to join us for a light reception and the award program.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

The theme of this year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees is "Even just one of these children." Read Pope Leo's statement, which reminds us that we are called -- in our personal lives, in the life of the Church, and as members of society -- to a shared responsibility to welcome migrants and to…

paxchristiusa.orgPope Leo’s message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “Even just one of these children”September 27 is designated as the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In anticipation of this year's commemoration, Pope Leo released the following statement on August 11, the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, noting that this year, the theme is "Even just one of these children," referring to a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. The statement can also be found…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA has joined dozens of other faith and human rights groups in supporting a new resolution offered by Sen. Chris Van Hollen. This resolution would require the State Department to address the deaths of US Americans on the West Bank and assess the human rights situation there, including…

paxchristiusa.orgPax Christi USA endorses Van Hollen’s demand for answers on violence in PalestinePax Christi USA has joined with Churches for Middle East Peace, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Mennonite Central Committee, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and more than two dozen other faith and advocacy organizations in signing a strong message in support of Maryland's Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s West Bank 502B resolution. Since 2022, nine US Americans have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli settlers or security forces, including journalist…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific for a special report-back from the Catholic nonviolence conference held earlier this month in Rome. Hear from attendees, share, and pray together! Registration link on our website.

paxchristiusa.orgSept. 29 webinar: Report back from nonviolence conferenceThe Catholic Institute for Nonviolence, a project of Pax Christi International, hosted a two-day conference in Rome earlier this month on the theme of Pope Leo’s call for “unarmed and disarming peace.” Dozens of peace practitioners and theologians from around the world attended, including several members of Pax Christi USA. On Tuesday, September 29, 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Last week, several Pax Christi members gathered to hold a prayerful witness of resistance outside the annual Air Force "arms bazaar," held outside DC in Maryland.

paxchristiusa.orgNonviolent witness held outside annual “arms bazaar”On September 16, Pax Christi USA 2016 Teacher of Peace Art Laffin, Ambassadors of Peace Bob Cooke and Scott Wright, National Council member Frank Panapoulos, and several others held a nonviolent witness outside the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD during the annual Air Force Association (AFA) "Air-Space-Cyber Conference and Technology Exposition," also known as the "Arms Bazaar." (One significant piece of news from this year's gathering is that Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed for the first time that the US has deployed weapons in space.)
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes about the nonviolence training and conference held last week in Rome, the latest offering in the efforts to center the Catholic Church's life and teachings in nonviolence.

paxchristiusa.orgShowing us what a Church centered on nonviolence looks likeby Johnny Zokovitch On September 9-10, more than 100 peace practitioners, pastoral leaders, bishops and priests, women religious, social scientists and theologians gathered in Rome for a two-day conference entitled “Unarmed and Disarming Peace: The Church's Emerging Paradigm Shift to Gospel Nonviolence.” The conference was sponsored by the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence, a project of Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

The annual Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action start soon, September 21. Visit our website to learn more and consider how you will participate this year.

paxchristiusa.orgCatholic Nonviolence Days of Action, September 21 to October 2, 2026The Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action (CNDA) are celebrated each year between September 21, the International Peace Day and October 2, the International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday. This is a busy time for all of us, with the Season of Creation, Campaign Nonviolence, and the Week of Prayer for Peace in Palestine & Israel all taking place during the same period.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Earlier this month, leaders from around the world gathered for a week of formation and skill training in Gospel nonviolence and a two-day conference on "unarmed and disarming peace," hosted by Pax Christi International's Catholic Institute for Nonviolence and held at the Franciscan Pontifical…

paxchristiusa.org“Unarmed, disarming peace” training and conference held in RomeFrom September 2-8, Pax Christi International’s Catholic Institute for Nonviolence held a nonviolence training attended by 40+ people followed by a two-day conference, "Unarmed and Disarming Peace: The Church’s Emerging Paradigm Shift to Gospel Nonviolence," with 75+ participants, including National Council, staff and other members of Pax Christi USA. On September 11, participants spent the day in Assisi, walking a pilgrimage led by…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Join us this Thursday, Sept. 17, for our quarterly PAX Mass! We are happy to be joined by Aux. Bishop Felipe Pulido from the Diocese of San Diego. We'll start at 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific.

paxchristiusa.orgSeptember 17: Join us for our third PAX Mass for 2026!Join the Pax Christi USA community on Zoom on Thursday, September 17, 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific for the third of four online PAX Masses for 2026. We started celebrating PAX Mass in 2020 as the pandemic began, as a way to stay connected. They have become an important part of our community -- thank you for being part of these quarterly gatherings to pray together.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA joins many colleagues in endorsing a new open letter from the Shoulder-to-Shoulder campaign decrying the escalation in anti-Muslim rhetoric, particularly from political leaders. The letter is open for additional signers.

paxchristiusa.orgPax Christi endorses public statement rejecting anti-Muslim bigotryOn Wednesday, September 9, the Shoulder-to-Shoulder campaign, a national faith coalition committed to ending anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, and violence in the US, publicly released a new open letter from faith leaders which addresses the dangerous escalation in anti-Muslim rhetoric especially from political leaders. Multiple Pax Christi groups in the US, Pax Christi Teachers of Peace, Ambassadors of Peace, and Executive Director Charlene Howard are among the endorsers.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi leaders, young adult members, Teachers of Peace, and Ambassadors of Peace share some brief reflections on Catholic peacemaking 25 years after 9/11.

paxchristiusa.org25 years after 9/11: Reflections from Pax ChristiWe invited Pax Christi leaders, including Ambassadors of Peace, Teachers of Peace, national council members, and local-state-regional leaders, among others, to share their brief reflections on Catholic peacemaking 25 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US; responses are listed below in no particular order. Please share your own thoughts in the comment section, if you wish. Our bishop president, Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., and Executive Director Charlene Howard offered their reflections on this solemn anniversary in…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Fr. John Dear offers two special episodes of the Nonviolent Jesus Podcast on this anniversary of 9/11; the first is an interview with Colleen Kelly of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and the second is his own recollections of his experience as a chaplain at Ground Zero in the days,…

paxchristiusa.org“The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast” on the anniversary of 9/11Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Fr. John Dear is offering two special episodes of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast” to commemorate 9/11. On Monday, September 7, he posted his conversation with Pax Christi USA 2011 Teacher of Peace Colleen Kelly, who co-founded September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. (Her brother died in the Twin Towers; she and other family members of victims spoke out against the US's military action against Afghanistan and Iraq.) On Tuesday, September 8, Fr. John shared his memories of his own experience as the Red Cross coordinator of chaplains after 9/11. Find both links at the Nonviolent Jesus Podcast.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA, Casa Esther Catholic Worker, and the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative are pleased to offer the fifth annual CNI Fall series for students. This year's theme is "Creative nonviolence at work in the world today." Register today -- the four week (free) session starts September 21!

paxchristiusa.orgCNI fall series for students: Creative nonviolence at work in the world todayPax Christi USA is once again partnering with Casa Esther Catholic Worker House (Omro WI) and the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, a project of Pax Christi International, to provide a four-week series on nonviolence, starting September 21, for university students, staff, faculty, and the general public. Additional partners include Franciscan Action Network, Maryknoll Monarch Initiative, Dorothy Day Guild, Holy Cross College, Manhattan University, and the Catholic Mobilizing Network.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA's Indigenous Solidarity Working Group and the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team invite all to participate in the latest Literary Circle for Liberation, when we will read "The Land is Not Empty," by Sarah Augustine. Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery, its ongoing harms, and how we…

paxchristiusa.orgLiterary Circle for Liberation: “The land is not empty,” starting September 15All are welcome to join the four-part Literary Circle for Liberation study circle hosted by the Pax Christi USA Indigenous Solidarity working group and Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team (PCART), to be held on September 15, September 30, October 13, and October 27. Use this link to register to receive the Zoom link and any updates. The group will hold a vital, transformative community book discussion on “
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA member Jessica Sun writes about the challenges of identifying exactly what we mean by "AI" and ensuring that society uses it ethically.

paxchristiusa.orgPope Leo, “Artificial Intelligence,” and Catholic Social TeachingBy Jessica SunPax Christi Young Adult Caucus “Artificial intelligence” is poorly defined. It does not refer to a coherent set of technologies. Discussions about “AI” generally become more lucid when narrowed to the automation of specific tasks by performing statistical analyses of large datasets. “AI” is essentially a marketing term buoyed by Silicon Valley-funded “AI hype.”  AGI, a subfield of AI known as “artificial general intelligence” or “AI singularity,” is another term that famously lacks a precise meaning.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes that our understanding of the Church's witness should be rooted in the life, mission and death of Jesus, as well as the early Christian community, both of which suffered for the pronounced differences between their values and the values of their societies, in particular the…

paxchristiusa.orgCalled to be a Church at odds with the dominant cultureby Johnny Zokovitch This past weekend, I facilitated my first all-church assembly with the small Catholic community for which I serve in pastoral leadership. The focus of the assembly was to revisit the question, “What does it mean to be church?” It really was a “revisiting” of that question because this is a community that has, over the course of many decades, periodically discussed and then defined for itself what it means to be church.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Bp John Stowe, Exec Dir Charlene Howard reflect on 25 years since 9/11: "In the face of violence+despair, our belief in the message of the Resurrection compels us to act with justice+compassion ... We must unceasingly uphold the dignity+value of all human beings." www.ncronline.org/opinion/25-y...

ncronline.org25 years after 9/11, peace still eludes us"After 25 years, our grief has not been eased or vindicated by years of war, or the unbounded, blasphemous increase in military spending," Bishop John Stowe and Charlene Howard write.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Thanks to the Pax Christi USA Indigenous Solidarity Working Group for pulling together this Prayer-Study-Action resource to commemorate the Season of Creation. Make sure to sign up for the Literary Circle for Liberation, discussing "The Land is Not Empty," held over four sessions from Sept. 15-Oct.…

paxchristiusa.orgPray-study-act for World Day of Prayer for Creation, September 1The Pax Christi USA Indigenous Solidarity Working Group has compiled the following Prayer-Study-Action resource in anticipation of the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation on September 1 and Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action (September 21-October 2). This year's theme for the World Day of Prayer for Creation is, "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4).
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

We're glad to announce that Sr. Susan Nchubiri, MM has been reelected to the Pax Christi USA national council, and Fr. Greg Walgenbach and Andrew Lyke will join as new members. Thanks to Sr. Susan, Fr. Greg, and Andrew for their willingness to serve!

paxchristiusa.orgWelcome new (and re-elected) national council members!Pax Christi USA is happy and grateful to announce the results of our 2026 national council elections: Sr. Susan Nchubiri has been re-elected, and Fr. Greg Walgenbach and Andrew Lyke (via appointment) will join for the first time. Thanks to everyone who participated in the nomination process and election! Returning council members include Josephine Garnem, Sr. Annie Killian OP, Jeff Sved, Rozella Apel-Hernández, Lauren Bailey, James Watts, Arthur Dawes, Lasya Priya, Vic Doucette, Frank Panopoulos, and Bishop President John Stowe, OFM Conv.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Tom Cordaro writes that, in the short term, we need volunteers for this election season, to ensure everyone's vote is protected. In the long term, we must continue the transformational work of becoming an anti-racist, multi-cultural, multi-generational movement,…

paxchristiusa.orgMaybe it is not the economyBy Tom CordaroPax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace The mid-term election season starts to heat up after Labor Day, and the stakes could not be higher. The progressive media have been forecasting a “blue wave” that will flip the House and possibly the Senate. The reasons for this optimism are many, but the most talked-about are affordability and the overall economy.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi New York State leader Rosemarie Pace and PCYAC member Kirin Taylor connected last year through Pax Christi USA's Peace Pairs initiative. They've shared their final project with us, a podcast conversation on the concept of "home" and the current state of justice work. Listen to it on our…

paxchristiusa.orgNew podcast from Pax Christi Peace Pair on the concept of “home”As part of their year-long process with the Pax Christi USA Peace Pairs program, Pax Christi New York State leader Rosemarie Pace and Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus member Kirin Taylor offer a podcast that shares an intergenerational conversation on the concept of "home." Listen to the audio recording here: Together, Rosemarie and Kirin explore what home means, and how holding a justice-seeking identity amid the current political climate shapes their sense of belonging in the world.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Ryan di Corpo, a journalist and member of the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus, interviewed Archbishop John Wester, Pax Christi USA's 2026 Teacher of Peace, about the archbishop's work for nuclear disarmament, the church's call to care for the immigrant, and the work to welcome the LGBTQ community in…

paxchristiusa.orgVideo interview with Archbishop John Wester, our 2026 Teacher of PeaceSoon after the announcement of Santa Fe's Archbishop John Wester as our 2026 Teacher of Peace, Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus member Ryan Di Corpo interviewed the archbishop. This video is a part of a series of video interviews with recipients of the annual award, a series which was created for the 50th anniversary of Pax Christi USA…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch reflects on 10 years since the ground-breaking Nonviolence and Just Peace conference held in Rome. It was prescient, Johnny writes, in anticipating how nonviolence and just peace were poised to move from the margins of the Catholic discussion on war and peace to its center. Peace…

paxchristiusa.orgThe ongoing work of centering nonviolence in the Catholic Churchby Johnny Zokovitch It has been more than 10 years since a ground-breaking conference brought participants from around the world – including cardinals and bishops, leaders of religious orders, theologians and peace practitioners – to Rome to explore the call of nonviolence and just peace in the framework of Catholic thought and practice. Co-sponsored by what was then the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (now the Dicastery for Integral Human Development) and Pax Christi International, participants in the conference ended their time together by issuing a statement, …
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Please join us on Friday, Aug. 28, during the regularly scheduled meeting of local, state, and regional leaders for a special training on election protection scenarios. This fall's elections are likely to be highly contested -- how can the Catholic community respond to and deescalate possibly…

paxchristiusa.orgAug. 28: Online training for election protection scenariosOn Friday, August 28, during the regularly scheduled monthly call for Pax Christi local, regional, and state leaders, we will offer a special program of election protection scenarios. Friday, August 284-5:30 PM Eastern3-4:30 PM Central2-3:30 PM Mountain1-2:30 PM Pacific Led by organizer Drew Astolfi, participants will be provided structured simulations that allow them to rehearse how they will…
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

On September 3, the Pax Christi USA gun violence prevention working group will host a special webinar about the outsized role that firearms suicide plays in our national epidemic of gun deaths. (Please note that the conversation will be difficult; consider if it is a good choice to join at this…

paxchristiusa.orgWebinar: Sacred lives and safe homes: A Catholic guide to preventing firearm suicideThursday, September 37-8:15pm ETUse this link to register September is national Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Not sufficiently talked about in the debate on issues plaguing our society is the outsized role that firearm suicide plays in both our epidemic of gun deaths and suicides. Join Pax Christi USA and Kathleen Anderson, a social worker on staff at Protect Minnesota, to learn more about the unique and highly lethal role firearms play in suicide and how we can prevent access when someone is in crisis.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch reflects that today, when so much feels fraught and fragile, it is important to remember simple human kindness. "In these times of brokenness and devastation, even when we find ourselves with little to offer, let us remember that we are all battling, together." The least we can do,…

paxchristiusa.orgKindness, a balm for the battle by Johnny Zokovitch Life is hard. These times are hard. For people committed to the reign of God–to that reign of mercy, forgiveness, justice, compassion, peace and love–every day seems to deliver another gut punch. The blows come from all sides. The detention and deportation of our immigrant friends and neighbors. A genocide in Gaza. Protesters being killed in the streets.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA, along with other Pax Christi groups, participated in the "Lanterns for Peace: From Hiroshima to the World" project. We are grateful for all who continue to speak out in remembrance and repentance for the 1945 US atomic bombings of Japan.

paxchristiusa.orgPax Christi commemorates bombings of Hiroshima and NagasakiTo commemorate the 1945 atomic bombing of the US of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many Pax Christi groups participated in this year's Lanterns of Peace project, a collaboration between Pax Christi International and the Hiroshima Coventry Club and the students of Hiroshima. On August 6, Pax Christi USA co-sponsored a prayer service at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC (across from the US Capitol and the Supreme Court) to remember and repent for the bombings.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Tomorrow's American Catholic has posted an in depth interview with Sr. Annie Killian, OP, the vice chair of the Pax Christi USA national council. Take some time to listen and hear more about the connection between contemplation and resistance.

paxchristiusa.orgThe gifts of letting go with Sr. Annie KillianTomorrow's American Catholic (TAP) has posted an audio interview with Pax Christi USA National Council Vice Chair Sr. Annie Killian, OP. Below is TAP's introduction to the interview. Use this link to find the original post. Sr. Annie Killian is a vowed member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, a congregation of Catholic women religious, as well as an assistant professor of English at the University of Notre Dame, where she teaches courses in medieval poetry and drama.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes: "Some people point to the 'great man theory' as an explanation for how history is changed and shaped by legendary, outsized, charismatic individuals. I would push back on that. It seems to me that every life nudges history this way and that. And that the cumulative effect…

paxchristiusa.orgIn death, we find the extraordinary in the ordinaryby Johnny Zokovitch I’ve been attending a lot of funerals lately. Some, in my pastoral minister role at a small church, have been for people I didn’t know at all. For others, my main connection has been to the spouse, mourning a loved one who I never met because they were struggling with dementia of various types; or to the adult child saying good-bye to a parent I only knew through their stories.

Pax Christi USA reposted

Rich Raho
@richraho.bsky.social

Pope Leo in Assisi: “Rejecting the culture of power and building a civilization of love are choices that are not immediately understood or accepted. Saint Francis, however, teaches that radicalism of the Gospel is the very opposite of fundamentalism.” www.vatican.va/content/leo-...

Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA's 2016 Teacher of Peace Art Laffin reflects on the upcoming anniversary of the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the urgent need to abolish all nuclear weapons.

paxchristiusa.orgThe urgent need to act for nuclear abolition By Art LaffinPax Christi USA 2016 Teacher of Peace "The development of nuclear weapons signifies not a country’s elevation to greatness, but its descent to the darkest depths of depravity. These weapons are not a necessary evil; they are the ultimate evil." -- A-bomb survivor Setsuko Thurlow, Nobel peace prize ceremony for ICAN, December 2017 This August 6-9 marks the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes about Pope Leo's recent apostolic visit to Spain. The Holy Father had meaningful encounters with three young people, where he provided refreshing, thoughtful responses to the serious concerns they shared.

paxchristiusa.orgIn Barcelona, Pope Leo blends the personal and the socialby Johnny Zokovitch Lost perhaps in the torrent of news that rushes past us each day is an interesting encounter that Pope Leo had on his apostolic visit through Spain in June. In his stop in Barcelona, the Holy Father had a dialogue with three young people, each of whom drew on their own very personal experiences to raise questions for him to consider and respond to.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch writes about the possibility that we can shift the conversation about our economic system. He recalls the words of the late Fr. Joe Nangle (whose birthday was July 20) who had reminded us that capitalism is a house of cards.

paxchristiusa.orgThoughts on socialism and the wisdom of Joe Nangleby Johnny Zokovitch For most of my adult life, the idea that one might critique capitalism as unsustainable or even morally wrong invited eye rolls and one’s immediate dismissal as being an “unserious” person. To be labeled as a socialist or a communist meant being shunted to the extreme margins of our national conversation, or worse, considered treasonous and unpatriotic. …
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Take action today to respond to the ATF's attempt to deregulate the gun industry -- these proposed changes will make selling and trafficking weapons much easier.

paxchristiusa.orgTake action: Stop deregulation of gun industryThe following alert was prepared by our colleagues at the Quixote Center. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is proposing 34 rule changes that will make the selling and trafficking of weapons much easier and the gun industry far more deregulated. The Quixote Center has prepared a helpful comment guide regarding what they consider the four most egregious rule changes.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Pax Christi USA Executive Director Charlene Howard shares about the significance of the elevation of Robert Boxie as bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington -- he is now one of two African American bishops currently serving the US Catholic Church.

paxchristiusa.orgAn ordination whose time has comeBishops Boxie and Studniewski Excitement filled the air as my husband and I joined more than 2,500 people in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on July 7. For the first time in a long time, two local men – Robert Boxie, III and Gary Studniewski – were elevated to the order of bishop. At age 45, Bishop Boxie is now the youngest bishop currently serving in the United States.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Johnny Zokovitch reminds us that "for every Christian in this nation detaining an immigrant, there is a Christian protesting the policies that led to that detainment. For every white Christian nationalist there is a Christian working to dismantle racism. For every Christian celebrating the bombing…

paxchristiusa.orgA Christianity to be rejected, a Christianity to be embracedby Johnny Zokovitch This past weekend, a visiting priest at my church offered a poignant story. He shared that as he was traveling to St. Louis (wearing his collar so visibly a priest), a man came up to him in the airport and wanted to tell him the story of why he no longer goes to church. The man started by explaining that he was in church one Sunday, worshiping with his wife.
Pax Christi USA
@paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Israel has expanded its death penalty law to specifically target Palestinians. For Palestinians living under occupation, this legislation introduces an urgent and existential threat. Rather than advancing justice, such measures risk entrenching cycles of violence and injustice. Join Pax Christi…

paxchristiusa.orgJuly 17: Pax Christi International webinar on human rights in PalestineFrom our colleagues at Pax Christi International: The expansion of the death penalty under recently approved Israeli legislation has raised serious legal, human rights, and moral concerns. In response, this Friday, July 17 at 8 AM Eastern/5 AM Pacific (2 PM Brussels), Pax Christi International and Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel are offering this webinar to examine the law from both legal and ethical perspectives.