The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (CNI) is dedicated to promoting active nonviolence as a core Gospel principle. Affirmed through papal and episcopal statements, theological research, and the lived experiences of Catholics worldwide, nonviolence is more than the absence of violence—it is a dynamic and courageous way of life.

Inspired by Pope Francis, CNI collaborates globally to integrate nonviolence into the life of the Church, advocating for peaceful alternatives to conflict and addressing systemic violence such as racism, economic injustice, and ecological destruction. We focus on education, formation, and pastoral practices, demonstrating that nonviolent strategies are powerful and effective for social change. Through conferences, publications, and partnerships, we strive to embed the principles of nonviolence deeply within Catholic teaching and practice, fostering a more just and peaceful world.

Conferences and Roundtables

2016 Landmark Conference on Nonviolence and Just Peace

In 2016 a landmark Conference on Nonviolence and Just Peace in Rome, co-sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax Christi International, brought together participants from around the world, many from regions of war and violent conflict. Together they issued an Appeal to the Catholic Church to Recommit to the Centrality of Gospel Nonviolence, calling on the Church to rededicate itself to Gospel nonviolence. Following the 2016 conference, the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (CNI) was established as a project of Pax Christi International. We invite you to join 1000s of individuals and 100s of organizations by endorsing The Appeal using this form.

2017-18 Global Roundtables

In 2017-18 CNI embarked on a global, virtual process of research, reflection, and dialogue on a theology of nonviolence, Hebrew and Christian Scriptures and nonviolence and a new moral framework based on nonviolence. The process involved 120 theologians, scholars, peace practitioners and some Church leadership who also produced nonviolence case studies from different parts of the world and suggested ways for the Church to integrate nonviolence throughout. The roundtables resulted in a book entitled, Advancing Nonviolence and Just Peace in the Church and the World: Biblical, Theological, Ethical, Pastoral and Strategic Dimensions of Nonviolence (Pax Christi International, 2020).

Path of Nonviolence: Towards a Culture of Peace 2019 Conference

The findings of this project were delivered at "Path of Nonviolence: Towards a Culture of Peace," an April 2019 gathering at the Vatican co-sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Pax Christi International, where 75 theologians, peace practitioners, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, social scientists, educators, and pastoral workers met for two days to share a deeper conversation about mainstreaming nonviolence in the Church and in society. The final statement from that conference is here.

Pope Francis, Nonviolence and the Fullness of Pacem in Terris 2022 Conference

In December 2022, Catholic Church leaders and local change makers from nearly 30 countries were invited by CNI to Rome for a conference on "Pope Francis, Nonviolence and the Fullness of Pacem in Terris" to reflect on Pope Francis' work for nonviolent change throughout his papacy; to share their own experience of nonviolent change in the face of acute violence and injustice; and to explore next steps in advancing the spirituality, way of life, strategies, and universal ethic of nonviolence in the Church and the world. The conference report is here.

Synod Participation

Global Consultation

CNI facilitated ten synod listening sessions in different times zones around the world between March and June 2022 to gather responses to three questions: If the Church were to adopt nonviolence as a way of life, how would relationships in the Church change? How can the Church best promote nonviolence and just peace? Can you share an example of how the Church promotes or undermines nonviolence and just peace in your community? Sessions were held with about 200 participants registered from 26 countries to prepare Pax Christi International's synod submission, which is available here.

Regional Roundtables

Prior to the 2023 Synodal Gathering CNI hosted four virtual roundtables "Catholic Voices Confronting Violence with the Power of Active Nonviolence" – on Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and Migration in the Americas – that brought together local nonviolence practitioners, regional Church leaders and hierarchy to discuss "Nonviolent Alternatives at the Peripheries."

The recordings of the roundtables are available here, and interviews with participants can be found here.

Series of Seminars Supporting the Synod on Synodality

In October 2024, CNI, through its newly inaugurated Catholic Institute for Nonviolence, offered four seminars responding to the 2023 Synod synthesis document's call for more reflection and formation in order that we can manage conflicts in a nonviolent way and Careful consideration of nonviolence and legitimate self-defence. Learn more and watch the recordings here.

Resources

The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and our partners regularly offer resources and tools to promote and advance understandings of active nonviolence and just peace. Many are designed for use in parishes and classrooms. Click here to explore our resources.