Following the appeal of Synod, Catholic Institute for Nonviolence wraps up second seminar in continued series
The second seminar offered by the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence responds to the call of the Synod Synthesis document from October 2023 for “more reflection and formation so that we can manage conflicts in a nonviolent way.”
(Rome, October 11th, 2024) – As part of the ongoing discussions on nonviolence at the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence has officially launched the second seminar in a four-part series dedicated to nonviolence, which is a key component of Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative.
These seminars seek to deepen the Church’s understanding and application of nonviolent principles. Each one features discussions, case studies, and testimonies from practitioners who have applied nonviolent methods in various contexts around the world. The goal is to inspire the Church and global community to consider nonviolence not just as an option, but as a transformative path rooted in the Gospel.
Launched today, the second seminar, Managing Conflict Nonviolently, focused on the practical application of nonviolent strategies to address conflicts within communities and beyond. The seminar highlighted real-life stories of grassroots peacemaking and emphasized how nonviolence can be a powerful tool for fostering respect, honesty, and justice in relationships.
From Conflict to Community: The Power of Nonviolence
Managing Conflict Nonviolently covered different nonviolent strategies to address various forms of violence in communities worldwide. Panelists shared experiences from regions affected by violence, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Northern Kenya.
Panelist Edgar Antonio Lopez, PhD, Professor of Theology at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, emphasized the value of communitarian readings of Bible narratives to foster nonviolent conflict management in grassroots communities, drawing on his work in Latin America. He highlighted how communities impacted by armed conflict and resource exploitation can manage internal conflicts through nonviolent principles.
Sister Sheila Kinsey, FCJM, developer of the Integrity for Nonviolence Program, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative representative in Rome, shared her perspective on the “Integrity of Nonviolence,” a framework she has used for over 25 years, which began with her experiences working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Kinsey emphasized that “a person can integrate what they are saying with what they are doing through conscious actions motivated by the intrinsic values of creating respect, practicing honesty, promoting justice, and nurturing wholesome relationships.”
In the same vein, Pat Gaffney, peace educator and former General Secretary at Pax Christi England and Wales, drew attention to Cardinal McElroy’s recent call to ‘make dreams a reality,’ illustrating how nonviolent peacemaking is already transforming communities. She shared stories from the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’s eight-year journey and proposed new pathways for the Church to deepen its commitment to nonviolence.
Nicolás Paz, another panelist and Faculty Member at Pontifical University of Salamanca, Spain, explored the “domestic roots of nonviolence,” emphasizing the connection between the micro and macro levels of nonviolent action. He argued for a holistic approach that integrates both research and practical applications of nonviolence.
In her concluding remarks, Sheila Kinsey affirmed that this ongoing journey is about “addressing the concerns raised in the synodal summary regarding the importance of reflection and formation in managing conflicts in nonviolent ways.” She expressed hope that these efforts, along with the courageous stories shared by participants, will “continue to grow and flourish.”
To support the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence organized a free seminar series titled The Power of Active Nonviolence: Transforming the Church, Changing the World taking place every Friday in October from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM CET at the Instituto Maria Santissima Bambina in Romed. The seminars were also live-streamed, enabling broader participation and engagement from a global audience.
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