About
The Catholic Institute
for Nonviolence
A project of Pax Christi International, The Catholic Institute for Nonviolence is advancing nonviolence in the Church through theological reflection, research based on global experience, dialogue, and formation.
Its mission is to make nonviolence research, resources, and lived experience more accessible to Catholic Church leaders, communities, and institutions in order to deepen Catholic understanding of and commitment to the practice of Gospel nonviolence.
To carry out this mission and reach its goals, the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence operates primarily as a virtual institute, with a small physical presence in Rome.
How We work
How we Work
Associates
Associates
The Catholic Institute for Nonviolence seeks to increase concerted research by scholars, theologians, and grassroot practitioners aimed at deepening the theological and strategic foundations for nonviolence in the Church and to inform Church teachings and pastoral approaches.
To do that, Associates of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence come together around three main areas of study and practice.
At the same time, each research concentration develops specific topic working groups within its own research concentration area or intersectional working groups with associates from the other research concentration areas according to its own identified needs.
Leadership
Leadership
Advisory Council
The Catholic Institute for Nonviolence Advisory Council includes well-known nonviolence practitioners, scholars, members of religious communities and Church leaders with extensive experience, knowledge and interest in the many dimensions of active nonviolence.
Advisory Council members, by publicly associating with the Institute, will promote its mission in different Church circles and beyond. They also will connect the Institute with scholars and practitioners of nonviolence, particularly from the peripheries, who might be interested in associating with the Institute.
- Deacon Nate Bacon, Central America Regional Director, InnerCHANGE (US/Guatemala)
- Maria Clara Bingemer, PhD, Professor of the Theology Department of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
- Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB, Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar)
- Loreta Castro, Ed.D. Founding Director, Miriam College Center for Peace Education (Philippines)
- Erica Chenoweth, PhD, Dean and Professor, Harvard University, foremost authority on strategic nonviolence (US)
- Archbishop Peter Chong, Archbishop of Suva, Fiji (Oceania)
- Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel laureate (Northern Ireland)
- Emilce Cuda, PhD, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America at the Holy See, member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the Pontifical Academy Pro-Vita (Argentina)
- Bishop Kevin Dowling, CSsR, former Co-President of Pax Christi International (South Africa)
- Rev. Stan Chu Ilo, PhD, DePaul University Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology (Nigeria)
- Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO. The Martin Luther King Jr Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) (US)
- Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv, President of Roman VI, JPIC for the Franciscan Family (US)
- Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop of Washington (US)
- Hardy Merriman, President of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (US)
- Rev. Claude Mostowik, MSC, Director of Missionary of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace (Australia)
- Sister Patricia Murray, International Union of Superiors General, Executive Secretary (Ireland)
- Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Nigeria)
- Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini, Bishop of Huehuetenango (Guatemala)
- Archbishop Giovanni Ricchiuti, President of Pax Christi Italy (Italy)
- Greg Reichberg, PhD, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo/PRIO (Norway)
- Maria Stephan, PhD, Former Director of the Program on Nonviolent Action at the US Institute of Peace (US)
- Isak Svensson, PhD, Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University (Sweden)
- Cardinal Silvano Tomasi, CS, Holy See diplomat, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva from 2003 to 2016 (Italy)
- Deacon Nate Bacon, Central America Regional Director, InnerCHANGE (US/Guatemala)
- Maria Clara Bingemer, PhD, Professor of the Theology Department of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
- Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB, Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar)
- Loreta Castro, Ed.D. Founding Director, Miriam College Center for Peace Education (Philippines)
- Erica Chenoweth, PhD, Dean and Professor, Harvard University, foremost authority on strategic nonviolence (US)
- Archbishop Peter Chong, Archbishop of Suva, Fiji (Oceania)
- Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel laureate (Northern Ireland)
- Emilce Cuda, PhD, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America at the Holy See, member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the Pontifical Academy Pro-Vita (Argentina)
- Bishop Kevin Dowling, CSsR, former Co-President of Pax Christi International (South Africa)
- Rev. Stan Chu Ilo, PhD, DePaul University Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology (Nigeria)
- Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO. The Martin Luther King Jr Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) (US)
- Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv, President of Roman VI, JPIC for the Franciscan Family (US)
- Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop of Washington (US)
- Hardy Merriman, President of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (US)
- Rev. Claude Mostowik, MSC, Director of Missionary of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace (Australia)
- Sister Patricia Murray, International Union of Superiors General, Executive Secretary (Ireland)
- Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Nigeria)
- Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini, Bishop of Huehuetenango (Guatemala)
- Archbishop Giovanni Ricchiuti, President of Pax Christi Italy (Italy)
- Greg Reichberg, PhD, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo/PRIO (Norway)
- Maria Stephan, PhD, Former Director of the Program on Nonviolent Action at the US Institute of Peace (US)
- Isak Svensson, PhD, Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University (Sweden)
- Cardinal Silvano Tomasi, CS, Holy See diplomat, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva from 2003 to 2016 (Italy)
Coordination
Guided by the recommendations of the Advisory Council, the Coordination provides strategic planning and oversight for the Institute. It serves as an active forum that oversees the development of new initiatives, identifies strategic opportunities, and builds alliances to strengthen the Institute’s global presence and impact.
The Coordination also fosters collaboration across the Institute, encourages resource-sharing, and supports associates in developing accessible, inclusive, and impactful programs and research.
Current members of the Coordination include: Ken Butigan (US), Marie Dennis (US), Eli McCarthy (US), Nicolás Paz (Spain), Martha Inés Romero (Colombia), Sheila Kinsey (Italy/US), and Teresia Wamuyu Wachira (Kenya).
