The Vatican’s journal Educatio Catholica has published a new article by Ken Butigan (Senior Advisor to our Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and Strategist at Campaign Nonviolence – Pace e Bene) titled “The University’s Responsibility for Peace and Nonviolence.”  

Based on his keynote address at the 2019 “Just Peacemaking through Nonviolence” conference at Seton Hall University, Butigan reflects on the vital role Catholic Universities must play in shaping a more peaceful and nonviolent world. 

Drawing on decades of academic and peacebuilding experience, he argues that nonviolence is not a niche topic or a specialization, but a universal ethic and a shared calling. 

“The way of peace and nonviolence is not a narrow specialization but a calling to all.” 

Ken Butigan explores four key ideas: 

🔹 Nonviolence is a calling for all, not just a few; 

🔹 It is a comprehensive and life-affirming ethic; 

🔹 It is increasingly central to the institutional Catholic Church; 

🔹 Catholic universities are uniquely positioned to integrate nonviolence into education, community life, and social transformation. 

This is a timely and urgent reflection for educators, students, and institutions alike, especially in a world where the need for nonviolent transformation has never been more evident. 

Read the full article here

Cover Picture by Steven Van Elk on Unsplash