Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action

For the second year, grassroots groups and schools around the globe will take time to think, pray and act for peace during the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action, 21 September and 2 October. Building on its launch in 2016, following a conference between Pax Christi International and the Vatican, the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative works at every level within the Church to deepen understanding of Gospel nonviolence.

Pax Christi in England and Wales have created a pick and mix menu for individuals, schools, groups and parishes to show, in the words of a Filipino partner, that "nonviolence is something you live and a tool for social change". The 'menu' suggests a peace week in schools, starting a scrap book of nonviolent stories, going to pray and witness at a place where violence has taken place and offering five 5-session study course on nonviolence.

See: https://paxchristi.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-Nonviolence-days-2021-2.pdf

Pax Christi E&W is inviting members and others to take three specific solidarity actions during the days.

To sign a petition that links militarism with climate change in the run-up to COP 26: https://tinyurl.com/y3xenczs

To join in a common time to prayer and reflect on the Vow of Nonviolence at 12 noon on 2 October, International Day of Nonviolence: https://tinyurl.com/NonviolenceVow

To join a viewing, followed by discussion, on 2 October of the film The Third Harmony Nonviolence and the new story of human nature. Details here: https://paxchristi.org.uk/event/the-third-harmony-film-night/?instance_id=1019

Beyond England and Wales, students from Miriam College in the Philippines, have organised entries for the school-wide virtual exhibit, 'Youth's Voices on Building a Nonviolent, Sustainable and Equitable World'. In Australia, Pax Christi are part of the 'Raising Peace' festival where they will show the film The Third Harmony. In Washington, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns will host a webinar on Latin American indigenous ecological concepts and a mission perspective on the connection between nonviolence and care for creation. Pax Christi Germany will support the Global Climate Strike on 24 September to highlight the link between conflict and climate change. Flemish Pax Christi members will take to their bikes on 26 September for a Bikes not Bombs gathering at the Kleine Brogel US Air Base to say no to US nuclear weapons in Belgium. Pax Christi Scotland will host a conversation on climate, weapons of mass destruction and the ethics of peace.

You can read more about these and other actions here: https://nonviolencejustpeace.net/2021/07/22/activities-in-2021-catholic-nonviolence-days-of-action/