Nonviolence - a radically different response to our violent world

Professor Nicholas Paz

At the beginning of March 2026, with multiple countries now at war, it may seem a mad idea to discuss nonviolence. Or perhaps it's a very wise and sane thing to do? A sign of true repentance, and intended conversion to the Gospel? Pope Leo gave us the prompt in his Ash Wednesday address:

"We perceive in the ashes imposed on us the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war. This is also reflected in the ashes of international law and justice among peoples, the ashes of entire ecosystems and harmony among peoples, the ashes of critical thinking and ancient local wisdom, the ashes of that sense of the sacred that dwells in every creature."

Both Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo, have been giving increasing emphasis to the notion of nonviolence. The Bishops of England and Wales too, in their 2024 document, Called to be Peacemakers, reminded us in the words of Pope Francis, that:

'Jesus marked out the path of nonviolence. He walked that path to the very end, to the cross, whereby he became our peace and put an end to hostility (Ephesians 2:4-16).'

In this dangerous and extremely worrying global context of war and violence, when traditionally recognised legal and international structures for settling conflicts are being ignored or denigrated, what can we as the Church do to put nonviolence on to the agenda as a realistic path towards an 'unarmed and disarming peace' (the phrase Pope Leo used for this year's World Day of Peace)?

Opportunity

Nonviolence involves a fresh way of seeing and thinking. This Lent Pax Christi is offering a unique opportunity to explore what nonviolence means, and above all to address the key question 'does it work?' We tend to think that nonviolence is naïve or impossible in the face of such overwhelming violence.

Professor Nicolas Paz, who is Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, and Associate Professor and Mediator at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, will be in the UK next week, speaking about the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, and the growing evidence from empirical research that nonviolence strategies work - and often work better than armed responses. Neither passive nor impractical, there are numerous examples of this happening worldwide.

Here are the Pax Christi events where you can explore these ideas.

LONDON

Saturday 14 March, 10.30am - 4pm, at the London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH.

In his presentation Nicolas Paz will briefly introduce such topics as:

- Nonviolence as a spirituality and way of life as well as a method for change
- The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative rooted in the Gospel and Catholic teaching
- Key lessons from research and experience about the effectiveness of nonviolence
- The day will offer an opportunity to:

- reflect on Jesus as a model of nonviolence
- hear about some encouraging stories of nonviolence in action today in the UK and worldwide
- share your experience and questions about the potential of nonviolence
- discuss how we - and our Church - can build support for nonviolence as a way to bring about change.

If you'd like to come to this event, please reserve your place here:

https://tinyurl.com/paxnonviolence or email: info@paxchristi.org.uk

LEEDS

Sunday 15 March 2 - 6pm at Quaker Meeting House, 188 Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9DX

'Nonviolent Approaches to Conflict' - A practical workshop with Nicholas Paz, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Institute.

Organised by Pax Christi in the Leeds Diocese in conjunction with Quakers in Leeds.

The workshop will explore various nonviolent tools and techniques that can be applied in conflict situations of all sorts. Whilst there will be some input, most of the time will be spent exploring techniques and strategies in a practical context - building on the interests and background of those who attend.

Who is the workshop for?

Anyone interested in finding out more about nonviolence and how nonviolent techniques and strategies can be used in local situations of conflict.

Please note that numbers are limited so booking is essential. The attendance fee is £10 and places can be booked here:

Nonviolent Approaches to Conflict -Leeds
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nonviolent-approaches-to-conflict-tickets-1980457583946

LIVERPOOL

Monday 16 March 6 - 8pm at Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT

Nonviolence - a radical response to peacemaking in our troubled world

An evening with Nicholas Paz, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Institute, hosted by Pax Christi Merseyside.