Peace and Nonviolence

The work of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns on peace is focused on identifying and eliminating the root causes of violence and conflict with a focus on specific regions, expressions of violence and areas of conflict affecting Maryknoll missioners, and U.S. aggression and national security policy (e.g. war on terrorism). The nexus of violence and poverty is clear. Unless we dedicate ourselves to building true human security for all, nations – especially poor ones – will continue to fall victim to an unending cycle of economic, political and social violence.

Maryknoll Leadership Statement on Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti

Maryknoll Leadership Statement on U.S. elections 2012: Sustainable peace and security for all

Maryknoll Leadership Statement: A call for the abolition of torture

POLICY BRIEF: Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Invest in Peace

WEBINAR: Nonviolence and the Web of Creation

WEBINAR: Human Rights Advocacy and the Legacy of Sr. Dianna Ortiz

WEBINAR: Rethinking Security in a Pandemic: No Justice, No Peace

WEBINAR: Sanctions — Nonviolent Tool or Lethal Weapon?

WEBINAR: Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Invest in Peace

 

First Sunday in Advent

First Sunday in Advent

This reflection was originally published in the 2024 Advent Reflection Guide: One Family of God. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads, because your redemption is at hand. LUKE 21:28 The first scripture readings for the Season of Advent tell of difficult times ahead. In the gospel reading from…

Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time

The first reading from Daniel reminds me of one of the most impactful mission experiences of my life from my time living and working in Kenya. Our team of Maryknoll Sisters focused on building bridges across deep divides within communities, among individuals, and within families torn apart by violent conflicts. Mothers lost children, children lost…

Maryknoll OGC Joins Faith Letter Inviting Congress to Event on Nuclear Disarmament

Maryknoll OGC Joins Faith Letter Inviting Congress to Event on Nuclear Disarmament

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 15 faith groups in a letter to Congressional staffers with an invitation to Congressman Jim McGovern’s Special Order focusing on the pressing issues surrounding nuclear weapons. Read as a PDF. November 5, 2024 Subject: Invitation to Participate in Special Order on Nuclear Weapons on November 13 Dear [name of…

Nonviolence Seminars for Synod Participants

Nonviolence Seminars for Synod Participants

The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’s new institute held weekly seminars in Rome throughout the second assembly of the Synod on Synodality. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue of NewsNotes. Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (CNI) launched a new project on September 29 in Rome: the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence. The institute’s…

Human Rights Award for Activists in Gaza and Guatemala

Human Rights Award for Activists in Gaza and Guatemala

The 2024 Letelier-Moffit Human Rights Awards were given to Rabbis for Ceasefire and the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), and the Concejo de Autoridades de 48 Cantones de Totonicapán of Guatemala; and a slain former awardee was honored. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue of NewsNotes. The Institute for Policy…

Atomic Bomb Survivors Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Atomic Bomb Survivors Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Committee’s recognition of the Japanese hibakusha organization Nihon Hidankyo comes at a crucial moment for addressing the nuclear threat. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue of NewsNotes. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on October 11 that it has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 to the Japanese organization…

Charges Dropped Against Christians for Ceasefire Members

Charges Dropped Against Christians for Ceasefire Members

Art Laffin offers the following reflection on the experience on March 21 of being arrested alongside twelve other members of Christians for Ceasefire while wearing pictures of the destruction in Gaza and singing hymns of peace in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office building. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue…

Afghanistan Three Years into Taliban Rule

Afghanistan Three Years into Taliban Rule

Iqbal Ahmad, Kroc Institute Fellow, writes of how, three years since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has devolved into one of the most repressive regimes in the world resulting in severe hardship and a third generation of Afghan refugees. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue of NewsNotes. More than two decades after…

Reflection on Solidarity with the People of Honduras

Reflection on Solidarity with the People of Honduras

Sarah Bueter, Maryknoll Lay Missioner in El Salvador, reflects on the murder of Honduran environmental defender Juan Lopez and her recent visit to his grieving community of Tocoa as part of an emergency delegation organized by the SHARE Foundation. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue of NewsNotes. It was only when…

2024 Global Policy Briefs

In a series of two-page briefs, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns addresses key global issues which are the focus of our work in Washington, DC, and at the UN. Inspired by the Gospel and Maryknoll missioners’ commitment to stand with vulnerable communities around the world, we offer these briefs as resources on the intersection…