In a world that settles differences by armed violence or the threat
of war, Pax Christi offers a nonviolent alternative. In a world that too often defines “justice” as “revenge,”
Pax Christi USA dares to break the cycle of violence by fostering reconciliation. Through the efforts of all its members
and in cooperation with other groups, Pax Christi USA works toward a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.
Who is Pax Christi?
Pax Christi USA is the national Catholic peace movement of 15,000 individual
members who are committed to the Gospel imperative of nonviolence. Our membership includes: over 550 religious communities;
over 450 parish sponsors; over 140 U.S. bishops; over 130 youth and young adult members; approximately 230 local groups; and
19 regions that coordinate activities in their respective geographic areas.
The History of Pax Christi
In 1945, a small group of Catholics in France began to meet regularly
to pray for peace. They were troubled by the fact that French and German Catholics, who professed the same faith and celebrated
the same Eucharist, had killed one another by the thousands during World War II. Knowing that this was not the will of God,
they prayed for forgiveness, reconciliation and the peace of Christ. This was the birth of Pax Christi, which, literally translated,
means “the peace of Christ.”
Their mission and movement spread throughout Europe in the 1950s and
1960s, and in 1972, the United States chapter of Pax Christi was founded. At the first national assembly, held in Washington,
D.C., Pax Christi USA became defined as “an association of Catholics and others committed to the exploration of Gospel
nonviolence for our time.”
Today, Pax Christi is active in over 30 countries, with a growing presence
in Latin America and Africa. Pax Christi also has consultative status as a non-governmental organization at the United Nations.
Four Priority Areas
Spirituality of Nonviolence and Peacemaking
Pax Christi USA promotes Christian nonviolence on the personal, communal,
national and international levels. Believing in the Gospel call to conversion as found in the Beatitudes, Pax Christi USA
denounces and resists the evils of violence while striving to reflect the Peace of Christ.
Disarmament, Demilitarization and
Reconciliation with Justice
Pax Christi USA members promote nuclear, conventional and domestic
disarmament, an end to the international arms trade, economic conversion to a non-military economy, and nonviolent alternatives
to war. Pax Christi USApromotes the just reconciliation of enemies through the United Nations and other channels.
Economic and Interracial Justice in theUnited States Pax Christi USA
joins the struggle against economicinjustice, militarism, and environmental destruction which are particularly harmful to
those who are poor, minorities, children, and women. Pax Christi USA works toward eliminating racist structures in the Catholic
Church and the country, working toward equality of all people.
Human Rights and Global Restoration
Pax Christi USA promotes universal human rights, both at home and abroad,
through solidarity with oppressed and marginalized people struggling for dignity. Pax Christi USA rejects every form of political
and economic domination over others and fosters a reverence for all creation.
Pax Christi USA:
The National Catholic
Peace Movement 532 W. 8th Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16502
814-453-4955
info@paxchristiusa.org
www.paxchristiusa.org
