Catholic Peacebuilding Network

The heads of several of the international Catholic organizations most deeply involved in peacebuilding joined scholars in Rome on June 30 for a conference on the Future of Peacebuilding: Contributions from Catholic Theology, Ethics, Praxis. Read More >

Please join us June 30, (Thursday) for an event on The Future of Peacebuilding: Contributions from Catholic Theology, Ethics, Praxis
at Christian Brothers’ Casa La Salle, Rome. Read More >

A panel convened at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame on “Becoming a Peacebuilding Church.” Panelists were Scott Appleby, John M. Regan Jr. Director; Professor of History, Kroc Institute, John Katunga, Regional Technical Advisor for Peacebuilding and Justice, East Africa Region, Catholic Relief Services and Kroc Institute Visiting Scholar, John Paul Lederach, Professor of International Peacebuilding, Kroc Institute, Margaret Pfeil, Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame. Drawing on a recently completed four-year research project, the panel discussed current examples of effective Catholic peacebuilding in war-torn regions and how the practice of Catholic peacebuilding can inform and be informed by the further development of a Catholic spirituality, theology, and ethic of peacebuilding. Click Read More >

In an unprecedented joint effort, delegates from the six national and two regional bishops’ conferences in the Great Lakes Region of Africa have agreed on guidelines for the elaboration of a common strategic plan for promoting peace and reconciliation. The guidelines were approved at a conference in Bujumbura, Burundi, October 19-21, which included some 125 representatives from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, as well as ACEAC Read More >

According to Fides News Service, “On October 19, 2010, a conference began in the Great Lakes Region opened in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi. It will be dedicated to the issues of peace and justice. According to a note sent to Fides, the conference, which ends October 21, is being attended by delegates of the two regional conferences of bishops, ACEAC Read More >

Sudan: Peace in the Balance, a presentation by Sudanese Bishops, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
In January 2011, southern Sudan will hold a referendum on independence from Sudan. Will this lead to peace or new violence and instability? The Sudanese Bishops have issued a message about the referendum Read More >

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales has urged the Government of the Philippines to withdraw troops from Mindanao, where there has been decades of inter-religious violence. Filipino troops have resumed operations against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF Read More >

This September 5-12 the Catholic Church in Colombia is celebrating Semana por la Paz – Peace Week in honor of the thousands of victims of the Colombian conflict under the heading “Integral Reparation; because no victim is a stranger.” The aim of the annual Peace Week campaign is to raise awareness in Colombian society for the plight of the victims of the armed conflict and promote solidarity and a comprehensive reparations plan for them. The Catholic Church believes that to achieve a lasting solution to Colombia’s internal armed conflict it is vital to give voice to the many thousands of victims of paramilitary, guerrilla, state, and other violence in Colombia and ensure their active participation in the road to constructing peace. Read More >

The Sudanese Church has issued an official position paper that reflects the Church’s stand on current issues both pre- and post-referendum, disseminated on May 5, 2010 (PDF document). It opens with this preamble and background: "This is a historic period in the history of Sudan. After the referendum in 2011 Sudan will never be the same again, whether it remains united or becomes two countries. Time is short and urgent reflection and action are needed to ensure a peaceful future. This is Sudan’s Kairos Moment. It is time to choose life. We have no time to waste. Read More >