“Reclaiming the Power of Nonviolence in a Broken World”
Over 200 people from across the country participated in the Pax Christi USA National Conference held in Detroit on July 25-27, 2025. Pre-Conference meetings for State and Regional Leaders and the Young Adult Caucus were held on July 24th.
It was a truly memorable experience which began with a surprise message from Pope Leo XIV encouraging Pax Christi to continue to do the work of Gospel Nonviolence. As part of the opening ceremony, Mary Beth, along with other members of the Indigenous Solidarity work group, offered a Land Acknowledgement.
The keynote speakers included Dr. Maria J. Stephan, Chief Organizer of the Horizon project; Jonathan Kuttab, Executive Director of FOSNA and Maria Ines Romero, Secretary General of Pax Christi International who joined remotely. Several informative workshops were offered concurrently including one titled, “Protect our Kids: Youth, Guns and Suicide” presented by the Gun Violence Prevention working group of which Mary Ellen and Casey are members. Another workshop titled, “Broken Treaties, Broken Land; Restoring Relationships, Restoring the Earth“ was presented by the Indigenous Solidarity working group which includes Mary Beth.
We truly appreciated the many opportunities to dialogue with other regional leaders; with young adult members and active members from across the country.
Two important awards were presented on the final morning. The META Peace Team was awarded the 2025 Teacher of Peace Award and the inaugural Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU Peacemaker Award was given to Joryan Hernandez. There was an inspiring session on the Vow of Nonviolence led by Marie Dennis, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative; incredibly moving liturgical music; plus a wonderful Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Edward
Weisenberger of Detroit and PCUSA Bishop President, Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. of Lexington, Kentucky. The final event was a powerful prayer action and walk to a downtown Detroit location.
As the Pax Christi Maine representatives attending the National Conference in person this year, Mary Beth and I are so grateful to have been involved in this extraordinary experience. Please enjoy the photos as well as this article, written by Gabriella Patti and published in the Detroit Catholic newspaper, which provides excellent coverage of the conference.
Additional related materials can be found at this link:
July 25-27: Join Pax Christi USA at our national conference in Detroit
