Peace and Non-violence

We aim at overcoming in ourselves and in our world every form of self seeking and every abuse of power” ( Passionist Constitutions Article 22).

For this reason, we Passionists, commit ourselves to construct a Culture of Peace that begins in our personal life and extends to communities of reflection and action working to transform those structures of society and culture that seek war. This includes preparations for war through armament development, and every form of violence and domination. Believing in the gospel call to conversion as found in the Beatitudes, we seek to denounce and resist the evils of violence while striving to reflect the Peace of Christ in our words and actions.

Nuclear Disarmament

The Catholic Magisterium has explicitly condemned the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction: “Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the destruction of entire cities or extensive areas along with their population is a crime against God and man himself. It merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.” (Gaudium et Spes, #80) For that reason the Passionist JPIC office supports Faithful Security, which is a faith based coalition that is working to promote nuclear disarmament.

Torture

Torture is a form of violence that deforms and violates the dignity of humanity. The Catholic Church tells us that: In carrying out investigations, the regulation against the use of torture, even in the case of serious crimes, must be strictly observed… International juridical instruments concerning human rights correctly indicate a prohibition against torture as a principle which cannot be contravened under any circumstances. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #404) The Passionist JPIC Office supports the National Religious Campaign against Torture as a faith based movement that is addressing this issue of violence.