The Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive (CLASA) invites the UDM community to two free discussions on nonviolence on Wednesday, Sept. 23, featuring Ben Peters of University of St. Joseph. Both talks will take place in the Briggs Building, Room 317.
The first presentation begins at 4 p.m. Peters will be joined by Karen Donahue, RSM, a longtime member of the Mercy Justice Team. Donahue will discuss how the Sisters of Mercy gradually changed their focus from service to addressing the five Social Concerns that were at the root of many contemporary problems and how nonviolence intersects with the other four Social Concerns. Peters will then present “Artisans of Peace: A Counter-tradition of Nonviolence in US Catholicism.” The term “artisans of peace” came from a recent Vatican statement at the U.N. calling for peace in our war-torn world.
A second talk at 7:30 p.m. will spotlight Peters’ new book, Catholic Pacifist: The Long and Lonely Quest of Gordon Zahn. The discussion will explore the life of Zahn, a Catholic peace activist, who promoted the life story of Franz Jägerstätter, the Austrian who was beheaded in 1942 for refusing to fight in Hitler’s army. Jägerstätter was beatified in 2007, just before the death of Zahn. UDM Senior Adjunct Instructor Michael Hovey, who worked with Zahn during his time with Pax Christi USA Center on Conscience and War, will also participate in the conversation.
Both events are cosponsored by CLASA, Gesu Peace & Justice Committee and the Office of Mission Integration.
For more information contact CLASA Director Gail Presbey at presbegm@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1124.