2024 Speaking Tour
Host Fr. John Dear on his 2024 Speaking Tour for his Forthcoming Orbis Book: “’The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence.” For more info, click here
May 19, 2025
#20, John Dear Talks with Maria Stephan on Global Movements for Change
This week, John Dear speaks with Maria Stephan, teacher, advocate, and organizer, who has dedicated her life to the proposition that ordinary people, when organized and inspired, can bring about extraordinary change. She is the co-author with Erica Chenoweth of Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict, one of the most important books in decades, which documents how nonviolent resistance campaigns over the last century have been twice as effective as armed struggles, and been major drivers of democratization and civil peace.Next week…
The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast welcomes Bishop John Stowe! For more information, visit here.
May 26, 2025
#21, John Dear Talks with Bishop John Stowe, head of Pax Christi, the Catholic peace movement
“We have to sustain each other in hope!” That’s what Bishop John Stowe, the bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, and the president of Pax Christi, the national Catholic peace movement, tells John Dear this week on the latest episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast.”
It’s a lack of faith to think it’s impossible to live in a nonviolent way.”
Bishop John joined the Conventual Friars Minor, as a Franciscan in 1984, was ordained in 1995, served in El Paso, Texas; then served as its vicar general and chancellor, then vicar provincial of his Franciscan province. In 2015, Pope Francis named him the Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky.
We can’t just paper over our differences, our division. We have to confront it all. It has to be healed. Inner work has to begin with the Word of God and prayer for the grace to be able to live in the way of nonviolence–to absorb violence instead of contributing to violence. We have to find ways to move beyond war and get along together and be at peace with nature.”
Next week…
The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast welcomes John Dear! For more information, visit here.
John Dear’s new book now available!
“The Gospel of Peace:
Reading Matthew, Mark & Luke
from the Perspective of Nonviolence”
To invite John Dear to speak in your city, write to: john@beatitudescenter.org
click here
Recent Books
Recent Articles
A few years ago, three French peace activists met with Pope Francis and asked him for advice. “Start a revolution,” he said. “Shake things up! The world is deaf. You have to open its ears.” That’s what Pope Francis did — he started a nonviolent revolution and invited us all to join.
I’m grateful for him for so many reasons, but mainly because he spoke out so boldly, so prophetically in word and deed for justice, the poor, disarmament, peace, creation, mercy and nonviolence. It is a tremendous gift that we had him for 12 years, that he did not resign or retire, but kept at it until the last day, Easter Sunday.
Daniel Ellsberg, Prophet of Truth and Disarmament
A few months before he died on Friday, June 16th, famed whistle blower and peace activist Daniel Ellsberg sent an email letter to hundreds of friends announcing that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given three months or so to live. After reflecting on his life’s work for peace, he announced that he was full of “joy and gratitude” and wished the same for all of us who work to end war.
My Long Lost Conversation with John Lewis
Last summer, after Congressman John Lewis died, I posted a photo on social media of me and John from a memorable afternoon we spent together in his congressional office. It was 26 years ago. We had talked for a while, and then filmed a formal conversation on nonviolence.
Needless to say, it was one of the greatest days of my exciting life.
Recent News
John Dear on “Democracy Now” talking about Thich Nhat Hanh and Archbishop Tutu
“Jesus was totally nonviolent and calls us to practice and teach Gospel nonviolence and welcome God’s reign of peace and nonviolence, which means from now on, we work for the abolition of war, poverty, racism, gun violence, the death penalty, nuclear weapons, environmental destruction, and all violence.” – Fr. John Dear
Visit Fr. John Dear’s Work at:
The Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus
Free, weekly podcast: “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast“
Contact Fr. John Dear via the email or mailing address at: www.beatitudescenter.org