Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace movement founded in 1972 and grounded in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, has been recognized for its dedication to building a world without conflict. On June 11, during a breakfast preceding the annual spring meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Louisville, Kentucky, Pax Christi received the inaugural Dorothy Day Peacemaker Award from the Dorothy Day Guild.

Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, who serves as bishop president of Pax Christi’s national council, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. The Dorothy Day Guild supports and advances Dorothy Day's cause for sainthood, initiated by the Archdiocese of New York in 2000.

Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was a Catholic journalist and social activist who co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement with Peter Maurin in 1933. This movement includes 187 intentional communities committed to nonviolence, voluntary prayer, and hospitality for the homeless and marginalized.

“With so many conflicts in the world today, we thought it could be a sign of hope,” said Deirdre Cornell, co-chair of the Dorothy Day Guild executive committee and managing editor of Maryknoll Magazine. “We could connect Dorothy’s commitment to peace and justice with the Catholic social teaching that very directly addresses peace and justice.”

Cornell emphasized that “the world really needs this witness of people who call our attention to the possibility of using nonviolent means to address conflict — not to ignore conflict but who have the courage to say there are other ways to stop violence.”

The award coincides with a report by the Peace Research Institute Oslo published on June 10, which confirmed that 2023 saw more armed conflicts than any year since World War II ended.

“A very essential part of Dorothy Day’s vision and legacy is her commitment to peace and justice — using especially nonviolent means,” Cornell stated.

Kevin Ahern, co-chair of the Dorothy Day Guild and director of the Dorothy Day Center for the Study and Promotion of Social Catholicism at Manhattan College in New York's Bronx borough noted: “We thought that by having a national award on peacebuilding, it could be a way to highlight goodness happening in the church today ... people continuing to live Dorothy’s legacy.”

Ahern also highlighted Day's connection to Eucharist: “As the church celebrates National Eucharistic Revival... one of her main points was linking Eucharist with peace — especially ending nuclear weapons and war.”

Johnny Zokovitch, executive director of Pax Christi USA who is stepping down this summer after five years remarked: “We’re just thrilled at being awarded an award reminding folks of Dorothy’s witness and legacy.” He noted that Pax Christi has deep connections with Day's influence.

Reflecting on current global conflicts Zokovitch added: “I think that she would look at what’s happening today... she would be most concerned about is [sic] church’s own witness to peace — regardless of conflicts; regardless [sic] war; violence...”