Pax Catholic Forum, Rome 2024

• “Youth for a Culture of Just and Sustainable Peace and Nonviolence”

1. Overview

The Pax Catholic Forum, held on September 19, 2024, in Rome, Italy, brought together Catholic youth, religious leaders, scholars, and peace activists from across the globe. The event, hosted at the Institute of St. Anselm in Ciampino, was organised by the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-MIEC) Pax Romana in collaboration with International Youth Training Centre (IYTC), Pax Christi Korea, Pax Christi International, Manhattan College Dorothy Center and ICMICA Pax Romana. The Federazione Universitaria Cattolica Italiana (FUCI) played a crucial role as the local host. This gathering centred around the theme: “Youth for a Culture of Just and Sustainable Peace and Nonviolence.” It aimed to empower Catholic youth to lead initiatives that foster justice, sustainability, and nonviolence in today’s complex global landscape.

2. Main Objectives

The Forum was driven by several key goals:

• Empowering Youth: To inspire Catholic youth to be proactive leaders in global and local peace initiatives.
• Promoting Catholic Social Teachings: Connect contemporary challenges with the Church’s teachings on justice, dignity, and care for creation.
• Strengthening Global Networks: To build and reinforce international networks of young Catholic advocates committed to nonviolence and justice.
• Laying the Foundation for Future Engagement: To prepare for significant events, particularly the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, focusing on peace and sustainability.

3. Key Themes and Discussions
4. Youth Leadership for a Culture of Peace

• The Forum emphasised that young Catholics are vital to cultivating a culture of peace. Participants were urged to take leadership roles in addressing global and local challenges, from environmental degradation to social injustice.
• Central to the discussions was the understanding that youth are not just future leaders but current change-makers capable of shaping Church and societal responses to injustice. The Forum emphasised the integration of young voices in decision-making processes, especially within the Church.

2. Justice as the Foundation for Peace

• Discussions highlighted the intrinsic link between justice and peace, underscoring that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice and respect for human dignity.
• Catholic social teachings, including Pope Francis’s encyclicals Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti, were highlighted as guiding documents for Catholic youth activism. These teachings were presented as essential frameworks for addressing economic inequality, protecting human rights, and promoting ecological sustainability.

3. Sustainability and Ecological Justice

• A significant focus of the Forum was the Church’s role in advocating for ecological justice. Participants were encouraged to champion environmental sustainability as a key aspect of Catholic identity and duty.
• Pope Francis’s call for an “ecological conversion” in Laudato Si was a recurring theme, with discussions stressing the urgent need for Catholic youth to take action on climate change, advocate for sustainable policies, and practice stewardship of creation.

4. Nonviolence as a Principle and Practice

• Nonviolence was at the heart of the Forum’s discussions, viewed as both a principle and a strategy for achieving sustainable peace. Participants explored nonviolence not just as a strategy for conflict resolution but as a way of life that aligns with Catholic values of compassion, respect, and solidarity.
• The legacy of Pax Romana and Pax Christi in advocating nonviolent solutions was highlighted, with an emphasis on disarmament, conflict prevention, and restorative justice as tools for building a peaceful society.

5. Building Strong International and Local Networks

• The Forum emphasised the importance of solidarity across regions and cultures. Regional discussions allowed participants to address specific challenges faced in different contexts while recognising the shared goals of justice, peace, and sustainability.
• The event underscored that local actions can drive global change, and international Catholic networks must be strengthened to advocate effectively on the global stage. The 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul was seen as a key milestone for showcasing this unified Catholic voice.

4. Major Outcomes

1. Adoption of the 2024 Rome Appeal for Peace

• A pivotal outcome of the Forum was the adoption of the “Rome Appeal for Peace 2024.” This document serves as a manifesto for Catholic youth, calling for:
  • Greater involvement in local and global peace initiatives.
  • The use of Catholic social teachings as a foundation for advocacy.
  • Active leadership in ecological justice efforts, emphasising sustainability.
  • Commitment to nonviolence in all aspects of social and political engagement.

2. Commitment to Youth-Driven Peace Initiatives

• The Forum reinforced the message that young Catholics are at the forefront of the Church’s mission for peace and justice. There was a clear call for youth-driven initiatives that challenge systemic injustices and promote a culture of dialogue and solidarity.
• The discussions encouraged Catholic youth to use digital platforms and social media to amplify their message, recognising the power of technology in modern advocacy.

3. Preparation for the 2027 World Youth Day

• The Forum served as a preparatory platform for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, framing it as a significant opportunity for Catholic youth to unite and advocate for global justice and peace. Participants were encouraged to see WYD as a stage for showcasing their commitment to sustainable peace and nonviolence.
• There was a focus on ensuring that WYD 2027 would be a spiritual event and a space for concrete commitments to social justice, sustainability, and youth empowerment.

5. Conclusion

The Pax Catholic Forum in Rome was a landmark gathering, reinforcing the Church’s commitment to a culture of just and sustainable peace rooted in nonviolence. It provided a platform for young Catholics to engage in dialogue, share experiences, and develop global and local advocacy strategies. The event was a powerful reminder that Catholic youth are not passive observers but active participants in shaping a just and peaceful world.

The “Rome Appeal for Peace 2024” will serve as a foundational document, guiding the efforts of Catholic youth in the coming years, particularly as they prepare for the Jubilee year 2025 and  2027 World Youth Day. The success of the Forum underscored that the Church’s future lies in the hands of its youth—leaders who are called to embody the Gospel values of justice, peace, and care for creation.

The collaboration between international Catholic organisations and the strong involvement of the local host, FUCI, demonstrated the power of unity in diversity. The Forum’s discussions and outcomes will continue to inspire and guide Catholic youth, ensuring they remain at the heart of the Church’s mission for a just and sustainable world.