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Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and a Broken World

In a world fractured by terrible violence, from Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and other places, the pursuit of peace seems more distant than ever. Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has lamented this “third world war fought piecemeal.” How can Catholics and people of good will answer the Gospel call: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”? This Dahlgren Dialogue will draw on the principles of Catholic social thought to explore what people of faith and others can do to respond to these crises and their immense human and moral costs.

This dialogue will feature scholars, theologians, and grassroots voices who will illuminate the moral imperatives of peacemaking in these troubled times, discuss the complexities of conflict resolution and use of force, and offer some possible pathways toward a more just and peaceful world. They will address questions such as:

  • How can the biblical call to justice and peace, Catholic social teaching, and moral principles on the use of force help us assess and respond to the horrific violence we see across the world today? 
  • What is the role of communities of faith, universities, and individuals in fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing in our broken world?

Participants

  • Jordan Denari Duffner (SFS’13, G’23) is an author, educator, and scholar of Muslim-Christian relations, interreligious dialogue, and Islamophobia. She is a member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace and co-authored a Sign-On Letter from U.S. Catholics on Israel-Palestine in May 2024.
  • Rev. David Hollenbach, S.J., is the Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Research Professor in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, a senior fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and an affiliated professor in the Theology and Religious Studies Department at Georgetown University.
  • Sr. Mũmbi Kĩgũtha, CPPS, is the president of Friends in Solidarity (FIS), the U.S. partner of Solidarity with South Sudan. She continues to minister as a reconciliation consultant for various local and international entities and speaks on several social justice issues.
  • Tetiana Stawnychy is the president of Caritas Ukraine and the former director of the subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  • Rev. Andy Downing, S.J., director of Ignatian Programs in the Office of Mission & Ministry, will open the dialogue.
  • Kim Daniels, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, will moderate the dialogue.

Georgetown University’s Dahlgren Dialogues, co-sponsored by the Office of Mission & Ministry and the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, are a series of substantive conversations with experienced leaders in the context of prayerful reflection on current topics at the intersection of faith and public life.​

Recording and Accessibility​

For those who cannot join us in person, the dialogue starting at 6:00 p.m. EDT will be livestreamed and posted online for later viewing.

All in-person accommodation requests should be sent to cathsocialthought@georgetown.edu by November 15. A good-faith effort will be made to fulfill requests.