About Us

Pax Christi Southern California, under the Sponsorship of St Camillus Center for Spiritual Care is a Region of Pax Christi, USA, the National Catholic Peace Movement. 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Pax Christi Southern California region. Local member groups include Pax Christi San Diego, Pax Christi Ventura, Pax Christi Orange County, and Pax Christi Los Angeles.

Our 2022 Leadership Team:

  • Fr. Chris Ponnet – Pastor, St Camillus Center –PCUSA Ambassador of Peace
  • Mary Baville – LA Chapter
  • Christy Bohan – San Diego Chapter
  • Gary Freeburg – Ventura Chapter
  • Olga Sarabia – LA Chapter – PCUSA Ambassador of Peace
  • Sr. Diane Smith, CSJ – LA Chapter – PCUSA National Board Member
  • Mike Walsh (Chair) – Orange Chapter

A Pax Christi USA Region consists of six or more Pax Christi USA registered local groups or 200 registered Pax Christi USA members in a specific geographic area. Regions organize at least one regional event per year and communicate on a regular basis with the Pax Christi USA local groups and individual members within the region via a regional newsletter, regular mailings and/or email communiqués. They are a vital part of Pax Christi USA’s identity as a grassroots’ movement.

Regions develop prayer, action and educational opportunities within the region, mobilize support for Pax Christi USA initiatives, and provide community support for members. Regional status requires the selection of a regional leadership team through a process involving all Pax Christi USA members within the region; this team is expected to be representative of the region’s local groups and to meet regularly (generally 2-4 times/year) to pray, vision and strategize.

In addition to the benefits experienced by local groups, Pax Christi USA Regions are invited to provide input into the development of PCUSA’s annual Work Plan as well as other national level programs/projects.

A Vow of Nonviolence

 We invite you to take this Vow of Nonviolence and renew it every year.

The wording of this vow expresses a solid theological tradition in the Church. But others of different faith and differing devotion should feel free to express the vow in their own words, giving it the emphasis that fits other theological traditions. Moreover, the person taking the vow would realize that while it commits one to a very demanding ethic, it also implies process toward a goal. One ought not expect to become perfect overnight and therefore care should be taken — lest what was meant for our freedom become a burden of excessive and unhealthy guilt.

A Vow of Nonviolence

Recognizing the violence in my own heart, yet trusting in the goodness and mercy of God, I vow to practice the nonviolence of Jesus who taught us in the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons and daughters of God…You have learned how it was said, “You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy”; but I say to you, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way, you will be sons and daughters of your God in heaven.”

Before God the Creator and the Sanctifying Spirit, I vow to carry out in my life the love and example of Jesus

  • by striving for peace within myself and seeking to be a peacemaker in my daily life;
  • by accepting suffering in the struggle for justice rather than inflicting it
  • by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence;
  • by persevering in nonviolence of tongue and heart;
  • by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live;
  • by actively resisting evil and working nonviolently to abolish war and the causes of war from my own heart and from the face of the earth.

God, I trust in your sustaining love and believe that just as you gave me the grace and desire to offer this, so you will also bestow abundant grace to fulfill it.