Peacebuilders Initiative

Peacebuilders Initiative is an innovative program of the Bernardin Center that prepares Catholic high school youth for leadership roles in peacemaking, reconciliation, and conflict transformation, and inspires them to consider ministry as a life choice. The following is from their most recent newsletter.

"When war, as in these days in Iraq, threatens the fate of humanity, it is ever more urgent to proclaim, with a strong and decisive voice that only peace is the road to follow to construct a more just and united society. Violence and arms can never resolve the problems of men."
--Pope John Paul II, March 22, 2003. Address to television broadcaster Telepace in first public remarks following start of Iraq war.

A study by Johns Hopkins University and Al Mustansiriya University researchers finds that between 420,000 and 790,000 Iraqis have died as a result of war and political violence since the beginning of the US invasion in March 2003. It was published in The Lancet medical journal on October 11, 2006.