I move that the 2025 World Conference endorse for use by Community of Christ the Statement on Nonviolence as developed through the alternative common consent process.
The Statement on Nonviolence was created in response to World Conference Resolution 1319 in 2019. The process has taken six years. It is timely. Little has changed since 1972 when prophetic words declared that these are portentous times in a world wracked by violence. A church dedicated to peace is called to offer alternatives to human aggression in all its forms.
The World Church Peace and Justice Committee was first tasked to produce a draft statement which was then considered by the World Church Leadership Council, the Twelve, and the First Presidency, which brings us here today.
The words ‘peace’, ‘peaceful’ and ‘peacemakers’ appear over a hundred times in World Church resolutions since 1866. But the word ‘nonviolence’ did not appear before 2019. This is significant. The statement is not a statement on peace, but on the role that nonviolence must play in the pursuit of peace, and in the mission of the church generally.
A first draft of the current statement was sent to the body of the church electronically in late 2024 seeking comments. Around 300 responses in multiple languages were received from Mission Centers around the world. A significant majority of respondents acknowledged it as a thoughtful reflection of our principles. It was praised for its inclusivity, especially regarding the roles of military and law enforcement professionals. It was praised for its acknowledgment of the guiding role that the church's history has played in placing peace at the core of our identity. It was praised for reflecting the church’s enduring principles, focusing on relationships, reconciliation, and care for creation. There were some criticisms, however, and these were taken on board in revisions. Ultimately, the First Presidency finalised the statement that is now before us.
I praise it for the way it presents nonviolence as a transformative, forward-looking principle, capable of addressing modern challenges and inspiring collective action. I praise it for the way it invites us to journey toward, and embody, the call to live out divine love for the world. I praise it for the way it advocates for the protection of the vulnerable. I praise it for the way it challenges us to address the root causes of injustice that lie behind violence and abuses of power. I praise it for the way it seeks to understand those whose voices may differ from ours. I praise it for the way it calls us to collaborate with other organizations who practice nonviolence in the pursuit of peace.
I conclude with the beautiful words of the late Barbara Howard, words found in the 3rd verse of number 570 of Community of Christ Sings:
God, who calls us to the future, and invites us from this place,
May the language of our witness use an alphabet of grace,
Weave your healing peace and justice through the vision we pursue,
Let your Spirit work within us to transform our lives anew.
I commend the motion to the conference.
Rick Sarre, Team Leader, Peace and Justice Team, June 2, 2025
Read the Statement of Nonviolence approved by the 2025 World Conference. View Here.
Read the background information detailing the purpose for creating the Statement on Nonviolence. View Here.