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Jesuit peace activist promotes 'A Persistent Peace'
By Rebecca Bostic, rbostic@catholicsun.org
November 6, 2008
SCOTTSDALE — Jesuit Father John Dear, who has spent his life fighting for the principles of Catholic social teaching, promoted his autobiography Oct. 14 at the Franciscan Renewal Center.
The priest, a nationally known peace activist, also plugged “A Persistent Peace” Oct. 14 at St. Thomas More Parish.
“When I wrote an autobiography, I was reflecting on my own journey within this framework of peace and nonviolence,” he said. “If you haven’t done that I would really invite you to do that — to think about your life journey as a journey on the road to peace.”
Although Fr. Dear has published many books, the autobiography stands apart from his more theological writing. “A Persistent Peace” shares stories of his arrests, protests and the friends he made along the way.
The book also features a forward by Martin Sheen and photos and stories of Fr. Dear’s interactions with Noble Peace Prize winners and dignitaries. The priest’s commitment to nonviolent, peaceful resistance engages people from all walks of life.
Alison Ghan came to the talk to be challenged and encouraged in her decision to pursue justice. She hoped people would read the book and discover that it is possible.
“We all get bogged down with the idea of wanting to do a good thing, but not knowing where to start,” Ghan said. “I think [Fr. Dear] opens up really concrete possibilities and gives examples of his actions that make you think you can really do it.”
Fr. Dear challenged listeners to ask the question he asked of himself when he began writing the autobiography.
“How has your life been a movement of violence and nonviolence? How has your life been a journey walking the road to peace?” he said.
His own answers to these questions fill the pages of “A Persistent Peace.” Yet as he spoke it, was clear that Fr. Dear is more concerned with how the rest of the world would answer these questions.
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