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Author event for “The Gospel of Peace” with John Dear
April 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Peacemaker, author, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Father John Dear, will speak about and sign copies of his new book, The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence, on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas, Terrace Park.
The book is the first ever commentary on the Synoptic Gospels from the perspective of active nonviolence in the tradition of Gandhi and Dr. King. In this original work, Fr. John walks us through every line of the three synoptic Gospels pointing out Jesus’ practice and teachings on nonviolence, peace, and universal love and invites us to follow him
Books will be available for purchase and signing that evening and at church prior to the event.
The Rev. John Dear has devoted his life to pursuing nonviolence. After graduating magna cum laude from Duke University, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1982. During subsequent years, Dear continued his studies, earning two master’s degrees in theology. Working with the poor and homeless, and refugees in El Salvador, he developed a first hand look at the devastating effect of violence in the world. Also, as founder of Pax Christi in the Bay Area, he worked with Mother Teresa to remove execution orders for prisoners on death row.
His nonviolent resistance to nuclear armaments, war, and injustice found him arrested numerous times, serving prison time for his efforts. Dear served as executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the largest interfaith peace organization in the United States, from 1998-2001. After September 11, 2001, he was tapped by the Red Cross to coordinate chaplains for the Family Assistance Center in Manhattan where he met with countless families and friends of those killed and missing after the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Ten years ago Dear left the Jesuits when his mission for nonviolence was hindered by restrictions placed on him. He remains a priest in Monterey, California.
Dear has received numerous honors and awards for his work around the world. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times including a 2008 nomination by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
