Pax Christi USA statement on 2024 US presidential election

Sherry Simon

Source: Pax Christi USA

Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, acknowledges that Donald Trump and JD Vance have been elected as the next President and Vice President of the United States. We offer our prayers that their leadership might be guided by a commitment to pursue the "things that make for peace" (Luke 19:42) and the justice which must be the foundation of efforts toward reconciliation and healing.

In this moment of transition, Pax Christi USA pledges to continue our work in challenging our nation's leaders to serve with wisdom, tolerance, and empathy. We will continue to advocate for the positions laid out in our 2020 Statement of Principles, meant to guide our work moving forward. To reiterate our message from 2020: Our witness is to the Gospel message of Jesus, that our responsibility is to love God through loving our neighbor, both near and far, with a preferential option for those who are impoverished and suffering.

The urgency of this particular moment continues to highlight - as we did in 2020 - a permanent ceasefire and end to settler colonization in Palestine, the cessation of military support to Israel, demilitarization of the US-Mexico border, the rejection of nuclear weapons, and an end to US policies and actions of US corporations that continue to create conditions that millions around the world are forced to escape.

We hold our newly elected political leaders, our nation, the Church, and the entire world in prayer as we advocate and work for that justice which affirms the dignity of all human beings, individually and collectively, and assures peace for all creation.

Sherry Simon, National Council Chair of Pax Christi USA said: "As we move on from this contentious election, we must stay strong to prepare for the challenging weeks and months ahead. I anticipate that we'll need patience and a willingness to continue in this struggle. The problems and issues our nation must address - the deep mistrust and gross misunderstandings that have fuelled terrible divisions across the country - didn't occur overnight. We are ready to work together for the common good, to build coalitions within our movement as well as with other groups as we seek new allies in this work for peace with justice."