Nonviolence has a long and effective record in transforming groups, institutions, and whole societies. Gospel nonviolence brings this same powerful energy to the transformation of the Church. Rooted in Jesus Christ and Church tradition, and drawing on nonviolent movements worldwide, this loving approach shows how to work for crucial changes in the face of discouragement and frequent institutional opposition. Today many faithful Catholics and Catholic reform groups yearn for such changes, ranging from women and married clergy to effective response to sex scandals to lay participation in governance and condemnation of materialism and war. Love in Action is about loving the Church toward such change-prophetically and nonviolently. Geared specifically to the hopes and challenges of the renewal of the Catholic Church, this handbook offers tools that are both spiritually grounded and pragmatic. It teaches anyone to build an effective, faith-based group working for reform with tips on how to build a group, run effective meetings, negotiate, or carry out direct action. Here are anecdotes, exercises, and hundreds of examples of people translating conviction into effective personal and institutional transformation. If you wish to see change in your church-and seek your own transformation in the process-you will find Love in Action indispensable.
