On June 18, 2024 Nuns Against Gun Violence (NAGV) presented a timely and critical webinar entitled "Firearms and Faith: Navigating Catholic Social Teaching in a World of Gun Violence."

 

Featured guests included Dr. Jennifer Kryszak, Director of Strategic Planning for the Franciscan Peace Center; and Angela Howard-McParland, Justice Resource Manager for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

 

This webinar delved into various aspects of Catholic Social Teaching and explored how these teachings relate to the pressing issue of gun violence and the importance of gun violence prevention. The discussion also highlighted the integral role of prayer, education, and advocacy in NAGV's mission.

 

We invite you to view the webinar below:

 

 

Learn more about relevant legislation in Congress that addresses gun violence prevention and contact Congress to advocate for responsible gun laws. 

• Assault Weapons Ban of 2023
• Ethan’s Law
• Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act of 2023

 

PRAYER:

 

Novena Against Gun Violence

by Michele Bisaillon, DHS

 

Loving God, You created for us a world of beauty, order, and endless possibilities. But today ours is a world often in chaos: war, famine, drought, so many “isms”, lack of respect for life and for one another.

 

In this country, we face these issues day after day. One of these is uppermost in our minds these days—the horror of gun violence which continues to ravage our nation, our society, our people, even the youngest of our children.

 

Spirit God, we give you all names: Holy, Sanctifier, Paraclete, Advocate. Yet you are so much more: Challenger, Nudger, whirling Wind and engulfing Fire, Mover, Enabler, Lover, Breath of Life.

 

Be that for us, we pray. Instill in us your gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, reverence, and awe. Pentecost us. Enable us to be as daring as the newly inspired apostles—to be bold in our defense of the right of all persons to feel safe wherever we are, unafraid of being forever silenced by those who are armed with weapons and anger and sometimes even hatred.

 

Give us the courage to speak the Word. Give us the audacity to take the actions needed to end this needless violence.

 

In the name of our Creator God, in the name of the Word of Life, and in the name of the Fire of Love. Amen.

 

Source: Nuns Against Gun Violence

 

 

RESOURCES:

 

In April 2025, the Franciscan Peace Center co-sponsored a webinar entitled: "Stop Illegal Arms to Haiti."  The event covered the devastating impacts of weapons trafficking from the USA into Haiti, Mexico, and beyond. Moderated by Corinne Paul, the webinar featured Bill O'Neill, UN human rights expert on Haiti; John Lindsay-Poland, of Stop U.S. Arms to Mexico; and Carine Jocelyn of the Haiti Women's Collective.  Click HERE to view a recording of this informative webinar. 

 

"Making Connections & Building Hope: Gun Violence Prevention in Pennsylvania" was the first in a series of webinars featuring work for gun violence prevention at the state level. Presented on April 1, 2025, this webinar focused on the state of Pennsylvania. Speakers included State Senator Tim Kearney, State Representative Lisa Borowski, Adam Gardner of CeaseFire PA, and Lashira Council from the Chester Community Coalition. Together, they reflected on ways people can be involved in gun violence prevention and community support, and where they find hope for the future. This event was co-sponsored by Nuns Against Gun Violence, Franciscan Action Network, and the Franciscan Peace Center.  Watch the recording HERE.  The focus of the next webinar in this series will be about work being done in the state of Ohio.  This webinar will take place on May 21.  Learn more and register here.

 

Gun violence affects countless lives in our country. Read the stories of survivors and volunteers with Moms Demand Action.

 

Listen to an episode of Brady’s podcast Red, Blue, and Brady to learn more about the epidemic of firearm woundings and death in the United States and Brady’s efforts to end gun violence.

 

Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence offers their Annual Gun Law Scorecard that assesses how gun laws and gun violence are related in each state. Look at the statistics for Iowa and compare them to another state.

 

The John Hopkins National Survey of Gun Policy tracks Americans’ support of gun policies. Their 2023 survey reveals strong support for evidence-based solutions to gun violence.

 

What do young people think about guns and gun violence? Everytown For Gun Safety Support Fund, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) studied young people’s views of guns and gun violence in our country. Read the results in their report, Youth Attitudes on Guns.

 

ACTION:

 

TAKE ACTION: Demand the Senate Pass Expanded Background Checks Now

Requiring background checks on all firearm sales is a sensible reform that we know would protect children from gun violence. But even though the Senate has introduced a new background checks bill, it hasn't yet been brought to a vote – and we need to make sure this lifesaving legislation advances as soon as possible. Sandy Hook Promise urges us to sign their petition urging the Senate to pass expanded background checks.  TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Establish a Federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention

The #1 cause of death for children is gun violence. A focused and intentional office of gun violence prevention at the federal level is one way to make a real difference in lowering the biggest scourge on our society today. The Peace Alliance urges us to tell our federal legislators to support and co-sponsor HR 1699 or S 951 to establish a federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention. TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Ban Weapons of War

Military-style semi-automatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are designed to efficiently kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time available. There is absolutely no reason for assault rifles, assault pistols, and assault shotguns to be sold on the civilian market. Americans deserve a strong response from the federal government to keep our families and communities safe. Brady United urges us to tell Congress to support and pass the Assault Weapon Ban of 2025  TAKE ACTION