To make the leap from Toronto activists to a national branch of the international Pax Christi movement is going to take better connections in francophone Quebec, more youth involvement and a formal connection to Canada’s bishops, Barringer said.

Pax Christi — Toronto was begun by a group of Toronto deacons inspired by a talk by American Jesuit peace activist Fr. John Dear. The original group was constituted as Catholics For Peace — Toronto in 2006. Dedicated to a non-violent reading of the Gospel, the original group chose to focus on opposing military intervention in Afghanistan and advocating on behalf of American ex-soldiers who had fled to Canada rather than be returned to active duty in Iraq.

Catholics For Peace — Toronto immediately sought membership in Pax Christi International, the Belgium-based international Catholic movement with more than 50,000 members. The group won the right to use the name Pax Christi — Toronto last year.

The group is searching for new areas of focus at the same time as it nurtures the dream of a Pax Christi Canada. While American conscientious objectors are still fighting for the right to remain in Canada and Canadian forces remain in Afghanistan until 2014, both issues are winding down. Barringer believes there are plenty of issues for Canadian Catholics to campaign on — from billions earmarked for F-35 fighter jets to the prospect of sending the Canadian military to blockade Iran — and he believes Catholics see the connection between the Gospel and non-violence. 

Though the group has always done its best to keep Canadian bishops apprised of what it’s doing, it has yet to attract a bishop to active involvement.

“It’s probably a necessity to get the bishops involved,” said Barringer.

The Catholic Register asked Bishop Françios Lapierre, chair of the CCCB’s Justice and Peace Commission, in an e-mail whether there was any interest in supporting a national Pax Christi but received no reply.

Pax Christi International has long had an interest in a truly national Canadian Pax Christi. Former Pax Christi secretary generals Etienne de Jong and Claudette Werleigh made repeated trips to Canada to meet with peace groups. Pax Christi USA also supports the idea of a national organization in Canada.

“We would be excited at the opportunity to work together with a Pax Christi Canada,” said communications director Johnny Zokovitch.

“Our movement needs more strong, prophetic partners to concretely witness to the peace of Christ in every nation throughout this hemisphere and the world.”

While the Americans are on side, convincing Quebec may be more difficult. Pax Christi — Montreal, also known as Antennes de Paix, is staying focussed on Quebec.

“The question has come up several times. Personally, I do not think we are at that point of considering a broader umbrella,” said Pax Christi — Montreal member Fr. Richard Renshaw.

Pax Christi International has had talks with groups in Vancouver and Winnipeg, but a really national organization couldn’t leave out French Canada.

“We spoke to the international body about having two votes in the way Belgium does, representing two different cultures,” said Barringer.

The group believes it is beginning to have success attracting members in their 20s.

“Peace is largely a young person’s concern,” Barringer said.

Not only is it the young who die in wars, but it is young people who inherit a world divided by war, he said. Barringer has been invited to parishes to speak about non-violence.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was received. I wasn’t laughed out of the place or grabbed by the shoulders by a couple of irate Knights of Columbus,” he said.

As Pax Christi — Toronto works on launching a Facebook page and a Twitter account, Barringer continues to offer himself for face-to-face discussion of peace and non-violence at parishes. He can be reached at catholicsforpeace@rogers.com.