Teacher of Peace
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
December 9, 2010
National Catholic peace organization honors
Jim Albertini with 2010 Teacher of Peace Award
Albertini is coordinator of the Center for Non-violent Education and Action in Hawaii
Washington, D.C.—Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, has recognized the life and witness of Jim Albertini, by naming him the 2010 recipient of the Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Award. Pax Christi USA first gave the award to Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, in 1978 and has since recognized some of the most significant U.S. Catholic activists for peace and justice of the past 3 decades, including actor Martin Sheen; poet and priest Daniel Berrigan, S.J.; and Dead Man Walking author Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J. Albertini’s work has included non-violent resistance to war and injustice, the practice of hospitality and sustainability through the Center for Non-violent Education and Action and its Malu ‘Aina (Land of Peace) farm in Hawaii, and co-author of The Dark Side of Paradise: Hawaii in a Nuclear World.
“Jim’s long-time witness against nuclear weapons in an inspiration to all of us working for a nuclear weapons-free world,” stated Dave Robinson, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA. “We are honored to recognize him with the 2010 Teacher of Peace Award.”
Albertini was born in Pennsylvania and is the product of a Catholic education, graduating from Villanova University in 1968. He has been arrested dozens of times for non-violent resistance to war and injustice, including serving more than 20 months in prison for his civil disobedience actions. In 1972 he was arrested with author Jim Douglass for pouring blood on top secret electronic warfare files at the headquarters of the Pacific Air Force at Hickam Air Force Base. In 1984 he attempted to block a nuclear armed warship from entering Hilo Harbor in violation of Hawaii County’s historic nuclear-free zone law.
“The history of Pax Christi USA is built on the committed actions of people being true to the call of their conscience,” stated Sr. Josie Chrosniak, HM, Chair of the Pax Christi USA National Council. “Jim stands in that tradition that includes people like the Berrigans, Kathy Kelly, Jim and Shelley Douglass, and so many others who have shown us the importance of speaking truth to power.”
In addition to Albertini’s work for nuclear disarmament, he is a founding member and coordinator of the Center for Non-violent Education and Action and its Malu ‘Aina (Land of Peace) farm in Kurtistown on the island of Hawaii. The all-volunteer farm is modeled on Catholic Worker principles and grows organic fruits and vegetables to share with people in need and support the work of justice, peace and preserving the earth. Malu ‘Aina has hosted activists from around the world, including Fr. Dan Berrigan and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jose Ramos-Horta. Currently, Albertini’s efforts focus on a campaign to stop the bombing at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island, an area that is contaminated with depleted uranium, unexploded ordnance, and other military toxins.
Albertini received the 2010 Teacher of Peace Award at the Pax Christi USA gathering at the annual action and vigil at the School of the Americas in Columbus, Georgia.
“My message is simple,” stated Albertini. “Keep your eyes on the prize and never give up!”
For media interviews or for more information, please contact Johnny Zokovitch, Pax Christi USA Program Director, at 352-219-8419 or johnnypcusa@yahoo.com
Pax Christi USA is a section of Pax Christi International, the international Catholic peace movement with consultative status at the UN. Pax Christi USA’s membership includes over 700 Catholic parishes, 700 religious communities, 120 U.S. Catholic bishops, and reaches more than a half-million Catholics each year.
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