With the ongoing issues of violence and conflict in our own country as well as the continuing attacks abroad in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Mexico, we write to share about an emerging discussion in the Catholic Church for a new approach to transforming conflict.

If we're more troubled by Kaepernick sitting in quiet protest than we are about police brutality against African-Americans, it's high time for some personal reflection of our own.

Drawing on the recent Vatican conference I humbly suggest that the Catholic Church should embody Gospel nonviolence by articulating an explicit Just Peace approach with specific criteria, virtues, and practices to be more faithful to Jesus and better build just peace.