Joins Dorothy Day and Father Daniel Berrigan
as a Teacher of Peace

Teacher of Peace: E.J. Dionne, left, columnist for The Washington Post, was the keynote speaker at the Sept. 12 award ceremony honoring Father John Rausch.

Father John Rausch received the Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Award at ceremonies held Sept. 12 at Trinity University in Washington, D.C.

Father John was honored by the national Catholic peace movement for over 30 years of work in the Appalachian region.

He has spent his home mission ministry advocating for the people and the land of Appalachia. Father John works to end and repair the environmental damage that is being inflicted on the region and seeks social justice for Appalachia’s workers and citizens.

Past recipients of this award include Catholic Worker Dorothy Day, Sister Helen Prejean, actor Martin Sheen and Father Daniel Berrigan.

Father John currently coordinates the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., directs the Catholic Committee of Appalachia, conducts five study tours of Appalachia annually and writes a syndicated column on faith and economics that appears in over 20 Catholic newspapers. He has also taught locally and internationally on sustainability, social development, worker rights and Catholic social teaching.

And in his spare time, he’s known as a gourmet cook!

The Philadelphia native was nominated by several of those who have worked with him in Eastern Kentucky, including Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Iris Ann Ledden.

“He has been an advocate for the poor throughout his priestly life,” Sister Iris Ann wrote in her nomination. “In my opinion, he is a modern-day prophet. He lives out the Gospel message he preaches.”

Father John says he is humbled by the award and realizes that it recognizes the teamwork of all those ministering in Appalachia.

He says he hopes by being named a Teacher of Peace because of his work in social justice ministry, that others who are struggling in similar pursuits—caring for the environment, striving for simpler lifestyles, promoting a more relational-based society—will be encouraged to continue their ministry.

“I fully believe that God is alive to people and I fully believe that God hears the cry of the poor,” Father John says. “I think we in the Church have to look around to the sufferings and struggles of the people and nature and take action.

“God has empowered us. We can’t let God take the bum rap for why things aren’t done.”