Fordham Theologian Receives Pax Christi Award

The Rev. Leo Lefebure, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2001 Pax Christi USA Book Award for his book Revelation, the Religions, and Violence (Orbis, 2000). Lefebure’s book explores the meaning of Christian revelation, its relation to inter-religious dialogue and the problem of religious violence. In addition to tracing the history of biblical and Christian attitudes toward other religions, he chronicles the history of inflammatory language in religious texts and its influence on violent sentiments among religious groups. The contest judges called the book “a thorough and scholarly exploration of the relationship between violence and religious belief.” Lefebure, a theology professor, received the honor because his book promotes the ideals of Pax Christi, which works to build social justice around the world and make peace a priority of the American Catholic Church. His book was selected from among 15 nominations from eight publishers. Lefebure will receive his award in August during the Pax Christi USA National Assembly at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn.