The Nonviolent Jesus: Fr. John Dear in Conversation with Bernard Lafayette

On this special MLK Day, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Bernard Lafayette to "The Non-Violent Jesus."

Dr. Lafayette isn’t just a witness to history—he’s one of the leaders who shaped it. As a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and a close assistant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Lafayette’s life has been a masterclass in courage, nonviolence, and relentless dedication to justice.

From organizing sit-ins in Nashville alongside icons like Rev. Jim Lawson, John Lewis, and Diane Nash, to risking it all as one of the Freedom Riders, to leading the Selma voting rights movement, Dr. Lafayette has always been on the front lines of change. After Dr. King’s assassination, he carried forward the dream, founding the Center for Peace and Nonviolence Studies at the University of Rhode Island and teaching Kingian nonviolence to thousands across the globe.

In this episode, we reflect on Dr. King’s 100th birthday and explore what Kingian nonviolence means for today’s struggles for civil rights, equality, and peace. What does it look like to live out nonviolence in a world that still wrestles with systemic injustice and division? What lessons can we draw from the movement that transformed a nation—and how can we be part of the change today?