Catholic school officals speak against violence

Chicago's Roman Catholic educators say they plan to institute programs that will focus on how students can stem bullying and resolve disputes without violence.

Catholic schools Superintendent Sister Mary Paul McCaughey said Wednesday principals and students were seeing the pain on the streets of Chicago and wanted to do something. Among the efforts to curb the violence will be a peace pledge.

The pledge, signed by 258 Catholic elementary and high school administrators, denounced violence and pledged to create more peaceful environments for young people.

Catholic educators also spoke about using "peacemaking circles" to bring students together to talk about anger, violence and other difficult issues. In the circles, a symbolic item is passed from person to person. The person holding the item speaks without interruption.