Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “We are at a difficult point in history. Many certainties are shaken by the economic crisis that has seized our world. Many people are pessimistic about the future. Richer countries focus on protecting their own citizens. A very high price of the crisis will be paid for by the poorest of the world. Too many people suffer in this world of ours, from war, poverty and violence. No one should be happy in a world full of suffering. No one should close his heart to compassion. This is not the time to surrender to pessimism, it is time to heed the sorrow of people, and to work for the foundation of a new world order of peace. The quest for justice, the use of dialogue, and respect for the weak are the tools we need to build this new world order. We need a surplus of spirit and a greater sense of humanity! A world without a soul will soon become inhuman.”
These are some extracts from the Peace Appeal 2008 of the religious leaders, read during the concluding ceremony of the International “Men and Religion” Meeting organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio, which is taking place in Cyprus, with the theme: “The Civilization of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue,” November 16-18. The religious leaders placed the Appeal in the hands of children from various nationalities who, in the name of every generation, have presented to the ambassadors and authorities present from nations all over the world.
“Our religious traditions strongly testify that a world with no spirit will never be human: they cry out that spirit and humanity should never be trampled on by war; they beg for peace,” the Appeal says. “They want peace, they beg for it, they implore peace from God through prayer. Religions are aware that talking of war in God’s name is meaningless and blasphemous. They are convinced a better humanity will never come from violence and terrorism. They do not share the pessimistic belief in the inevitable clash of religions and civilizations. Religions hope and pray that a true community of peace will be established among peoples and within humanity. No human being, no people, no community is an island. Everyone needs somebody else; everyone needs the friendship, forgiveness, and help of someone else.”
In concluding, the Appeal stresses that “no hatred, no conflict, no wall can resist the power of prayer, forgiveness, and patient love leading to dialogue. Dialogue does not generate weakness, rather it grants new strength,” and asks that God may grant the great gift of peace through the prayers of all believers, as “no war is ever holy. Peace alone is holy!”
Andrea Riccardi, Founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, in his address in the Final Ceremony, expressed his hope that “a new wind of peace blow on nearby Middle East, on Iraq, on suffering Africa.” The wind of peace is certainly a gift from God, however “men, women, peoples do have a great responsibility: there is much they can do. The medicine of dialogue can heal conflicts. Dialogue does not require war and violence, but listening and talking. Dialogue reveals that the use of force and war is not inevitable. Dialogue does not leave defenceless, rather it protects. It does not cause weakness, rather it grants new strength. It transforms strangers and enemies into members of one’s own family. It delivers from the demon of violence. Nothing is lost with dialogue; anything can be achieved through dialogue. Religions are called to the daunting task of making a spirit of peace grow among human beings.”
Ingrid Betancourt Pulecio also spoke during the Final Ceremony and, “in the name of all those who suffer on every continent, the victims of hate and violence among men,” implored that the following appeal reach the ears of all the earth's nations: “Tell the nations, 'Have faith! Do not back down!' because those of us who have suffered and lost everything, have not lost hope. We ask you to believe that a better world is possible, that good always conquers evil, and that the days to come will be days of the spirit that we were awaiting. The values of our civilization should change: no more thirst for power and greed, but service and gift. The true change should begin with each one of us. And from the sum of changes that each one is capable of making, we will be able to build a better world. We are the builders of a new time, those who open the new time of the spirit. We are sure, in the depths of our hearts, that our time is the perfect time for dreams to come true. With faith, all things are possible.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/11/2008)
