Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – The proposal: to form a group of key people (Bishops, Clergy, Religious and Lay-People) who would be trained to intervene in peace negotiations, operations of verification of accords and conflict resolution. This is what was presented by Fr. Sean O'Leary, Director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI) of South Africa in his address to the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, a copy of which was sent to Agenzia Fides. Fr. O'Leary says: “The Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI) was set up by the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) to share with others the tragic story of South Africa's past, a past that was based on constitutionalized racism; the miracle of the transition that ushered in the dawn of a true democracy and the arduous challenges of construction, reconstruction and reconciliation, which is at the very heart of the work of the Church in South Africa today.”
“Experience has shown us that the enormous impact the Catholic Church has on the continent is rarely felt in conflict situations. The Church's attempts at conflict intervention remain fragmented. We need to support more Bishops and dioceses at the coal-face of conflict. In this very room there is a wealth of experience of people from conflict areas that have kept the hearts of their people alive with hope, over long years, in situations of near despair. These are our unsung heroes!” the Director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute said.
“The suggestion the Southern African Catholic Bishop Conference makes is to identify key people (Bishops, Clergy, Religious and Lay-People) who would be trained to intervene in peace monitoring, peace negotiations and sustaining fragile peace structures. At the outbreak of any one conflict or potential conflict, two or three of these trained people would be invited to intervene in the country in question, primarily to support the local Church on the ground. The idea would always be to support the local Church.”
“This would become our very own group of 'Peace Elders' and would be established as a direct consequence of this august Assembly. Not wanting to give the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace more work, but I would see them as the most competent authority in the Church to organize such an initiative,” Fr. O'Leary concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2009)
