Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Davao (Fides Service) - The annual Peace Week in Mindanao, the large southern Island of the Philippines which is home to this Catholic nation’s large Muslim community, involves Christians and Muslims, associations and movements, clergy, men and women religious and lay people in a series of seminars, prayer meetings, demonstrations at all levels. People of all walks of life come together in the streets, in schools, at cultural centres to promote dialogue and social harmony and peace.
The Week, first held in Zamboanga in 1998, is sponsored by the Philippines Bishops and Ulama Conference. The theme of this year’s Peace Week 24 -30 November is “Millennium development goals: women and young people builders of peace”. The promoters are convinced that peace begins in families, relations among small communities and is built by ordinary people at all levels, not only among political leaders.
Activities planned include “Cycling for Peace”. At least a hundred people on bicycles, including Bishop Romulo Valles of Kidapawan, will ride from Digos to Davao. In Zamboanga, events will include a youth meeting “Youth our hope for peace”, organised by Fr. Angel Calvo.
Recalling the Millennium Goals, the Peace Week organisers call attention to the fact that the Philippines is one of those countries where the International Community is committed to eradicating poverty, guaranteeing primary education, authentic equality between men and women, reducing morality rate, fighting effectively AIDS, malaria and other lethal diseases and guaranteeing environmental sustainability by 2015. These goals are urgent in Mindanao where widespread poverty is a serious obstacle to social peace and harmony. (PA)(Agenzia Fides 7/11/2005 righe 25 parole 271)
