Promoting peace is everyone’s vocation, pope says

(Photo: Alan Holdren/CNA)

IN a globalized world marked by contrasting viewpoints, tension and conflicts, the peacemaking efforts done by many is a proof to humanity’s inherent vocation to peace, according to Pope Benedict XVI.

In a message marking the 46^th World Day of Peace on January 1, the Holy Father said the desire for peace “is an essential aspiration” for every person “which coincides in a certain way with the desire for a full, happy and successful human life.”

Titled “Blessed are the Peacemakers”, the papal message reflected on various aspects affecting human existence such as integral human development, religious freedom,  respect for life and family, people’s right to work and food security for all.

“Our times,” he said, “marked by globalization with its positive and negative aspects, as well as the continuation of violent conflicts and threats of war, demand a new, shared commitment in pursuit of the common good and the development of all men, and of the whole man.”

 
He noted the gaping inequality between the rich and the poor, selfish and individualistic mindset among capitalists, terrorism and religious fundamentalism, as some causes of conflicts in the world.

                                                               

But the pope also acknowledged the various peacemaking efforts being done worldwide by many people in the name of peace.

He said “the desire for peace corresponds to a fundamental moral principle, namely, the duty and right to an integral social and communitarian development, which is part of God’s plan for mankind.”

“Man is made for the peace which is God’s gift,” the pope said. Although the “attainment of peace depends above all on recognizing that we are, in God, one human family.”

“Peace is not a dream or something utopian; it is possible. Our gaze needs to go deeper, beneath superficial appearances and phenomena, to discern a positive reality which exists in human hearts, since every man and woman has been created in the image of God and is called to grow and contribute to the building of a new world,” he said.

The pope furthers, “the peacemaker, according to Jesus’ beatitude, is the one who seeks the good of the other, the fullness of good in body and soul, today and tomorrow.”

Defend life in its fullness          

Peacemakers are also defender of life in all its stages, as anyone who loves peace cannot allow crimes be committed against life, said the pontiff.

He said no one can propose peace or bring about the integral development of people and environment “without defending the life of those who are weakest, beginning with the unborn.”

“Every offence against life, especially at its beginning, inevitably causes irreparable damage to development, peace and the environment,” he said.

The Holy Father also pointed out that recognizing the right of people “to invoke the principle of conscientious objection in the face of laws or government measures that offend against human dignity, such as abortion and euthanasia,” is another way of attaining peace.

New model

The pope also called for a new model of development in economy where people are given more importance over profit.

“The predominant model of recent decades called for seeking maximum profit and consumption, on the basis of an individualistic and selfish mindset, aimed at considering individuals solely in terms of their ability to meet the demands of competitiveness,” he said.

 But the pope stated, “true and lasting success is attained through the gift of ourselves, our intellectual abilities and our entrepreneurial skills, since a “liveable” or truly human economic development requires the principle of gratuitousness as an expression of fraternity and the logic of gift.”

“Concretely, in economic activity, peacemakers are those who establish bonds of fairness and reciprocity with their colleagues, workers, clients and consumers. They engage in economic activity for the sake of the common good and they experience this commitment as something transcending their self-interest, for the benefit of present and future generations. Thus they work not only for themselves, but also to ensure for others a future and a dignified employment,” he furthered.

Citing the problem of food scarcity, Pope Benedict said it is also one concern that peacemakers must focus on.

He said the issue of food security, which is again part of the international political agenda, has come about because of interrelated problems, “including sudden shifts in the price of basic foodstuffs, irresponsible behaviour by some economic actors and insufficient control on the part of governments and the international community.”  

“To face this crisis, peacemakers are called to work together in a spirit of solidarity, from the local to the international level, with the aim of enabling farmers, especially in small rural holdings, to carry out their activity in a dignified and sustainable way from the social, environmental and economic points of view, “ he said.

Promoting family, social justice and education

Peacemakers are also called to promote the good of the family, to work for social justice and commit themselves to effective social education, said the pope.

The Holy Father stressed the decisive role of the family in all aspects of societal life.

He cited its “natural vocation to promote life: it accompanies individuals as they mature and it encourages mutual growth and enrichment through caring and sharing.”

The pope said parents possess the right and the primary role of educating their children in the area of morality and religion, and such must be protected.

“It is in the family that peacemakers, tomorrow’s promoters of a culture of life and love, are born and nurtured,” he said.

The pontiff also cited the role of the religious communities in the mission of education for peace.

He also mentioned cultural institutions, schools and universities as being called to contribute in the formation of new generation of leaders and the renewal of public institutions, both national and international.

The pope likewise stated the need to promote a pedagogy for peace.

“Acts of peacemaking converge for the achievement of the common good; they create interest in peace and cultivate peace. Thoughts, words and gestures of peace create a mentality and a culture of peace, and a respectful, honest and cordial atmosphere,” he said.

The pontiff said “there is a need, then, to teach people to love one another, to cultivate peace and to live with good will rather than mere tolerance.”

A fundamental encouragement to this is “to say no to revenge, to recognize injustices, to accept apologies without looking for them, and finally, to forgive”, in such a way that mistakes and offences can be acknowledged in truth, so as to move forward together towards reconciliation, he said. (CBCPNews)