Justice and Peace through Dialogue

Justice and Peace through Dialogues                                           

Eliseo “Jun”. Mercado, OMI            

Badaliyya – Philippines

                                                                                                                                               

The advances in Science and Technology and the leveling of frontiers and boundaries have all contributed to a greater awareness of the pluralism of faiths, culture and peoples not only in the world but also in our own community.

Yes, we live amid many and diverse faiths, cultures and peoples. The usual prevailing relationship and culture is one of EXCLUSIVISM and SELF-CENTRISM.   And there are times, our many and different faiths, politic s and cultures lead to HOSTILITY.

 Yet, our traditions and the MESSADE of our faiths tell us that albeit our many differences, we need not be hostile or indifferent to each other.  In fact, these diversities invite us to make a shift in our paradigm from hostility to partnership; from indifference to involvement; and from being closed to being opened to one another.

This relational paradigm teaches us that notwithstanding the differences and diversities we all live together on this planet, in fact, on this piece of land.  The bottom line is the affirmation that we are together in the journey through life.  For better or worse, we are neighbors and we hope and believe that as neighbors, we can be partners in building not only of a better world but more so of a friendlier community where you and I, and our children live as brothers and sisters.

·      The first step is to take our pluralism seriously.  We need to discover each other in our diversities… and discover, too, that our differences enrich us not only as believers but also as human beings and citizens of this community and planet.  By doing so, we, also, discover that notwithstanding our differences, there is that KINDREDNESS amid our MANY DIVERSITIES.

·      Second is to be open to meet each other with respect - learning not only from each other but more so to be able live with each other in HARMONY. Yes, our willingness to accept, to trust each other and to live together as common stakeholders for the good of our community..

·      Third is our commitment to our common humanity - recognizing and respecting the rights and dignity of every person regardless of faith, gender, culture and color within our society/community.

The basis of this commitment is our belief that all peoples even though they belong to different religions, nations and ethnic tribes - all form ONE human family, created by the ONE and same God, living in the same world/community, and destined for a common end.

Quoting from the Holy Book (the Qur’an):

“If God had willed, He would have made you one nation; but that He may try you in what has come to you. So be you forward in good works; unto God shall you return all together; and He will tell you of that whereon you were at variance.” (Sura 5: 48)

In inter-religious relations there is one WORD that can describe our efforts and endeavors – TRUST! Trust is NOT a universal element in human relations.  It has to be slowly, patiently and sometimes painfully built through time.

In conclusion, I take a portion of St. JP II’s address at Casablanca Morocco on 18 August 1985.

                        “People do not accept their differences.

                         They do not know each other sufficiently.

                         They reject those who have not the same civilization.

                         They refuse to help each other.

                         They are unable to free themselves from egoism and from self-conceit.

                         But God created all equal in dignity,

                         Though different with regard to gifts and talents,

                         Mankind is a whole where each one has his/her part to play.

                         The worth of the various peoples and of the diverse cultures must be

                         recognized.

                         The world is as it were a living organism.

                         Each one has something to receive from the others and has something        

                         to give to them.”                                           

St. John Paul II’s Address in Syria in May 2001 reiterates the Church’s commitment to dialogue. “It is my ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our two great religious communities as COMMUNITIES IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, NEVER MORE AS COMMUNITIES IN CONFLICT”. It is crucial for the young to be taught the ways of respect and understanding, so that they will not be led to misuse religion itself to promote or justify hatred and violence.  Violence destroys the image of the Creator in his creatures, and should never be considered as the fruit of religious conviction.”

“Better mutual understanding will surely lead to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each other’s religious beliefs at the practical level, to a new way of presenting our two religions NOT IN OPPOSITION, as it happened too often in the past, BUT IN PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOOD OF THE HUMAN FAMILY.”

 “Many serious obstacles remain, yet the first step towards peace must be a steadfast conviction that a SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE PARAMETER OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS. I appeal once more to all the peoples involved and to their political leader, to recognize that confrontation has failed and will always fail.  Only a just peace can bring the conditions needed for the economic, cultural and social development to which the people of the region have a right."