Pope cites peace efforts in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - As he addressed the diplomatic corps at Vatican City, Pope Francis cited that among the examples of dialogue that help “build bridges” is the recent peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The 78-year-old pope addressed members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See on Monday morning at Clementine Hall.

He said that there had been dialogues that were used to bridge differences, which included the recent development in the Philippines.

“I note with pleasure that last March an agreement was signed to end long years of tension in the Philippines,” Pope Francis said.

He also mentioned that change has come about in the relations between the United States and Cuba “to end a lack of communication which has endured for more than half a century, and to initiate a rapprochement for the benefit of their respective citizens.”

It was earlier reported that the Papal Nuncio (ambassador of the Holy See) Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto commended the peace agreement between the Aquino administration and the MILF and the Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao as well as the improved system of relief efforts in typhoon-hit areas.

During the vin d’honneur hosted by President Aquino at Malacañang, Pinto praised the government’s move to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the Bangsamoro political entity through a comprehensive peace agreement signed in March 2014.

Pope Francis, at that time, also announced that he was about to embark on a trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

“This evening I will have the joy of setting off once more for Asia, to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines as a sign of my interest and pastoral concern for the people of that vast continent,” he said.

“To them and to their governments I wish to voice yet again the desire of the Holy See to offer its own contribution of service to the common good, to harmony and social concord. In particular, I express my hope for a resumption of dialogue between the two Koreas, sister countries which speak the same language,” he added.

Pope Francis will visit the country on Jan. 15 to 19.

There is fervent hope that the papal visit this week would advance the attainment of peace and stability in the country, especially in Mindanao.

Sen. Loren Legarda is optimistic that Pope Francis would inspire Christians and Muslims alike and that his visit would breathe new life into the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

Legarda noted how Pope Francis values peace and inter-religious friendship apart from his concern for the environment and the impact of climate change.

“He actively promotes respect and solidarity among men and women of different religions and traditions as he believes that all of us are children of God,” she said.

She added that the ongoing peace talks, accompanied by a genuine dialogue between the government and the MILF, is a significant step in gaining the trust and faith of the Bangsamoro people and of the whole nation in the government’s efforts for peace and reconciliation.

According to Legarda, the issues of cultural and religious biases and prejudices, human rights violations, corruption, land conflict and poverty – the root causes of conflict in Mindanao – must be addressed to finally put an end to the longstanding conflict.

“We are immensely blessed to receive His Holiness. I believe that he will open the minds of both Christians and Muslims and bring Filipinos of different religions and cultures closer together,” she said.

In his 2013 apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis noted that the Church’s relationship with the followers of Islam has become of great importance, since they are now significantly present in many traditionally Christian countries, where they can freely worship and become fully a part of society.

The senator also said she looks forward to the papal visit since the pope has been very vocal about the need to act against environmental degradation and climate change.

“I look forward to the statements of Pope Francis about climate change and how it affects the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of society,” she said, adding that the pope’s visit to the Philippines, especially Tacloban which was greatly devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, signifies his concern for Filipinos and the survivors of the typhoon.  – With Christina Mendez