EDITORIAL - Day of Peace

The first day of the year is also observed as a Day of Peace by Christendom. In many parts of the world, including certain areas in the Philippines, peace remains elusive. Armed conflict, violent crime and human cruelty inflict suffering on countless victims.

Holiday celebrations were cancelled or muted in areas such as Newtown, Connecticut, which is in mourning for 20 children and seven adults gunned down by a young man who later turned the gun on himself. In India, where women are marching in the streets to protest the gang-rape and death of a university student, New Year celebrations were toned down. Meanwhile, in strife-torn Syria, the year opened with the reported discovery of dozens of corpses that bear signs of torture. 

Across time zones, there was a lot of partying to ring in the New Year. Progress and prosperity are dividends of peace, and many countries now enjoy the benefits of a peaceful environment. But in many other places, millions of people continue to suffer the consequences of armed conflict and violence. Women, children and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

Cynics say humans are naturally predisposed to violence and warfare and world peace is an impossible dream. Even if there may be some basis for this dark view of the world, it is also true that the struggle to let goodness prevail is constant, and good often triumphs over bad. At the start of the year, it is good to reaffirm the commitment to do what can be done to end violence and make the world a more peaceful place.