Pope Francis on peace

As we begin Holy Week, it is hard to believe that Pope Francis was in our midst only two and a half months ago. After record crowds lined the streets of Metro Manila and Leyte to see him even for a few seconds, many thought that this was the beginning of a spiritual renaissance of the Filipino people. When six million people attended the Luneta mass, it was said that perhaps God would hear our prayers for a united, prosperous and peaceful nation.

Politicians and media commentators talked about how their hearts were touched by the mere presence of Pope Francis. The clergy vowed that they would lead the way in practicing humility and making the poor their primary concern.

After only two and a half months, except for a few leftover posters, where are the “after effects” of the Papal Visit? Over the airwaves and in the halls of the Senate and Congress, the commentators and politicians are back to their traditional messages via verbal attacks and destructive criticism.

Instead of preaching peace and reconciliation, we now hear demands for all-out war. Our political leaders believe that their primary role is to demand retribution for the incident at Mamasapano. Now they are holding the Bangsamoro Basic Law as hostage to their demands to punish the participants.

The clergy was supposed to lead the way. But some bishops have allowed their offices to be used to agitate and further divide the people. And what of humility? I have been asked to buy raffle tickets for parishes planning to air-condition their parish churches. I wonder what Pope Francis would say about air-conditioned churches in the midst of poverty?

In his Apostolic Exhortations, I have quoted from Pope Francis several paragraphs that might serve as messages that we, as a people, can reflect upon this Holy Week. I begin with his message that every Christian has a duty to be a peacemaker. Today, those who advocate peace are being accused of being traitors or weaklings.

Pope Francis on peace

“The Church proclaims the “Gospel of peace” and she wishes to cooperate with all national and international authorities in safeguarding this immense universal good. By preaching Jesus Christ, who is himself peace, the new evangelization calls on every baptized person to be a peacemaker and a credible witness to a reconciled life. In a culture which privileges dialogue as a form of encounter, it is time to devise a means for building consensus and agreement while seeking the goal of a just, responsive and inclusive society.”

Pope Francis on interreligious dialogue

“An attitude of openness in truth and in love must characterize the dialogue with the followers of non-Christian religions, in spite of various obstacles and difficulties, especially forms of fundamentalism on both sides. Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and so it is a duty for Christians as well as other religious communities... In this way we learn to accept others and their different ways of living, thinking and speaking. We can then join one another in taking up the duty of serving justice and peace, which should become a basic principle of all our exchanges.”  

Pope Francis on Islam

“Our relationship with the followers of Islam has taken on 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. We must never forget that they “profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, who will judge humanity on the last day.” The sacred writings of Islam have retained some Christian teachings; Jesus and Mary receive profound veneration and is administered to see how Muslims both young and old, men and women, make time for daily prayer and faithfully take part in religious services.

In order to sustain dialogue with Islam, suitable training is essential for all involved, not only so that they can be solidly and joyfully grounded in their own identity, but so that they can also acknowledge the value of others, appreciate the concerns underlying their demands, and shed light on shared beliefs. We Christians should embrace with affection and respect immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope and ask to be received in countries of Islamic tradition. I ask and I humbly entreat those countries to grant Christians freedom to worship and to practice their faith, in light of freedom which followers of Islam enjoy in Western countries.

Faced with disconcerting episodes of violent fundamentalism, our respect for true followers of Islam should lead us to avoid hateful generalisations, for authentic Islam and the proper reading of Koran are opposed to every form of violence.”

No to warring among ourselves

“‘Our world is being torn apart by wars and violence...Those wounded by historical divisions  find it difficult to accept our invitation to forgiveness and reconciliation, since they think that we are ignoring their pain or asking them to give up memory and ideals “

Pope Francis has a message that will take more courage and idealism than simply advocating all out war. He says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Let us hope that the exhortations of Pope Francis will help us find peace for all the Filipino people that will last forever.

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