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PRAYING AND WORKING FOR
PEACE
Rome, March 2003
By Aquilino Bocos Merino, CMF. Superior General
The news of the possibility of an imminent war with Iraq,
presumably involving many countries, is producing fear and
insecurity. The scope of death  is
widening. There are already too many victims in wars both
open and covert. It is enough to look at a map of the world
to see how many countries are suffering the horrors of war:
the injury and death of innocent people, families destroyed,
displaced, homeless, disease, hunger, etc. Now, in an armed
conflict with Iraq, the negative effects would increase immeasurably.
The culture of violence and warring conflicts do not arise
not only for economic reasons, but often also prevail over
the life and dignity of people.
Throughout the world there have been many statements and many
demonstrations for peace, specifically against this war that
can and should be avoided. John Paul II is giving an example
of intrepidness and constancy in his peace-making mission.
And yet, the Psalmist's lament keeps on resounding: "When
I say: Peace, they say: War" (Ps. 119:7), along with
that of Jeremiah: "They calm my people with false assurances,
saying Peace, peace! When there is no peace" (Jr. 6:
14).
We are convinced that it is not enough to say "No war".
We need to move beyond the matters covered in negotiations
and treaties, to real disarmament and the destruction of the
arms themselves. We need to continue asking for and working
for peace, which is both a gift and a task. We receive it
as a gift and we build it through our efforts. We encourage
prayer to Mary for that peace that world cannot give. Let
us cultivate and spread the spirituality of peace and let
us educate for peace.
The Secretariat for Justice and Peace has been raising consciousness
on this point. Many members of the Claretian Family have been
engaged in actions on behalf of peace. We cannot content ourselves
with being peaceful. We must be creative architects of peace.
Building peace is the very heart of our prophetic mission.
As we join the chorus of those clamoring for peace, we do
so as Christians, as missionaries, who seek to make effective
the universal fellowship of the children of God. A few discover
in Jesus the gift of peace and the way to maintain it. Disarmament
is considered of little value if one does not recognize the
inheritance Jesus gave us as He returned to the Father: "I
leave you peace, my peace I give you" (Jn. 14:27). What
did Jesus do in his life except bring about the Kingdom, inaugurate
the proper relationship between people and their neighbors
and between people and their God? In Jesus "justice and
peace embrace" (Ps. 85:11).
The path of peace, of hamony and solidarity is long an difficult.
It involves conversion, openness to differing values, dialogue,
mutual respect and compassion, which cannot grow as long as
self-interest, prejudice, hatred, resentments and political
and religious fanaticism are fostered.
"As long as poverty exists, the rich will have no peace".
This is the way World Bank President James Wolfensohn put
it when he analyzed what happened on 11 September. And he
added: "If we do not reach out to those who are living
in poverty and if we do not create a more equitable distribution
of wealth, there will be no peace". This is sound advice
for all who seek peace.
Aquilino Bocos Merino, CMF.
Superior General
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