THE ROAD TO PEACE

The ... road to peace ... is to see others not as enemies to be opposed but as brothers and sisters to be embraced. This entails an ongoing process which may never be considered fully completed.

"GIVING PRIORITY"

Building peace calls for giving priority to actions which generate new processes in society and engage other persons and groups who can then develop them to the point where they bear fruit in significant historical events.

"RECONCILIATION OF HEARTS"

What is called for is a constant work of humanization, for "it is not enough to contain wars, to suspend conflicts... An imposed peace, a utilitarian and provisional peace is not enough. Progress must be made towards a peace which is love, free and fraternal, founded that is on a reconciliation of hearts. (Pope Paul VI)

"EDUCATING TO PEACE"

Achieving the good of peace, first calls for educating to peace, banishing a culture of conflict aimed at fear of others, marginalizing those who think or live differently than ourselves.

CONFLICT MUST BE FACED

It is true that conflict cannot be ignored or concealed; it has to be faced. But if it paralyzes us, we lose perspective, our horizons shrink and we grasp only a part of reality. When we fail to move forward in a situation of conflict, we lose our sense of the profound unity of reality, we halt history and we become enmeshed in useless disputes.

"A GIFT OF GOD"

In the Christian vision, peace is at once a gift of God and the fruit of free and reasonable human acts aimed at pursuing the common good in truth and love."This rational and moral order is based on a conscientious decision by men and women to seek harmony in their mutual relationships, with respect for justice for everyone." (Pope John Paul II)

"THE CHRISTIAN VISION"

In the Christian vision, faith and reason, religion and society, are called to enlighten and support one another, and whenever necessary, to purify one another from ideological extremes.

"SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL"

... Culture is always born of reciprocal encounter which seeks to stimulate the intellectual riches and creativity of those who take part in it; this is not only a good in itself, it is also something beautiful.

(Source: Address to Council of Europe, 11/25/14, Strasbourg, France)