Dear readers, in a world that seems to be gone mad and where the “great” of the planet speak of war (perhaps with some contortions so as not to appoint the word), the risk is to give up resigned to this rhetoric, where beyond everything it is difficult to distinguish truth and lie (see the different statements on the atomic danger that would prove from Iran).
Therefore they come as a courageous, strong and clear complaint, the words of Leo XIV last June 26th. The Pope spoke of the “Diabolic vehemence” with which the violence of the war breaks down in the Middle East, of the humiliation of international and humanitarian law with the imposition of the “Law of the strongest”stating that “This is unworthy of man, it is shameful for humanity and for the managers of nations”.
He denounced, in no uncertain terms: “People can’t die because of fake news”. A clear reference to the statements on the possession of nuclear weapons by Iran supported by the government of the United States, but denied by the AIEA, the International Agency for Atomic Energy.
Pope Prevost He launched strongly against the illusion of solving problems with war: “How can you believe, after centuries of history, that the war actions bring peace and do not return against those who have led them?”.
In the angelus of the previous Sunday, June 22, he then denounced, with a lot of realism that “War does not solve problems, on the contrary amplifies them and produces deep wounds in the history of peoples, which employ generations to heal”.
I only reported a few excerpts of the passionate peroration (“The heart bleeds” He said, thinking of the countries devastated by the war) that Pope Leone is carrying out for the cause of peace.
Addressing the bishops of the churches of the Middle East, he asked them to “Raise your voice, roll up your sleeves to be a peace manufacturers”.
Rolling up the sleeves to be a peace manufacturers: It seems precisely the suitable slogan for the initiative of a part of the Catholic world, which advanced, on June 24, the proposal to establish a Ministry of Peace. Over 30 of ecclesial, civil and secular associations have joined over 30. Among others, the Catholic Action, promoter together with the ACLI, the Fratelli Tutti and the Pope John XXIII community Foundation.
Realism tells us that the proposal will hardly be welcomed, but it remains its great ideal value and the strength of its political provocation.
Laila Simoncellinational coordinator of the Ministry of Peace campaign, said a very interesting thing about it: “How come in our country we have structured the armed defense but there is no possibility for citizens who want, to form and hire in non -violent and non -armed popular defense?”.
In other words: Why does not peace have the same “rights” as war?
Simoncelli herself has mentioned a series of peace education initiatives that already exist in this sense in society, in the third sector and that are applied in some countries (Costa Rica, Nepal, Ethiopia) where it is the state that provides citizens with skills on peace.
Gandhi and his non -violent method always comes to mind. The Mahatma said that he inspired himself from the “revolutionary” words of Jesus in the speech of the mountain, to which Christians believed little. Yet the master, on that mountain, proclaimed Blessed “Peace operators”: those who make peace, implement it. Not those who promote and support the war.
(photo above: abaca/ansa)
