Seeds

of

Peace

October to December 2024   –   no 25   2024/4

Sometimes everything begins
with deep listening,
which allows one to understand
and open up to the other,
establishing a dialogue
that goes beyond any attempt
at polarization or opposition.
And so sparks of peace are created!

EDITORIAL

Is Peace Possible?

Maria do Sameiro Freitas

IGINO GIORDANI

The most powerful peacekeeping center

“The Papacy, especially since Pope Pius X, has been the most powerful peacekeeping center for peace.”, wrote the Servant of God, Igino Giordani, in 1964 during the Cold War era. His analysis of John XXIII’s encyclical, Pacem in Terris, was astute and tragically timely. This excerpt is taken from: I. Giordani, Disarmament, war and hunger.

IGINO GIORDANI

The most powerful peacekeeping center

“The Papacy, especially since Pope Pius X, has been the most powerful peacekeeping center for peace.”, wrote the Servant of God, Igino Giordani, in 1964 during the Cold War era. His analysis of John XXIII’s encyclical, Pacem in Terris, was astute and tragically timely. This excerpt is taken from: I. Giordani, Disarmament, war and hunger.

POPE FRANCIS

The cry of Peace

On October 25, 2022, a few months after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis addressed Christian leaders and the leaders of world religions gathered at the Colosseum in Rome for the annual International Meeting of Prayer for Peace promoted by the Community of St. Egidio. We offer here his talk in its entirety.

MARGARET
KARRAM

Building
fraternity
bit by bit

As an Arab Christian born in Haifa, Focolare president Margaret Karram developed a strong sensitivity to dialogue from a young age and is guided by the conviction that peace must be built by everyone, day by day.

POPE FRANCIS

The cry of Peace

On October 25, 2022, a few months after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis addressed Christian leaders and the leaders of world religions gathered at the Colosseum in Rome for the annual International Meeting of Prayer for Peace promoted by the Community of St. Egidio. We offer here his talk in its entirety.

MARGARET KARRAM

Building fraternity
bit by bit

As an Arab Christian born in Haifa, Focolare president Margaret Karram developed a strong sensitivity to dialogue from a young age and is guided by the conviction that peace must be built by everyone, day by day.

VINCENZO BUONOMO

Conflict as a cure?

Why are international relations in crisis? New paths are needed, and everyone must embark upon this journey. This is an excerpt from a talk given at the 2024 Together for Humanity Conference in Castelgandolfo, Italy1. Vincenzo Buonomo is Professor of International Law and International Organization at the Pontifical Lateran University, and a professor of European Union Law. 
Vincenzo Buonomo

VINCENZO BUONOMO

Conflict as a cure?

Why are international relations in crisis? New paths are needed, and everyone must embark upon this journey. This is an excerpt from a talk given at the 2024 Together for Humanity Conference in Castelgandolfo, Italy1. Vincenzo Buonomo is Professor of International Law and International Organization at the Pontifical Lateran University, and a professor of European Union Law. 

MARIA TREU

The Drop

Maria Treu tells her experience of being involved in reaching out to migrants who had arrived in Italy. The love she shows is maybe like a small drop in the ocean but it counts.

JUAN JOSÉ MADEIROS

Together for Mexico

Mexico today faces what is probably the worst situation of violence in its modern history. The crisis transcends every sphere of life. This reality has forced the country to reflect on its cultural dimension and its impact on the country’s Mexican identity.

FABIO PETITIO

Religious Collaboration:
Seeds of Peace

Fabio Petito is Professor of Religion and International Affairs, and Professor International Relations at the School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex in Great Britain. He is also the founding director of the Freedom of Religion or Belief & Foreign Policy Initiative at the same university. Below is an excerpt from his talk given during the 2024 One Human Family Interreligious Conference in Castelgandolfo (Rome), Italy.

CHIARA LUBICH

Religions
partnering
towards
peace

This life of mutual love and unity gives great joy to those who practice it. However, it calls for commitment, daily practice and sacrifice. And this is where one particular word in the language of Christians shines forth in all its brilliance and power. That word is the cross.

RUSSELL PEARCE

Bringing Hope

Fordham University (USA) law professor Russell Pearce conducted interviews with two organizations that promote dialogue and peace between Israelis and Palestinians: Combatants for Peace and Parents Circle to understand how members were able to maintain their reciprocal and loving relationships in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza.  

Russell Pearce - sustainable dialogue and peace netween Israelis and Palestinians

MATTEO REBECCHI sx

Unity in diversity

Matteo Rebecchi, an Italian Xaverian missionary now living in the Philippines, carried out his mission in Indonesia from 1999 to 2017, first in the Mentawai Islands and then in the formation of young Xaverians in Jakarta. It was in Indonesia, in that context, that his interest in working for interreligious dialogue developed and deepened.

MATTEO REBECCHI sx

Unity in diversity

Matteo Rebecchi, an Italian Xaverian missionary now living in the Philippines, carried out his mission in Indonesia from 1999 to 2017, first in the Mentawai Islands and then in the formation of young Xaverians in Jakarta. It was in Indonesia, in that context, that his interest in working for interreligious dialogue developed and deepened.

GIULIA IOTTI and ROBERTO RUINI

The life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Clarity and Coherence

For the German pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the encounter with the Gospel in the context of 20th century totalitarian regimes oriented his life choices in favor of a world at peace. Giulia Iotti is director of the Theological Library of Reggio Emilia and Roberto Ruini is a graduate in interfaith theology of the Pontifical Lateran University.

GIULIA IOTTI and ROBERTO RUINI

The life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Clarity and Coherence

For the German pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the encounter with the Gospel in the context of 20th century totalitarian regimes oriented his life choices in favor of a world at peace. Giulia Iotti is director of the Theological Library of Reggio Emilia and Roberto Ruini is a graduate in interfaith theology of the Pontifical Lateran University.

INNOCENT THIBAULT
NDORERAHO

Jean Louis
Nahimana

Witness of unity and reconciliation
in Burundi

Jean Louis Nahimana, a 57 yr. old priest from the African country of Burundi, died on January 7, 2021. He had been president of the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation for four years and was esteemed by everyone during his life. 

MGR BRENDAN LEAHY

Ecumenism and
Synodality

The Bishop of Limerick (Ireland) gives encouraging reflections from the Synod Assembly on the understanding of the  relationship between ecumenism and synodality.

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