Care for the Planet, Justice and Peace through Dialogues
Eliseo “Jun”. Mercado,
OMI
#Badaliyya-Philippines
The advances in Science and Technology
and the leveling of frontiers and boundaries have all contributed to a greater
awareness of the pluralism of faiths, culture and peoples not only in the world
but also in our own community.
Yes, we live amid many and
diverse faiths, cultures and peoples. The usual prevailing relationship and
culture is one of EXCLUSIVISM and SELF-CENTRISM. And there are times, our many and different
faiths, politics and cultures lead to HOSTILITY.
Yet, our traditions and the MESSAGE of our
faiths tell us that albeit our many differences, we need not be hostile or
indifferent to each other. In fact,
these diversities invite us to make a shift in our paradigm from hostility to
partnership; from indifference to involvement; and from being closed to being
opened to one another.
This relational paradigm teaches us that
notwithstanding the differences and diversities we all live together on this
planet, in fact, on this piece of land.
The bottom line is the affirmation that we are together in the journey
through life. For better or worse, we
are neighbors and we hope and believe that as neighbors, we can be partners in
building not only of a better world but more so of a friendlier community where
you and I, and our children live as brothers and sisters.
·
The first step is to take our pluralism
seriously. We need to discover each
other in our diversities and discover, too, that our differences enrich us not
only as believers but also as human beings and citizens of this community and
planet. By doing so, we, also, discover
that notwithstanding our differences, there is that KINDREDNESS amid our MANY
DIVERSITIES.
·
Second is to be open to meet each other with respect
- learning not only from each other but more so to be able live with each other
in HARMONY. Yes, our willingness to accept, to trust each other and to live
together as common stakeholders for the good of our community.
·
Third is our commitment to our common humanity -
recognizing and respecting the rights and dignity of every person regardless of
faith, gender, culture and color within our society/community.
The basis of this commitment
is our belief that all peoples even though they belong to different religions,
nations and ethnic tribes - all form ONE human family, created by the ONE and
same God, living in the same world/community, and destined for a common end.
Quoting from the Holy Book (the
Qur’an):
“If God had willed, He would have made you one
nation; but that He may try you in what has come to you. So be you forward in
good works; unto God shall you return all together; and He will tell you of
that whereon you were at variance.” (Sura 5: 48)
In inter-religious relations
there is one WORD that can describe our efforts and endeavors – TRUST! Trust is
NOT a universal element in human relations.
It has to be slowly, patiently and sometimes painfully built through
time.
In conclusion, I take a
portion of St. JP II’s address at Casablanca Morocco on 18 August 1985.
“People do not accept their differences.
They
do not know each other sufficiently.
They
reject those who have not the same civilization.
They
refuse to help each other.
They
are unable to free themselves from egoism and from self-conceit.
But
God created all equal in dignity,
Though
different with regard to gifts and talents,
Mankind is a whole where each one has his/her
part to play.
The
worth of the various peoples and of the diverse cultures must be
recognized.
The
world is as it were a living organism.
Each
one has something to receive from the others and has something
to give to them.”
St. John Paul II’s Address
in Syria in May 2001 reiterates the Church’s commitment to dialogue. “It is my
ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will
present our two great religious communities as COMMUNITIES IN RESPECTFUL
DIALOGUE, NEVER MORE AS COMMUNITIES IN CONFLICT”. It is crucial for the young
to be taught the ways of respect and understanding, so that they will not be
led to misuse religion itself to promote or justify hatred and violence. Violence destroys the image of the Creator in
his creatures, and should never be considered as the fruit of religious
conviction.”
“Better mutual understanding
will surely lead to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each
other’s religious beliefs at the practical level, to a new way of presenting
our two religions NOT IN OPPOSITION, as it happened too often in the past, BUT
IN PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOOD OF THE HUMAN FAMILY.”
“Many serious obstacles remain, yet the first
step towards peace must be a steadfast conviction that a SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE
WITHIN THE PARAMETER OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS. I appeal once more to all the peoples involved and to their political
leader, to recognize that confrontation has failed and will always fail. Only a just peace can bring the conditions
needed for the economic, cultural and social development to which the people of
the region have a right."
