Sustaining the Gains of Peace

The Diocese of Mati Celebrated the 2024 Mindanao Week of Peace emphasizing the critical importance of sustaining the progress achieved through years of peacebuilding efforts. To build on these gains, actionable initiatives that foster understanding and collaboration across religions and cultures were proposed, highlighting the shared commitment to justice, harmony, and solidarity.

Proposed Actions to Strengthen Peace

1. Prayer for Peace
   Incorporating a dedicated Prayer for Peace during the Holy Eucharist, similar to the Prayer for Vocations, serves as a unifying spiritual act. This encourages communities to consistently pray for harmony and goodwill in Mindanao.
2. Games for Peace
   Engaging Christian youth and youth from other religions and cultures in inclusive games promotes camaraderie, breaks down barriers, and nurtures friendships across faiths.
3. Civic Interactions
   Encouraging collaborations between various sectors of society through civic actions fosters a sense of shared responsibility for peace and progress.
4. Symposium on Peace
   Hosting symposia with religious leaders from different beliefs and cultures as resource persons provides a platform for meaningful dialogue. These gatherings strengthen mutual respect and deepen the understanding of diverse perspectives.
5. Integration of Peace in Homilies
   By integrating messages of peace into homilies, clergy can emphasize its relevance in daily life, inspiring congregations to embody these values.
6. Dialogue of Life
   Promoting peaceful co-existence through everyday interactions demonstrates that peace is not merely a concept but a lived reality.

Localizing Peace Efforts

Sustaining peace at the grassroots level is vital. Advocacy from ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue (IRD) groups can be strengthened by appointing link persons to facilitate dialogue within local communities, such as the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK). These efforts ensure that peace is not confined to large conferences but thrives in neighborhoods and parishes.

Moving Forward

As the declaration from the Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference on Oct. 8-9 reminds us, “Peace that is based on justice is our duty and obligation.” By implementing these courses of action, the commitment to peace, solidarity, and sustainable development can be woven into the fabric of daily life, creating a Mindanao where understanding and collaboration flourish.

This comprehensive plan reflects the shared responsibility of all sectors to nurture and sustain the gains of peace. Let us continue to choose peace in our actions and decisions, ensuring a brighter, more harmonious future for generations to come.

(Note: This article is based on the report of Fr. Nestor Morata presented during the 4th Quarterly DADITAMA Meeting on December 5, 2024.)