The Truth of Peace

THESE DAYS, the media deal us a daily staple diet of doom and gloom from Iraq, the war-torn country where, so far, 30,000 Iraqis have died. The real human cost, of course, is far greater, and it includes 2,200 US soldiers, 198 members of the coalition, almost 300 private contractors, 73 journalists and the 15,220 Americans who have been wounded.
These tragic figures should not, however, make us forget the awful fact that our globe is blighted with numerous other wars, which every day claim hundreds of lives. Most of these conflicts, which no longer make the headlines, are the after-effects of clashes which were theoretically resolved long ago, but in reality have left behind a trail of unresolved ethnic, religious or social disputes and an entrenched legacy of hatred and revenge. Besides Iraq there are 22 other countries spread out over the 5 continents, which are currently battlegrounds of forgotten wars. However different these conflicts may be, they all have one thing in common: a shocking death toll which shows no sign of abating.
Our world is in a desperate need of peace, but this blessing cannot rain down on us like a heavenly manna unless we work strenuously and constantly to plant and nurture the seeds of peace. Such a precious, but fragile, plant must be cultivated, it does not grow by itself.
The Church and her Popes have, throughout the last century, always had a deep conviction that war was always, and without exception, a 'useless slaughter', and an 'adventure without return'. In one very interesting consideration, John Paul II pointed out that peace is obtained through forgiveness and justice.
Benedict XVI, in his message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, delivered on January 1, 2006, invited us to see the problem of the lack of peace in our world from yet another angle, by pointing to the connection between peace and truth: truth brings peace, whereas the opposite places obstacles in the way of peace.
'At the very beginning of history,' Benedict XVI said in his message, we find 'the father of lies', to whom is linked 'the tragedy of sin and its perverse consequences, which have had, and continue to have, devastating effects on the lives of individuals and nations. We need but think,' the Pope continued, 'of the events of the past century, when aberrant ideological and political systems wilfully twisted the truth and brought about the exploitation and murder of an appalling number of men and women, wiping out entire families and communities.'
In the message Benedict gave a 'rogue's gallery' of the lies of our times, and expressed serious concern because they constitute 'the framework for menacing scenarios of death in many parts of the world'.
'Nowadays,' the Pope here dwelt on the lie behind terrorism, 'the truth of peace continues to be dramatically compromised and rejected by terrorism, whose criminal threats' are 'often the fruit of a tragic and disturbing nihilism'.
There is also another lie circulating in our time: fanatical fundamentalism. This lie tries to impose on others by violent means what one considers to be the truth.
The ominous gallery does not end here, however. We also have the untruth believed by 'those governments which count on nuclear arms as a means of ensuring the security of their countries', but in a nuclear war, Benedict reminded us, 'there would be no victors, only victims'. With dismay, the pontiff then forcefully decried the 'continuing growth in military expenditure and the flourishing arms trade'.
Another rogue is the idea that peace can be defined as 'the simple absence of armed conflict'. In reality, Benedict pointed out, peace is 'the fruit of an order which has been planted in human society by its divine Founder', an order which must be brought about by humanity in an incessant search for truth, justice freedom and love.
Benedict also dwelt on the lack of peace in human relationships, and affirmed that we must all work 'to prevent any form of untruth from poisoning relationships'. All people are members of one and the same family. 'The truth of peace calls upon everyone to cultivate productive and sincere relationships; it encourages them to seek out and to follow the paths of forgiveness and reconciliation, to be transparent in their dealings with others, and to be faithful to their word'.
The Pope then recalled some 'reassuring signs', such as the 'decrease in the number of armed conflicts', and reaffirmed his support and confidence in the work of the United Nations, calling for 'the institutional and operative renewal which would enable it to respond to the changed needs of the present time, characterized by the vast phenomenon of globalization'.
Benedict also made a strong appeal to all believers in Christ to 'become convincing witnesses of the God who is inseparably truth and love, placing themselves at the service of peace in broad cooperation with other Christians, the followers of other religions, and with all men and women of good will' because 'Jesus is the truth which gives us peace'.