I would like to thank all our diocesan parishes, schools and hospitals that have remembered this year to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18 to 25). Some have shared pulpits with pastors of local Christian denominations and others have joined neighboring churches in conducting prayer services together.

The theme chosen of the year 2004 by the Vatican Office for Promoting Christian Unity and by the World Council of Churches (WCC) comes from the Gospel of John (Jn 14:23-31): “My peace I give you....not as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled.” Although there is much that still divides the Christian churches, our common prayer for peace in the world is an important step towards Christian unity. With nations in the world divided by war and terrorism, it becomes more and more necessary for Christians to be united in prayer for peace.

Popes over the past 50 years have constantly urged the nations to come together. In his 1963 Encyclical, “Pacem in Terris” (Peace on Earth), Pope John XXIII, declared that the “peace on earth, which all men of every era have most eagerly yearned for, can be firmly established and sustained only if the order laid down by God be dutifully observed.” He wrote that the warning words of Pope Pius XII continue to ring in his ears — namely: “Nothing is lost by peace; everything may be lost by war.”

If Pope John XXIII in 1963 encouraged all peoples to “give serious thought to the problem of achieving a more human adjustment of relations between states throughout the world,” this is even more important today. There are many Christian organizations which have taken seriously this concern for peace by dedicating the present decade (2000-2010) to the ideal of overcoming violence. The World Council of Churches and other ecumenical organizations met in Mumbai, India, January 16-21, 2004, to discuss resources available to overcome the proliferation of violence in society and to promote a lasting peace, built on justice.

Therefore, each of us has a duty to promote peace. In his January 1, 2004, “Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace,” Pope John Paul II exclaimed: “My words are addressed to you, the leaders of the nations, who have the duty of promoting peace! To you, Jurists, committed to tracing paths to peaceful agreement, preparing conventions and treaties which strengthen international legality! To you, Teachers of the young, who on all continents work tirelessly to form consciences in the ways of understanding and dialogue! And to you too, men and women tempted to turn to the unacceptable means of terrorism and thus compromise at its root the very cause for which you are fighting! All of you, hear the humble appeal of the Successor of Peter who cries out: today too, at the beginning of the New Year 2004, peace remains possible. And if peace is possible, it is also a duty!” (No. 1)

Efforts to promote peace go hand in hand with the urgency to root out terrorism. Pope John Paul II notes: “The scourge of terrorism has become more virulent in recent years and has produced brutal massacres which have in turn put even greater obstacles in the way of dialogue and negotiation, increasing tensions and aggravating problems, especially in the Middle East. Even so, if it is to be won, the fight against terrorism cannot be limited solely to repressive and punitive operations. It is essential that the use of force, even when necessary, be accompanied by a courageous and lucid analysis of the reasons behind terrorist attacks. The fight against terrorism... [includes] eliminating the underlying causes of situations of injustice which frequently drive people to more desperate and violent acts [and]...insisting on an education inspired by respect for human life in every situation...” (No. 8)

The peacemaker is one who also cultivates a spirit of forgiveness. Pope John Paul II explains: “For this reason I have often reminded Christians and all persons of good will that forgiveness is needed for solving the problems of individuals and peoples. There is no peace without forgiveness! I say it again here, as my thoughts turn in particular to the continuing crisis in Palestine and the Middle East: a solution to the grave problems which for too long have caused suffering for the peoples of those regions will not be found until a decision is made to transcend the logic of simple justice and to be open also to the logic of forgiveness.” (No. 10)

Following the lead of the popes, as well as that of other Christian church leaders, may we do as much as possible during this decade to foster joint efforts with our Christian sisters and brothers to achieve peace on earth. This common action at the same time promotes Christian unity.

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