Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jolo (Agenzia Fides) - Following the assassination of a brother, speaking of peace and reconciliation seems difficult. However, in South Philippines, missionaries continue to preach the Gospel of love and mercy, even in the midst of the most complicated and violent situations. Fr. Jose Ante, OMI missionary, in a message sent to Fides, sent out a strong call for peace on the island of Jolo, and in the Sulu Islands, following the death of Fr. Reynaldo Roda, assasinated in Tawi-tawi (see Fides 16/1/2008).
Fr. Ante has lived in Jolo for a few years and knows the social, cultural, and religious “humus.” His words on dialogue and reconciliation have true impact on the people: “Our dream for Jolo is one without violence, that each person can adore God in spirit and truth. I think of the description from the prophet Isaiah: the peoples and nations, ‘shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again’(Is. 2:4-5).” But, firstly, the missionary says, “It is necessary that we make the step to establishing God as Lord of our own life; as well, it is important to build bridges between people of different faiths, between rich and poor, between the government and the civil society, between the rebels and the army. In other words, we need to begin dialogue and continue on the path of reconciliation. Only with a constant effort in this direction, will peace become a reality.”
The effort that is needed is in the unification of the Christian and Muslim communities: “I have seen a group of ‘tausug’ (local Muslim ethnic group), of successful businessmen and professionals, who have chosen to work for the development and progress of the people in the Sulu Islands. This is a good sign. They want to construct a peaceful society in which no one is left without their basic needs, nor medical assistance, electricity, and the possibility of expressing their own culture and religion.” According to Fr. Ante, it is of utmost importance that initiatives of this kind be supported: “This, together with the religious community, could be the determining and significant factors in the building of a peaceful and harmonious society.”
In this process, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate offer a concrete presence in the Sulu Islands, where they have been for over 70 years, evangelising and working for the good of the local people. The missionaries run schools and other educational institutions, centres for medical and social assistance, as well as other centres for professional formation. (PA) (Agencia Fides 21/2/2008; righe 34, parole 430)
