ASIA/BANGLADESH - Christian leaders called to be "peacemakers" in society

Thursday, 10 October 2019 human rights peace civil society society

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Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) - Christian lay leaders are called to contribute to building peace in society. As Fides learns, this is what Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, Archbishop of Dhaka and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, said in the recent seminar held in the capital on "The role of Christian leaders to build peace". The seminar, organized by the Bishops' Commission for Laity, was attended by 66 Christian leaders, from eight Catholic dioceses.
"For us Christians, peace is a fundamental virtue. Peace is justice and human development. Peace can be achieved through forgiveness and reconciliation", said Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario.
"A human being is a being in relationship with God, with others, with creation, with the world".
The Archbishop of Dhaka recalled that the goal of social life is peace and then quoted the Gospel in which Jesus says "I leave peace, I give you my peace, not as the world gives it" and then: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God". The Cardinal noted that "helping to build peace is part of the Church's social teaching". "Christian leaders must leave anger and hatred and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ to promote peace in society, respecting every human being, promoting dialogue in conflict situations", he told the leaders present.
The President of the Bishops' Conference also recalled the evils existing in society such as "revenge, violence, terrorism and human rights violations" and stressed that, in this framework, "it is the task of lay Christians to participate in the life and mission of the Church, in particular by carrying out their special responsibility to build the Kingdom of God in the world, with the spirit of the Gospel". To this end it is important "to promote an adequate formation of the laity for catechetical, liturgical and sacramental teachings in works of mercy and in social ones", he concluded. (FC) (Agenzia Fides, 10/10/2019)