“What does dialogue entail?”
Since the dawn of history, the human race has advanced by leaps and bounds. We would think that these advancements would bring peace, serenity and contentment. But no, on the contrary, external conflict and inner turmoil have truly escalated and continue to escalate, perpetually plagued by a vexatious spirit. It is as if we are a generation that exists for the sole purpose of trudging along the path of discord, violence and pain. True, our forefathers had gone through tumultuous episodes of conflict like the First and the Second World Wars. But never before has humankind encountered a confluence of existential threats and ferment as what we are facing now.
Today, we have climate change, the deafening drums of war and this COVID-19 pandemic which has continued to evolve. The reality of climate change has manifested harshly through Typhoon Odette and its aftermath. Countries are beefing up their arsenals and weaponry due to external threats of aggression. Russia is threatening to invade Ukraine and China’s aggressive posture in the China Sea and Indian Ocean is keeping many countries on tenterhooks. And finally, the two-year old COVID pandemic which has caused and is causing catastrophic health and economic devastation all over the world.
Reflecting on these realities, I have decided to devote my Christmas Day and New Year columns to Pope Francis’ message entitled “Dialogue between generations, education and work: tools for building lasting peace” given during the 55Th World Peace Day, last 8 December 2021 from the Vatican. In this message, the Holy Father lays down prescriptions that will bring about lasting world peace or at the very least mitigate the ill effects of the phenomena we mentioned.
In this message, the Pope makes clear that , “Today the path of peace, which Saint Paul VI called by the new name of integral development, remains sadly distant from the real lives of many men and women and thus from our human family, which is now entirely interconnected. Despite numerous efforts aimed at constructive dialogue between nations, the deafening noise of war and conflict is intensifying. While diseases of pandemic proportions are spreading, the effects of climate change and environmental degradation are worsening, the tragedy of hunger and thirst is increasing, and an economic model based on individualism rather than on solidary sharing continues to prevail.”
To address these problems that deprive us of peace, the Holy Father presents three indispensable elements, “without which every project of peace turns out to be insubstantial.” First, dialogue between generations or intergenerational dialogue as the basis for the realization of shared projects. Second, education as a factor of freedom, responsibility and development. Finally, labor as a means for the full realization of human dignity.
On the first element, i.e. dialogue, Francis explains that dialogue between generations to build peace in a world still gripped by the pandemic that has created untold problems. All honest dialogue, in addition to a correct and positive exchange of views, demands basic trust between the participants. We need to learn how to regain this mutual trust. The current health crisis has increased our sense of isolation and a tendency toward self-absorption.
The loneliness of the elderly is matched in the young by a sense of helplessness and a lack of a shared vision about the future. The crisis has indeed been painful, but it has also helped to bring out the best in people. Indeed, during the pandemic we encountered generous examples of compassion, sharing and solidarity in every part of the world.
What does dialogue entail? To the Pope, it consists of “listening to one another, sharing different views, coming to agreement and walking together. Promoting such dialogue between generations involves breaking up the hard and barren soil of conflict and indifference in order to sow the seeds of a lasting and shared peace.” For instance, during this pandemic, dialogue is essential for the equitable distribution of life saving vaccines so that the poorer countries will be given the opportunity to acquire lifesaving equipment and medicine to fight the raging health crisis. It is as much important to defuse the tension of countries in conflict areas like the South China Sea or to create a more conducive environment for cooperation to arrest the worsening climate change or for that matter, any other issue that may affect all of us.
As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace this Christmas, let us try to create an atmosphere conducive to peace by bridging the gap between ourselves and God, ourselves and the people around us through sincere dialogue and heartfelt communication. This way we can inch closer to achieving a lasting peace and, with Christ’s mercy, experience the peace that He alone can give.
A peaceful Christmas to all!
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