SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 3 - N. 12 - 1997 - March - III
From: CFF-LETTER
On the Occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of The Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi
Brothers and Sisters,
On October 27, 1986 the leaders of other Churches and church communities and the heads of the great religions of the world came to Assisi for a Day of Prayer for Peace at the invitation of Pope John Paul II in observance of the International Year of Peace. For the first time the great religions, as religions, met to live a moment that was strictly religious. Since then the Pope has often recalled this meeting, a fact that indicates the importance he gives this event which has become the reference point of a search for unity shared by the world religions.
FRANCIS, SYMBOL OF PEACE
Ten years after the event we are better able to appreciate the meaning and the challenge that the meeting has for all of humanity and in particular for us of the Franciscan family. Pope Paul VI, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations, had already chosen October 4, the feast of St. Francis, to share with the delegates of the member nations gathered in New York, his call for peace: "War no more!" On his part, Pope John Paul II, in his address of welcome to those invited to Assisi, wanted to underscore the bond between the event and St. Francis in these words:
"In a moment of quiet prayer I chose this city as the place for our Day of Prayer because of the special significance of St. Francis, the holy man who is venerated here. He is known and revered by many throughout the world as the symbol of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood."
The questions which the Ministers General asked the Franciscan Family on Holy Thursday 1987 are still valid today: "Why is it that he (Francis) is still a model that can be offered to people of all faiths?" And above all, how can we, sons and daughters of Francis, be authentic witnesses of peace wherever we live? What do we bring of his message of peace to the world of today"?
SPIRITUAL COURAGE
The meeting in Assisi reflects the teaching of the Council which recognizes other religions as places of authentic spiritual experiences. It is an event that presents itself as an example of an inter-religious meeting inspired by the Gospel and an initiative which is marked by spiritual courage and great respect for the truth of each religion. Jesus himself recognized the faith of several "non-believers" of his time (Lk 7:9; 17:19; Mt 15:28).
Francis, in harmony with the example of Jesus, encouraged his brothers to act "spiritually" among the Saracens and other non-believers, to live among them without "quarreling and arguing", to put themselves at their service "for the love of God" and to announce the word of God only when "they notice that it pleases the Lord."
AT THE FOUNTAINS OF PEACE
The Assisi meeting also had the effect of emphasizing the
importance of prayer in the search for peace, as the Pope
underscored in his words to the participants:
"The coming together of so many heads of religion to pray is an invitation to the world to become aware that there is another dimension to the process of peace and another way of promoting it that is not the result of negotiations, of political compromise or economic trading. The result of prayer, even in the diversity of religions, expresses a relationship with a supreme power that surpasses our mere human capacities.
Our meeting proclaims a simple truth to the people of our time: that despite our diversity humanity can maintain its great commitment to peace only by dipping into its deepest and most life-giving resources in order to form its conscience and to base the action of people."
(to be continued)
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