sabato 5 aprile 2025

PROACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE IS THE KEY TO PEACE


 Martha Inés Romero, Secretary General of Pax Christi International (PCI) illustrates the Catholic peace organization’s commitment to proactive non-violence as an effective means to foster peace citing its work in Latin America.

 

By Rocío Lancho García and Lisa Zengarini

 Pope Francis has relentlessly worked to wean humanity from its tragic belief that violence is the solution to conflict, arguing that rather than resolving the great challenges of our time, violence often perpetuates and escalates them.

 Echoing his predecessors, he has repeated endless times that "War is always a defeat for humanity." In his speeches, writings, and interviews he has insisted that there is another way than violence to resolve conflict, foster justice, heal the earth, safeguard immigrants, and ultimately end war,  all of which are interconnected.

This idea is at the heart of Pax Christi International’s (PCI) mission, a global Catholic peace movement founded in Europe in 1945 bringing together French and Germans after World War II which today has over 100 member organisations active worldwide. The movement seeks to transform a world ravaged by multiple forms of violence—be it physical, structural, or environmental—into one that embraces peace and justice.

Secretary General of PCI, Martha Inés Romero, and previously coordinator of Pax Christi for Latin America and the Caribbean for over 15 years, spoke with  L’Osservatore Romano  Vatican newspaper on the organization's work and its concrete impact, particularly in Latin America, where violence and armed struggles have long shaped the socio-political landscape.

Rearmament and militarization is not the solution to conflicts

At a time when global discussions increasingly revolve around militarization and rearmament as solutions to security challenges, Ms Romero explained that Pax Christi strongly opposes this narrative.

She describes the current crisis as not just one of war but of civilization itself, marked by growing intolerance towards migration, individualism, and consumerism and the  the erosion of ethical and cultural values.

In line with  Pope Francis’ arguments, the Catholic peace movement believes that resorting to arms perpetuates a cycle of violence rather than addressing the root causes of conflict.

“Rearmament will only fuel the spiral of violence and that violence cannot sustainably or comprehensively resolve conflicts. On the contrary, we believe we have both the certainty and responsibility to prevent violent conflicts through nonviolent means. We agree with Pope Francis when he says that ‘war is always a defeat for humanity.’”

Lessons from Latin America

One of the most tangible demonstrations of the impact of Pax Christ’s non violent approach can be seen in Latin America, a region historically plagued by armed conflicts, violence, and human rights violations.

In Mexico’s Chiapas region, PCI has worked closely with local organizations such as the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Center (Frayba) and the International Service for Peace (SIPAZ). The primary focus of these efforts has been supporting Indigenous and peasant communities affected by extractive industries, including mining, fracking, and agribusiness.

These industries often lead to environmental destruction, displacement, and violent repression against local communities. PCI developed a strategic methodology applied across seven countries in Latin America, helping communities analyse conflicts, design advocacy plans, and build resilience through nonviolent means.

One of the most notable successes of these efforts is the Zoque Indigenous Movement for the Defense of Life and Land (ZODEVITE). This grassroots movement, comprising 40 communities in Chiapas, successfully halted a government-backed auction of 84,500 hectares for hydrocarbon and mining extraction.

Their efforts—rooted in nonviolent resistance, community mobilization, and legal advocacy—forced authorities to hold public consultations, ultimately leading to the project’s suspension. In recognition of their efforts, ZODEVITE was awarded the PCI International Peace Prize in 2017.

Romero acknowledges that this struggle is not without risks and a long-term fight, as the high of violence against human rights activists in Latin America shows. Nevertheless, movements like ZODEVITE illustrate the power of nonviolence in resisting corporate and state oppression.

Disarming minds, words, and societies

As Pope Francis has emphasized, achieving peace necessitates the "disarmament" of not only weapons but also minds and words.  According to Romero,  this transformation can only occur “through valuing different beliefs and cultures, fostering interculturality in the defence of life, ancestral traditions, and otherness.”

One of the key elements in this process is the recognition of Indigenous wisdom and eco-spirituality. Indigenous worldviews, such as the Andean concept of "Buen Vivir" (Sumak Kawsay), promote harmony with nature and communal well-being over material exploitation.

PCI sees these values as essential in countering a global system that prioritizes economic gain over the protection of people and the planet.

The path to a nonviolent society

The challenge, however, lies in translating the theory of peace and nonviolence into practical action, especially in contexts of armed conflict. Romero emphasizes that nonviolence is not passive; rather, it requires individuals and communities to actively resist injustice, expose structural violence, and mobilize for systemic change.

“Active nonviolence seeks to inspire empathetic, collective, and transformative action in response to this complex reality.”

This transformation must occur at multiple levels: on an individual level, it involves cultivating empathy, critical awareness, and the courage to challenge injustice; on a collective level, it requires organizing civil society, fostering social movements, and influencing political decisions that promote justice and equality; on a structural level, it demands institutional reforms that uphold human rights, environmental sustainability, and peace-oriented policies.

By embracing active nonviolence, societies can move beyond the destructive cycles of war and oppression, instead fostering communities built on dignity, justice, and hope. As Romero highlights, peace is not simply the absence of conflict—it is a way of life that demands constant commitment and engagement.

 

Vatican News


 

 

LE PÈRE ALBERT RECONFIRMÉ AU CCIC-UNESCO

 

FR - EN - 


ENTRETIEN 

AVEC 

LE PÈRE ALBERT KABUGE

ELU AU

 CONSEIL D'AMINISTRATION

 DE LA CCIC- UNESCO



Par Giovanni Perrone*

 Une brève présentation

KABUGE Albert, originaire de la République Démocratique du Congo, né dans la ville de Kipushi (Province du Haut-Katanga), il est religieux Salésien de Don Bosco, missionnaire depuis l’an 2000, ainsi il a été dans différents pays : « Togo, Bénin, Côte d’Ivoire, Italie, Burkina Faso, RD Congo, France », en 2015 il devient membre de l’UMEC/WUCT.

Par son expérience missionnaire et interculturelle, notre organisation a été satisfaite de son intégration active et nous lui avons demandé d’être le répondant en France auprès du CCIC[1] et de l’UNESCO. Par cette occasion de sa présence au C.A. du CCIC nous l’avons abordé pour ce partage fraternel.

Cher Père Albert, nos félicitations pour votre élection à l’unanimité au Conseil d’administration du CCIC-UNESCO. Nous sommes reconnaissants pour tout ce que vous faites depuis que vous êtes à Paris par votre engagement. Arrivé dans ces institutions quelles ont été vos  impressions ?

C’est avec grande joie que je suis contacté par le service de l’UMEC/WUCT pour exprimer mes impressions, le rôle de ma mission au Cœur de ces grandes structures qui oeuvrent pour la cohésion dans différents domaines : « Education, la justice, la paix, santé, eau, les sciences, la culture,… » J’ai répondu à l’appel de notre organisation pour être représentant à Paris auprès du CCIC et de l’UNESCO depuis l’an 2022 et je me suis senti accueilli pour travailler ensemble dans notre société qui vit diverses situations qui nous interpellent et qui nous interrogent avec la technologie actuelle.

Quel est le rôle du conseil d'administration ?

Cet organe de gouvernance a pour mission de gérer et de guider les actions d’une institution en lui définissant les objectifs à suivre ainsi sa vision. Le CA s’engage aussi dans le domaine décisionnel pour les différentes initiatives : « Les recrutements des membres, les affectations des agents de la structure, les accords de partenariat, l’élaboration (ébauche) des statuts… » tout en visant l’unité, l’esprit de famille avec tous les membres. Dans notre cas, étant membre du CCIC, nous suivons ce que je viens d’énumérer et nous préparons aussi les réunions pour l’Assemblée générale de toutes les orgnaisations d’inspiration catholique.

Comment travaillez-vous avec les autres ? 

Depuis que je suis membre  dans ces structures, nous exerçons notre mission dans un esprit d’ouverture et de collaboration avec tous les représentants des ONGs. Dans cet esprit nous essayons de nous mettre ensemble pour traduire dans le concret certaines orientations du CCIC et de l’UNESCO. Ainsi nous avons initié le partenariat avec deux organisations :

-         Le groupe de la Formation des Techniciens Hydrologues dirigé par Mr Marc Toillier, avec ce mouvement nous venons de réaliser un projet accompagné par l’UNESCO avec la mission de former 25 stagiaires provenant des huit ONG pour l’Eau pour tous en Afrique. Et pour UMEC/WUCT, il y a eu quatre stagiaires de la RD Congo (Kinshasa et Lubumbashi)

-         La Voix des filles Afrique, mouvement guidé par Madame Martine Lévy, et avec ce mouvement nous collaborons dans le domaine de la santé, l’hygiène des filles en Afrique.

Sentez-vous que l'UMEC/WUCT est appréciée au CCIC et  à l'UNESCO ?

-         Au CCIC, notre organisation joue son rôle dans le domaine de l’éducation et d’accompagnement des enseignants qui accomplissent leur mission dans les structures catholiques et dans celles qui  font parties des autres confessions ou officielles. Cette richesse crée cet esprit de dépasser les frontières et qui intéresse ceux avec qui nous travaillons. En outre, nous répondons aux appels du CCIC, nous suivons les orientations qui nous sont présentées. Par notre participation et la présence active, notre organisation est appréciée positivement. Et nous sommes très reconnaissants pour ce geste de considération.

-         A l’UNESCO, nous faisons notre effort de nous rendre présents dans différentes manifestations et en répondants aux appels pour les conférences internationales des ONGs, les différntes manifestations dans le domaine de l’éducation et de la culture.

Pourriez-vous nous dévoiler les prochains engagements de vos actions?

Nous nous engagerons dans ces différents aspects :

-         « Participer à la préparation de l’anniversaire du CCIC en préparant les conférences sur la paix et la justice sociale avec insertion des jeunes dans le monde professionnel,… »

-         Le CCIC comme espace de réflexion, force des propositions et qui vise à faire entendre notre voix catholique et chrétienne à l’UNESCO et ailleurs, cela nous invite à nous engager en ce qui suit : « Dans les secteurs : sciences humaines et sociales tout en écoutant l’UNESCO, dans le domaine de l’éducation tout en accomplissant une mission chrétienne, humaniste dans l’Eglise. »

-         Consolider nos efforts avec le groupe des hydrologues et la voix des filles pour viser les formations et l’accompagnement des jeunes en Afrique qui sont les reponsables de l’avenir de ce continent.

-         La préparation du jubilé des éducateurs qui se tiendra à Rome.

Que peut faire l’UMEC/WUCT pour vous soutenir dans cette mission?

Depuis 2022 étant à Paris, cette organisation me soutient et m’accompagne avec les orientations, elle peut continuer la même mission et en développant une bonne relation avec les structures qui travaillent avec nous.

L’UMEC / WUCT est appelée à développer davantage sa vocation de la Mission Sans Frontières pour réjoindre tous les enseignants, les éducateurs catholiques où qu’ils soient et encourager l’esprit de collaboration avec les autres partenaires pour construire un monde meilleur ensemble dans la confiance.

Avec l’élection de ce 02 avril 2025 pour le deuxième mandat dans le CCIC, il nous est important comme organisation à pouvoir nous engager davantage dans cette structure guidée par Madame Isabelle Chaperon et les autres membres du Conseil d’Administration. C’est une marque de confiance qui nous est accordée depuis 2022. Pour ce faire, avec Madame Christine Roche avec des nouveaux membres nous tenons à créer des liens d’ouverture en cette année jubilaire de l’espérance.

Au terme de cet entretien, quel est votre message et un appel ?

De ma part j’exprime la « GRATITUDE » aux trois institutions « UNESCO, CCIC et UMEC/WUCT » pour la proximité exprimée à mon égard pour me mettre dans ce chemin d’apprentissage, j’y découvre comment les institutions fonctionnent au niveau mondial à la recherche de la paix, de la dignité de l’être humain et surtout avec l’accent fort sur la formation intégrale des générations futures.

Un grand merci à notre président Jan De Groof, à notre accompagnateur spirituel Mgr Vincent Dolmann et à tous les membres de notre famille pour le chemin parcouru ensemble dans un esprit de synodalité, vous m’avez aidé à grandir dans ma vie religieuse et missionnaire. Continuons ensemble d’être des témoins du Christ et des bons éducateurs pour prendre nos jeunes sur nos épaules et qu’ils puissent voir plus loin.

En concluant cet entretien, je lance un appel aux enseignants catholiques, aux éducateurs en ces termes : « N’ayons pas peur de témoigner par nos actions concrètes, n’ayons pas peur de transmettre les valeurs chrétiennes inspirées par l’Evangile, soyons des éducateurs,  des missionnaires sans frontières 24h/24 et soyons une page de l’Evangile dans le quotidien. »

P. KABUGE Albert, au nom de l’UMEC/WUCT, nous vous remercions d’avoir accepté de partager avec nous ce moment d’entretien et nous resterons toujours attentifs pour vous accompagner dans les initiatives.  Nous tenons à remercier le CCIC et l’UNESCO de nous avoir accueillis et nous sommes disponibles pour toute collaboration.


  

INTERVIEW WITH FATHER ALBERT KABUGE

ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

OF CCIC-UNESCO AT UNESCO

By Giovanni Perrone

 A brief presentation

KABUGE Albert, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, born in the town of Kipushi (Haut-Katanga Province), he is a Salesian religious of Don Bosco, missionary since 2000, thus he has been in different countries: "Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Italy, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, France", in 2015 he became a member of UMEC/WUCT.

Through his missionary and intercultural experience, our organization was satisfied with his active integration and we asked him to be the representative in France for the CCIC [1]and UNESCO. On this occasion of his presence on the CCIC Board of Directors, we approached him for this fraternal sharing.

Dear Father Albert, congratulations on your unanimous election to the CCIC-UNESCO Governing Board. We are grateful for all you have done since arriving in Paris through your commitment. What were your impressions upon arriving at these institutions?

It is with great joy that I am contacted by the UMEC/WUCT service to express my impressions, the role of my mission at the Heart of these large structures which work for cohesion in different areas: "Education, justice, peace, health, water, science, culture,..." I responded to the call of our organization to be representative in Paris to the CCIC and UNESCO since the year 2022 and I felt welcomed to work together in our society which is experiencing various situations which challenge us and which question us with current technology.

What is the role of the board of directors?

This governing body's mission is to manage and guide the actions of an institution by defining the objectives to follow and its vision. The Board is also involved in the decision-making field for the various initiatives: "The recruitment of members, the assignment of the structure's agents, the partnership agreements, the development (draft) of the statutes..." while aiming for unity, the family spirit with all the members. In our case, as a member of the CCIC, we follow what I have just listed and we also prepare the meetings for the General Assembly of all Catholic-inspired organizations.

How do you work with others?

Since I became a member of these organizations, we have carried out our mission in a spirit of openness and collaboration with all NGO representatives. In this spirit, we try to work together to translate certain guidelines of the CCIC and UNESCO into concrete action. Thus, we have initiated a partnership with two organizations:

-         The Hydrology Technician Training group led by Mr. Marc Toillier, with this movement we have just completed a project supported by UNESCO with the mission of training 25 trainees from eight NGOs for Water for All in Africa. And for UMEC/WUCT, there were four trainees from the DR Congo (Kinshasa and Lubumbashi).

-         The Voice of Girls in Africa, a movement led by Mrs. Martine Lévy, and with this movement we collaborate in the field of health and hygiene for girls in Africa.

Do you feel that UMEC/WUCT is appreciated at CCIC and UNESCO?

-         At the CCIC, our organization plays its role in the field of education and support for teachers who fulfill their mission in Catholic institutions and those belonging to other denominations or official institutions. This richness creates a spirit of transcending borders, which interests those with whom we work. Furthermore, we respond to the CCIC's calls and follow the guidelines presented to us. Through our participation and active presence, our organization is positively appreciated. And we are very grateful for this gesture of consideration.

-         At UNESCO, we make an effort to be present at various events and respond to calls for international NGO conferences and various events in the fields of education and culture.

Could you tell us about your upcoming actions?

We will engage in these different aspects:

-         “Participate in the preparation of the CCIC anniversary by preparing conferences on peace and social justice with the integration of young people into the professional world,…”

-         The CCIC as a space for reflection, a force for proposals and which aims to make our Catholic and Christian voice heard at UNESCO and elsewhere, invites us to commit ourselves to the following: "In the sectors: human and social sciences while listening to UNESCO, in the field of education while fulfilling a Christian, humanist mission in the Church."

-         Consolidate our efforts with the group of hydrologists and the voice of girls to target training and support for young people in Africa who are responsible for the future of this continent.

-         Preparation for the Jubilee of Educators to be held in Rome.

What can UMEC/WUCT do to support you in this mission?

Since 2022 being in Paris, this organization supports me and accompanies me with the orientations, it can continue the same mission and by developing a good relationship with the structures that work with us.

UMEC/WUCT is called to further develop its vocation of Mission Without Borders to reach all Catholic teachers and educators wherever they are and encourage the spirit of collaboration with other partners to build a better world together in trust.

With the election of April 2, 2025, for the second term in the CCIC, it is important for us as an organization to be able to further engage in this structure led by Ms. Isabelle Chaperon and the other members of the Board of Directors. This is a mark of confidence that has been placed in us since 2022. To do this, with Ms. Christine Roche and new members, we are keen to create open links in this jubilee year of hope.

At the end of this interview, what is your message and appeal?

For my part, I express "GRATITUDE" to the three institutions "UNESCO, CCIC and UMEC/WUCT" for the closeness expressed towards me to put me on this path of learning, I discover how the institutions operate at the global level in search of peace, the dignity of the human being and especially with the strong emphasis on the integral formation of future generations.

Many thanks to our president, Jan De Groof, our spiritual guide, Bishop Vincent Dolmann, and all the members of our family for the journey we have taken together in a spirit of synodality. You have helped me grow in my religious and missionary life. Let us continue together to be witnesses of Christ and good educators, taking our young people on our shoulders so that they can see further.

In concluding this interview, I appeal to Catholic teachers and educators in these terms: "Let us not be afraid to bear witness through our concrete actions, let us not be afraid to transmit the Christian values inspired by the Gospel, let us be educators, missionaries without borders 24 hours a day, and let us be a page of the Gospel in everyday life."

P. KABUGE Albert, on behalf of UMEC/WUCT, we thank you for agreeing to share this interview with us, and we will always remain attentive to supporting you in your initiatives. We would like to thank the CCIC and UNESCO for welcoming us, and we are available for any collaboration.

 [1]CCIC: International Catholic Center for Cooperation with UNESCO



[1] CCIC : Centre Catholique International de Coopération avec l’UNESCO



giovedì 3 aprile 2025

A FEEL AND POWERFUL VOICE

 


So the Pope

 is simply teaching 

us how to live


With his feeble voice, but more powerful than the others, Francesco is the only one who "sings another song". Who opens a passage in a contemporaneity made of hypocrisy and inability to meet the suffering of others. The tiny beauty of a bunch of yellow flowers is opening a passage in the world

by Doriano Zurlo

We live in a world of monsters. There is one who wants Greenland, another who wants Ukraine, another who wants Taiwan, yet another who, if two hundred more or less children die in Gaza, but who cares, when they grow up they would all become terrorists, right?

Then there's the one who shot the dog , a real tough girl, silicone lips, gold Rolex and no shame; she poses in front of deported, imprisoned, humiliated humanity, a warning to all the desperate people of the world: take your desperation elsewhere, suffer, die, we don't care. And what about the guy who has been killing Kurds for years and now had the bright idea of putting his political opponent in prison?

Then there are nations where we can happily go and play the World Cup even though they support terrorists and enslave workers. And there are monsters who claim the right to say “retarded,” “idiot,” “mongoloid,” perhaps because they recognize themselves in these words.

On social media we talk without listening to each other

And we are monsters too, including me who writes, monsters who live glued to their little worlds enclosed in electronic devices, zombies incapable of understanding and wanting, above all incapable of meeting the face of the other, that face which, to quote Levinas, is the place where totality, the root of all totalitarianism, disappears to make way for the infinite, the root of all grace. But we no longer meet the face of the other, we meet our own face, we take selfies.

We know: we are monstrous even in the way we communicate on social media, without listening to each other , without seeking the truth, only seeking victory. We do it, those we elected do it, who are still an expression of us.

The Hypocrisy of Europe

Europe is monstrous too. Yes, it leaves me the freedom to write it without fear of retaliation of any kind. This is no small thing and must always, always be acknowledged. Those who hate Europe should really move to live under Putin, or Erdoğan, or Trump. But there is no doubt that Europe can also be monstrous, even if in a less direct way.
It drowns in hypocrisy. It defends the attacked when it comes to Ukraine – and that is sacrosanct – but in Gaza it looks the other way , and let's not even talk about migrants. Von Der Leyen and Meloni have a great understanding on this front. Externalize the problem. They are not human beings anyway, they are a residual load, as that other monster Piantedosi says. Let's give money, lots of money. You keep those tramps, we don't want them.

The faintest but most powerful voice

Now, in all this, in the midst of all this chaos, in this sort of daily hell that our contemporary world has become – perhaps it has always been like this, for goodness sake, but that doesn't change things – there is a particularly faint voice, almost silent by now, just a thread of a voice that is barely audible, but which to me seems like the most powerful voice, because it is the only one that has a different timbre, the only one that sings another song , a song that perhaps requires fine ears, otherwise we risk not paying attention to it, underestimating it, drowning it in the general din, or, with the cynicism acquired over years of "now let's get out of the world of dreams and try to be concrete", we could downgrade it, empty it, consider it indeed graceful and precious for an ideal world, but completely irrelevant for the real world.

It is the voice of Pope Francis . I say this, en passant , to his detractors within the Catholic world, to those who consider him too modernist: guys, you have not understood anything. This Pope will be talked about for a long time.

The yellow flowers

"I see this lady with the yellow flowers, how good she is." I can't tell you how much this sentence struck me, and how much it moved me, too. The first sentence uttered in public after a month and more of almost total silence at the Policlinico Gemelli. It seems like nothing. It doesn't talk about God, it doesn't talk about Jesus. It only talks about yellow flowers and a lady. It seems like nothing. And yet. I believe that this sentence is working in the hearts of millions of people, in a subdued way, like a melody, precisely, like another song, like the "possibility" of another song. It doesn't impart a moral lesson, it doesn't prescribe duties, it doesn't establish prohibitions, it doesn't affirm a doctrine, it doesn't pamper a political party, it doesn't do anything, it seems like nothing, and yet it is profoundly moral. Who is there, today, among the powerful in the world, who speaks like this? I want Greenland! We will annihilate Ukraine! Let's deport the Palestinians!

The yellow flowers. A tiny beauty that opens a path in the world. And it is the first thing the Pontiff notices, looking out onto the balcony. And then there is a good lady, who with those yellow flowers changes the world.

The Pope teaches us a look. In this cordiality, in this face to face – which is not for the powerful, but for the powerful it is the face to face with you – I believe there is a lesson that it would be obtuse to underestimate.

But there are other things. At the worst moment, when his breath is at a minimum and the risk of dying is very high, he says to the doctor who is treating him: "It's bad." Yes, because dying is bad, even for those who have faith. And I understand that even Jesus was not so enthusiastic about going to the cross.

Then the almost daily phone calls to the parish in Gaza. And the constant reference to the “tormented” Ukraine. Always the same adjective: tormented. Words are important . This is why the Pope does not change them. What might seem formal to some, actually has the form of a judgment that does not waver, that does not move. The tormented Ukraine. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The value of words

There are also the powerful words of the letter: "Disarm words, to disarm minds and disarm the Earth." Here we grasp the deepest point of the world of monsters we have created: words. Used as a club, as garbage, as a blunt object.

And then there is the visit to the Sanctuary, before returning to Santa Marta. The Pope brings flowers to the Madonna. An act of devotion that is profoundly religious, but also profoundly human; a gesture addressed to the female gender, to women and to all mothers.

I believe that the Pope, today, is the voice of the invisible, of the silent, of those who take to the streets in Palestine against Hamas, or in Turkey against Erdoğan, and of those who go to sea to save lives and meanwhile their phone is spied on, and of all the ladies with yellow flowers. With his very faint voice, with his simple words and with measured, delicate, collected gestures, I believe that the Pope is simply teaching us how to live.

 

VITA