The news "Oasis of Dialogue and Peace" is promoted by Silsilah Dialogue Movement, published every week in a local newspaper in Zamboanga City and envoys through the net to share our experiences in Dialogue and Peace!

1st Week -November 3, 2011

In Solidarity with the Peace Seekers  in Assisi

In  observance of the 25th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace and in solidarity with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in Assisi, representatives of various faith traditions and groups of Catholic religious in Manila gathered on October 27, 2011 at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila, Philippines.

Fr. Carlos Reyes, the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue (ECID) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) who lead the organizing committeefor the event, invited each faith tradition to walk the path of peace as pilgrims, to reflect, pray and fast for justice in our world, and to dialogue with one another in an effort to discover creative ways to build mutual understanding and common aspirations for peace.

In 1986, Pope John Paul II convened in Assisi, Italy, different religious leaders from all over the worldfor a day of prayer and fasting,  calling all religions to stand together in a united voice  while respecting the diversity of the “other”  without attempting conversion or false accommodation, and to proclaim that peace is both necessary and attainable. This religious gathering focused on the need for peace after the end of the Cold War.Another Assisi meeting was convoked by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 2002, in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US and followed by the war in Afghanistan and tensions in Pakistan and Indiaand elsewhere in the world. In that gathering the Pope said that religious leaders need to do their part to fend off “the dark clouds of terrorism, hatred and armed conflict.”

The inter-faith prayer in Plaza Miranda on October 27 was initiated with the offering of a symbolic lighted lantern while a prayer for peace was prayed orchanted by representative groups coming from the indigenous TuklasKatutubo, mainline Protestants from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i,Hare Krishna followers,Muslims and Roman Catholics.

With strong spiritual conviction, each religious representative and those who witnessed the inter-faith prayer committed themselves to:

… peace building based on the teachings of their respective  religions,

… thedefense of the basic human rights and dignity of all persons of every race, belief, culture,

… declare that peace is based on justice and forgiveness,

… reject and abhor all forms of intolerance, be it religious, cultural and gender related,

…condemn violence committed in the name of God or religion and declare that it is incompatible with the authentic spirit of religion.

A special remembrance was made in the prayers for the people of Mindanao who are experiencing turmoil at present and for the victims of the armed conflict.

Also present and who gave their welcome remarks and messages were: Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim; Monsignor Gabor Pinter, the Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature; Alfonso Tagliaferri, the Charge d’affaires of the Italian Embassy; and Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, the rector/parish priest of Quiapo Church.

Inter-faith groups who supported the event with ECID were Silsilah Dialogue Movement (Manila); Focolare Movement; Peacemakers’ Circle; Religions for Peace; and the Ministry of Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Fr. Reyes of the  ECID said in his closing remarks  “Following the example of St. Francis, dialogue entails employing one’s whole being in this task, listening, and speaking kindly to accept the other, whoever he may be, and welcome him as he is in himself with his convictions and actions, and calling for reciprocity.”

The gathering ended with simple snacks and fellowship.

Religious representatives affix their signatures as a commitment for peace and justice in the world.

Buddhist monks offered a chant and pray for peace and justice

Different Religious leaders of Manila convened for a Day of Prayer for Peace and Justice for the World at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo Manila.