A few years ago, I took a course in Justice and Peace. During that period, I learned that Justice and Peace is the center of the Catholic Church’s Mission and every Catholic is called to be an ambassador of Justice and Peace. I also learned that every war leaves the world worse than it was before.
Reflecting on the recent happenings in our world, particularly the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the rampant shootings in our country, I am tempted to ask the following questions: What can the Church do to eradicate this systemic problem? What is the relationship between faith, justice and peace? As Christians we must be attentive to these issues since they are a global threat to human life.
Pope Francis in his address at the Founder’s Memorial – Abu Dhabi, February 4, 2019 said, “Justice is the second wing of peace, which often is not compromised by single episodes, but is slowly eaten away by the cancer of injustice”. He continued by saying, “No one therefore, can believe in God and not seek to live in Justice with everyone”.
According to Pope Francis, a justice addressed only to family members, compatriots, and/or believers of the same faith is a limping justice, it is a disguised injustice.
The War in Ukraine and the rampant gun deaths in our communities are destructive to human dignity and respect of life which needs urgent attention, so all Christians must act to stop these atrocities.
Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to one another and bring us peace, and He invited His followers to embrace this ministry as an essential aspect of their call – 2 Cor. 5:11-20. Since it is the duty and mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation and peace, the Catholic Church must stand up against our recent shootings and killing, and apply its social teaching to transform our world into a better and more peaceful place to live. It must continue vigorously to create public awareness to help people understand that killing is morally wrong, sinful, and against the Fifth Commandment of God – Thou shall not kill – Exodus 20:13.
Therefore, we are called to be more concerned about the spiritual and material well-being of others; to be sensitive to the needs and cry of the poor, the oppressed, the needy and to our present situation. As God called Moses to go and save His people from slavery and oppressive rule under Pharaoh – Exodus 3:1-10, so now He invites us to act and save our fellow humans from war, killings and the oppressive rule of dictators.
Fr. John Owusu Achiaw