The reprehensible terrorist attacks of 11 September of a decade ago plainly showed that violence executed in the name of God can never be justified. Religion is a vehicle of love and peace not of hatred and conflict.

The ‘Decalogue of Assisi for Peace’, which is to be found at the second and final part of Pope John Paul II’s special letter addressed to all the heads of state and government of the world, is in fact an inspiring text that would help promote precious resources of world religions towards the building a peaceful humanity.

The Polish Pope together with the religious authorities of many nations, assembled in Assisi on 24 January, 2002, for the Day of Prayer for Peace in the world, vowed to commit themselves in condemning every recourse to violence and war in the name of God or of religion, and in doing everything possible to eliminate the root causes of terrorism. They committed themselves to educate people on mutual respect and esteem to facilitate a peaceful and fraternal coexistence between people of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions. They embarked on the project of championing authentic peace by fostering the culture of dialogue, so that there will be an increase of understanding and mutual trust between individuals and among peoples. They expressed their resolution in defending the right of everyone to live a decent life in accordance with their own cultural identity, and to form freely a family of their own. They showed their availability by engaging in frank and patient dialogue, refusing to consider their differences as an insurmountable barrier, and recognising instead that to encounter the diversity of others is an opportunity for greater reciprocal understanding.

They were bold enough to initiate a process of forgiving one another for past and present errors and prejudices, and to supporting one another in a common effort both to overcome selfishness and arrogance, hatred and violence, and to learn from the past that peace without justice is no true peace. Authentic forgiveness becomes tangible when taking the side of the poor and the helpless, to speaking out for those who have no voice and to working effectively to change these situations, out of the conviction that no one can be happy alone.

Helping the needy also means taking up the cry of those who refuse to be resigned to violence and evil, thus making every effort possible to offer the men and women of our time real hope for justice and peace.

Showing solidarity to the suffering ones can be effected by encouraging all efforts to promote friendship between peoples because without solidarity and understanding between peoples, technological progress exposes the world to a growing risk of destruction and death.

Finally, they expressed their concerted commitment in urging leaders of nations to make every effort to create and consolidate, on the national and international levels, a world of solidarity and peace based on justice.

A decade ago we witnessed death and destruction. A decade after, are we determined to feel that we belong to one another, within the same human family? Can we become convinced that if hatred destroys, love builds us up? Can we let God unite us together as brothers and sisters through our different faiths and ways of living?

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap