InterfaithNews.Net

In a world where religiously-motivated violence is still far too
prevalent, religious leaders have increasingly come to understand that
they must be instruments for change in the world, instruments for the
promotion of true peace. In His Holiness John Paul II's homily on the
World Day of Peace He emphasized the duty to promote peace in
the world. His were not the first words on the subject from an
international religious leader; indeed peace has long been a theme of
His. Nevertheless it is a call that must needs be constantly repeated to
peoples who have spent millenia hearing their leaders — usually with
some religion “on their side” — calling for violence against “the
other.” Read on for excerpts from His homily and for links to peace
statements from other traditions.

Representatives from Christian faith communities around the globe launched a year-long effort to confront and overcome violence in the United States during a stirring worship service commemorating the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr at the Interchurch Center in New York City on 2 January. The focus on the US in 2004 is part of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV).

“India is going through enormous insecurity because religion is being
used for violence,” Siddhartha, a member of an inter-religious group
working for peace and justice in Bangalore, told participants at a
seminar at the World Social Forum in Mumbai.

Editorial and introduction to the January 2004 e-zine for InterfaithNews.Net.