|
|
|
 |
 |
|||
|
70 peace-builders from Caritas Internationalis, an international Catholic humanitarian organization today gathered in Colombo to begin the first ever Caritas world Peace Forum. The delegates, from as far afield as Colombia, Palestine, DR Congo, Ireland and the Philipinnes, will share their widespread experience of working for peace and reconciliation in war-torn communities and provide support to the Sri Lankan Catholic Church’s efforts in promoting peace. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message said “I have pleasure in welcoming the initiative taken by Caritas Internationalis together with Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC to organize a Caritas Peace Forum in Sri Lanka. Caritas Sri Lanka has always been helpful in creating an environment for peaceful coexistence whenever and wherever there was a conflict, violence and disharmony. The commitment of the Catholic Church to the promotion of peace and harmony among all its peoples is very much appreciated by me. The Sri Lankan government remains committed to a peaceful negotiated solution to the National Question and is willing to proceed on this arduous path despite many obstacles and set backs. This Forum will no doubt be another landmark in the untiring effort of Caritas Internationalis to achieve global peace. I wish the deliberations of the Forum every success and its foreign participants a pleasant stay in our friendly and hospitable land.” “We are here in solidarity with all those who believe in peace, a peace with justice that is promoted through dialogue between human beings, not through the barrel of a gun,” said Duncan MacLaren, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis. “’Development and conflict are mortal enemies, so how do we avoid conflict to improve human life?’ is the key question we are addressing over these coming days,” he said. Fr Damian Fernando, Director of Caritas Sri Lanka, the social arm of the Catholic Church, said it was a priviledge to have the first Caritas Peace Forum in Sri Lanka. “The arrival of all these delegates, many of whom have huge experience in peace-brokering in conflict-torn communities, gives strength to those who are striving to bring peace to Sri Lanka.” “Our fervent plea to leaders in Sri Lanka is to stick strictly to the Cease Fire Agreement, stop the violence and destruction of human beings and return to the negotiating table,” said Fr Damian. In Sri Lanka, Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC runs a National Peace Programme aimed at creating a peaceful environment in Sri Lanka which ensures the rights of all communities. Trained peace activists based in all Caritas Sri Lanka’s 13 diocesan centres work with local communities throughout the island, creating inter-religious peace groups and organising awareness-raising seminars and workshops on peace education, human rights and non-violent conflict resolution. Exposure visits for children, families, religious and community leaders allow people from different communities an opportunity to share cultural experiences and values, and to build human bonds with one another. Visits to war-affected communities lead to an understanding of the realities of those who are displaced. The National Peace Programme also includes inter-religious peace rallies and marches which help keep the focus on the ongoing peace process. Organised jointly by Caritas Sri Lanka and Caritas Internationalis, the Peace Forum continues for three days this week, at the BMICH.
|
|
Contact Information: Send mail to 