The statement opens by acknowledging the enduring call for peace first made by Pope St John XXIII in Pacem in Terris, revisited in light of escalating global conflict, misinformation, and political unrest. It names the world’s current state—riven by war, disinformation, and post-truth culture—as both deeply troubling and in need of Gospel hope. The Bishops draw heavily on Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti, urging us to recognize the deep connection between truth, trust, and peace, and calling all people of goodwill to be peacemakers in a fractured world.
Central to the message is the warning that peace cannot exist in a world where truth has eroded. Disinformation, misinformation, and manipulation—enabled by social media, propaganda, and algorithms—have created a climate where lies flourish and truth is sidelined. Drawing from biblical themes, the statement links lies to violence and death, using the Genesis story of the serpent to illustrate how truth, when abandoned, leads to the collapse of peace and justice.
The bishops critique the global arms industry and its complicity in perpetuating violence, calling it a linchpin of the “culture of death.” They reaffirm the Church’s historic commitment to nuclear disarmament, citing past popes and Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes, urging that the immense resources spent on war be redirected toward human development, especially the alleviation of poverty. The architecture of peace, they argue, is not built through weapons but through dialogue, encounter, and the recognition of shared human dignity.
Pope Francis’ model of peace-building emphasizes encounter, dialogue, and memory. Drawing on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the bishops stress that truth-telling and healing historical wounds are necessary for real peace. Peace requires patience, humility, and a commitment to listening—not as passive acts, but as transformative ones that restore relationships, communities, and trust. Jesus, as the “Word made flesh,” embodies divine dialogue, and his resurrection affirms that peace is possible through love, truth, and reconciliation.
The statement concludes with an invitation to action, both personal and communal. Everyone has a role to play—whether through prayer, advocacy, education, or simply cultivating peace within their own relationships. Catholic schools are highlighted as vital spaces for teaching the values of truth, justice, and dialogue. The bishops remind us that truth is not just spoken but done, and they echo Pope John Paul II: “Truth is the power of peace.” Only by committing to truth in both word and deed can the world move from violence to genuine and lasting peace.
Journal, Reflect and Discuss the following questions
How do you personally discern truth in a world where misinformation and disinformation are so prevalent?
What role does dialogue play in healing divisions—whether in your family, school, or community?
Why is truth-telling essential for lasting peace, especially in societies marked by historical injustices?
How can we, as individuals, resist the culture of violence and contribute to the building of a “culture of peace”?
In what ways can Catholic schools and communities help promote trust, truth, and reconciliation in today’s world?
What does it mean to live as a “peacemaker” in the spirit of the Gospel and Fratelli Tutti?
How do you think Jesus’ example of love, dialogue, and resurrection can shape our response to conflict and division today?
Discuss in your families and communities.
Song - Let there be Peace
Final Prayer
God of Peace, You are the stillness in the storm, the voice that calms our fears, the hope that anchors our hearts. In a world marked by conflict, noise, and unrest, teach us to be your instruments of peace. Let your Spirit guide our words and actions, that we may sow compassion where there is hatred, understanding where there is division, and healing where there is hurt. May we find in You the courage to stand for justice, the grace to forgive, and the strength to love without condition. Let peace begin within our hearts and ripple out into our families, communities, and world. Amen.
