56th World Day of Peace
The "United States of the World" organized and participated in various cities on 5 continents in the "56th World Day of Peace" bringing the 35-year experience of the "Peace is action" program.
On this occasion the Secretary General prof. Michele Capasso recalled the words of Pope Francis in his message entitled: No one can save themselves alone. Starting again from Covid-19 to trace paths of peace together.
"St. Paul constantly exhorts the community to be vigilant, seeking goodness, justice and truth: "Let us not sleep like the others, therefore, but let us be vigilant and be sober" (5:6). It is an invitation to stay awake, not to lock ourselves up in fear, pain or resignation, not to give in to distraction, not to be discouraged but instead to be like sentinels capable of staying awake and seizing the first light of dawn, especially in the darker. Covid-19 has plunged us into the middle of the night, destabilizing our ordinary life, turning our plans and our habits upside down, overturning the apparent tranquility of even the most privileged societies, generating disorientation and suffering, causing the death of many of our brothers and sisters.
… Certainly, having experienced first-hand the fragility that distinguishes human reality and our personal existence, we can say that the greatest lesson that Covid-19 leaves us as a legacy is the awareness that we all need each other, that our greatest treasure, albeit even more fragile, is human brotherhood, founded on the common divine sonship, and that no one can save himself alone. It is therefore urgent to seek and promote together the universal values which trace the path of this human brotherhood. We have also learned that the trust placed in progress, technology and the effects of globalization has not only been excessive, but has turned into an individualistic and idolatrous intoxication, undermining the desired guarantee of justice, concord and peace. In our world that runs at 2 speeds, very often the widespread problems of imbalances, injustices, poverty and marginalization feed ills and conflicts, and generate violence and even wars.
… While, on the one hand, the pandemic has brought out all of this, on the other we have been able to make positive discoveries: a beneficial return to humility; a downsizing of certain consumerist claims; a renewed sense of solidarity that encourages us to get out of our selfishness to open ourselves to the suffering of others and their needs; as well as a commitment, in some cases truly heroic, of many people who have spent themselves so that everyone could better overcome the drama of the emergency. From this experience came the stronger awareness that invites everyone, peoples and nations, to put the word "together" back at the center. Indeed, it is together, in fraternity and solidarity, that we build peace, guarantee justice, overcome the most painful events. The most effective responses to the pandemic have in fact been those that have seen social groups, public and private institutions, international organizations united to respond to the challenge, leaving aside particular interests. Only the peace that comes from fraternal and selfless love can help us overcome personal, social and global crises".
