Marcio Flavio Martins, CICM
General Counselor
The Church's mission unfolds in time and space. The mission is always contextualized. Missionary activity takes place and develops within the concrete realities of life. In this sense, it is impossible to be in mission without considering the various realities of the world. Even the most reclusive individuals cannot escape the effects of the events around them. We are certainly affected both positively and negatively. We cannot afford to be indifferent and believe we can live in a bubble that separates us from the world. In today's world, it is almost impossible not to be affected, directly or indirectly, by the evils and atrocities caused by the wars happening in many places.
War, which causes the deaths of innocent people and inflicts suffering in various forms on the lives of thousands, is always a defeat. Everyone loses! It leads to a great distrust in humanity and a lack of hope that things can be different. It causes economic crises, poverty, unemployment; in short, there is a spiral of damage that can last for decades until everything can be rebuilt.
Throughout its existence, CICM has witnessed humanity's most challenging times, particularly during periods of war and grave disease. To name a few: World War I (1914–1918), Chinese Civil War (1927–1950), Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), World War II (1939–1945) Rwandan Genocide & Civil War (1994), Second Congo War (1998–2003), Russo-Ukrainian War (2014 - present; full invasion 2022), Israel - Hamas War (2023 - present). These are just a few examples, and we know this list could be much longer. About the pandemics in the last two centuries, I would like to highlight the great Spanish Flu (1918–1920), the HIV/AIDS Pandemic (1981–present), and the COVID-19 Pandemic (2019-present), since, according to some specialists, the virus is still around.
The Congregation, and here I refer to the members of the Congregation, has faced these difficult times or similar situations. Many of our confreres had their lives cut short. And I suppose we attentively follow the daily prayer for our deceased confreres (In Memoriam Defunctorum). In that case, we will discover that many confreres died at a young age, victims of war or some global illness. But beyond giving our lives, what draws my attention is how we, as missionaries, respond or can respond to these major global events. I will offer five clues to aid in this reflection, particularly in light of the major wars occurring in a world increasingly characterized by violence, inequality, and division. In this context, the mission of Justice and Peace has never been more urgent.
Witnessing to the Gospel of Peace
The Gospel of Jesus is a message of peace. And we, as messengers of the Good News, are or should be bearers of peace. Ideally, wherever there is a missionary, there should be a message of peace. There should be someone who promotes peace. We often consider grand peace treaties or agreements between nations as a means to build peace, yet we recognize that true peace begins in the hearts and minds of each individual. We must build a culture of peace and commit to sowing peace, not discord. Many of us work in communities fractured by conflicts and violence. Our mission is, above all, to show people that peace is possible. Our mission is to proclaim with words and actions that we are all created in the image and likeness of God —a God who is love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Following this perspective, we, as missionaries, can become bridges between people, especially among those who are wounded and in need of healing. This is what our Lord Jesus Christ expects of us to become builders of peace: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" (Mt 5:9).
Witnessing to Dialogue
Universal brotherhood and sisterhood, interculturality, internationality, multiculturality, etc., have never been current topics as they are today. These are topics our Congregation has been addressing for decades. They are topics that, in a way, make us "experts". We live in pluralistic societies where cultures and nationalities constantly interact. In contexts like this, peace is built through dialogue. Religious missionaries must foster dialogue between religions, cultures, and nationalities. It is our Vocation! We are trained and prepared for this. In the mission field, we should not close our eyes and limit ourselves to small ghettos that suit us. We should not remain trapped in the comfort zone created by coexistence with our fellow countrymen. We must be bold and build bridges between peoples. Thus, we will pave the way for a culture of peace and fair relations between peoples. Our mission should be that of the prophet Isaiah: "Come now, let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18).
Witnessing in solidarity with the Poor
One of my favorite biblical passages is Psalm 85:10 - "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; justice and peace kiss each other." The peace we all desire will never happen if there is no justice. Material poverty is the result of injustice, an unjust social structure that impoverishes people materially. We can talk about spiritual poverty, but here I am referring exclusively to material poverty. In a world where so much food is produced, it is incredibly sad to think that people are still dying of hunger. War is one of the causes of hunger. So much is spent producing sophisticated and increasingly lethal weapons, yet little is done to feed the hungry. It is devastating to know that hunger has been used as a "weapon of war".
As religious missionaries, we should never forget the poor! Standing by their side is our calling. Being supportive, being present in their lives, and communicating God's love to them is the least we can do. Celebrating the Eucharist and sharing God's Word with them makes a great difference in their lives. At the Eucharistic table, no one is left out. The presence of Jesus gives life, courage, and hope. It nourishes the hope of God's people. He is a liberating God, rich in compassion and tenderness. Sharing at the Eucharistic table should awaken in us a deep desire to work together, arm-in-arm, so that everyone also has their daily bread on the tables of their homes.
Witnessing to Justice
Justice is an imperative that everyone must work for. As I said previously, there can be no peace without justice. The justice we seek and strive to achieve must begin with the way we live. Missionaries, religious, and priests are generally appreciated for their moral credibility and prophetic voice. It is very inspiring to see missionaries working tirelessly for the common good, for the well-being of their parishioners, and in the advocacy of human rights. Some are engaged in defending indigenous peoples, denouncing corruption, and promoting life.
Let us remember now with great respect and appreciation our own martyrs: Conrado de la Cruz, a Filipino missionary sent to Guatemala in 1972. Kidnapped and killed in the city of Guatemala at the age of 33. Walter Voordeckers, a young Belgian missionary sent to Guatemala in 1966 and brutally murdered in front of his Church at the age of 40 years old. Serge Berten, a young Belgian missionary sent to Guatemala in 1975, was kidnapped and killed by the dictatorial regime in 1982 in Guatemala City at the age of 29 years old. Ferdinand Hamer, Apostolic Vicar of Kan-Su (China) and of South-West Mongolia (China), who was burnt alive by the Boxers at the age of 59. These were fellow confreres, men of faith and courage, who fought for justice and had their lives cut short. Many others also died on and for the mission. May they inspire us to be more zealous and faithful workers in the fight for justice. They gave their lives in defense of the oppressed. Their martyrdoms remind us that the search for peace and justice is not always an easy endeavor. It requires from us plenty of courage, faith, and determination to do God's work, that is, acting in God's name and out of love for humanity.
Witnessing to the Universal Brotherhood
Article 17 of our CICM Constitutions states that "by following Jesus as a community of brothers, we proclaim that God is the ultimate reality of our lives and keep alive among the people hope for the Kingdom and its justice". It is an integral part of our vocation as CICM religious missionaries to witness to universal fraternity among ourselves (community of brothers) and among the people we serve. Of course, this is not always an easy task, but we must never lose sight of this ideal of ours. Living this universal brotherhood authentically and sincerely is an effective way to witness to justice and peace in the world. As CICMs, we have a golden opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people to whom we are sent by demonstrating that, regardless of our cultural and national differences, we can still live together in peace. We become then witnesses to unity. It is by journeying with people of different languages and histories that we can influence them to internalize the values of the Gospel, especially the love for one another. We can show them that differences do not have to lead to division and discord, and that faith in God can unite us as a family of brothers and sisters.
Conclusion
We are living in strange times. We live in a time in which intolerance, hatred, discord, and the persecution of the weakest seem to be blatantly accepted by society. This leads me to ask: Is humanity in crisis? Is humanity becoming dehumanized? Well, I'm not sure what to say, but I do know we have a mission in this world. Hope must not die! We need courage to plant in people's hearts the hope of a better world. And to do so, we must be convinced that it is our mission. It is impossible to escape the context in which we live. We are challenged to join forces and work to make the world a better place. True peace, as Pope Francis used to tell us, is not merely the absence of war but the "active work of fraternity and justice." 1
I remember the opening message of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, greeting us and calling us to a culture of peace, and I conclude this reflection with his own words:
"Dear brothers and sisters, Peace be with you! These are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for God's flock. I want this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you! It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally".2
1 Message of Pope Francis on the occasion of the World Day of Peace 2015.
2 Message of Pope Leo XIV on his election day.
