Pope Francis’ Four Point Principles for Peace

In his first papal exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Joy of the Gospel, Our Holy Father Pope Francis is convinced that if his four principles are applied in the processes of human development and nation building, they “can be a genuine path to peace within each nation and in the entire world”(n. 221).

For us who have been in the peace-building activities for quite some time here in Mindanao and around Asia, this is a very bold and interesting claim. Let us look closely at these four principles and what try to understand the Pope means to say.

The four pricinples are: ¤ time is greater than space, ¤ unity prevails over conflict, ¤ realities are more important than ideas, and, ¤ the whole is greater than the part. Let us study the first principle as a start.

The first principle gives more importance and value to process than to results. The reason is, because the person is involved in the interactive process which is more important than the end product of the interaction.   Effective process in turn demands free and proper use of time. Productive meeting of persons demands more listening than speaking which takes time. Useless and unproductive interactions focus more on the meeting of the minds” rather than “meeting of the hearts”. All these are not new. And the Pope is correct from our own experience.

This is one reason, it seems to me, why many peace talks were a failure because more importance was given to the  peace agreement on paper than to the interactive process among the negotiators. If ever an agreed pact is reached, its implementation is either unsatisfactory or a total failure. One example is the peace agreement between administration of former President Ramos and the Moro National Liberation Front under Chairman Nur Misuari.

I find the Pope’s first principle very wise and very effective. It has been my personal experience as founder and co-convenor of the Bishops- Ulama Conference.. There is more to share on the value of this first principle especially in the area of day-to-day living and especially in the ministry of evangelization. More this in the next Shalom.