In a message entitled “Christians and Buddhists: Working together for Peace through Recon-ciliation and Resilience” released on 6 May, Cardinal Ayuso, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, reflected on how the teachings of both traditions highlight the need for collaborative efforts in healing the wounds of humanity and the earth.
Quoting Pope St. Paul VI’s timeless plea, “Never again war, never again war,” the Cardinal said it serves as an urgent reminder of how “the continuing escalation of conflicts worldwide calls for renewed attention to the critical issue of peace and deeper reflection on our role in overcoming the obstacles standing in the way of its growth.”
Noting that pursuing peace demands “vigorous efforts” on the part of all, Cardinal Ayuso pointed to the need “to strengthen our commitment to work for recon-ciliation and resilience.” The Cardinal remarked on how the quest for lasting peace requires acknowledging that true recon-ciliation cannot occur without addressing the underlying causes of conflicts and he emphasized the importance of equity and justice in political, economic, and cultural spheres.