Today's Marists 2024 Volume 8, Issue 2

Reconciliation:
A Path to Peace in Interreligious Dialogue
by Hermes Sabud, SM, Program coordinator, Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (IRICD) Program of the Marist Asia Foundation, Ranong, Thailand
Interreligious dialogue is a collaborative
approach to life where people from diverse
religious faith traditions respectfully
establish connections and build friendships.
When people begin to establish friendships,
trust is gradually initiated and nurtured. As
relationships develop, we become aware of
the uniqueness of the other. There are times
when it is difficult to accept and appreciate
certain aspects of another person. However,
as soon as trust is established, there will be
times when things are shared openly and
honestly. In interreligious dialogue, genuine
peace is achieved through reconciliation.
The present situation of the world seems to
lack hopeful indicators for reconciliation and
achieving peace. However, for those who
are dedicated to promoting and building
reconciliation, peace, and harmony with
others, it is achievable. Perhaps for others
who have experienced the difficulties,
discrimination and humiliation inflicted
by others who have power, the conviction
mentioned above might be painful to hear.
Genuine reconciliation is the only way to
achieve peace for those who believe and
work in interreligious dialogue.
Since 2006, the Marists have been working
in Ranong, Thailand. Ranong is situated
on the western side of the Andaman Sea
and is bordered by Kawthaung, Myanmar’s
southernmost region. It is about a 30-45
minute boat ride between Ranong and
Kawthaung. Ranong’s fishing industry
relies heavily on the citizens of Myanmar
for its fishermen and fish factory workers.
The Ranong Province is believed to have
over 100,000 Myanmar workers, which
may exceed the local Thai population.
(bit.ly/3VvvtgQ).
The Marist community in Ranong is
composed of 4 Marist priests from New
Zealand and Mexico, and two from
the Philippines. Under the Marist Asia
Foundation, the mission in Thailand
is carried out through three programs:
Education, Health - HIV/AIDS and
Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue
(IRICD). The education program is dedicated
to educating the children of migrant workers,
and the health program serves migrants
who are living with HIV/AIDS. The IRICD
program aims to foster good relationships
among people from diverse cultures and
religions. But how can good relationships
be promoted in the midst of the violence
in the different corners of the globe? Is
reconciliation still within the realm of
possibility? In the realm of interreligious
dialogue, staying true to our identity is a
significant challenge.
One day a youth from Myanmar who has
been working in Ranong asked me, “Fr.
Hermes, is there a possibility of attaining
peace in Myanmar?” It is widely known
that a military takeover occurred on
February 1, 2021. People are suffering due
to the continuous deprivation caused by
the political and economic situation in
Myanmar. The deterioration of peace and
order has caused many people to leave the
country. Violence and the loss of lives in
Myanmar have already escalated due to
the socio-political and economic crisis. The
question asked by the youth was genuine
and aimed to find a glimpse of hope for
peace. Is there a possibility of peace? This
challenging question not only applies to the
situation in Myanmar, but also to Palestine,
Israel, Ukraine, Russia and several other
countries around the world.
In the Christian perspective, peace is
possible - in fact, it is already happening. To
achieve genuine peace, reconciliation must
occur. Reconciliation allows an individual
to look beyond oneself, see the bigger
picture and consider the experience of
others. Our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrates
to us in a vivid way what it means to
reconcile. He enters the realm of the other,
listens, respects, understands, accepts and
establishes trust and genuine relationships.
The parables of Jesus of the ‘Lost Son’ (Lk.
15:11 - 32) and the ‘Good Samaritan’ (Lk. 10:
29 -37) are vivid examples of reconciliation.
In the parable of the lost son, the father says,
“let us celebrate with a feast, because this
6 Today’s Marists Magazine