Pontiff Calls Volunteers Peace Workers
Addresses Youth of Italy’s Civil Service
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 29, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI called the youth volunteers of Italy’s civil service “workers of peace” and congratulated them on their enthusiasm and generosity.
“Peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly,” he said, quoting the Vatican II pastoral constitution Gaudium et spes. “How real this observation is! Unfortunately, wars and violence never end, and the search for peace is always a toilsome business.”
Quoting the council fathers, the Pontiff explained: “New approaches based on reformed attitudes must be taken to remove this trap and to emancipate the world from its crushing anxiety through the restoration of genuine peace.”
According to Benedict XVI, “the authentic conversion of hearts represents the right way, the only way that can lead each one of us and all humanity to the peace that we hope for.”
“It is the way indicated by Jesus: He — the King of the universe — did not come to bring peace to the world with an army, but through refusing violence,” he added.
This way, the Pope said, is the one “followed not only by the disciples of Christ, but by many men and women of good will, courageous witnesses of non-violence.”
“So you must be instruments of peace always and everywhere, decisively rejecting egoism and injustice, indifference and hatred, to build up and spread — with patience and perseverance — justice, equality, freedom, reconciliation, welcome, forgiveness in every community,” he said.