The bond of unity

Muslims and Christians on the island of Mindanao, Philippines, join together to build peace

By Sr. Lorie Nuñez, O.L.M.
May/June 2012

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St. Paul wrote to the Colossians to encourage and guide them as new Christians. After calling them saints, he explained to them about true Christian behavior as in 3:13-15: “whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Mindanao Week of Peace 2011, (L-R): Fr. Vic Arellano, Bebs Talaroc, Leah Mehila, and Lorie Nuñez, OLM. Philippines.

My interfaith dialogue ministry in the Philippines is a realization of Paul’s letter about love being the bond of unity. The work we do is a simple act of breaking and sharing bread with Muslim friends.

The roots of conflict between Christians and Muslims in the Philippines can be traced back to the advent of colonization when the Spaniards used religion as an instrument for conquest. Long before the Spanish arrived, the Muslims of the archipelago had already established a stable and prosperous society. The Spaniards used Christian converts to fight against the Muslims in the name of the cross and portrayed this conquest as a crusade of good (the Christians) against evil (the Muslims).

Many years ago a group of Muslims and Christians developed a forum for Muslim-Christian Solidarity in Cagayan de Oro City on the island of Mindanao. They were convinced that their respective faiths should not be a hindrance but a motivation for solidarity and peacemaking in the face of the conflict in Mindanao that affected the lives of so many Muslims, Christians and Lumads (indigenous peoples).

Muslim and Christian community leaders in Cagayan de Oro meet once a month to share friendship and a meal. Standing L-R: Lorie; Monsignor Rey Monsanto, Vicar General of Cagayan de Oro; Amina Mambuay; Fr. Noel Ponsavan. Seated: Leah Mehila and Antonio Ledesma SJ, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro.

Out of this conviction came the creation of an organization called the Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity made up of Muslim and Christian community leaders in the city who meet once a month. And every year during Ramadan (the Islamic month of fasting), Muslims invite their Christian brothers and sisters to the breaking of the fast at sundown.

Building a bond of unity between us is difficult, but we remember the words of the Muslim leaders who spoke during the interfaith gathering at the Ramadan celebration saying: “There are two reasons why we Muslims are happy when we break the fast; first, we share and eat the food; second, we share the food with friends.” Thus they proclaim a sacred space of peace.

The Interfaith Forum also highlights the growing desire for peace during its annual celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace. The celebration presents an important challenge and creates a space for Muslim-Christian dialogue.

Last year’s Week of Peace spoke about the common values between Muslims and Christians in the Philippines with its theme, “Love of God and Love of Neighbour.” These values highlight a deeper understanding and a positive appreciation of Islam, and increase awareness that Muslims are not our enemies, but our neighbours and friends. Together we look to Abraham as our ancestor in faith. This spiritual connection can become a solid basis for our dialogue of life, faith and love—a great bond of unity.

Salvacion Toca MSC, Lorie, and Lorelei Madrona-Panacawan.

Recently Lorie has been re-appointed to the OLM mission in Brazil.

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