Abstract
Over the past centuries, societies and nations across the globe have often suffered some form of social, political, ethnic, racial or religious violent conflict, from Chile to Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Uganda to South Africa, from Northern Ireland to Sri Lanka, Tibet and the Philippines. It is often a very difficult task to heal the wounds and divisions of societies torn apart by sustained violent conflict. Yet the challenge of peaceful coexistence is fundamental not only to the survival, but also to the development of every society and nation. Peaceful coexistence presupposes justice, requires mercy and builds on sustainable reconciliation. This paper has therefore for its objective to propose a Christian approach to sustainable reconciliation as one that integrates justice, mercy and peace. The study first elaborates an understanding of justice, mercy and peace that is based on the Biblical perspective, the social teachings of the Catholic Church and the fundamentals of human rights. It further examines the relationship of justice, mercy and peace for establishing a sustainable reconciliation among peoples and nations. The paper concludes by recommending a conversion of hearts, a transformation of perception and attitudes and a change in structures as concrete measures of true justice which creates enabling environment for building sustainable reconciliation among peoples, nations and the global world for a flourishing humanity.
Author Information
Mary-Noelle Ethel Ezeh, Anambra State University, Nigeria
Paper Information
Conference: ECERP2016
Stream: Religion - Religion and Peace Studies
This paper is part of the ECERP2016 Conference Proceedings (View)
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