Office For Global Concerns

The following article was taken from the November-December 2011 issue of NewsNotes, published by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.

From their founding 100 years ago, Maryknoll missioners have encountered violence and its aftermath. In China, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Hawaii and other Pacific Islands they knew the horror of repression and war. At times the violence was local or national. At other times, it seemed to be part of a regional or even global conflagration. From El Salvador to East Timor, Sudan and Chile to Cambodia, Guatemala, Vietnam, Peru and on and on, Maryknoll missioners accompanied the survivors and often knew the consequences of violence themselves. They have seen close at hand the tremendous importance of making and sustaining peace as an essential expression of their missionary vocation.

Faith grounds and shapes the work of Maryknoll for peace. They have tapped well the spiritual energies in our own tradition. A small community of contemplative Maryknoll sisters lived for years in the midst of war in Sudan. Their mission and that of other Maryknoll contemplative communities – to pray for a just peace – has been a powerful witness to peace that surpasses all understanding.