Pax Christi International urged Christians to respond through nonviolence, resilience, and what it called the need to “organise Hope”, as wars escalate and global tensions strain already fragile systems
In a Lenten reflection, Martha Inés Romero, secretary general of Pax Christi International, said the world stands at “a critical juncture in human history,” pointing to “fractures in our global community—withdrawals from international institutions, defunding of humanitarian aid, escalating conflicts, and the erosion of democratic values.”
She said these conditions demand more than concern, stressing that “it is precisely in times of darkness that the Nonviolent Gospel shines most brightly, offering us not just comfort, but a path forward to build resilience, cultivate hope, and act as faithful citizens in a broken world.”
Citing Jesus’ words—“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”—Romero challenged a world that “glorifies military might and economic domination,” urging a shift toward “relationship over power, compassion over control, and community over competition.”
She described resilience as “the capacity to maintain our integrity and hope when systems around us are collapsing,” calling on Christians to build “networks of solidarity that cross political and religious divides,” especially for refugees and the poor.
Romero also urged believers “to speak truth to power,” including “naming the injustice of spending trillions on military while humanitarian assistance and social budgets fall.”
At the center of her message is a call to act: “we, more than ever need to strengthen our capacity to cultivate Hope, to organise Hope!” She said hope is not passive, but “active trust in God’s promise to make all things new.”
She added that the “Nonviolent Gospel compels us to resist injustice without resorting to the methods of the oppressor,” pointing instead to diplomacy, cooperation, and renewed commitment to the common good.
