The President of the U.S.G. explains why many religious were present at the peace demonstrations in various cities throughout the world on Saturday

Rome (Italy), 18 February (VID) - "The presence of religious at the peace demonstrations is a sign of our option for life," Brother Álvaro Rodríguez, Superior General of the Christian Brothers and President of the Union of General Superiors (U.S.G.), tells "Vidimus Dominum."

Speaking about peace and the peace demonstrations which took place all over the world this past weekend, Brother Álvaro  Rodríguez underlines the importance of Pope John Paul's call to peace and says that it "must be a strong stimulus."

"Vidimus Dominum" asked Brother Álvaro  what he thinks about the commitment of religious for peace which has been expressed these past months. "I write this from Malaysia, where I am after having visited Hong Kong, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore on my way to Thailand," responds the President of the U.S.G. "And I have found a strong reaction by the Church, religious and people against the war."

In the Philippines, a strong communiqué was published by the Conference of Religious. I believe that we are seeing a moment of grace, in which there is a growing consciousness that war has never been a solution and that we must begin to develop a culture of peace."

"It seems," he adds, "that the presence of religious at the demonstrations that took place this weekend world wide is a very clear sign that our option is for life, for the poor, and for those who suffer. Religious life has always desired to live the Beatitudes and we must not forget that one of these Beatitudes is for the peacemakers. I really like the English term 'peacemaker'. I believe that it very well defines the attitude, with which we should always live, as educators, pastors, servants. Our NO to the war should translate into a YES for life, a full life."

"He has come so that we may have life and have it to the full - thus I pray that the Lord of life and of history will permit us to remain faithful to our Paschal faith, certain that the last word will be from the God of life in whom we believe and whom we love. The appeals for peace that the Holy Father keeps repeating," concludes Brother Álvaro , "should be a stimulus for us all."
^{(Vidimus Dominum)}