We Believe

We believe in God the father of us all
who has given the earth to all people.
We believe in Jesus Christ, who came to encourage us and to heal us,
to deliver us from the oppressors
and to proclaim the peace of God to everyone

Response: This we believe

We believe in the Spirit of God who works
in every woman and man of goodwill.
We believe in the Church given as a light for all nations,
Moved by the Spirit to serve all people.

Response: This we believe

We do not believe in the right of the strongest, nor the force of arms,
nor the power of oppressors.
We want to believe in human rights, in the solidarity of all people,
in the power of non-violence.

Response: This we believe

We do not believe in racism, privilege or the established order.
We want to believe that all men and women are equally human,
that peace based on violence is not true peace.
We do not believe that we can fight oppression far away
if we tolerate injustice here.
We want to believe that there is but one right everywhere,
that we are not fre if one person remains enslaved.

Response: This we believe

We do not believe that war and hunger are inevitaable
and peace unattainable.
We want to believe in the beauty of simplicity,
In love with open hands, in peace.
We do not believe that all suffering is in vain,
nor that our dreams will remain dreams,
nor that death is the end.
But we dare to believe, always in spite of everything, in a new humanity,
In God's own dream of a new heave and a new earth,
where justice andpeace will flourish.

Response: This we believe

From Voices for Justice, a newsletter of Columban Justice and Peace