Welcome to the Jubilee Year, where we are faced with both the promise of hope and the harsh reality of violence and suffering that plagues our world. From the Holy Land to Ukraine, from Sudan to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the scenes of violence are surreal and horrific. Millions lack access to a decent quality of life while wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of a few. Displaced persons, refugees, racism, militarization, gun violence, domestic violence – the list goes on. The devastation of the natural world adds to the despair.
However, amidst this darkness, the 2025 Jubilee Year brings a message of hope. Pope Francis, in his 2025 World Day of Peace message, challenges us to make deep and specific changes during this Jubilee Year. He emphasizes the need for cultural and structural changes, not just sporadic acts of philanthropy. Enduring change requires a paradigm shift towards right relationships between humans and the earth, leading to a more just and peaceful world.
The call of the Jubilee is clear: a transformation from pervasive violence to Gospel nonviolence. This requires a profound conversion as individuals, as a Church, and as a human family. The Church is rediscovering the centrality of nonviolence in the vision of Jesus, urging us to resolutely stand against violence and build a world where the dignity of all is respected.
The 2025 Jubilee invites us to sow the seeds of Gospel nonviolence throughout the Church and the world, preparing for a long-term shift towards a more humane order. The Jubilee vision, rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, advocates for right relationships between people and the earth, emphasizing the importance of rest, restoration, and respect for all creation.
Jesus himself embodied the “year of the Lord’s favour” by teaching love for enemies and turning the other cheek, showing the path of nonviolence. Pope Francis proposes three specific initiatives for the 2025 Jubilee Year: debt cancellation, elimination of the death penalty, and the establishment of a Global Fund to combat hunger and climate change.
In a world plagued by violence, the Church can lead the way towards nonviolent change. The possibility of transformational change is a beacon of hope and a basis for peace on earth. Let us embrace this vision of hope and work towards a more peaceful and just world.
Marie Dennis . Senior Programme Director, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (CNI)
