Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

Promotion of Inter-Religious Dialogue

in Conflict Affected Communities

FR. PON-PON VASQUEZ, JR., OMICoordinator

OMI Inter-Religious Dialogue Ministry

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

What is INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE?

• Inter - is a Latin prefix meaning "between“, among”, or "within a group".

• Religious - an adjective meaning Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.

• Dialogue - a deep conversation between two or more people

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

DIALOGUE CONTRASTED WITH DISCUSSION

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

- Deep conversation among people who believe in God

- malalim na pag-uusap (verbal & non-verbal communication) ng mga sumasampalataya sa Diyos.

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

WHEN, HOW and WHY WAS THE OMI INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE MINISTRY CREATED?

• “This ministry is as old as the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines : 1939” (Fr. Bert)

• It had no name yet that time. This ministry was something inherent with the first Oblates like Bishops Mongeau, Dion, McSorley, Frs. Hemann, Laquerre, Gregoire etc.

• The works which the Oblate pioneers started were all inclusive: Oblates working principle is responding to the most urgent needs and serving the most abandoned

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

Examples: •Education ministry – the establishments of Notre Dame Schools were intended not just for the Christians but for Muslims and the Lumads

•Media ministry – radio programs were not just for Catholics…

•Housing Projects – houses were built for both Christians and Muslims: Krislamville & Notre Dame village

•Livelihood Projects - animal dispersal & construction of irrigation were for both Muslims and Christians.

Some Oblates even have Muslim convent boys…During the war in the 70’s – Oblates were already involved in taking care of the evacuees (Muslims and Christians) in Lebak, Landasan, Parang, Kalamansig, Pikit, Dulawan etc…

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

• In 1990 , the OMI Provincial Assembly gave birth to the name of this ministry: it was now called “Muslim Ministry.

• In 1998, Fr. Bert Layson, OMI was assigned as the first full-time Oblate in-charge of this Ministry which later on was called “Christian-Muslim Relations Ministry”.

• The series of war which took place from 1997 – 2003 gave birth to the Integrated Rehabilitation Program (IRP) initiated by Fr. Bert. This IRP has become the major program of this “Christian- Muslim Relations Ministry”. The focus of this program is healing the wounds caused by wars and restoring peace in Mindanao.

• At present this ministry is being called Inter- religious Dialogue by the Oblates.

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

CONCRETE WORKS IN THE IRD MINISTRY

Relief Operation for Internally Displaced Persons (bakwit)

Enhancing the Space for Peace Communities started by Fr. Bert

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

Module-Making and book Publication on Peace and the works of Fr. Bert

Video Productions for Peace Advocacy

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

Scholarship Program for the Tri-People

Conducting Inter-religious Dialogue and Culture of Peace Seminars

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

Affected Barangays: 17Affected Families: 6, 665Affected Individuals: 38, 443Dead: 3Wounded: 7Burned Houses: 5

MUNICIPALITY OF PIKIT

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

OMI DISASTER / CONFLICT RESPONSE TEAM WORKING STRUCTURE

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

IRD

PPC

COORDINATOR

DRT

MEDICAL RECEIVING FOODEVACUATION CENTER MGT.

MONITORING LOGISTICS

FINANCE

OMI – IRD DISASTER / CONFLICT RESPONSE TEAM WORKING STRUCTURE

Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Philippine Province / #17 Oblate Drive, Cotabato City 9600 / omiphil.org

CHALLENGES

• How to counter effectively the inflammatory statement of some political leaders.

• How to regain the atmosphere of trust especially in those barangays severely affected by the conflict

• How to handle properly the Trauma victims