Christians are called to live out the Easter message of peace, especially in times of war and violence, a Komsomol missionary priest who was once kidnapped in Uganda said.
“On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, Easter Day, Jesus appeared before the apostles (and) the message he gave them was, ‘Peace be with you!'” Father Giulio Albanese of the MCCJ said in an exclusive interview with EWTN News reporter Valentina Di Donato.
He said, “From a Christian perspective, peace is not just a wish, it is a gift, and we must know that it is our vocation, to bring peace to the world. The shameful thing is that nowadays we are doing exactly the opposite.”
Albanese, who was kidnapped by armed rebels in northern Uganda in 2002 and who witnessed many of the war’s atrocities firsthand, said today’s Christians cannot turn a blind eye to people’s suffering.
“We have to be aware that internationally we live in a society where there are many contradictions,” he said.
He further said, “There are many innocent people who have been killed because of human selfishness. Look at what is happening in Iran, the Middle East, Africa.”
To overcome the obstacles to peace, Albanese said it is necessary for Christians to convert and take to heart Jesus’ Easter message of peace.
He said, “On Easter Day and in the days that follow, we must pray for peace because if there is a lack of peace in the world it is because our Christianity has become meaningless.”
After witnessing the violent murders of a woman and her young children in Uganda, Albanese shared with Di Donato how his faith in the risen Jesus was tested.
“I have to be honest, at that very moment, I started screaming against God, I said, ‘Lord where are you? Why are you allowing innocent people to be killed like this? Why do they have to suffer like this? Lord have you forgotten us? Have you forgotten these people?’ He said.
But it was with the help of an elderly priest that Albanese was able to sense the presence of God, when he was told: “You must ask yourself where man is, not where God is.”
Describing their heartfelt conversion as a “resurrection story,” the Comboni missionary said these days of Easter can help Christians renew their commitment to work toward peace.
“We have to believe that our lives are in God’s hands,” he said. “God is faithful, and the moment you live an experience like this is the moment you understand the importance of life.”
During Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV made several pleas to world leaders to end all conflict and violence.
Describing Jesus Christ as “King of Peace” during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father said God does not listen to those who “wage war.”
“As the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today truly share in His suffering,” he said in his March 29 sermon.
On Easter Sunday, the Pope renewed his prayer petition for peace during “Urbi et Orbi” Blessings Delivered from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“The peace that Jesus gives us is not just a peace of arms but a peace that touches and transforms the heart of each of us!” He said. “Let us let ourselves be transformed by the peace of Christ! Let us hear the cry for peace that comes from our hearts!”
Pope Leo will preside over a prayer service for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica on April 11.
