The Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has called on Justice and Peace coordinators in Southern Africa to build bridges through courageous advocacy, solidarity and a commitment to peace.

Sr Alessandra Smerilli FMA, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has urged justice and peace coordinators in Southern Africa to place human dignity at the centre of their advocacy, reminding them that behind every social injustice is a person whose life deserves recognition and protection.

The Justice and Peace coordinators from the six episcopal conferences that make up the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), are attending a five-day workshop under the theme “Empowering Religious Leaders to Engage in the Effective Advocacy of Socio-Political, Economic, and Environmental Issues in the IMBISA Region.”

Advocacy rooted in human dignity

In her video address to participants at the start of the workshop, Sr Smerilli highlighted the issues addressed by the workshop, including economic justice, natural resources, xenophobia, human trafficking, human rights, governance and integral ecology.

“These are not abstract topics; each one has a face,” she said, pointing to the experiences of a young woman sold across a border, a family forced to leave home, and a neighbour treated as a stranger.

The Church’s commitment to advocacy, she explained, flows from Christ’s call to ensure that everyone enjoys life in its fullness and that the God-given dignity of every person is respected.

See, build and speak

Offering participants three guiding words, “see, build, speak,” the Prefect encouraged them to recognise the people behind reports on trafficking, migration and poverty, work together to find solutions, and speak courageously against injustice.

“If we do not see them, our words will be empty,” she cautioned.

Drawing on the biblical account of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, Sr Smerilli highlighted the importance of collective responsibility, with families working together to rebuild different sections.

She applied this image to justice and peace coordinators from IMBISA’s nine countries — Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“Nine countries, one wall. Each of you holds a section of it,” she said, urging participants to strengthen regional cooperation.

Advocacy, she added, must use words that unite rather than divide. Recalling Pope Leo XIV’s call to disarm words, she urged religious leaders to “build peace through justice”, sustained by prayer and a commitment to action.

Concluding her address, the Prefect assured participants of the Dicastery’s support and encouraged them to persevere in their efforts to promote justice, peace and integral human development.