In English – La bibliothèque d'Étienne Chomé

The law of the strongest ≠ true peace

Texte en français plus bas !

We speak of Pax Romana, Pax Mongolica, Pax Britannica, Pax Americana, etc., when international life enjoys a period of sufficient stability because one of its actors is powerful enough to impose its own law, punish transgressions, bring less powerful actors into line, and even directly interfere in conflicts between such secondary actors.

Such hegemonic peace is possible because of overwhelming military superiority. Throughout history, the strongest power has always developed a narrative legitimising its military domination and economic exploitation, highlighting the benefits of the peace it offers: the Romans secured the Mediterranean routes, the Mongols the Silk Road, the British the shipping lanes, the Americans global finance (the dollar = the global reference currency), the space lanes, and not to mention, the virtual pathways…

The hegemonic power uses its ideology of peace to claim the right to monopolise legitimate violence in the name of its civilising mission, and for the common good.

Of course, it is in our interest to look beneath the layers of ideological veneer and identify when invisible infrastructures function according to the law of the jungle; where “Nature” teaches that an Alpha male who has succeeded in imposing his order (established dominant disorder) can know in advance what his fate will be: when he is supplanted, he will pay dearly for what he has done to others. Such is the price to pay for peace through superiority rather than through negotiation between actors respected as equals in dignity and considered as equals in fundamental rights and duties, regardless of their physical, military or economic power. This utopia of equal dignity among actors inspired the creation of the UN, even as the world seemed to be emerging from the Second World War through a multilateralism based on the balance of terror… True peace is built century by century, step by step, overcoming the law of the strongest.

To hear two minor actors defending their own ideology in the present moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLM1prACQ1Y. I am sharing this document to encourage us all to be critically aware of the ideological mechanisms of discourse, not to take a position for or against anyone… i am for the peace in the mutual respect!

On parle de Pax Romana, Pax Mongolica, Pax Britannica, Pax Americana, etc., quand la vie internationale jouit d’une période de stabilité suffisamment satisfaisante du fait qu’un de ses acteurs est assez puissant pour imposer sa propre loi, en punir les transgressions, mettre au pas les acteurs moins puissants que lui, au point d’interférer directement dans des conflits entre de tels acteurs secondaires.

Une telle paix hégémonique est possible à cause d’une supériorité militaire écrasante. Dans l’Histoire, à chaque fois, le plus fort développe un narratif légitimant sa domination militaire et ses exploitations économiques, en montrant les bienfaits de la paix qu’il offre : les Romains ont sécurisé les routes méditerranéennes, les Mongoles la route de la soie, les Britanniques les voies de navigation, les États-Uniens la finance mondiale (le dollar = la devise de référence mondiale), les voies de l’espace et j’en passe sur les chemins virtuels…

La puissance hégémonique se sert de son idéologie de paix pour revendiquer le droit à monopoliser la violence légitime, au nom de sa mission civilisatrice et pour le Bien commun.

Bien sûr, nous avons intérêt à regarder sous les couches des vernis idéologiques et repérer quand les infrastructures invisibles fonctionnent comme dans la loi de la jungle, là où « la Nature » enseigne qu’un mâle Alpha qui a réussi à imposer son ordre (désordre dominant établi), peut savoir à l’avance quel sera son sort : quand il sera supplanté, il paiera cash ce qu’il a fait subir aux autres. Tel est le prix à payer d’une paix par la supériorité et non par la négociation entre acteurs respectés comme égaux en dignité, considérés comme égaux en droits et en devoirs fondamentaux, indépendamment de leur puissance physique, militaire ou économique. Cette utopie d’égale dignité entre acteurs a inspiré la création de l’ONU, alors même que le monde semblait sortir de la Deuxième guerre mondiale par un multilatéralisme basé sur l’équilibre des terreurs… La paix véritable se construit de siècle en siècle, à petits pas, en dépassant pas à pas la loi du plus fort.

Pour entendre deux acteurs secondaires défendant leur propre idéologie dans le moment présent : https ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLM1prACQ1Y. Je partage ce document pour nous encourager tou.te.s à une conscience critique sur les mécanismes idéologiques des discours, pas pour prendre position pour ou contre qui que ce soit…

Que vive la paix !

Same text in English, below!

« …bénir le nationalisme, justifier religieusement la violence et la lutte armée : les croyants doivent réfuter activement, avant tout par leur vie, ces formes de blasphème qui obscurcissent le Saint Nom de Dieu. […] C’est la voie désarmante de la diplomatie, de la médiation, du droit international, démentie malheureusement par de plus en plus fréquentes violations d’accords difficilement obtenus, dans un contexte qui nécessiterait non pas la délégitimation, mais bien plutôt le renforcement des institutions supranationales. […] La force dissuasive de la puissance, et en particulier la dissuasion nucléaire, incarnent l’irrationalité d’une relation entre les peuples fondée non pas sur le droit, la justice et la confiance, mais sur la peur et la domination de la force. […] La paix existe, elle veut habiter en nous, elle a le pouvoir doux d’éclairer et d’élargir l’intelligence, elle résiste à la violence et la vainc. La paix a le souffle de l’éternité : alors qu’on crie ‘assez’ au mal, on murmure ‘pour toujours’ à la paix. […] Même dans les lieux où il ne reste que des ruines et où le désespoir semble inévitable, nous trouvons aujourd’hui même ceux qui n’ont pas oublié la paix. […] Entamer en soi-même ce désarmement du cœur, de l’esprit et de la vie auquel Dieu ne tardera pas à répondre en accomplissant ses promesses » (Léon XIV, 59^ème journée mondiale de la paix, 1^er janvier 2026).

« …to bless nationalism, and to justify violence and armed struggle in the name of religion. Believers must actively refute, above all by the witness of their lives, these forms of blasphemy that profane the holy name of God. […] This is the disarming path of diplomacy, mediation and international law, which is sadly too often undermined by the growing violations of hard-won treaties, at a time when what is needed is the strengthening of supranational institutions, not their delegitimization. […] The idea of the deterrent power of military might, especially nuclear deterrence, is based on the irrationality of relations between nations, built not on law, justice and trust, but on fear and domination by force. […] Peace exists; it wants to dwell within us. It has the gentle power to enlighten and expand our understanding; it resists and overcomes violence. Peace is a breath of the eternal: while to evil we cry out “Enough,” to peace we whisper “Forever”. […] Even in places where only rubble remains, and despair seems inevitable, we still find people who have not forgotten peace. […] To begin within ourselves that disarmament of heart, mind and life. God will surely respond to this by fulfilling his promises » (Léon XIV, LIX WORLD DAY OF PEACE, 1^st January 2026).

The foundations of authentic peace

“So many parts of the world remain trapped in cycles of violence and despair. Let us receive the greeting of Leo XIV on the evening of his election from the central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, simple and profound: « a disarming and unarmed peace, humble and persevering ». It captures the heart of the Holy See’s vision: a peace not forged by arms, nor guaranteed by threats or deterrents, but born of love, sustained by justice and rooted in the dignity of every human being. A truly Catholic peace, in the primary sense of the word »katholikós’, which means ‘universal’. Peace is much more than the absence of war; it is the presence of just relations, it is an enterprise of justice, founded on truth, charity, freedom and the inviolable dignity of the human person which is its cornerstone. Every human life is sacred. No peace is possible if a single life is considered sacrificable / expendable.
This enterprise of true peace follows the path of integral human development (of all dimensions of the human person and of all peoples of the earth), which gives priority to the common good (peace must be at the service of all, not only of the strongest, but especially of the poor, the displaced, the forgotten) and of solidarity (we are not isolated individuals, but a human family. Peace is born from interdependence). War is the failure of politics and humanity (Richard Gallagher, Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, at the Globsec 2025 Forum on World Peace Building in Prague, 12-14 June 2025; https://forum2025.globsec.org/).

I give you my grimoire
to heal your memory

Restoring our greatness

Restoring national ‘greatness’ was essential for Hitler, after the humiliations suffered by Germany following the First World War. How many millions of human beings did he drag down with him?

Restoring national ‘greatness’ is essential for Putin, after the humiliations suffered by Russians following the collapse of the Soviet Union. How many millions of people is he dragging down with him?

Restoring national ‘greatness’ is essential for Trump, to ward off the inexorable end of American imperialism… How many millions of people is he dragging down with him?

Restoring the greatness of his Kingdom of Justice and Peace is essential for the Son of God, after the choices of power made by human beings through their so-called just wars. How many millions of human beings is he bringing into his salvation?

Here is the dream of a concert of peaceful Nations, with their leaders united in ‘We are the world’:
https://www.youtube.com\/watch?v=D_WQ7XwbiSQ
(impressive A.I. allowing us to see and hear such a dream)…

Gentle sunrise dispelling the darkness

Version française :

Doux lever du jour dissipant les ténèbres

The Bible teaches us that the light of Truth and Love prevails over the Forces of Evil like the dawn: a gentle daybreak dispelling the darkness, without fighting, without noise, humbly AND at the same time irresistibly, in the quiet strength of righteous power. This is recounted in the very last book of the Bible. Cf. my article: Revelation reveals the radical asymmetry of ends and means between the God of Jesus Christ and the Prince of this world. Excerpt:

‘The ‘last of the last’ of wars will resemble the implosion of a house of cards. The last book of the Bible, the Apocalypse of Saint John, speaks of the battle of Armageddon at the end of time. Spontaneously, our imaginations expect this final battle between the Forces of Good and Evil to be grandiose, on a par with the bloodiest mythological tales. The seventh art has made a spectacle of it, and the special effects of the most recent films add to the horror. Yet the biblical text tells a sobering tale of a non-battle: ‘The spirits of the demons gathered them to Armageddon. Out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne: it is done! The great city was broken into 3 parts and the cities of the nations collapsed’ (Rev 16:16-19). The loud voice signals the coming of God, before whom everything that has no eternal value crumbles like a house of cards, fragile on the inside. It implodes from its hollow belly, from its inanity.

Here’s what Wilbert Kreiss had to say: ‘Strange! We’re witnessing a general mobilisation and we’re expecting a terrible confrontation, a truly apocalyptic war, and nothing happens! There’s no fighting. There is no eschatological war between Christ surrounded by his angels and the infernal hordes mobilised by Satan. There has never been and there never will be a battle on the mountain of Megiddo. The battle of Armageddon, the millenarian’s violin d’Ingres, is not an event, but a non-event, and that is why it is not recounted in the text. Nor is the simulacrum of war mentioned in Revelation 20:7-10, which is nothing but a farce”

In the chapters preceding this bizarre war, the Johannine Letter plunged us into an appalling outburst of violence, with its attendant suffering and oppression. But their frenzied rage, enacted to its climax, is the very harbinger of their imminent self-destruction, like a fire dying of starvation. Finding nothing left to burn, it burns itself out at the end of its mad race. At the end of time, Evil will no longer find the answer it needs to survive. Throughout history, it has succeeded in inflaming the hearts and minds that have fuelled its infernal inferno. He has seduced the world, and he has also led the forces of the Church astray, dragging them along in this race to his doom. In the same apocalyptic vein, the Book of Daniel also warned of this fury linked to the end of the world, of these final jolts of a beast that dies after spitting out its venom. After the gesticulations of its last-ditch struggle, evil will no longer be able to achieve its goal, which is to generate evil. It will find itself alone, in the prison it has built for itself. […] The Prince of Darkness and his emissaries can give nothing but things that they have received from their Creator and perverted. Satan would so much like us to take him for the Saviour of the world, but he is the wolf in the clothing of Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother… Revelation warns us by revealing the inconsistency and evil of his anti-creation project. His works are antics and deception. They are a sham. He will be like a beast that dies after spitting its venom’.

Révolution non-violente en RDA

In English, see below

Voici l’exemple d’une révolution non-violente qui a surfé sur des symboles. Il y a 60 ans, l’Empire soviétique haranguait ses masses laborieuses à manier leurs charrues plutôt que des épées, comme l’illustre la statue (fabriquée par le sculpteur russe, Evgueni Vuchetich) que l’Union soviétique avait offerte en 1959 à l’ONU et qui se trouve toujours devant le bâtiment onusien à New York (voir l’image à gauche). Comme c’était un emblème communiste, le gouvernement de la RDA (République Démocratique Allemande) n’a pas tué dans l’œuf la résistance non-violente de ses jeunes qui avaient cousu un écusson en tissu reprenant ce symbole (voir l’image à droite : « épées en charrues ») au bras de leur veste, en mettant en avant sa portée biblique de paix : « Ils mettront en pièces leurs épées pour en faire des socs de charrue, et leurs lances pour en faire des serpes » (Isaïe 2,4 et Michée 4,3). Ce symbole devint un outil discret de ralliement et de mobilisation pour dire non à la domination soviétique, notamment aux veillées de prière vécues chaque lundi.

Le Pouvoir soviétique finit par interdire le port de ces écussons ; des milliers de jeunes Allemands de l’Est enlevèrent l’écusson tout en laissant dans leur veste les coutures ouvertes, en y ajoutant de nouveaux fils, histoire de bien souligner que le « non à la domination » n’est pas retiré et même qu’il monte encore en puissance. Le 24 septembre 1983, pour marquer le 500e anniversaire de la naissance de Martin Luther, à Wittenberg, après la tombée de la nuit, environ 2000 jeunes se sont rassemblés dans la cour de la maison de Luther. Là, un forgeron a allumé un feu au milieu de la foule et a soulevé une épée dans les airs. Il la montra ostensiblement à tous, puis la mit sur son enclume et la transforma, coup par coup, en charrue. Dans le contexte de répression, ce grand rassemblement fut un signe fort de courage, manifestant une ferme détermination et aussi une profonde confiance en Dieu. Toutes ces qualités se sont renforcées de lundi en lundi, dans les veillées de prière, jusqu’à la fameuse manifestation aux lumignons de Leipzig, le 9 octobre 1989. Cf. mon post https://etiennechome.site/la-chute-du-mur-de-berlin-grace-au-9-10-89-a-leipzig/,
où je montre comment la Stasi (police secrète) et les dirigeants de la RDA avaient anticipé de très nombreux scénarios pour empêcher l’opposition et casser toute résistance, mais ils n’avaient pas équipé leurs soldats contre l’humble pouvoir de bougies et de chants de prières d’un nombre suffisant de citoyens résolus à dire leur non-coopération. Cet exemple de dictature balayée sans violence, à coups d’écussons & lumignons humblement gardés allumés, à couper le souffle, nous a été rappelé par Josef Freise (mon vieux frère allemand qui a étudié à Louvain il y a 60 ans) dans son sermon du culte œcuménique ce dimanche 27 octobre 2024, au sein de la Conférence Internationale sur la paix organisée par Church and Peace. Plus de précisions : https://www.church-and-peace.org/en/european-conference-2024/.

Non-violent revolution in GDR

Here’s an example of a non-violent revolution that surfed on symbols. 60 years ago, the Soviet Empire harangued its toiling masses to wield ploughs rather than swords, as illustrated by the statue (made by Russian sculptor Evgeny Vuchetich) which the Soviet Union donated to the UN in 1959 and which still stands in front of the UN building in New York (see image left). As it was a Communist emblem, the government of the GDR (German Democratic Republic) didn’t nip in the bud the non-violent resistance of its young people, who had sewn a cloth patch using this symbol (see image right: “Swords into ploughshares ») on the arm of their jacket, highlighting its biblical significance for peace: «They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks» (Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3). This symbol became a discreet tool for rallying and mobilizing people to say no to Soviet domination, notably at the prayer vigils held every Monday.

The Soviet authorities eventually banned the wearing of these badges ; thousands of young East Germans removed the badges from their jackets, leaving the seams open and adding new threads to emphasize that “no to domination” had not been withdrawn, and was even gaining in strength. On September 24, 1983, to mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth, some 2,000 young people gathered in the courtyard of Luther’s house in Wittenberg after dark. There, a blacksmith lit a fire in the middle of the crowd and lifted a sword into the air. He showed it conspicuously to everyone, then placed it on his anvil and transformed it, stroke by stroke, into a plough. Against a backdrop of repression, this great gathering was a powerful sign of courage, showing firm determination and deep trust in God.

All these qualities were reinforced Monday after Monday in the prayer vigils, culminating in the famous Leipzig candle-light demonstration on October 9, 1989. See my post : https://etiennechome.site/la-chute-du-mur-de-berlin-grace-au-9-10-89-a-leipzig/,
where I show how the Stasi (secret police) and the leaders of the GDR had anticipated numerous scenarios to prevent opposition and break down any resistance, but had not equipped their soldiers against the humble power of candles and the prayer songs of a sufficient number of citizens determined to express their non-cooperation. This breathtaking example of a dictatorship swept away without violence, with crests & candles humbly kept lit, was reminded to us by Josef Freise (my old German brother who studied in Leuven 60 years ago) in his sermon at the ecumenical service this Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the International Peace Conference organized by Church and Peace. More details: https://www.church-and-peace.org/en/european-conference-2024/.

The new paradigm of non-violence

I am these days in Nairobi, training a session about Conflict Resolution for 17 Peace Builders from all over Africa, English and French speakers together, in this 19th University of Peace in Africa (UPA).

My doctoral thesis was interested in the emergence of a new paradigm: efficient forces capable of lastingly curbing destructive violence are of another nature, of another order than this. These non violent forces deserve, as such, to be qualified otherwise than by the formula « legitimate violence ». The issue is much deeper than the terminology. It is a question of knowing the nature of these so-called non-violent forces, and recognizing their qualities, their characteristics, distinct from violence.

Among these,

1. the forces of law, capable of outlawing violence;

2. sociopolitical forces, able to manage the conflict without it drifting into violence;

3. psychological and spiritual forces, able to create a good relationship between one another, by respecting each in their dignity and their deep truth.

Staging the Last Supper on the Seine: making a big deal of it?

Jesus ended badly, crucified on a cross, because he shocked and even scandalised the orthodox custodians of Revelation, while people of ill-repute flocked around him, fascinated by his Good News: Our Father makes us all true brothers and sisters. He calls us to conversion, to open up to a Kingdom where those who want to be first will ultimately be last…

This message is so habitual in the mouth of a priest preaching from the pulpit that it passes by like humming in our ears. But outside the church, what diabolical process is used to scandalise people when the message comes from the mouths of those who are bizarre, from people of the night who are keen on bacchanalia of all sorts; or when the message comes from the mouths of those who have been flayed by life and despised by society? Do the orthodox thinkers have more right to a place at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday than they do? And what about the Barabbas of today who violently denounce the Olympic Games as « bread and circuses » / opium for the subjugated people? Thank you to the victims of injustice and the marginalised of every stripe when they choose weapons other than terrorism to shake up good consciences!

Jesus truly created scandal, notably by driving the merchants out of the Temple, calling for a conversion of heart and mind in favour of a true relationship with our Father (See my article :

Jesus-drives-the-merchants-out-of-the-Temple Télécharger

in French : https://etiennechome.site/mise-en-scene-de-la-cene-sur-la-seine-en-faire-toute-une-scene/).

Greek bacchanalia or Last Supper? What were the artists referring to who painted this highly controversial picture of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris? My question lies elsewhere. Can the Good News be heard? Can the Gospel be heard? What is it really?

The motley crew who painted this picture disturbed me, and I thank them for this salutary shock. I thank them for having scandalised so many socially respectable people. What a wonderful opportunity for the Holy Spirit to ask the question of Jesus to each person one more time, « Who do you say I am?… Repent and believe in the Good News of the authentic reconciliation of everyone in Him… ».

Thank you to these passionate enthusiasts of pop-culture, the outsiders, the overweight, the drag queens – for offering their insights into our shared values of inclusion, generosity, solidarity and freedom.

« Our intention was to show tolerance and communion » (Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 spokesperson). Thank you for having created a time-in-space at the heart of these Olympic Games in which the Gospel bomb can explode anew. His message of fraternal communion is revolutionary (re-love-Uturn), it is no longer just a humming in our ears now, when we are suffering because of our nearby enemy; it is a concrete reality between the far left and the economic and political elites who defend their established disorder, between Israelis and Palestinians, Russians and Ukrainians, Rwandans and Congolese, and so on. Everything is grace: a call to conversion and an opportunity for salvation isn’t it?

If this message makes sense to you, don’t hesitate to share it!