Father Richard Ho Lung, founder and superior general of Missionaries of the Poor (MOP), has said that, in the equation of peace within a state, forgiveness and brotherly love must be mixed with economics and politics of governance.

Speaking at the organisation's liturgical celebration of the first and final profession of vows on Saturday, Father Ho Lung told a packed Sts. Peter and Paul Church in St. Andrew that the lives and struggles of the poor and social rejects must be addressed in order for a nation to grow and possess peace.

"We must take in our hands the broken bodies of our sinful brothers and sisters who are rejected among us," Father Ho Lung said.

Vows of servitude

At the same time, with pomp and celebration similar to that which surrounded the swearing-in of the Cabinet last Friday, 22 men of MOP took vows of servitude.

Of that number, 19 candidates were sworn into servitude by Father Ho Lung for first profession with conferral of the sign of consecration.

Another three candidates, Brother Roche Tulalian, Brother Sagash Amaladas and Brother Ronald Bocalig, were sworn to the final profession of the conferral of the missionary cross.

Brother Tulalian and Brother Bocalig are of The Philippines and Brother Amaladas of India.

The more than 200 persons, both the poor and the rich, who turned out for the ceremony were entertained with melodious songs that were accompanied by the piano and guitar.