A simple truth the world needs to hear again

By Fr Stephan Alexander

General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” We’ve heard it since childhood, usually after an argument or some retaliatory action. But that simple, and some may say clichéd, truth is also one of the most profound lessons for our world today, especially here in the Caribbean, as tensions rise between Venezuela, the United States, and our own nation, Trinidad and Tobago.

We find ourselves in an uneasy situation. The arrival of US military vessels, soldiers and equipment in Trinidad and Tobago has stirred anxiety across the region.

Venezuela’s defiant response—suspending energy agreements and warning of “provocations”—has only deepened the divide. Many of us watch these developments from a distance, unsure what to think.

Yet as citizens, and especially as people of faith, we cannot simply shrug and say, “That’s politics.” The choices governments make today can have real consequences for peace, stability, and human lives tomorrow.

Kevin Clarke, writing in America Magazine, captured our global mood when he said humanity seems to be living in a “conflict-cursed time.” He warned that nations are once again finding “an enthusiasm for war-making as a tool toward regional and geopolitical goals.” That warning hits home.

Once again, the world is slipping into the old trap of believing that “might is right”—that military strength, alliances, or strategic advantage can guarantee safety. But history shows that whenever fear and force take the lead, ordinary people pay the price.

The Church offers a different way. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that peace is not simply the absence of war. True peace requires the presence of justice, respect, and care for the human person.

Every decision in national and international life must protect human dignity first. This teaching begins with something very simple: every person, no matter their nationality or background, is made in the image of God. That means Venezuelan, American, and Trinidadian lives all carry the same worth in God’s eyes. When we forget that truth, we start to justify harm, to speak of “collateral damage,” and to make peace sound like weakness.

In moments like these, the temptation is to take sides. Some believe we must align ourselves with powerful nations for security or economic benefit. Others feel justified that military action is the only response to end or limit the scourge of narco trafficking allegedly emanating from Venezuela.

But two wrongs don’t make a right. Moral strength does not lie in retaliation or in submission, but in standing firm for what is right, peace built on justice, truth, and respect.

As Clarke reminds us, even in war, there are rules meant to preserve our humanity. The Geneva Conventions and other international laws were born out of humanity’s attempt to “civilize warfare.”

But the Church goes further. She reminds us that the goal is not merely to make war less brutal—the goal is to make war unnecessary. The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to break the cycle of vengeance and pride. Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the powerful,” but “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

So, what does this mean for us here at home? Firstly, it means that peace begins with truth and dialogue, not fear or posturing. We must urge our leaders to act with prudence, seeking cooperation rather than confrontation. They must remember that the common good of our people—our families, workers, and young people—is more valuable than political points or international approval.

Secondly, it means that we, the citizens, have a role to play. We can speak up for peace in public discussions and community forums. We can reject the easy language of “us versus them.” We can pray and work for understanding between nations.

Thirdly, we must prepare to show compassion if this situation worsens. Even as we pray for de-escalation of current tensions, should conflict or instability increase, people will suffer.

As Christians, our duty is clear. We must be ready to offer shelter, assistance, and friendship, not suspicion or scorn. The principle of solidarity means recognising that “we are all responsible for all.” Our region’s peace will depend not only on policies but on our willingness to treat one another with mercy.

Finally, as people of faith, we must turn to prayer—not as an escape, but as an act of hope and motivator of action. When we pray for peace, we ask God to change hearts, beginning with our own.

We ask Him to guide our leaders toward dialogue, to soften hostility, and to help nations choose reason over pride. Prayer aligns us with the only real power that brings peace, the power of love.

The Church has always taught that peace is possible when people of goodwill choose to act together. It does not begin in war rooms or diplomatic halls; it begins in the moral imagination of ordinary people who believe that human dignity is worth defending without violence. The Caribbean can offer the world a witness of peace—a reminder that strength lies not in military might but in moral conviction.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” It’s a simple truth, but perhaps one our world needs to hear again.

If Trinidad and Tobago can stand for peace, not as a sign of weakness but as a commitment to justice and human life, we may yet help prevent our region from becoming another battleground in a tired story of pride and power.

The Gospel calls us to something greater: to be builders of peace, protectors of life, and neighbours to all. In this time of tension, may we live out that call, not by returning wrong for wrong, but by proving that love, justice, and truth are stronger than fear.

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