A Disarming Peace: Franciscan Social Theatre – Bold Hope in Syria
By friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv.
In a world scarred by conflict, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that true peace is “unarmed and disarming,” always drawing close to those who suffer. These words echo the Gospel’s call to transform suffering into solidarity, inviting us to embrace a peace that heals rather than conquers. Amid the ruins of war and disaster, the story of Franciscan Social Theatre in Syria reflects this disarmed hope, as it brings to life Pope Francis’ vision in Fratelli Tutti: “Hope is bold.” It opens hearts to what could be a more beautiful life lived through the Gospel ideals of care and reconciliation.
In May of 2023, friar Stefano Luca and I hosted a Franciscan Social Theatre Facilitators Training Course in Beirut, Lebanon. Ten young Christians from Aleppo and Damascus, Syria, gathered to reclaim boldness amid trauma. Years of civil war, compounded by an earthquake, had left deep wounds, especially among children.
The Franciscan Social Theatre is a creative response to trauma, not a fix, but a lifeline. It prevents children and adults from withdrawing into isolation. This Social Theatre infuses this work with spirituality. Daily Mass explored Jesus’ healing touch and Paul’s bold witness by mirroring theatre skills. From the Eucharist to shared meals, and from formal training sessions to recreation, participants wove a culture of care, voicing joys and struggles in Syria, where Christians are just two percent of the population.
One evening at dinner, our conversation turned to the Gospel, with questions about Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek.” They wondered if it promoted a passive “doormat” theology, where followers would be forever walked over. I clarified that this instruction of Jesus is a powerful act of nonviolent resistance. In the cultural context of Jesus’ time, a backhanded slap signified a slave’s loss of dignity. By offering the other cheek, Jesus and his disciples would be forcing the offender to use an open-palmed slap, which acknowledged the person as an equal. In this way, Jesus modeled confronting violence without perpetuating it, restoring dignity and mutual respect. One participant exclaimed, “That’s a Jesus I can both respect and fall in love with!”
Over fifteen months, the friars and collaborators delivered more than 100 hours of training. Topics spanned leadership, project design, building trust with youth, and self-care for facilitators. By June 2023, these young leaders launched five projects, many of which continue today. In Aleppo, teams fostered nonviolent communication with war-traumatized teens, integrated marginalized youth, and built resilience against fear among university students. A massive initiative engaged 450 Christian and Muslim children in trust-building modules focused on emotions and forgiveness. In Damascus, an ongoing project assists young women battling self-esteem from prolonged trauma.
These examples disarm hearts through Franciscan Social Theatre, rebuilding communities while echoing Leo XIV’s call for healing. In the crucible of Syria, these facilitators witness a bold hope. They prove that amid the rubble, “unarmed and disarming” peace can take root and blossom.
