OMI IRD ministry: Living to the Call of the Mission By Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI / Sr. Schola Mutua, RNDM

The Oblate Missionary Foundation - Inter-religious Dialogue (OMI-IRD) ministry of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate is one of the pioneering ministries when it comes to social action, dialogue, and building peace and development. It is a Non-Profit, Church-based Organization based in Notre Dame Drive, Poblacion, Pikit, North Cotabato, Philippines. 

 Living the Vision-Mission of the congregation, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate continues to immerse themselves to the lives of the people, especially to the poor and marginalized, and those affected by conflicts. Through dialogue with peoples of different cultures, the IRD ministry continues to work for an integral transformation of the society, safeguarding human dignity, promoting culture of peace and responds to the call of justice and integrity of creation. 

 Due to the war in Pikit, North Cotabato in 1998, the IRD started as an emergency and relief operation program, assisting in the rehabilitation and the safety and welfare of the war-torn families, Muslims, Christians and the Indigenous Peoples. In year 2000, it was put under the umbrella of Oblate Missionary Fund (OMF), the OMI foundation created to serve and support the mission of the congregation. And since that time, the OMF-IRD ministry was created. It was Fr. Bert Layson, OMI who became the first director of IRD ministry assigned in Pikit, North Cotabato. 

 Fr. Bert Layson, OMI, and Fr. Eduardo Vasquez, OMI, the I-watch director worked together for some time since 2000, followed by Fr. Jonathan Domingo, OMI and the late Fr. Pol Yazar, OMI. At present, Fr. Layson is the IRD director together with Sr. Schola Mutua, RNDM. 

 The OMI IRD ministry promoted the four forms of dialogue: the dialogue of life, dialogue of action, dialogue of words, and dialogue of religious experience. All the activities and programs of the ministry are anchored in these four forms of dialogue. These are many activities present in the IRD ministry. One is on peace education, where they give trainings, and culture of peace seminars. 

 Likewise, the IRD ministry promotes solidarity activities with Muslims and Indigenous Peoples in several activities. In particular, they join in the (Duyog) Ramadhan with the Muslims, the Pasko and fiesta with the Christians, and Samahan with the Indigenous Peoples. During Ramadhan, Christians cook and share foods with the Mulsims. And in that celebration, an Imam or Ustadz (Muslim religious leader) is invited to share the meaning and importance of Ramadhan to the Christians. Likewise, during Fiesta and Pasko, a lay minister or priest is invited to share also why the Christians celebrate these activities. And in return, Christians share food with the Muslims during those days of celebration. 

 Moreover, the IRD also focuses on youth formation program among the Muslims and Christians. They organize communities, provide leadership skills training to empower the youth in taking part in the process of building relationships and dialogue. Livelihood and values-formation programs are also provided for the women. 

With the pandemic, the IRD provides sustainable programs such as distribution of goods to selected women in different barangays. When the goat gives birth, the kid is given to another woman recipient. This employs the repayment system which develops responsibility and trust in the community. 

Also, there is distribution of vegetable seeds and tools to help the families in their daily labor and food supply. In this way, the relationship between Muslims, Christians, and the Indigenous Peoples is being strengthened. Other programs such as wash-water sanitation, construction of hand pumps to provide safe drinking water to the communities, and environmental care trainings for climate change, waste management and planting trees are also provided and monitored by the said ministry. 

 These are concrete programs which the IRD deemed important in promoting peace and dialogue with peoples of different faith and religion. Through these programs, relationships are built, prejudices and biases are addressed, and communities are being rebuilt with respect of other’s culture, tribe and custom. 

 For many years, the IRD team have established relationship in these communities through the four forms of dialogue. In the end, the OMI IRD ministry’s success and mission are not possible without the different stakeholders who continues to support the ministry. 

 Through the collaborative efforts among the Muslim, Christian and Indigenous Peoples communities, NGOs, the barangay captains, LGUs, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Health, among others, IRD ministry remains confident that peace is possible.