POPE IN SRI LANKA: NEVER BE ALLOWED TO RELIGION IS USED TO JUSTIFY VIOLENCE AND WAR Dear friends, Pope Francisco yesterday held an interfaith and ecumenical meeting with the four largest religious communities that make up the life of Sri Lanka: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. To all of them, the Pope said: For the sake of peace, should never allow religious beliefs are used to justify violence and war. We must demand our communities, clearly and unequivocally, to fully live the principles of peace and coexistence found in every religion, and denounce acts of violence committed . He stressed that dialogue and interfaith and ecumenical cooperation demonstrate that men and women are not giving up their identity, whether ethnic or religious, to live in harmony with their brothers and sisters. We offer Excerpts from his speech: I have come to Sri Lanka in the footsteps of my predecessors, Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, to show the great love and concern of the Catholic Church by Sri Lanka.It is a special grace for me to visit this Catholic community, confirm in the Christian faith, pray with her and share their joys and sufferings. It is also a grace be with all of you, men and women of these great religious traditions, shared with us a desire for wisdom, truth and holiness. At Vatican II, the Catholic Church declared its deep and abiding respect for other religions. She said she rejects nothing of what these religions holy and true. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings (NA 2). In this spirit of respect, the Catholic Church wishes to cooperate with you (...) I hope that my visit will help promote and deepen the various forms of interreligious and ecumenical cooperation that have been undertaken in recent years. These laudable initiatives have provided opportunities for dialogue, which is essential if we want to know, understand and respect others. But, as experience shows, that this dialogue and encounter to be effective, must be based on a full and frank presentation of our respective convictions. Certainly, this dialogue will highlight the variety of our beliefs, traditions and practices. But if we are honest in presenting our convictions, we will be able to see more clearly what we have in common. New avenues for mutual appreciation, cooperation and certainly friendship will open. (...) I hope interfaith and ecumenical cooperation demonstrates that men and women do not have to give up your identity, whether ethnic or religious, to live in harmony with their brothers and sisters. Modes many believers of different religions can perform this service. Many are the needs that must be addressed with the healing balm of fraternal solidarity. I think particularly of the material and spiritual needs of the poor, the homeless, how many crave a word of consolation and hope. I also think many families still grieving the loss of their loved ones. (...) For the sake of peace, must never allow religious beliefs are used to justify violence and war. We must demand our communities, clearly and unequivocally, to fully live the principles of peace and coexistence found in every religion, and denounce acts of violence committed. (...) That this fraternal meeting confirm all of us in our commitment to live in harmony and spread the blessings of peace .
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:44:57 +0000
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