Pope
Francis: Interreligious dialogue can help end forms of fundamentalism
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged more interreligious
dialogue to help bring peace and end all forms of
"fundamentalism,terrorism and irrational fears." His appeal came in a
speech to Turkey’s President Erdogan and other top political leaders on the
first day of his pastoral visit to the cities of Ankara and Istanbul. In
his discourse, the Pope also stressed the importance of religious freedom,
respect for human dignity and said we must never "resign ourselves"
to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. He spoke of his concern over the
conflicts in Iraq and Syria along with the "grave persecution" of
minorities there and praised Turkey’s "generous" response in
welcoming a large number of refugees from these regional conflicts.
Please
find below an English translation of the full text of Pope Francis’ address to
President Erdogan and other Turkish political leaders:
Mr President,
Distinguished
Authorities,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to visit your country so rich in natural beauty and history, and
filled with vestiges of ancient civilizations. It is a natural bridge
between two continents and diverse cultures. This land is precious to
every Christian for being the birthplace of Saint Paul, who founded various
Christian communities here, and for hosting the first seven Councils of the
Church. It is also renowned for the site near Ephesus which a venerable
tradition holds to be the “Home of Mary”, the place where the Mother of Jesus
lived for some years. It is now a place of devotion for innumerable
pilgrims from all over the world, not only for Christians, but also for
Muslims.
Yet, the reasons why Turkey is held with such regard and appreciation are not
only linked to its past and ancient monuments, but also have to do with the
vitality of its present, the hard work and generosity of its people, and its
role in the concert of nations.
It brings me great joy to have this opportunity to pursue with you a dialogue
of friendship, esteem and respect, in the footsteps of my predecessors Blessed
Paul VI, Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI. This dialogue was prepared
for and supported by the work of the then Apostolic Delegate, Angelo Giuseppe
Roncalli, who went on to become Saint John XXIII, and by the Second Vatican
Council.
Today what is needed is a dialogue which can deepen the understanding and
appreciation of the many things which we hold in common. Such a dialogue
will allow us to reflect sensibly and serenely on our differences, and to learn
from them.
There is a need to move forward patiently in the task of building a lasting
peace, one founded on respect for the fundamental rights and duties rooted in
the dignity of each person. In this way, we can overcome prejudices and
unwarranted fears, leaving room for respect, encounter, and the release of more
positive energies for the good of all.
To this end, it is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian –
both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and
respect the same duties. They will then find it easier to see each other
as brothers and sisters who are travelling the same path, seeking always to
reject misunderstandings while promoting cooperation and concord. Freedom
of religion and freedom of expression, when truly guaranteed to each person,
will help friendship to flourish and thus become an eloquent sign of peace.
The Middle East, Europe and the world all await this maturing of
friendship. The Middle East, in particular, has for too long been a
theatre of fratricidal wars, one born of the other, as if the only possible
response to war and violence must be new wars and further acts of violence.
How much longer must the Middle East suffer the consequences of this lack of
peace? We must not resign ourselves to ongoing conflicts as if the
situation can never change for the better! With the help of God, we can
and we must renew the courage of peace! Such courage will lead to a just,
patient and determined use of all available means of negotiation, and in this
way achieve the concrete goals of peace and sustainable development.
Mr President, interreligious and intercultural dialogue can make an important
contribution to attaining this lofty and urgent goal, so that there will be an
end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism which gravely demean the
dignity of every man and woman and exploit religion.
Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears which foster
misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the solidarity of
all believers. This solidarity must rest on the following pillars:
respect for human life and for religious freedom, that is the freedom to
worship and to live according to the moral teachings of one’s religion;
commitment to ensuring what each person requires for a dignified life; and care
for the natural environment. The peoples and the states of the Middle
East stand in urgent need of such solidarity, so that they can “reverse the
trend” and successfully advance a peace process, repudiating war and violence
and pursuing dialogue, the rule of law, and justice.
Sadly, to date, we are still witnessing grave conflicts. In Syria and
Iraq, particularly, terrorist violence shows no signs of abating.
Prisoners and entire ethnic populations are experiencing the violation of the
most basic humanitarian laws. Grave persecutions have taken place in the
past and still continue today to the detriment of minorities, especially –
though not only – Christians and Yazidis. Hundreds of thousands of
persons have been forced to abandon their homes and countries in order to
survive and remain faithful to their religious beliefs.
Turkey, which has generously welcomed a great number of refugees, is directly
affected by this tragic situation on its borders; the international community has
the moral obligation to assist Turkey in taking care of these refugees.
In addition to providing much needed assistance and humanitarian aid, we cannot
remain indifferent to the causes of these tragedies. In reaffirming that
it is licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust
aggressor, I wish to reiterate, moreover, that the problem cannot be resolved
solely through a military response.
What is required is a concerted commitment on the part of all, based on mutual
trust, which can pave the way to lasting peace, and enable resources to be
directed, not to weaponry, but to the other noble battles worthy of man: the
fight against hunger and sickness, the fight for sustainable development and
the protection of creation, and the relief of the many forms of poverty and
marginalization of which there is no shortage in the world today.
Turkey, by virtue of its history, geographical position and regional influence,
has a great responsibility: the choices which Turkey makes and its example are
especially significant and can be of considerable help in promoting an
encounter of civilizations and in identifying viable paths of peace and
authentic progress.
May the Most High bless and protect Turkey, and help the nation to be a strong
and fervent peacemaker! Thank you!
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