Vatican:
Promote the rights of Christian citizens of the Middle East
(Vatican
Radio) Promote the rights of Christian citizens of the Middle East, and bring
an end to persecution.
This
was the message Father Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.I., the Secretary of
the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, brought to the
“Interreligious Meeting on Supporting Citizenship Rights and Peaceful
Coexistence: Challenges, Practices and Open Questions” which took place in
Athens on September 2-3. The meeting was organized by the Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Constantinople and KAICIID, and interreligious forum founded in
2012 by Saudi Arabia, Austria, and Spain.
“We
are here to stand together in supporting all those who are suffering the
consequences of the situation in the Middle East and seeking to facilitate
peace and reconciliation through dialogue,” Fr. Ayuso said.
“The
critical situation of Christians in Iraq and Syria and in other parts of the
region where there is extensive violence and political conflict, is, as we
know, placing long-established Christian communities in jeopardy as a result of
their displacement,” he continued.
Father
Ayuso reminded the participants of the “many times Pope Francis has wished to
give voice to the atrocious, inhuman and unexplainable persecution of those in
so many parts of the world – and above all among Christians – who are victims
of fanaticism and intolerance, often under the eyes and in the silence of all
the world.”
Mentioning
the 7 points being covered by the meeting - status quo on security;
citizenship; best practice in protecting religious minorities; reducing hate
and violence; respect for all regardless of religious identity; commitment
towards supporting citizenships rights of Christians in the Middle East; and
engagement through dialogue – Father Ayuso said it invites the participants to
“act and contribute in promoting citizenship and true coexistence for all.”
The
Secretary to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue quoted the 6
August letter from Pope Francis to Bishop Lahham, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem
for the Latins, Vicar Patriarchate for Jordan, in which the Holy Father said
“world public opinion be ever more attentive, sensitive and participant in face
of the persecutions carried out in dealings with Christians and, more in
general, of religious minorities”… hoping that “the International
Community will not remain silent and inert in face of such unacceptable crimes,
which constitute a worrying disregard of the most essential human rights and
impedes the richness of coexistence among peoples, cultures and faiths.”
In
conclusion, Father Ayuso cited the words of Pope Francis to the civil
authorities of Albania during the Holy Father’s 21 September, 2014, visit to
Tirana:
“The
peaceful coexistence of different religious communities is an inestimable
benefit to peace and to harmonious human advancement. This is something of
value which needs to be protected and nourished each day, by providing an
education which respects differences and particular identities, so that
dialogue and cooperation for the good of all.”
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