Cardinal Parolin: Religion important for peace in
Colombia
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| Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, arrives on Monday for a Liturgy in Cartagena, Columbia, making the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the FARC rebels - AP. |
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican
Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Monday celebrated a Liturgy of
the Word in Cartagena to mark the
signing of the Final Agreement between the Government of Colombia and
the Marxist FARC rebels which aims to end decades of conflict which have left
nearly 250,000 people dead, and displaced millions of others.
In his homily, the Cardinal
said Pope Francis has followed “with great attention” and encouraged “the
efforts of recent years in search of harmony and reconciliation.”
“The Pope has always
encouraged respect for human rights and Christian values, which are at the
center of the Colombian culture,” Cardinal Parolin continued.
The Cardinal said he hoped
the signing of the Agreement would “ease the pain of those many people who have
been humiliated and oppressed by the violence [of the conflict], stop hatred,
and change the course of history to build a better future with strong and just
institutions.”
“The safest way to begin a
better future is to reconstruct the dignity of those who suffer, and to do this
you need to approach them without delay, to the point where you can identify
with them,” – Cardinal Parolin continued – “In fact, the root causes of this
conflict which in recent decades has torn apart this country can be found in
the wounds of the heart.”
He concluded his remarks by
speaking of the importance of religious institutions for the peace of the
nation.
“Religions lead to listening,
to understanding and to recognizing the reasons for and the value of the
other,” – Cardinal Parolin said – “Faith is opposed to harming the dignity of
the person which causes the tearing of the civil fabric, and is not contrary to
secularism, understood as respect for the various fields of competence
belonging to the civil and spiritual realities.”
The Cardinal continued by
saying “secularism has need of faith as a necessary reference point for
coexistence and for respect.”
“The Catholic Church, in
particular, promotes peaceful social coexistence, in accordance with the
spiritual tradition of the people of Colombia, without claiming that all belong
to the same religious confession,” – he said – “It offers points of reference
so that individuals and communities are able to find and illuminate the common
good.”
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