Vatican: AB Gallagher on Iran visit and Rohingya
crisis
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican is following closely the plight
of the Rohingya people, as Pope Francis prepares to visit Myanmar and
Bangladesh at the end of November.
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary
for Relations with States, confirmed on Friday that the pope raised his concerns
with Myanmar’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, during her private visit to the
Vatican in May. He said the country’s bishops will continue to put pressure on
the government to stop the attacks on Rohingya villages and to respect the
rights of these suffering people.
The Vatican foreign minister discussed the plight of the
Rohingyas recently with top Iranian leaders in Teheran. During that September
5th to 9th visit, he also had “very frank” discussions about the difficulties
facing Christians in Iran, as well as in war torn Syria and Iraq.
In an interview with Vatican Radio, Archbishop Gallagher
also spoke of the latest escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula,
insisting that the crisis must be seen in a broader context of “unprecedented
dangers” due to the worst global insecurity since the Second World War.
Archbishop Gallagher said the Holy See is “extremely
concerned” about increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Noting that there was no formal resolution of the Korean war, he said the Holy
See “remains committed to promoting a nuclear free world”, based
“on an ethic of fraternity, rather than the ethics of aggression”.
Pressure on North Korea
He urged the international community to “continue to make
pressure on North Korea”, adding that the Vatican offers “whatever
encouragement we can”. Recalling his trips to Pyongyang 20 years ago, he said
today “our channels [of communication] with North Korea are very weak indeed”.
Danger of global insecurity
Speaking of his forthcoming visit to the UN, the Vatican
foreign minister stressed the need for a united approach to North Korea and
other areas of conflict. He said it’s “very important for the international
community to see the crisis on the Korean peninsula as also part of a general
situation of great insecurity”, adding that “we should be really waking up to
the great dangers which are now facing the world, unprecedented dangers since
the Second World War”.
Iran's role in Syria and Iraq
Sharing details of his encounter with Iranian government
leaders in Teheran, Archbishop Gallagher spoke of efforts underway in Geneva to
end the Syria conflict. Asked about the future of the Christian communities in
Syria and Iraq, Archbishop Gallagher replied that many of those who’ve fled the
fighting will not return. Those in refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, he
said, will come back if there are assurances of peace and incentives, such as
an initiative regarding the renewal of villages on the Nineveh plain.
Christian presence in Middle East
The Vatican foreign minister stressed that Christians play
“an essential role in the Middle East, they’re a bit like the cement that holds
society” together. In the midst of ethnic or religious conflicts, he said, “Christians,
who’ve been there forever, need to continue to be part of that society, to be
citizens like everybody else, and to make their contribution for the rebuilding
of these nations”.
Difficulties for Catholics in Iran
Discussing the difficulties facing Catholics in Iran,
Archbishop Gallagher said he raised these concerns openly in talks with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
He spoke of the different understandings of religious freedom, saying that the
Iranian authorities were “very complimentary about the role and contribution
that Christians make” but at the same time “it’s also quite clear that rules of
the game are very demanding on our Christian communities”. He said he hoped his
visit would draw attention to their plight and lead to future cooperation “to
face some of the practical problems of these communities”.
Possible papal visit to Teheran?
Asked about the possibility of a papal visit to Iran,
Archbishop Gallagher said: “I think we’re a long way from that,”. He noted the
positive relations with the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue but
said he stressed “that good relations with the Holy See are also supposed to be
reflected in good relations with local Christian communities”.
Myanmar's Rohingya crisis
The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States said he
discussed the Rohingya crisis with Iran's political and religious leaders. He
said both Pope Francis and Cardinal Parolin raised their concerns with Aung San
Suu Kyi during her visit to the Vatican, noting that “her reply was in line
with other things that have been said in recent days”. Cardinal Bo and local
bishops, he added, will continue to put pressure on the authorities “in a very
complex and difficult situation”, while the Holy See will follow developments
closely in preparation for the pope’s visit there.
Pope concern for plight of refugees
Archbishop Gallagher stressed how Pope Francis has shown
“great courage” in speaking out at times which could have jeopardized progress
in bilateral relations. But he added, “the pope is clear that the plight and
suffering of ordinary people is as important to him as the interests of the
great and powerful”. Asked if the crisis could jeopardise the papal visit to
Myanmar and Bangladesh, he replied: “As we all know, it takes quite a lot to
discourage the pope”.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét