Pope and Mar Gewargis condemn
persecution of Christians
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| Pope Francis and Mar Gewargis III sign the Common Statement.(Vatican Media) |
During a meeting on Friday, Pope Francis and Mar Gewargis
III sign a common statement appealing for an end to the persecution of
Christians in the Middle East.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis signed a Common Statement on Friday with Mar Gewargis III,
Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.
The two religious leaders signed the statement at the end of
their meeting in the Vatican, following a moment of prayer for persecuted
Christians in the Middle East.
In the statement, the Pope and the Patriarch encourage their
ongoing theological dialogue, and call for an end to violence against
Christians in the Middle East.
They say it is impossible to imagine a Middle East without
Christians.
“This conviction is founded not simply on religious grounds,
but also on social and cultural realities, since Christians, with other
believers, greatly contribute to the specific identity of the region: a place
of tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance.”
Peace through dialogue
Christians risk leaving the region, they note, if peace is
not restored through dialogue.
“A truce maintained by walls and displays of power will not
lead to peace, since genuine peace can only be attained and preserved through
mutual listening and dialogue.”
Pope Francis and Patriarch Gewargis also appeal to the International
Community to put in place “a political solution that recognizes the rights and
duties of all parties involved.”
Finally, the two leaders affirm the need for interreligious
dialogue “grounded in an attitude of openness, truth, and love.”
Dialogue, they say, “is also the best antidote to extremism,
which is a threat to the followers of every religion.”
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