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Father Stan Says:
I am in constant correspondence with the Vatican
Commission on Traditional Religions. Pope John Paul recently addressed
these words on “respect between all praying people” to the men/women of the
Commission creating Interreligious Dialogue.
Clash of
Religions a Contradiction in Terms, Says John Paul II
He, John Paul II, made it clear that the events unleashed by the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks are not a "clash of religions," because that would be a
contradiction of the very essence of religion.
Since the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, the Pope has preached
the need for dialogue between cultures and religions. And he did so when he
addressed the participants of the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council
for Interreligious Dialogue.
"It has been suggested that we are witnessing a veritable clash of
religions,” the Holy Father. “However, as I have already said on numerous
occasions, this would falsify religion itself.
"Believers know that, far from doing evil, they are obliged to do good, to
work to alleviate human suffering, to build together a just and harmonious
world.
"If it is imperative for the international community to foster good
relations between people belonging to different ethnic and religious
traditions, it is all the more urgent for believers themselves to foster
relations characterized by openness and trust, and leading to common concern
for the well-being of the whole human family.
In "the climate of increased cultural and religious pluralism, which is
expected to mark the society of the new millennium, it is obvious that [interreligious]
dialogue will be especially important in establishing a sure basis for peace
and warding off the dread specter of those wars of religion that have so
often bloodied human history," the Pontiff emphasized. "The name of the one
God must become increasingly what it is: a name of peace and a summons to
peace.
"We know, and we experience every day, how difficult it is to achieve this
goal. We realize, in fact, that peace will not come as the result of our own
efforts; it is not something that the world can give. It is a gift from the
Lord and, to receive it, we have to prepare our hearts. When conflicts
arise, peace can only come through a process of reconciliation, and this
requires both humility and generosity."
john Paul II concluded: "When we Christians consider
the nature of God, as revealed in Scripture and, above all, in Jesus Christ,
we realize that the communion of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the perfect
and eminent model of dialogue among human beings." |