“Religion, "Properly
Understood," Fosters Peace, Says Pope“
Pope Says Religion is an
Instrument for Peace
(“Zenit.org,” September
23, 2003)
Authentic religion is an
instrument for the promotion of peace, John Paul II says in a message sent to
an interreligious congress under way in Kazakhstan.
The two-day congress on the role of religions in today's world is being
attended by Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The Pope visited this
former Soviet republic in September 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks
on the United States.
In his message, the Pope said he regarded the meeting as a continuation of the
spirit of the Days of Prayer for Peace, to which he convoked religious leaders
of the world.
"This new initiative of the Kazakhstan authorities will help to promote
respect for human dignity, the defense of religious freedom, and the growth of
mutual understanding among peoples, convinced as we are that religion, properly
understood, shows itself to be a solid instrument for the promotion of
peace," the papal message stated.
"For this purpose, the Catholic Church, on the basis of the revealed
teaching living within her, is committed to support every sincere effort in
favor of a genuine peace based on truth, justice, love and freedom," it
concluded.
Heading the Holy See's delegation to the congress is Slovak Cardinal Jozef
Tomko, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Others in the delegation include Archbishop Renato Martino, president of the
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Archbishop Tomasz Peta of Astana.
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