Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The pope praises the initiatives of the government of Kazakhstan to foster dialogue among cultures and religions, which opens "grand perspectives" for a country placed amid Europe, Russia, China, and many Muslim countries, but emphasizes that the state, in order to respect religious freedom, must avoid "interfering" in matters of faith and with the consciences of its citizens. It is on the basis of these ideas that Benedict XVI addressed the new Kazakh ambassador to the Holy See, Amanzhol Zhankuliyev, received for the presentation of his letters of credence.

The different peoples living on the borders of Kazakhstan, like the different cultural traditions within the country, are, for the pope, "a gift from God, which should be managed well. This gift offers great possibilities, and opens perspectives that could interest the future of man, and contribute to the affirmation of his dignity." Benedict XVI encouraged the initiatives of President Nazarbayev, to "make your country a place of encounter and dialogue, a sort of laboratory in which there is an effort to live together in respect for cultural and religious diversity, a space that could demonstrate to other peoples and nations that it is possible to live in a dignified manner in peace, in respect for the convictions and uniqueness of each one."

In his address, the pope made no direct reference to the new law on religious freedom - believed to be restrictive - approved in November by the Kazakh parliament, in spite of the fact that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has asked for this to be reviewed, but, emphasizing "the competency of the state in guaranteeing full religious freedom," he highlighted that "the state is also expected to learn to respect the religions, avoiding interference in matters of faith and with the consciences of its citizens." "For every state," he added, "there is a great temptation to leave the definitions of the political and religious sectors imprecise, with the risk that it will not recognize that which is not within its jurisdiction. Every state is therefore called to be vigilant to avoid the negative effects of interference in the religious sector, and of its abusive exploitation, and to respect the individual religious sphere, which asks for nothing other than to express itself simply and freely, without interference. There are many," he added, "who are looking attentively to Kazakhstan and to its new way of managing relations among religions and the state, to draw a lesson from this. It is an opportunity offered to your country, which should do its best to grasp this, and not miss it."

Referring, finally, to the Kazakh Catholic community, Benedict XVI praised its "fidelity," in spite of the fact that it has faced "numerous historical vicissitudes." "Kazakh Catholics," he continued, "desire to live their faith sincerely, and to be able to continue practicing it serenely, for their spiritual perfection, of course, but also for the spiritual enrichment of your country, through their contribution. The Catholic community contributes, with its presence, its prayers, and its work, to the stability and religious harmony of the noble Kazakh society." Their "rights and duties" are also "guaranteed," the pope concluded, by the existing agreement between the Holy See and Kazakhstan.

Photo courtesy of CPP