Vatican City (AsiaNews) In a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari, Pope Benedict XVI stressed how important it is that Iraq's new constitution protect the religious freedom of all sectors of society, hoping that reconstruction can occur with everyone playing a role, this according to a statement released by Fr Ciro Benedettini, deputy director of the Press Office of the Holy See. Here is the full text:
"This morning, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience the Foreign Minister of Iraq, Mr Hoshyar Zebari, who subsequently met the Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano."
"In the course of the meeting, the current situation in Iraq was reviewed, with special focus on the draft constitution now before the National Assembly for approval and on the issue of religious freedom."
"The discussion also stressed how the rebuilding of institutions must come about in a climate of dialogue with the involvement of all religious groups and the various sectors of society".
Christians, who are 3 per cent of the Iraqi population, are concerned by the rise of fundamentalism in society. In addition, during the process of drafting the constitution much has been said about some elements of the Shiite clergy who want to make Islam the "sole source" for law-making, effectively turning Iraq into an Islamic state ruled by Sharia Law.
According to some unconfirmed reports, the proposed constitution will recognise Islam as "the main" but not exclusive source for legislation.
In a meeting in the Vatican last December, Mr Zebari tried to reassure his hosts by saying that the new constitution would protect fundamental human rights and religious freedom and that the "protection of Christian communities" matters to the government in Baghdad.
Zebari is Italy to attend a meeting in Rimini (near Bologna) organised by the 'Communion and Liberation' Catholic movement.