Pope urges religions in Bangladesh to stand together against ‘division, hatred and violence’
Leo XIV sent a message to the Interreligious Conference on the "Culture of Harmony" held in Dhaka under the auspices of the country’s Bishops’ Conference. He writes: “Where others have sown distrust, we choose trust; where others might foster fear, we strive for understanding; where others view differences as barriers, we recognize them as avenues of mutual enrichment”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV sent a message to the participants in an interreligious meeting organised in Dhaka by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh on the theme “Promoting a Culture of Harmony between Brothers and Sisters,” which was also attended by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal George Koovakad, and the dicastery’s secretary, Mgr Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.
In it, the pontiff writes that “differences of creed or background need not divide us. On the contrary, in the act of encountering one other in friendship and dialogue, we stand together against the forces of division, hatred and violence that have too often plagued humanity.”
The pope goes on to stress that, “Where others have sown distrust, we choose trust; where others might foster fear, we strive for understanding; where others view differences as barriers, we recognize them as avenues of mutual enrichment.”
Turning to his first blessing as newly elected pope, Leo expressed said that “peace that can only come from God – one that is ‘unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering’,” one that “‘always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close, above all, to those who are suffering’.”
“As one family, we share the opportunity and the responsibility to continue nurturing a culture of harmony and peace,” insists the pontiff.
Indeed, “We know from painful moments in history that when the culture of harmony is neglected, weeds can choke out peace. Suspicions take root; stereotypes harden; extremists exploit fears to sow division. Together, as companions in interreligious dialogue, we are like gardeners tending this field of fraternity, helping to keep dialogue fertile and to clear away the weeds of prejudice.”
In his message, the Holy Father explains that “a genuine measure of interreligious friendship is our willingness to stand together in service to society’s most vulnerable.” In fact, “Bangladesh has already witnessed inspiring examples of this unity in recent years, when people of different faiths joined in solidarity and prayer in times of natural disaster or tragedy.
“Such gestures build bridges – between faiths, between theory and practice, between communities – so that all Bangladeshis, and indeed all humanity, may pass from suspicion to trust, from isolation to collaboration.”
This type of experience builds up “the resilience of communities against voices of division.” And “When our dialogue is lived out in actions, a powerful message resounds: that peace, not conflict, is our most cherished dream, and that building this peace is a task we undertake together.”
“I wish to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s commitment to walking this path alongside you,” Leo said. “At times, misunderstandings or past wounds may slow our steps. Yet let us encourage one another to persevere.”
Finally, “May the Most High bless each of you, your families and communities. May he bless your country with ever-deepening harmony and peace. And may he bless our world, which so urgently needs the light of fraternity.”
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05/04/2016 13:31
