Religious Freedom at the Core of Peace

The only way to ensure that religions contribute to peace rather than violence is to guarantee religious freedom and promote religious education so believers understand that peace and harmony are at the core of every religion, the Vaticans foreign minister said. Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vaticans secretary for relations with states, spoke Oct. 5 at the U.N. General Assemblys high-level dialogue on interreligious and intercultural understanding and cooperation for peace. The text of his remarks was released Oct. 6 by the Vatican.

Archbishop Mamberti said Pope Benedict has taught that faithfulness to ones own religious convictions is not expressed in violence and intolerance, but in sincere respect for others, in dialogue and in an announcement that appeals to freedom and reason while remaining committed to peace and reconciliation. While religion is a herald and source of peace, the archbishop said, it too often has been manipulated by politicians, nationalists and those seeking power.

Catholic-Anglican Text Encourages Realism

Anglicans and Roman Catholics should witness to the faith they share and work together to promote Christian values in the world, but they also must be realistic about issues still dividing them, said a recent document by Anglican and Catholic bishops. This article appears in October 22 2007.