Pope Francis warned on Thursday of the disastrous “domino effect” that wars can trigger and called on world leaders to commit themselves “in favor of peace and not weapons.”“, in his last speech in Kazakhstan for the closing of the VI Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
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The pope read his speech after the approval of the Final Declaration of this congress signed by him and by the majority of the 80 representatives of the delegations present, from 50 countries, at the interreligious congress that is held in Nur-Sultan every three years. But it has not been reported who did not sign.
He spoke again of the “insane madness of war”, although without citing the conflict in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion, and recalled that this congress emerged after the 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001, “before the incendiary climate that the terrorist violence wanted to provoke and that threatened to make religions a factor of conflict”.
And he noted that “terrorism with a pseudo-religious matrix, extremism, radicalism, nationalism fueled by sacredness, still today foster fears and concerns in relation to religion.”
Religions must condemn war without conditions or buts
The Argentine pontiff explained that the Final Document “states that extremism, radicalism, terrorism and any other incitement to hatred, hostility, violence and war (…) have no relation to the authentic religious spirit and must be rejected with the most resolute determination and must be condemned, without conditions and without buts”.
Among the delegations is the one representing the Russian Orthodox Church whose Patriarch, Cyril, who finally decided not to attend the congress, has supported and justified the invasion of Ukraine on several occasions.
In addition, the pope warned that “peace is urgent” because “any military conflict or focus of tension and confrontation today can only have a disastrous domino effect and seriously compromise the system of international relations.”
According to Francis, peace “is not the mere absence of war, nor is it reduced to the mere balance of opposing forces, nor does it arise from a despotic hegemony, but rather it is accurately and properly called the work of justice.”
And that is why it is the religious leaders who must be in “the front line to radiate peaceful coexistence.”
“The Declaration calls on world leaders to stop conflict and bloodshed everywhere, and to abandon aggressive and destructive rhetoric,” he said, before adding: “We beg you, in the name of God and for the good of humanity : commit yourself to peace, not to arms! Only by serving peace will your name be great in history.”
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it is not the mere absence of war, nor does it arise from a despotic hegemony, but it is quite accurately and properly called the work of justice
Bishop Schneider’s Criticisms
Even though for many this congress is an example of dialogue and collaboration between religions, the auxiliary bishop of Nursultan, Athanasius Schneider, one of the most critical of Pope Francis, criticized his participation in this event.
Although he appreciated the pontiff’s visit, he considered that the congress Francis attended is like “a supermarket of religions that runs the risk of relegating the importance of the Catholic Church as the only true religion,” in statements to the media traveling with Pope.
While the pope pointed out that the approved text, which will form part of the United Nations documents, urges that “mutual respect and understanding must be considered essential and indispensable in religious education.”
“For this reason, whoever wishes to legitimately express their own creed, may he be protected always and everywhere. How many people, on the other hand, are still persecuted and discriminated against for their faith today!” he lamented.
The requests of religious leaders also included, the pope said, “firmly urging governments and competent international organizations to support religious groups and ethnic communities that have suffered violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, and violence by extremists and terrorists, including as a consequence of wars and military conflicts”.
More women in positions of responsibility
Among the requests of the Final Document and those that the pope echoed was that of a greater participation of women in positions of greater responsibility.
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Women must be involved. Because women take care of and give life to the world
Although in the congress there was a very low number of female representation and of the 81 leaders who sat at the round table there were only eight women.
“It is necessary to involve women mostly. Because women care for and give life to the world, it is the path to peace. That is why we support the need to protect their dignity, and to improve their social status as a member of the family and of society. with the same rights,” the pope said, citing a point in the document.
“Women must also be entrusted with greater roles and responsibilities. How many options that entail death would be avoided, if women were at the center of decisions! Let us commit ourselves so that they are more respected, recognized and included,” he added.
EFE
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