VATICAN CITY, SEP 8, 2004 (VIS) - Made public
today was a Message from Pope John Paul to Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of
the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, asking him to greet the
representatives of Churches, ecclesial communities and the great religions of
the world who met in Milan from September 5 to 7 on the theme "Religions
and Cultures: The Courage of a New Humanism." The Pope also saluted the
organizers of this meeting, including Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, archbishop of
Milan and the community of Sant'Egidio.
He writes of his "joy" in knowing that the 1986 encounter for peace
of world religious leaders in Assisi "continues to grow in the number of
participants" and that "the spirit of Assisi" lives on in
meetings such as this one in Milan.
The Pope recalls that in their 1993 meeting in Milan, religious leaders made
an appeal to the world: "No hatred, no conflict, no war should find its
incentive in religion. War cannot be motivated by religions. May words from
religions always be words of peace!" He said that over the years many
people have been inspired by this call, but added that "unfortunately new
conflicts have arisen, in fact, there is a widespread mentality for which
conflicts among religious worlds and civilizations are considered almost an
inevitable outcome of history."
"This is not the case! Peace is always possible!" But there must
always be cooperation to uproot from cultures and lives the seeds of bitterness
and misunderstanding, the will to prevail over one's neighbor, the arrogance of
self interest and disdain for the other's identity. ... Conflict is never
inevitable! And religions have a special duty to remind all men and women of
this awareness. ... This is what I would call 'the spirit of Assisi'. Our world
needs this spirit."
"The world needs peace. Every day we hear news of violence, terrorist
attacks, military operations. Is the world abandoning the hope of achieving
peace?"
John Paul II asks everyone "not to give in to the logic of violence,
vendettas and hatred, but rather to persevere in dialogue. The mortal chain that
imprisons and bloodies so much of the world must be broken. Believers of all
religions can do much to put an end to this."
"In a few days we will remember that terrible September 11, 2001 that
brought death to the heart of the United States. Three years have passed since
that day but unfortunately, terrorism seems to increase its threats of
destruction. There is no doubt that this calls for firmness and decision in
fighting the workers of death. At the same time everything possible must be done
to uproot the causes of terror: especially misery, desperation and the emptiness
in hearts."
"Violence begets violence," the Pope concludes. "War must
always be considered a defeat: a defeat of reason and of humanity. May men soon
make a spiritual and cultural leap forward to outlaw war! Yes, never again
war!"