VATICAN CITY, OCT 27, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop
Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke
yesterday in New York before the Third Committee on Item 105b: Elimination of
All Forms of Religious Intolerance.
He defined religious freedom as "man's pursuit of the 'last things',
those things that satisfy the deepest, inmost and unfettered longings of the
human spirit," adding that "religious beliefs are freedom ... should
be considered as a positive value and not be manipulated or seen as a threat to
peaceful coexistence and mutual tolerance."
Archbishop Migliore pointed out that "religious leaders have a special
responsibility in dispelling any misuse or misrepresentation of religious
beliefs and freedom. They have in their hands a powerful and enduring resource
in the fight against terrorism; and they are called to create and spread a
sensitivity which is religious, cultural and social, and which will never turn
to acts of terror but will reject and condemn such acts as a profanation. ...
Similarly, public authorities, legislators, judges and administrators carry a
grave and evident responsibility to favor peaceful coexistence between religious
groups and to avail themselves of their collaboration in the construction of
society."
He underscored that "the attitude of those who would like to confine
religious expression to the merely private sphere, ignores and denies the nature
of authentic religious convictions." Believers, he added, should be allowed
to "maintain appropriate charitable or humanitarian institutions, ... to
work to work in the social, educational and humanitarian field, and to be at the
same time religiously distinct, to act in harmony with their respective mission,
and without having to disregard any religious commitments or moral values in
providing a social good. Attempts to secularize or to interfere in the internal
affairs of religious institutions would undermine their raison d'être as well
as the very fabric of society."
"The Holy See," concluded Archbishop Migliore, will continue to
vigorously human dignity as well as "freedom of conscience and religious
liberty, at both the individual and societal level."