Saturday, July 19, 2008

Pope appeals for religious freedom

Pope Benedict XVI has stressed that religion is a "fundamental right" of all people that transcends borders and can solve conflicts in a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate violence.

The pontiff mentioned no country in his remarks other than Australia, where he is leading tens of thousands of Roman Catholics in the church's youth festival, but the comments came at a time when the Vatican is engaged in cautious efforts to restore ties with China.

The pontiff met with a group of leaders from other religions, including rabbis and Muslim clerics, at the gothic St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney as part of the Roman Catholic church's youth festival.

He praised Australia's commitment to human rights and goodwill towards other countries.

"It is a nation that holds freedom of religion in high regard," Benedict said. "Your country recognises that a respect for this fundamental right gives men and women the latitude to worship God according to their conscience."

China's officially atheist Communist Party cut ties with the Vatican in 1951 and the two sides have never restored formal ties. Beijing objects to the Vatican's tradition of having the pope name his own bishops, calling it interference in China's affairs.

China appoints bishops for the state-sanctioned Catholic church. But many of the country's estimated 12 million Catholics worship in congregations outside the state-approved church.

Benedict, who is eager for the Holy See to establish diplomatic ties with China to better protect his flock there, has made improving relations with Beijing a priority of his papacy.

The 81-year-old pontiff had only a slightly less hectic schedule than on Thursday. He met Australian officials and had lunch with a group of young pilgrims, and is to bless a planned, live re-creation of the Last Supper, Christ's crucifixion and other events in the last days of Jesus known as the stations of the cross.

He is also due to have a meeting with a group of disadvantaged young people.
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