Friday, March 09, 2012

“The international community must not take a neutral stance on anti-Christian violence”

It becomes an urgent and beneficial responsibility of the international community to counteract the trend of increasing violence against religious groups and of a mistaken and deceptive neutrality that in fact aims at neutralizing religion. 

The Holy See delegation stated this during its address to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which met in recent days, in Geneva.

In his address to the assembly, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Mgr. Silvano Tomasi spoke out against the significant increase in the aggressions and harm caused to Christians in a number of Countries. 

He told Vatican daily broadsheet L’Osservatore Romano that “religions are not a threat, but a resource. 

They contribute to the development of civilizations, and this is good for everyone.”

 “Their activities and freedom – the archbishop stated – should be protected so that the partnership between religious beliefs and societies may enhance the common good.” 

“Religions are communities based on convictions and their freedom guarantees a contribution of moral values without which the freedom of everyone is not possible.

According to Mgr. Tomasi “A culture of tolerance, mutual acceptance and dialogue is urgent” and “The educational system and the media have a major role to play by excluding prejudice and hatred from textbooks, from newscasts and from newspapers, and by disseminating accurate and fair information on all component groups of society.”

Actions which however imply improved living conditions. 

“A lack of education and information, that facilitates an easier manipulation of people for political advantages, is too often linked to underdevelopment, poverty, lack of access to effective participation in the management of society.” 

There is therefore a need for “greater social justice” that “provides fertile ground for the implementation of all human rights.”