Convincing the world that
".authentic and lasting peace… passes through respect for the right to
religious freedom in all its fullness”: this, in no uncertain terms, is
the dominant intention of Benedict XVI’s address delivered today to the
diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.
In an pounding and compelling sequence the phrase "religious
freedom" is mentioned 19 times, nearly five times per page, to call
"politicians, religious leaders and people of all categories" to commit
themselves to seriously implementing it. For this very reason he goes on
to lists a series of steps, a sort of primer, which governments
(primarily) should put into practice.
As if to answer every objection, and rouse the indifferent and
deafness of the world, the Pope cites philosophy and history, to remind
people that " is indeed the first of human rights, not only because it
was historically the first to be recognized but also because it touches
the constitutive dimension of man", so much so that "man can be called a
religious being".
The pontiff asks society "to reject the dangerous notion of a
conflict between the right to religious freedom and other human rights,
thus disregarding or denying the central role of respect for religious
freedom in the defence and protection of fundamental human
dignity".
In recent years China, Myanmar and Western countries continue
to defend themselves against the importance of religious freedom,
claiming specific cultural or pragmatic rights ("the right to food and
clothing comes first") to push it into last place.
At the same time, the
pope condemns attempts to set religious freedom against the alleged
"new rights" (gay priests, women-priests, ...) "which are nonetheless merely the expression of selfish desires lacking a foundation in authentic human nature".
Benedict XVI reviews those areas of the world where religious
freedom is humiliated, first of all Iraq and Egypt, where the attacks
that occurred in Baghdad and Alexandria elicited a chorus of global
solidarity.
But - unlike international diplomacy - the pope does not
merely stop at denouncing terrorism and the shedding of a few tears.
He
demands that "despite the difficulties and threats," Middle Eastern
governments ensure the safety of minorities and full citizenship for
Christians, he demands that school textbooks - especially in Saudi
Arabia - be purified from hate speech; he asks that where there are
Christian immigrant workers (in the UAE or again Saudi Arabia), "the
Catholic Church can provide suitable pastoral structures" for their
care. With the same clarity, he asks the Pakistani government not to
amend, but to "repeal" the notorious blasphemy laws.
He also makes specific requests to China: the pope rejects the
"monopoly of the state on society" and calls for “full autonomy of
organization and the freedom to carry out their mission, in conformity
with international norms and standards in this sphere".
And as if to
suggest a model to Beijing, Benedict XVI cites the example of Cuba,
where after more than 75 years, diplomatic relations with the Vatican
have been restored. (Later he also cites the positive experience with
Vietnam, where the authorities " have accepted my appointment of a
Representative who will express the solicitude of the Successor of Peter
by visiting the beloved Catholic community of that country").
The Pope also points his finger at the West where in the name
of a false tolerance and pluralism "religion faces a growing
marginalization. There is a tendency to consider religion, all religion,
as something insignificant, alien or even destabilizing to modern
society, and to attempt by different means to prevent it from having any
influence on the life of society"
The pope recalls once again the controversy over religious
symbols in public and the ban on displaying the crucifix in public
places. He demands - especially in Latin America - the social space for
the commitment of Christians in health and education, against laws "that
might create a sort of state monopoly on schools".
This step by step implementation of religious freedom has a
purpose: "to reaffirm strongly that religion does not represent a
problem for society, that it is not a source of discord or conflict."
On
the contrary, "how can anyone deny the contribution of the world’s
great religions to the development of civilization? The sincere search for God has led to greater respect for human dignity".
The Pope implores that "no human society willingly deprive
itself of the essential contribution of religious persons and
communities! " and cites the example of Mother Teresa that shows " the
extent to which the commitment born of faith is beneficial to society as
a whole ".
Finally, it is worth recalling the pope words’ to Vatican
diplomats: "The activities of the Pontifical Representatives to states
and international organizations - he says - is also at the service of
religious freedom."
Nuncios and Vatican officials are thus not only
called to mediate or lessen tensions, but to undertake to guarantee
religious freedom for Christians and for all believers.
SIC: AN/INT'L