At the end of a general audience with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome,
Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama spoke to the pontiff and shared the
hopes and prayers of his flock.
The prelate was in Rome as the Community
of Sant Egidio, a Catholic group especially dedicated to non-violence
and ecumenism, was celebrating on Feb. 5-6 the 43rd anniversary of its
founding.
Archbishop Kaigama denounced Islamic fundamentalism and its efforts
to exploit complex social problems and inter-ethnic squabbles.
He told
the Pope that he had just opened a new educational center for young
people.
Kaigama said that he hopes that vocational training will lead
young people away from the temptations of violence.
At the meeting, the Pope also heard from Aan Rukmana, a Muslim and
professor of philosophy from Indonesia.
Rukmana had just finished a
six-month course of studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University at
Rome, having received a fellowship from the Nostra Aetate Foundation.
“I
am returning to Jakarta,” said Rukmana, with the conviction that
Christianity is the religion of peace and that there is no alternative
to dialogue between believers.”