Pope Benedict XVI: Peace damaged by terror, egoism and lack of freedom

15 januari 2006

Peace is “hindered or damaged or threatened” in many parts of the world.  Its enemies are – alongside situations of aged conflicts, as in the Middle East – the danger of a clash of civilizations, at which terrorism aims, and obstacles to the right to information, but also hunger and the arms race and above all violations to religious freedom, which occur even in countries with “centuries-old cultural traditions”, with thoughts running to China.  Benedict XVI paints a worried portrait of the world today in his speech to the representatives of 177 states and international organizations with which the Holy See holds diplomatic relations.  And even if the Pope called by name only a very few regions: the Middle East, the Holy Land, the Great Lakes, the areas of shadow areas seemed much greater than those of light.

Standing out in this portrait is the Holy Land, the “nerve point of the world scene”, which the Pope indicated once with this name in affirming Israel’s right to “to be able to exist peacefully” and the right of the “Palestinian people” to develop their own democratic institutions, and another time as “the birthplace of Jesus”, to then turn his thoughts to Lebanon, “whose people must rediscover, with the support of international solidarity, their historic vocation to promote sincere and fruitful cooperation between different faith communities”.

Benedict XVI set out his long speech, given in the “Sala Regia” of the Apostolic Palace, around the theme of “truth”.  It is the “soul of justice” and thus compels us to “reject the law of might” and to respect “persons, of all peoples and cultures”.  “And when these aspects of diversity and equality - distinct but complementary - are known and recognized, then problems can be resolved and disagreements settled according to justice”.  When instead “one of them is misinterpreted or not given its due importance, it is then that misunderstanding arises, together with conflict, and the temptation to use overpowering violence.”  “There seems to me”, he went on to say, “to be an almost paradigmatic illustration of these considerations at that nerve point of the world scene, which is the Holy Land. There, the State of Israel has to be able to exist peacefully in conformity with the norms of international law; there, equally, the Palestinian people has to be able to develop serenely its own democratic institutions for a free and prosperous future.”

He purposely begins with reflections on the Middle East, but widens the scope to the “global context”, in referring to the danger of a clash of civilizations, on which Benedict XVI had already spoken in his days as a cardinal.  “The danger,” he said today, “is made more acute by organized terrorism, which has already spread over the whole planet. Its causes are many and complex, not least those to do with political ideology, combined with aberrant religious ideas.”  “No situation, “ he also repeated today, “can justify such criminal activity, which covers the perpetrators with infamy, and it is all the more deplorable when it hides behind religion, thereby bringing the pure truth of God down to the level of the terrorists’ own blindness and moral perversion.”

As part of the commitment to truth, to which the Pope calls diplomacy as well, Benedict XVI also included the advancement of cultural exchanges and therefore the freedom of information, which includes the use of Internet.  “What is needed above all today,” he stated in fact, “is the removal of everything that impedes access to information, through the press and through modern information technology”.

But the commitment towards truth, and this is the second point stressed by the Pope, “establishes and strengthens the right to freedom.” Religious freedom, he states, is fundamental.  And “unfortunately, in some States, even among those who can boast centuries-old cultural traditions, freedom of religion, far from being guaranteed, is seriously violated, especially where minorities are concerned.”  The implicit, but obvious, reference is to China.

The third point, that the “commitment to truth opens the way to forgiveness and reconciliation”, gave Benedict XVI the occasion to recognize, in John Paul II’s footsteps, that “serious mistakes were also made in the past” by members and institutions of the Catholic Church which “she condemns” and for which “she has not hesitated to ask for forgiveness. This is required by the commitment to truth.”  Recalling “the illuminating words of John Paul II: ‘There can be no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness,’” Benedict XVI repeats them “to the leaders of nations, especially those where the physical and moral wounds of conflicts are most painful, and the need for peace most urgent. One thinks immediately of the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who had a message of peace and forgiveness for all; one thinks of Lebanon, whose people must rediscover, with the support of international solidarity, their historic vocation to promote sincere and fruitful cooperation between different faith communities; and of the whole Middle East, especially Iraq, the cradle of great civilizations, which in these past years has suffered daily from violent acts of terrorism. One thinks of Africa, particularly the countries of the Great Lakes region, still affected by the tragic consequences of the fratricidal wars of recent years; of the defenceless people of Darfur, subjected to deplorable violence, with dangerous international repercussions; and of so many other countries throughout the world which are the theatre of violent conflict.”

And, finally, if peace “is not merely the silence of arms,” “one cannot speak of peace in situations where human beings are lacking even the basic necessities for living with dignity.”  Thus it is for those who suffer starvation, for displaced persons and refugees, for migrants, for the victims of “the scourge of human trafficking, which remains a disgrace in our time.” “They cannot be said to be living in peace, even though they are not in a state of war: indeed they are defenceless victims of war.”

Benedict’s XVI associates his thoughts on “humanitarian emergencies” to the arms trade.  “On the basis of available statistical data, it can be said that less than half of the immense sums spent worldwide on armaments would be more than sufficient to liberate the immense masses of the poor from destitution. This challenges humanity’s conscience. To peoples living below the poverty line, more as a result of situations to do with international political, commercial and cultural relations than as a result of circumstances beyond anyone’s control, our common commitment to truth can and must give new hope.”

Asia News

HOMELY OF CARDINAL RATZINGER AT THE OPENING OF THE CONCLAVE
18 april 2005

     An important extract of the homely pronounced by Cardinal Ratzinger at the opening of the Conclave « Pro Eligendo Summo Pontifice »

...............................
     In the second reading, taken from the Letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul mentions "the measure of the fullness of Christ" to which we are called in order to truly become adults in the faith". We must not remain children in the faith, without coming of age. What does it mean to be children in faith? St. Paul says that it means being 'tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.' A very pertinent description!"

     How many winds of doctrine have we known over the last few decades! How many ideological currents! How many schools of thought! The little ship bearing the thoughts of many Christians has frequently been shaken by these waves, thrown from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertarianism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism, and so on. Every day new sects arise, and St. Paul's words concerning the deception of men and the cunning that leads into error come true. Having a clear faith, according to the Creed of the Church, is often labeled as fundamentalism. While relativism, in other words allowing oneself to be 'tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine,' appears as the only attitude appropriate to modern times, a dictatorship of relativism is being formed, one that recognizes nothing as definitive and that has as its measure only the self and its desires.

     We, nonetheless, do have another measure: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. An 'adult' faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties; an adult and mature faith is profoundly rooted in friendship with Christ. ... We must bring this adult faith to maturity, to this faith we must lead Christ's flock. And it is this faith - faith alone - that creates unity and is realized in charity. ... In the measure in which we approach Christ, so truth and charity come together in our lives too.
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     (Vatican Information Service)

ISRAEL CANCELS A MEETING SCHEDULED WITH THE VATICAN
15 december 2004

      The Israeli government informed the Holy See at the last moment that its delegation would not take part in today's talks, this according to news agencies reports.  The cancelled meeting between Israeli and Vatican representatives was scheduled to discuss the issue of municipal tax exemptions for the Church.
AsiaNews sources in Jerusalem confirmed that the two delegations did not meet.
     Tomorrow's scheduled meeting is still expected to take place but without any certainty as to what will be discussed.
     News agencies report that Israel 's Ambassador to the Holy See referred to 'contingent factors' to explain the cancellation, stressing however that "the parties will discuss next month" the issues at the centre of the talks"

     Jerusalem - AsiaNews

     Calls for Focus on the Common Good. Not Demands of Special Interests

      In testimony submitted to the Democratic and Republican party platform committees, U.S. bishops have called for "a new kind of politics -- focused on moral principles not on the latest polls."

     Such a politics should focus "on the needs of the poor and vulnerable, not the contributions of the rich and powerful, and on the pursuit of the common good, not the demands of special interests," the prelates said in a statement published this week.

     "The central question should not be 'Are you better off than you were four years ago?' the bishops declared. It should be "How can 'we' -- all of us, especially the weak and vulnerable -- be better off in the years ahead?"

     Declaring that "our nation has been wounded," the bishops suggest the reality of war and economic stress has "taught us that no amount of military strength, economic power, or technological advances can truly guarantee security, prosperity, or progress."

     "The most important challenges we face are not simply political, economic or technological, but ethical, moral and spiritual," the statement said. "We face fundamental questions of life and death, war and peace, who moves ahead and who is left behind."

     The testimony submitted to the party platform committees is the text of "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility," the bishops' quadrennial political responsibility statement, which reminds Catholics of their obligations as citizens to participate in the public life of the nation.

     The bishops' testimony is being submitted to both parties as they begin this month the process of drawing up new party platforms in preparation for this summer's conventions.

      (Zenit.org).

POPE'S ADDRESS TO PRESIDENT BUSH
June 4, 2004

     1. I offer a warm welcome to you and to Mrs. Bush, and to the distinguished delegation accompanying you. I also extend a cordial and affectionate greeting to all the people of the United States whom you represent. I thank you for wishing to meet with me again, in spite of the difficulties presented by your own many commitments during this present visit to Europe and Italy, and by my own departure tomorrow morning for a meeting with young people in Switzerland.

     2. You are visiting Italy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Rome and to honor the memory of the many American soldiers who gave their lives for their country and for the freedom of the peoples of Europe. I join you in recalling the sacrifice of those valiant dead and in asking the Lord that the mistakes of the past, which gave rise to appalling tragedies, may never again be repeated. Today I too think back with great emotion on the many Polish soldiers who died for the freedom of Europe.
      Our thoughts also turn today to the 20 years in which the Holy See and the United States have enjoyed formal diplomatic relations, established in 1984 under President Reagan. These relations have promoted mutual understanding on great issues of common interest and practical cooperation in different areas. I send my regards to President Reagan and to Mrs. Reagan, who is so attentive to him in his illness. I would also like to express my esteem for all the representatives of the United States to the Holy See, together with my appreciation for the competence, sensitivity and great commitment with which they have favored the development of our relations.

     3. Mr. President, your visit to Rome takes place at a moment of great concern for the continuing situation of grave unrest in the Middle East, both in Iraq and in the Holy Land. You are very familiar with the unequivocal position of the Holy See in this regard, expressed in numerous documents, through direct and indirect contacts, and in the many diplomatic efforts which have been made since you visited me, first at Castel Gandolfo on 23 July 2001, and again in this Apostolic Palace on 28 May 2002.

     4. It is the evident desire of everyone that this situation now be normalized as quickly as possible with the active participation of the international community and, in particular, the United Nations Organization, in order to ensure a speedy return of Iraq's sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people. The recent appointment of a head of state in Iraq and the formation of an interim Iraqi government are an encouraging step towards the attainment of this goal. May a similar hope for peace also be rekindled in the Holy Land and lead to new negotiations, dictated by a sincere and determined commitment to dialogue, between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

     5. The threat of international terrorism remains a source of constant concern. It has seriously affected normal and peaceful relations between states and peoples since the tragic date of 11 September 2001, which I have not hesitated to call "a dark day in the history of humanity." In the past few weeks other deplorable events have come to light which have troubled the civic and religious conscience of all, and made more difficult a serene and resolute commitment to shared human values: in the absence of such a commitment neither war nor terrorism will ever be overcome. May God grant strength and success to all those who do not cease to hope and work for understanding between peoples, in respect for the security and rights of all nations and of every man and woman.

     6. At the same time, Mr. President, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the great commitment of your government and of your nation's numerous humanitarian agencies, particularly those of Catholic inspiration, to overcoming the increasingly intolerable conditions in various African countries, where the suffering caused by fratricidal conflicts, pandemic illnesses and a degrading poverty can no longer be overlooked.
      I also continue to follow with great appreciation your commitment to the promotion of moral values in American society, particularly with regard to respect for life and the family.

     7. A fuller and deeper understanding between the United States of America and Europe will surely play a decisive role in resolving the great problems which I have mentioned, as well as so many others confronted by humanity today. May your visit, Mr. President, give new and powerful impetus to such cooperation.

     Mr. President, as you carry out your lofty mission of service to your nation and to world peace, I assure you of my prayers and cordially invoke upon you God's blessings of wisdom, strength and peace.

     May God bestow peace and freedom upon all mankind!

     God bless America!

     (Zenit)

VIOLENCE IN RELIGION'S NAME DESECRATES RELIGION
February 2004.

     Message of the Holy Father to a delegation of the American Jewish Committee.

     " Distinguished Friends,
     With affection I greet you, the members of the American Jewish Committee, as you come to the Vatican. It is with gratitude that I recall your 1985 visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate, which has so significantly contributed to the strengthening of Jewish-Catholic relations.
As we now approach the 40th anniversary of this historic document, there is regrettably a great need to repeat our utter condemnation of racism and anti-Semitism. Violence in the name of religion is always a desecration to religion. Countering this alarming trend requires that together we stress the importance of religious education which promotes respect and love towards others.
In these days our attention remains drawn to the Holy Land, which continues to be afflicted by violence and suffering. It is my fervent prayer that a just solution will be found which respects the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Upon all of you, I invoke the gift of peace. Shalom aleichem "

     (Osservatore Romano)

CATHOLIC SUMMIT SENDS MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY
TO HOLY LAND CHURCH. 16 January 2004

     A Catholic summit in Jerusalem ended on Thursday 16 January with a message of support for the Christians of the Holy Land and a set of proposals.
      The meeting - which included meetings with President Katsav of Israel and President Arafat of the Palestinian Authority - examined in some depth the situation in the Holy Land. The event was hosted by His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch, and attended by delegates from the Catholic Bishops' Conferences in England and Wales, the U.S., Germany, Canada, Spain and Italy as well as the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE)and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE).
      In a message to the Christians of the Holy Land, the visiting bishops of Europe and North America said: "It is clear that fear and mistrust grip many more besides you, our Christian sisters and brothers. Yet at the same time, we have been assured of widespread longing for justice and peace, and have experienced the lively hope that must, it seems, inspire the continued courage and dedication of so many people, not least your own commitment to reconciliation."
It added: "Until God grants the peace for which we all long, we promise to work without ceasing to help sustain you, our brothers and sisters in faith in Jerusalem, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. "To you who first witnessed the risen Christ and seek a rightful share in the peace which can be found only in him, we pledge our love and solidarity."

     The new proposals agreed by the peace summit were: Increased contact between our conferences and the Church in the Holy Land (the Assembly, the Latin Patriarch, the Nuncio, the Heads of Churches and other relevant church bodies) is necessary,
      The meeting also agreed that:
* while resuming pilgrimages of the faithful on a large-scale may not be possible under present circumstances, every effort should be made to encourage pilgrimages by leadership groups in the Church,
* the material needs of the Holy Land's Christians are urgent,
* sharing information on how donations are used will encourage further generosity,
* we value the increased collaboration on the part of local and international Catholic agencies in the Holy    Land and will continue to work with such agencies, particularly with Caritas Internationalis,
* we support ecumenical collaboration in efforts to express solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land and    take particular note of relevance of 'accompaniment programs' like that sponsored by the World Council of    Churches and endorsed by the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, and
* interfaith dialogue with Jews and Muslims should be enhanced and it is hoped he fruit of these dialogues    will include reconciliation and a shared pursuit of peace.

     Message to tke Christians of the Holy Land

     Pope John Paul's words a year ago are confirmed by the sad story of the last twelve months: No one can remain indifferent to the injustice of which the Palestinian people have been victims for more than fifty years. No one can contest the right of the Israeli people to live in security. However, neither can anyone forget the innocent victims, on both sides, who fall day after day under the blows of violence. Weapons and bloody attacks will never be the right means for making political statements to the other side. Nor is the logic of the law of retaliation capable any longer of leading to the paths of justice.
      On our return home, we requested our national bishops' conferences, regional groupings of conferences, and Catholic justice and peace commissions to make advocacy on behalf of peace in the Holy Land a priority matter. they have done, although this year we have become increasingly aware of the need for these groups to continue their efforts and to co-ordinate their work more effectively. We have continually tried to improve public awareness of the facts, and understanding of the issues underlying the facts. As we promised, we ourselves have returned. Regrettably, our attempts to bring large numbers of pilgrims have so far met only with limited success, though pilgrimages have continued and have been a source of mutual encouragement.   We renew the promise we made a year ago. Until God grants the peace for which we all long, we promise to work without ceasing to help sustain you, our brothers and sisters in faith in Jerusalem, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. To you who first witnessed the risen Christ and seek a rightful share in the peace which can be found only in him, we pledge our love and solidarity.
      It is because Jesus of Nazareth is risen and his tomb is empty that, especially in the darkest days of your sufferings, we rejoice with you in this sure confidence: "Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Rom 5:5)
      With our constant prayers, we are Devotedly yours in Christ,
Bishop Jacques Berthelet C.S.V. President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Archbishop Patrick Kelly Vice-President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and
Delegate, Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe
Bishop Reinhard Marx, Delegate, German Bishops' Conference
Bishop William Skylstad Vice-President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop Joan Enric Vives Delegate, Spanish Bishops' Conference
Monsignor Piergiuseppe Vachelli Under-Secretary, Italian Bishops' Conference

     A proposal to Member Bishop Conferences
     for strengthening coordination in support of the Church in the Holy Land

     A Word of Explanation
      During the 1990s, the United States Catholic Conference had worked closely with the Holy See and the Church in the Holy Land on issues related to the Holy Land, particularly on the future of Jerusalem. In 1997, the Secretariat of State asked the USCC to coordinate its policies and activities related to the Holy Land with European conferences. In October 1998, during a meeting of bishops' conferences on Jerusalem, the presidents of American and European conferences agreed to join in an informal coordination.
The Coordination's founding members consisted of the conferences of Canada, England and Wales, France, Germany, the United States of America, and the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Latin America and the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe. From the beginning, it was hoped that Italy and Spain would also join the group. Italy, along with the Bishops' Commission for the European Union (COMECE) joined at the time of the 2002 meeting in Jerusalem, and Spain at the 2003 meeting.

      From 1998 until 2003, the United States Catholic Conference served as facilitator of the Coordination. In mid-2003, the Conference of England and Wales took over primary responsibility for facilitation.
      The Coordination is an informal working group. Authority over policy related to the Holy Land lies with individual conferences and councils /commissions of conferences. The original mandate was a broad one including coordination of finances. At the founding meeting in 1998, the bishop presidents narrowed the mandate to exclude finances, with a focus primarily on advocacy, communication and education. Because of the urgency of the material needs, however, there has been increased coordination of contributions at the local level under the leadership of the Apostolic Nuncio which includes some agencies connected to national conferences.
      Other areas of consultation have included pilgrimages and Episcopal conference visits.

      From 1998 through 2001, the Coordination operated primarily at the staff level with staff reporting to their respective conferences. The crisis provoked by the al Aqsa Intifada made it desirable for bishop presidents and the representatives to meet once again both to express solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land and to formalize the ties between the conferences at the level of Episcopal leadership. In 2002, the participants agreed to meet every year as long as the crisis continued. In 2003, expecting a continuation of the crisis, they agreed to meet again in January 2004 in a meeting that would allow them to spend additional time with the faithful of the Holy Land.