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Skriven 2006-11-30 01:02:38 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

CONTINUE DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 28, 2006 (VIS) - At 4.30 p.m. local time today, Benedict XVI
travelled by car to the "Diyanet," Turkey's presidency for religious affairs
where he met with Ali Bardokoglu, president of that department, and with
various Turkish Muslims leaders, among them the Grand Mufti of Ankara and the
Grand Mufti of Istanbul.

The Pope began his English-language talk to them by greeting "all the Muslims
in Turkey with particular esteem and affectionate regard." He also recalled how
Turkey "is very dear to Christians: many of the earliest Church communities
were founded here and grew to maturity, inspired by the preaching of the
Apostles, particularly St. Paul and St. John. ... This noble land has also seen
a remarkable flowering of Islamic civilization in the most diverse fields,
including its literature and art, as well as its institutions. There are so
many Christian and Muslim monuments that bear witness to Turkey's glorious
past," in which "you rightly take pride."

Benedict XVI then went on to explain how he had set out for Turkey "with the
same sentiments as those expressed by my predecessor Blessed John XXIII, when
he came here as Archbishop Giuseppe Roncalli, to fulfil the office of papal
representative to Istanbul: '... I love the Turks, I appreciate the natural
qualities of these people who have their own place reserved in the march of
civilization'." Pope Benedict also reiterated the words of John Paul II, who
visited the country in 1979: 'I wonder if it is not urgent, precisely today
when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize
and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us, in order to preserve and promote
together, for the benefit of all men, peace, liberty, social justice and moral
values.'

Such questions, Pope Benedict continued, "impel us to carry forward our
dialogue as a sincere exchange between friends. ... Christians and Muslims,
following their respective religions, point to the truth of the sacred
character and dignity of the person. This is the basis of our mutual respect
and esteem, this is the basis for cooperation in the service of peace between
nations and peoples."

"Christians and Muslims belong to the family of those who believe in the one
God and who, according to their respective traditions, trace their ancestry to
Abraham. This human and spiritual unity in our origins and our destiny impels
us to seek a common path. ... As men and women of religion, we are challenged
by the widespread longing for justice, development, solidarity, freedom,
security, peace, defense of life, protection of the environment and of the
resources of the earth. This is because we too, while respecting the legitimate
autonomy of temporal affairs, have a specific contribution to offer in the
search for proper solutions to these pressing questions."

"Above all," he added, "we can offer a credible response to the question which
emerges clearly from today's society, ... the question about the meaning and
purpose of life, for each individual and for humanity as a whole. We are called
to work together, so as to help society to open itself to the transcendent,
giving Almighty God His rightful place. The best way forward is via authentic
dialogue between Christians and Muslims, based on truth and inspired by a
sincere wish to know one another better, respecting differences and recognizing
what we have in common."

"As an illustration of the fraternal respect with which Christians and Muslims
can work together, I would like to quote some words addressed by Pope Gregory
VII in 1076 to a Muslim prince in North Africa who had acted with great
benevolence towards the Christians under his jurisdiction. Pope Gregory spoke
of the particular charity that Christians and Muslims owe to one another
'because we believe in one God, albeit in a different manner, and because we
praise Him and worship Him every day as the Creator and Ruler of the world.'

"Freedom of religion, institutionally guaranteed and effectively respected in
practice, both for individuals and communities, constitutes for all believers
the necessary condition for their loyal contribution to the building up of
society, in an attitude of authentic service, especially towards the most
vulnerable and the most poor."

The Pope completed his address by giving thanks to God "for this happy occasion
that brings us together in His name," and expressed the hope that Christians
and Muslims "may come to know one another better, strengthening the bonds of
affection between us in our common wish to live together in harmony, peace and
mutual trust."
PV-TURKEY/RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MEETING/ANKARA VIS 061129 (770)

SUMMARY

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