Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “By your presence in international entities and bilateral relations with numerous countries, the Holy See wishes to defend and promote human dignity. It also wishes to be at the service of the good of the human family, paying particular attention to the technical, moral and humanitarian aspects of relations between peoples. From this point of view, the Holy See wishes to consolidate relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to foster mutual understanding and collaboration for the common good.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI said in an audience on October 29 with Ali Akbar Naseri, the new Ambassador from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Holy See, who presented his Letters of Credence.
In his address, Benedict XVI mentioned that “Iran is a great nation that has eminent spiritual traditions and its people have a profound religious sensibility,” expressing his hopes for “growing openness and confident collaboration with the international community.” He then mentioned that “the Holy See will always be willing to work in harmony with those who serve the cause of peace and promote the dignity with which the Creator has endowed all human beings,” calling for support “a new phase of international cooperation, more solidly based on humanitarian principles and on effective aid to those who suffer.”
Benedict XVI continued, saying: “Faith in the one God must bring all believers closer and encourage them to work together for the defense and promotion of fundamental human values. Among the universal rights, religious liberty and freedom of conscience occupy an essential place, because they are the source of the other liberties. The defense of other rights that stem from the dignity of persons and populations, in particular the promotion of the protection of life, justice and solidarity, must also be the object of a true collaboration. Moreover, as I have often had the opportunity to underline, the establishment of cordial relations between believers of the different religions is an urgent need of our time, to build a more human world, more conformed to the plan of God on creation.”
Benedict XVI then recalled that “Catholics have been present in Iran since the first centuries of Christianity and have always been an integral part of the life and culture of the Nation,” the positive coexistence with Muslim believers “is of great usefulness to promote greater understanding and cooperation.” He then continued: “The Holy See trusts that the Iranian authorities will be able to reinforce and guarantee to Christians the liberty to profess their faith and to ensure for the Catholic community the essential conditions for its existence, especially the possibility of having sufficient religious personnel and the facilities of movement in the country to ensure the religious service of the faithful. From this perspective, I hope that a confident and sincere dialogue will develop with the country's institutions to improve the situation of the Christian communities and their activities in the context of the civil society, so that its sense of belonging to the national life will increase.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2009)
