EUROPE/ALBANIA - Religious communities are aware of their role in the construction of a new society

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "All the religious communities showed a keen awareness that Albania today is still a society in transition: some issues from the past remain unresolved and there are significant political, social and economic challenges for the future. The task of defining the role of religion in modern Albanian society is not yet complete, but the religious communities are aware of their role in the construction of a new society in Albania. Although there may be some tensions and difficulties, the attitude that religious communities have displayed to date, characterized by mutual respect, mutual support and an emphasis on common values such as the dignity of the human person, should provide a solid foundation from which to continue to address these challenges". This is a passage taken from the final Declaration, sent to Fides, concerning the meeting of the Conference of European "Justice and Peace" Commissions which took place in Albania from September 16 to 20, on "inter-religious and intercultural relations – chances and challenges for our solidarity. An Albanian contribution to the construction of Europe "(see Fides 08/09/2011).
The representatives, from 23 European countries, had the privilege to be welcomed by all the main religious communities of Albania. Leaders and members of the Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant and Bektashi communities shared their experiences and responded to questions in a round table discussion. Participants were deeply moved to learn of the persecution during the Communist period: people were imprisoned for their faith; the leadership structures of the different religions were decimated through imprisonment and exile; the cultural heritage of the different traditions was destroyed; places of worship were taken away from the people and often put to uses that were disrespectful of the faith and of the values of the community. Even in the face of so much suffering, faith is still alive in their hearts, and when the persecution came to an end, in 1991, the religious communities, united by the experience of common suffering, ensured that the work of reconstruction was carried out in a spirit of solidarity with the other, cooperation and sharing. Albania has much experience to share in terms of the challenges facing religious communities throughout Europe today, noting that they "need to show leadership on moral and ethical questions, making their contribution to the good common and the development of our societies". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 23/09/2011)