Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lyon ( Fides Service) - “It is time to stop the use of violence! Human life is sacred. Violence humiliates human beings and diminishes the cause of those who make use of it. The world is tired of living in fear. Religions do not want violence, war or terrorism. We proclaim this with conviction!.” This is part of an Appeal for Peace 2005 issued at the end of the annual Meeting of People and Religions promoted by the Rome based S. Egidio community held this year in Lyon, France 11 to 13 September on the theme “The Courage to forge a spiritual humanism of peace”.
The appeal reads: “Those who legitimate their interests or justify violence in the name of God debase religion. No war is ever holy. Humanity is not improved by violence or terror..” I partecipanti all’incontro ricordano che la pace è dono di Dio, e Dio la dona a chi crede in Lui. Per questo hanno pregato a Lione, perché la pace spreads to all men and women, embracing all the peoples of the world, stopping.”
Faced with so much sorrow in the world and poverty affecting millions of people the participants demand “that all energies and resources be brought together to make the world of the 21st century more human and less poor”. The appeal continues “Peace increases the chances for a better world, and dialogue is the path to peace. Dialogue does not lower one’s defences, rather it is a protection. Dialogue transforms strangers into friends and enables people to work together and fight against poverty and evil..”
Dialogue among members of different religions and with humanists of the present day revealed the profound differences of religious and cultures, “Nevertheless, we now clearly see that there is a single destiny. It is time to work together courageously to forge a spiritual humanism capable of building peace among nations and individuals. The aim is not the triumph of one or the other, but the creation of a civilization where people live together. The art of dialogue is the patient way to build this civilization of coexistence.”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2005 - Righe 24; Parole 369)
