Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tunis (Fides Service)- “We are all foreigners from no less than 44 different countries but prayer builds us into one family” says Bishop Fouad Twal, for 13 years Bishop of Tunis and now Coadjutor of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, describing the situation of what was for many years his “little flock”. “In our situation as a minority the Lord never failed to prepare surprises: after 42 years last year on 22 May we had the grace of living the event of two ordinations to the priesthood. And two more foreign priests offered to come and serve in our diocese”.
Bishop Twal has this to say about relations between Christians and Muslims in the light of recent world events. “We all suffer and experience terrorism with the same grief as you in the West. In the Middle East there have been hundreds of attacks. Violence exists in every country because it is in the heart of man”.
“However as Christians we know we belong to the great universal Church and that we are united with all the many people of good will who like us are against violence” the Bishop said adding “the Middle East cannot be changed by force. It is necessary to take time, to do good and continue dialogue which on the part of Christians have never been interrupted”.
Bishop Twal treats also the problems of emigration: “In Italy and elsewhere in Europe you see an ever greater movement of immigration from the third world, including Muslim countries which creates problems of culture and identity. It is necessary to affirm the Christian identity with courage, without complex, without any reverential fear. Certainly mutual cultural knowledge is important: Tunis has a university faculty for dialogue between cultures; but intellectual efforts are not enough, what is needed is the maturing of the individual Christians and Muslims in daily life. Culture of dialogue must start in schools, churches, mosques! National and international meetings on the question should be encouraged”.
The Bishop stresses the need to “encourage efforts to promote integration in schools and in society as a basis for social harmony in the future. It should not be forgotten that fundamentalism feeds on poverty, ignorance and injustice.”
“For dialogue a good knowledge of one’s faith is necessary, adhesion to the teaching of the Church which is a guarantee of following Christ. Very few are well enough prepared for theological dialogue. Whereas dialogue of friendship, help, service is possible for all, it enters and penetrates. Charity is still the most beautiful language. And everyone can help can sow seeds: the fruits, when and how they are reaped, we leave to the Lord to decide” the Bishop concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/4/2006 righe 39 parole 471)
