Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – Pope John Paul II sent a message through Cardinal Jozef Tomko to an Interreligious Meeting taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan. Cardinal Tomko is leading the Holy See delegation to the meeting which will reflect on the role of religions in the present day world context. In the telegramme the Pope greets the President of Congress, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev and all those taking part and wishes the initiative every success. “In the spirit of Assisi – the message says - this new initiative of the Kazakhstan authorities will help to promote respect for human dignity, the defence of religious freedom and the growth of mutual understanding among peoples, convinced as we are that religion, properly understood, shows itself to be a solid instrument for the promotion of peace. For this purpose the Catholic church, on the basis of the revealed teaching living within her, is committed to support every sincere effort in favour of a genuine peace based on truth, justice, love and freedom.” SL (Fides Service 24/9/2003 EM lines 16 Words: 174)
