Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - On March 22, Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi C.S., Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations at Geneva, delivered a talk on the subject of religious freedom during the 4th session of the Human Rights Council. “The Holy See Delegation observes with preoccupation the emergence of an apparent dilemma between respect due to religions and the right to religious freedom as if they were incompatible and mutually exclusive aspects. On the contrary, they are complementary values that cannot stand one without the other.".
“In the course of history, there have been sad episodes of religious fanaticism with tragic social results. Yet religions are among those social factors that, together with science, have more contributed to the progress of humanity through the promotion of cultural, artistic, social and humanitarian values. Therefore any religion that preaches or condones violence, intolerance and hatred renders itself unworthy of the name.” The Archbishop underlined “Respect for the human person and his or her dignity implies respect of his freedom in religious matters to profess, practice and publicly manifest one’s religion without being mocked, injured, discriminated against. Respect of religion means respect of those who have chosen to follow it and practice it in a free and pacific way, in private and in public, individually or collectively.”.
The Holy See permanent observer continued: “The subject of religion and the subject of freedom is always the human person, whose dignity is at the origin of fundamental rights. The respect of any religion is based in the end on the respect that is due to all those who, in the exercise of their freedom, follow and practice it.” Respect due to religions must be based explicitly on the right to religious freedom and expression, however, the Archbishop stressed, “One cannot consider the ridicule of the sacred as a right of freedom.” And concluded " a really democratic state values religious freedom as a fundamental element of the common good, worthy of respect and protection, and creates the conditions that allow its citizens to live and act freely. ". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2007; righe 27; parole 362)
