Dhaka (Fides Service) - In a message to Muslims in his diocese on the occasion of the Is Al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), Archbishop Michael Rozario of Dhaka expressed his desire for peace and dialogue, recalling that the Catholic Church is against a war on Iraq.
In his message dated 12 February, the Archbishop reminded the Muslim community that although a small minority Christians in Bangladesh offer the country an important service. Urging Christians and Muslims to unite to strengthen harmony, brotherhood and unity, Archbishop Rozario says: "Bangladesh may be poor from the economic point of view but with regard to culture and religion it is rich and awareness of this will help the country progress on the path of integral development" The Archbishop stressed that war never solves problems it only causes poverty, suffering and desolation, and he said that the threat of war on Iraq is a "situation that alarms the whole world". That situation, like the conflict between Israel and Palestine, the Archbishop writes, can only be resolved with forgiveness and dialogue. He calls on all the people of Bangladesh to exercise the gift of intelligence received from God, appealing to every conscience to say no to war and arms and yes to social justice and peace, without distinction of religion, nationality or casts. The Archbishop's message ends with a prayer: "May God bless the leaders of the world with wisdom and goodness". (Fides Service 18/2/2003 EM lines 18 Words: 247)