Pope denounces use of religion as tool of violence

Catholic News, Australia (cathnews.com)
Nov 22 2004

Greeting a delegation of Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish religious
representatives from Azerbaijan, Pope John Paul II has insisted that
no one has the right to use religion as an instrument of intolerance
or violence.

The delegation was in Rome to return the Holy Father’s visit in 2002
to their Caucasus country, which has only about 300 Catholics.

“No one has the right to present or use religions as instrument of
intolerance, as a means of aggression, violence or death,” he stressed
in his address, which he delivered in Russian.

“On the contrary, their reciprocal friendship and esteem, if supported
also by the government leaders’ commitment to tolerance, constitutes
a rich resource of authentic progress and peace,” the Pope said.

“Together – Muslims, Jews, Christians – we wish to address in the name
of God and of civilization an appeal to humanity to halt murderous
violence and undertake the path of love and justice for all,” the
Holy Father continued.

He highlighted the fact that “this is the path of religions” and
expressed the hope “that God will help us to go forward on this path
with perseverance and patience.”

John Paul II also referred to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,
an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijani territory, which triggered a war
between both states in 1991 and ended with the cease-fire of 1994
and Armenia’s annexation, not only of the disputed territory, but of
other Azerbaijani lands as well.

The Pope expressed his heartfelt hope that “Azerbaijan will return
to the fullness of peace.” He said that this conflict, “as all other
disputes, must be addressed with good will, in the mutual search
for reciprocal openings of understanding and in a spirit of genuine
reconciliation.”

In a statement published after the meeting, Vatican spokesman
Joaquín Navarro Valls revealed that “during the audience the religious
leaders confirmed to the Pope their constant commitment to collaborate
with peace and to promote peaceful coexistence among the different
religions.”

The republic of Azerbaijan, which became independent after the
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, has 7.8 million inhabitants,
mostly Muslims.

The Catholic community in Azerbaijan virtually disappeared during
Stalin’s persecutions, and the Catholic church in Baku was destroyed.
On the occasion of the Pope’s visit, then President Heider Aliev made
available a plot of land in the center of Baku to build a Catholic
church.

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