MidnightCall Magazine
News From Israel MagazineAll Faiths Must United Against Violence, Says Pope
Pope Benedict XVI told representatives of Islam and other faiths that they must unite to combat religion's role in "sinister and indiscriminate" violence.
Without mentioning terrorism directly, the pontiff said there were those who were using religion "as a cause of division rather than a force for unity" in a 40-minute exchange with Australian Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist leaders in Sydney.
"In a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate forms of violence, the unified voice of religious people urges nations and communities to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and with full regard for human dignity," Benedict told the leaders, gathered in the gothic surrounds of Australia's largest Roman Catholic cathedral as part of the church's global youth festival.
Harmony between religion and public life is especially important in these days, he said.
The meeting was one element of a busy schedule for the 81-year-old pontiff at World Youth Day, which organizers say has attracted more than 200,000 young Catholics to Australia’s largest city.
Benedict, who said his church was in “crisis” in the West because of many who had lost faith in God, held a separate meeting with deputies of Christian denominations.
"I think you would agree that the ecumenical movement has reached a critical juncture," he told the Christian representatives. "We must guard against any temptation to view doctrine as divisive and hence an impediment to the seemingly more pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live."
Pilgrims lined the streets to watch the recreation, which stretched over three hours and included often stark scenes of brutality toward Jesus, including his being nailed to a cross. As night fell on a clear but cold midwinter day, many watching clutched each other and wept openly. Organizers estimated the live television audience for one of the festival's most dramatic events topped 500 million.-news.yahoo.com, 18 July 2008
There should be no question as to who has the voice that is heard around the globe: it is the Vatican’s pope. The prepared statements, like politicians use, are carefully analyzed to fit global concerns. Virtually all will agree with the pope’s statement, our “pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live.” That is the motto after which politicians the world over pattern their speeches. Everyone wants to improve the world, wants more peace, more luxury, wants to keep religion, but it must be tailored to the progressive world. It would be difficult to say or write anything negative about such positive and encouraging statements.
But there is one problem, and that is the name “Christian” and “church.” The Body of Christ is not here to improve the world. The true Church, each member who is born again of His Holy Spirit, becomes a vessel for the Holy Spirit, of which Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:7-11). The Church in its proper function is the tool by which the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. All other tasks, no matter how noble and deserving, are secondary. Christian, remember who you are!
(3324)