Using religion as a tool for violence was firmly denounced by Vatican officials, during the annual conference in the Italian city of Rimini. The Vatican's president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious dialogue had this to say about the matter.
CARD. JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN
President, Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue
'Pope Francis says this quite often. He says, one cannot kill in the name of God. This criminal activity is simply not justified.â?
In an inter-religious round table, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran pointed out the religious extremism that's growing in different parts of the world, is a dangerous because it mixes fundamentalism with dogma to justify its identity.
CARD. JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN
President, Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue
'All of us, Jews, Christians and Muslims, have to highlight our cultural and religious roots. As Pope Francis notes in his latest encyclical, most people describe themselves as 'believers.' This very fact should motivate religious people to engage in dialogue and work together to protect mother nature, the poor, to foster respect and brotherhood.â?
The Rimini meeting is organized by the Communion and Liberation movement. The first one took place back in 1980 and it wasn't long before it became a tradition.
The UN's Secretary General, Ban-Ki moon sent in a video message to support the inter-religious meeting.
'Our world today is marred by conflict, inequality, and growing divides.â?
There's a long list of topics and discussions that will take place. This one was to highlight that religion is part of the solution and not the problem.
AZZEDINE GACI
Villeurbanne Imam Mosque (France)
'It's God who wants you to exist. It's God who wants this religious diversity. It's God who wants Christians, Muslims and Jews to live in harmony.â?
HAíM KORSIA
Chief Rabbi of France
'Uniformity is dangerous for mankind. If we are all the same, there's nothing to exchange. No one grows and no one moves forward.â?
The international meeting which is expected to bring people from all over the world, will run from August 20th to the 26th.
JRB/KLH
Meeting Rimini
JM
-PR
Up:AC
