At his first meeting on the second day of his visit to Africa, Francis met with leaders of other Christian denominations and
other faiths, driving home the fact that the name of God “must never be
used to justify hatred and violence”. Interreligious dialogue “is not a
luxury” it is “essential”, he explained
Andrea Tornielli
In Nairobi
“The God whom we seek to serve is a God of peace.
His holy Name must never be used to justify hatred and violence.” Pope
Francis said this this morning at his meeting with leaders of Christian
Churches and of other religions in the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi:
Evangelical Christians, Methodists, Pentecostals and members of the
African Inland Church sat beside leaders of the traditional religion of
Animism and the Muslim faith.
It was a chance for the Pope to stress his condemnation of God’s name being used as a pretext for terrorist acts.
“I know that the barbarous attacks on Westgate Mall, Garissa University College and Mandera,”
Francis said recalling the three horrific attacks that bloodied the country over the past three years,
“are fresh in your minds. All too often, young people are being
radicalized in the name of religion to sow discord and fear, and to tear
at the very fabric of our societies. How important it is that we be
seen as prophets of peace, peacemakers who invite others to live in
peace, harmony and mutual respect! May the Almighty touch the hearts of
those who engage in this violence, and grant his peace to our families
and communities.”
“It is my hope,” the Pope explained, “that our time together may be a
sign of the Church’s esteem for the followers of all religions; may it
strengthen the bonds of friendship which we already enjoy. “
“To be honest,” he added,
“this relationship is challenging; it
makes demands of us. Yet ecumenical and interreligious dialogue is not a
luxury. It is not something extra or optional, but essential,
something which our world, wounded by conflict and division,
increasingly needs. Indeed, religious beliefs and practice condition who
we are and how we understand the world around us. They are for us a
source of enlightenment, wisdom and solidarity, and thus enrich the
societies in which we live. By caring for the spiritual growth of our
communities, by forming minds and hearts in the truths and values taught
by our religious traditions, we become a blessing to the communities in
which our people live. In democratic and pluralistic societies like
Kenya, cooperation between religious leaders and communities becomes an
important service to the common good.”
In this light, he concluded,
“we see ever more clearly the need
for interreligious understanding, friendship and collaboration in
defending the God-given dignity of individuals and peoples, and
their right to live in freedom and happiness. By upholding respect for
that dignity and those rights, the religions play an essential role in
forming consciences, instilling in the young the profound spiritual
values of our respective traditions, and training good citizens, capable
of infusing civil society with honesty, integrity and a world view
which values the human person over power and material gain.”
