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No One May Use Religion as Tool of Violence, Says Pope
Meets Muslims, Orthodox Catholics, Roman Uniate Catholics and Jews From Azerbaijan
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 18, 2004 - The Pope, John Paul II, of
the Roman jurisdiction of the Catholic Church insists that no one has the right to
use religion as an instrument of intolerance or violence.
The Pope delivered that message today as he greeted in audience a delegation of
Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish religious representatives from Azerbaijan.
The delegation was in Rome to return the Holy Father's visit in 2002 to their
Caucasus country, which has only about 300 Catholics.
Among the guests today were Allahshyukyur Pashazade, leader of the Caucasus
Muslims; Orthodox Bishop Aleksandr of Baku and the Caspian region, a member of
the Russian Orthodox Church; and the head of the Caucasus Jewish community.
"May your visit to the Pope of Rome be a symbol for the world, namely, may it
show that tolerance is possible, and is a value of civilization, which posits
the premises for a fuller and more solidaristic human, civil and social
development," John Paul II said in his welcome address.
"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.
The Pontiff 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."
Pope
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 Roman 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.
Apostle1.com's Editorial Note (Opinion):
It is very difficult to believe that Muslim, etc. would accept the Lift and Teachings of Jesus Christ as coming from God Himself for Jesus was the Word Incarnate. The Muslim's Koran denies any other religion as being God-sent. While many other religions view Jesus Christ as a Prophet, they do not believe Him to be One in the Holy Trinity. Therefore it is only right that you may ask, "How can the Roman Pope even suggest that all get-along nicey-nicey when Muslim teachings and practices murder Muslims much the same as Christians murdered Muslims as history show.
To deny violence is one thing, but to worship together with unbelievers is really another. To worship with those whose beliefs are so alien to all that is held near and dear in the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ, for which some are truly called Christians... is one of the movements afoot in these times in which Synchrestic Ecumenism leads to the One World Church idea of the World Council of Bishops, The World Council of Churches and even the Roman Jurisdiction's involvement in those various so-called "Christian" organizations. This is pure blasphemy to God!
While we do not promote "Hate" we surely do not embrace those whose so-called "bible" such as the "Koran" of the Muslims do!
Find all the excuses one wishes, which Muslims in the U.S. do... There is no getting away from the fact that Jesus Christ has taught rather succinctly that anyone who does not believe in Him (His Teachings) will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. And, the only way to the Father is through Him, Jesus Christ for the Almighty God, the Father, with the Son and the Holy Spirit are ONE! No one can come to the Father except through Him and by Him.
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