Thursday, January 8, 2015

Imams and Bishops from France speak

Today a common statement was issued by a group of Imams and members of the French Episcopal Conference who concluded their meetings in Rome.


Statement

At the conclusion of a meeting in Rome including four Imams from France who were present, along with a delegation from the French Episcopal Conference at yesterday's General Audience, the participants, alarmed by the heinous attack which took place yesterday at the offices of the weekly publication Charlie Hebdo, wish once again to echo the words spoken yesterday and again this morning by Pope Francis who denounced such cruelty and blind violence.  Like him, we invite believers to demonstrate their solidarity with victims and their families through their friendship and their prayer.

In the current circumstances, it seems appropriate to recall the fact that without freedom of expression, the world is in danger: it is imperative that we oppose hatred and all forms of violence which destroy human life, violate the dignity of the person, radically undermine the fundamental good of peaceful coexistence between persons and peoples, regardless of differences in nationality, religion and culture (Pope Francis, January 7, 2015).

Religious authorities are called to always favour a culture of peace and hope, capable of overcoming fear and of building bridges between peoples.

Conscious of the impact of various means of communication, they invite their leaders to offer information which respects religions, their followers and their practices, also favouring a culture of encounter.

Inter-religous dialogue remains the only possible path which should be undertaken together in order to dispel any prejudice.

His Eminence, Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
His Excellency, Michel Dubost
Mister Tareq Oubrou
Mister Azzedine Gaci
Mister Mohammed Moussaoui
Mister Djelloul Seddiki
Father Christophe Rouccou

Vatican, January 8, 2015

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