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Vatican City, Vatican, 8th
September 2004 (CNA) -
In view of the third
anniversary of September 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II
strongly affirmed in a message to the participants of an
inter-religious summit held in Milan from September 5-7,
that conflicts and violence are not “an inevitable
outcome of history” and that “peace is always possible,”
even though much work and cooperation is needed to deal
with the roots of violence.
The Holy Father remembered
the World Day of Prayer for Peace which took place in
Assisi in 1986 and brought together representatives from
all religions in the world to pray together for peace in
the world, and noted with joy that “the spirit of
Assisi” lives on and continues to grow in numbers of
participants.
The Pope recalls that in
their 1993 meeting in Milan, religious leaders made an
appeal to the world: "No hatred, no conflict, no war
should find its incentive in religion. War cannot be
motivated by religions. May words from religions always
be words of peace!"
He said that over the years
many people have been inspired by this call, but added
that "unfortunately new conflicts have arisen, in fact,
there is a widespread mentality for which conflicts
among religious worlds and civilizations are considered
almost an inevitable outcome of history."
"This is not the case!
Peace is always possible!" But there must always be
cooperation to uproot from cultures and lives the seeds
of bitterness and misunderstanding, the will to prevail
over one's neighbor, the arrogance of self interest and
disdain for the other's identity. ... Conflict is never
inevitable! And religions have a special duty to remind
all men and women of this awareness. .... This is what I
would call 'the spirit of Assisi'. Our world needs this
spirit."
Remarking on the events of
September 11 he wrote: "In a few days we will remember
that terrible September 11, 2001 that brought death to
the heart of the United States. Three years have passed
since that day but unfortunately, terrorism seems to
increase its threats of destruction.
In terms of dealing with
terrorism, the Pope said that “there is no doubt that
this calls for firmness and decision in fighting the
workers of death. At the same time everything possible
must be done to uproot the causes of terror: especially
misery, desperation and the emptiness in
hearts."
"The world needs peace.
Every day we hear news of violence, terrorist attacks,
military operations. Is the world abandoning the hope of
achieving peace?"
John Paul II asks everyone
"not to give in to the logic of violence, vendettas and
hatred, but rather to persevere in dialogue. The mortal
chain that imprisons and bloodies so much of the world
must be broken. Believers of all religions can do much
to put an end to this."
"Violence begets violence,"
the Pope concludes. "War must always be considered a
defeat: a defeat of reason and of humanity. May men soon
make a spiritual and cultural leap forward to outlaw
war! Yes, never again war!"
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