THE NAME OF GOD IS A NAME OF PEACE, A SUMMONS TO PEACE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 9, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed the participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, who are meeting in the Vatican on the theme "The Spirituality of Dialogue."

"Your assembly is reflecting," he stated, "on the progress of interreligious dialogue at a time when the whole of humanity is still under shock from the events of last September 11. It has been suggested that we are witnessing a veritable clash of religions. But, as I have already said on numerous occasions, this would be to falsify religion itself. Believers know that, far from doing evil, they are obliged to do good, to work to alleviate human suffering, to build together a just and harmonious world."

John Paul II stressed that, "If it is imperative for the international community to foster good relations between people belonging to different ethnic and religious traditions, it is all the more urgent for believers themselves to foster relations characterized by openness and trust, leading to common concern for the well-being of the whole human family.

"In my Apostolic Letter 'Novo Millennio Ineunte' I wrote that: 'In the climate of increased cultural and religious pluralism that is expected to mark the society of the new millennium, it is obvious that [interreligious dialogue] will be especially important in establishing a sure basis for peace and warding off the dread specter of those wars of religion which have so often bloodied history. The name of the one God must become increasingly what it is: a name of peace and a summons to peace'. ... We realize that peace will not come as the result of our own efforts, it is not something the world can give. It is a gift from the Lord."

In concluding remarks, the Pope noted that "dialogue is not always easy or without suffering. Misunderstandings arise, prejudice can stand in the way of common accord, and the hand offered in friendship may even be refused. A true spirituality of dialogue," he said, referring to the assembly's theme, "has to take such situations into account and provide the motivation for persevering, even in the face of opposition or when the results appear to be meager."

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