RELIGIONS AND PEACE: INTER-RELIGIOUS MEETING IN THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, organized and presided at a meeting of reflection in the Vatican on the role of religions in reconciliation and peace-building, as a follow-up to the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World, held in Assisi on January 24.

In the meeting, which took place June 7 through 8, members of different religions participated (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism) from several countries, as well as a representative from the World Council of Churches in Geneva. During the meeting, the results of the Inter-religious Assembly celebrated in October of 1999 in the Vatican were also analyzed.

According to a communique published today, the participants agreed that it is necessary "to study together the role and resources of religions for peace both globally and locally" and they considered that "religions can contribute both to the prevention and resolution of conflicts." They also discussed organizing a series of workshops "in which fundamental texts would be studied, various models would be examined, and some symbolic action undertaken, in order to convey the message that religions can be a catalyst for peace and justice."

The participants also discussed the formation of an advisory group which would cooperate with the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to implement the suggestions made.

...;INTER-RELIGIOUS MEETING;...;ARINZE;VIS;20020619;Word: 240;