VATICAN CITY, 9 DEC 2008 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Pope to Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, presidents respectively of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and the Pontifical Council for Culture, for the occasion of a day of study promoted by their two dicasteries on the theme: "Dialogue between Cultures and Religions".
"Modern Europe as it enters the third millennium is the fruit of two millennia of civilisation", the Pope writes. "Its roots lie both in the vast and ancient heritage of Athens and Rome and, above all, in the fruitful soil of Christianity, which has proved capable of creating new cultural heritages while absorbing the original contributions of each civilisation".
After highlighting the importance of "reflecting upon the ancient roots in which abundant lymph has flowed over the course of the centuries", Benedict XVI indicates that although "many Europeans seem to ignore Europe's Christian roots, these roots remain alive and should show the way and nourish the hope of millions of citizens who share the same values".
The Holy Father invites believers "to promote initiatives of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, in order to stimulate collaboration on subjects of mutual interest, such as the dignity of human beings, the search for the common good, the creation of peace, and development". In this context he emphasises how "such dialogue, in order to be authentic, must avoid giving in to relativism and to syncretism and be animated by sincere respect for others and by a generous spirit of reconciliation and fraternity.
"I encourage", he adds in conclusion, "all those who dedicate their efforts to building a welcoming, united Europe, one ever more faithful to its roots. In particular I exhort believers to contribute not only to safeguarding the cultural and spiritual heritage that distinguishes them and that is an integral part of their history, but to show increasing commitment to seeking new ways to face the great challenges of the post-modern age. Among these I limit myself to mentioning the defence of human life at every stage, the protection of the rights of the individual and the family, the creating of a more just and united word, respect for creation, and inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue".
MESS/CULTURES RELIGIONS/TAURAN:RAVASI VIS 20081209 (380)
"Modern Europe as it enters the third millennium is the fruit of two millennia of civilisation", the Pope writes. "Its roots lie both in the vast and ancient heritage of Athens and Rome and, above all, in the fruitful soil of Christianity, which has proved capable of creating new cultural heritages while absorbing the original contributions of each civilisation".
After highlighting the importance of "reflecting upon the ancient roots in which abundant lymph has flowed over the course of the centuries", Benedict XVI indicates that although "many Europeans seem to ignore Europe's Christian roots, these roots remain alive and should show the way and nourish the hope of millions of citizens who share the same values".
The Holy Father invites believers "to promote initiatives of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, in order to stimulate collaboration on subjects of mutual interest, such as the dignity of human beings, the search for the common good, the creation of peace, and development". In this context he emphasises how "such dialogue, in order to be authentic, must avoid giving in to relativism and to syncretism and be animated by sincere respect for others and by a generous spirit of reconciliation and fraternity.
"I encourage", he adds in conclusion, "all those who dedicate their efforts to building a welcoming, united Europe, one ever more faithful to its roots. In particular I exhort believers to contribute not only to safeguarding the cultural and spiritual heritage that distinguishes them and that is an integral part of their history, but to show increasing commitment to seeking new ways to face the great challenges of the post-modern age. Among these I limit myself to mentioning the defence of human life at every stage, the protection of the rights of the individual and the family, the creating of a more just and united word, respect for creation, and inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue".
MESS/CULTURES RELIGIONS/TAURAN:RAVASI VIS 20081209 (380)
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