Discourse N.5 - Meeting with Inter-Religious Leaders
My dear friends, I am pleased to have this occasion to meet with you today. I
thank Bishop Sklba for his words of welcome, and I cordially greet all those in attendance
representing various religions in the United States of America. Several of you kindly
accepted the invitation to compose the reflections contained in today’s program.
For your thoughtful words on how each of your traditions bears witness to peace, I
am particularly grateful. Thank you all. This country has a long history of
cooperation between different religions in many spheres of public life. Interreligious
prayer services during the national feast of Thanksgiving, joint initiatives in charitable
activities, a shared voice on important public issues: these are some ways in which
members of different religions come together to enhance mutual understanding and promote
the common good. I encourage all religious groups in America to persevere in their
collaboration and thus enrich public life with the spiritual values that motivate
your action in the world. The place where we are now gathered was founded specifically
for promoting this type of collaboration. Indeed, the Pope John Paul II Cultural
Center seeks to offer a Christian voice to the “human search for meaning and purpose
in life” in a world of “varied religious, ethnic and cultural communities” (Mission
Statement). This institution reminds us of this nation’s conviction that all
people should be free to pursue happiness in a way consonant with their nature as
creatures endowed with reason and free will. Americans have always valued the
ability to worship freely and in accordance with their conscience. Alexis de Tocqueville,
the French historian and observer of American affairs, was fascinated with this aspect
of the nation. He remarked that this is a country in which religion and freedom are
“intimately linked” in contributing to a stable democracy that fosters social virtues
and participation in the communal life of all its citizens. In urban areas, it is
common for individuals from different cultural backgrounds and religions to engage
with one another daily in commercial, social and educational settings. Today, in
classrooms throughout the country, young Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists,
and indeed children of all religions sit side-by-side, learning with one another and
from one another. This diversity gives rise to new challenges that spark a deeper
reflection on the core principles of a democratic society. May others take heart
from your experience, realizing that a united society can indeed arise from a plurality
of peoples – “E pluribus unum”: “out of many, one” – provided that all recognize
religious liberty as a basic civil right (cf. Dignitatis Humanae, 2). The
task of upholding religious freedom is never completed. New situations and challenges
invite citizens and leaders to reflect on how their decisions respect this basic human
right. Protecting religious freedom within the rule of law does not guarantee that
peoples – particularly minorities – will be spared from unjust forms of discrimination
and prejudice. This requires constant effort on the part of all members of society
to ensure that citizens are afforded the opportunity to worship peaceably and to pass
on their religious heritage to their children. The transmission of religious traditions
to succeeding generations not only helps to preserve a heritage; it also sustains
and nourishes the surrounding culture in the present day. The same holds true for
dialogue between religions; both the participants and society are enriched. As we
grow in understanding of one another, we see that we share an esteem for ethical values,
discernable to human reason, which are revered by all peoples of goodwill. The world
begs for a common witness to these values. I therefore invite all religious people
to view dialogue not only as a means of enhancing mutual understanding, but also as
a way of serving society at large. By bearing witness to those moral truths which
they hold in common with all men and women of goodwill, religious groups will exert
a positive influence on the wider culture, and inspire neighbors, co-workers and fellow
citizens to join in the task of strengthening the ties of solidarity. In the words
of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “no greater thing could come to our land today
than a revival of the spirit of faith”. A concrete example of the contribution
religious communities make to civil society is faith-based schools. These institutions
enrich children both intellectually and spiritually. Led by their teachers to discover
the divinely bestowed dignity of each human being, young people learn to respect the
beliefs and practices of others, thus enhancing a nation’s civic life. What an
enormous responsibility religious leaders have: to imbue society with a profound awe
and respect for human life and freedom; to ensure that human dignity is recognized
and cherished; to facilitate peace and justice; to teach children what is right, good
and reasonable! There is a further point I wish to touch upon here. I have noticed
a growing interest among governments to sponsor programs intended to promote interreligious
and intercultural dialogue. These are praiseworthy initiatives. At the same time,
religious freedom, interreligious dialogue and faith-based education aim at something
more than a consensus regarding ways to implement practical strategies for advancing
peace. The broader purpose of dialogue is to discover the truth. What is the origin
and destiny of mankind? What are good and evil? What awaits us at the end of our
earthly existence? Only by addressing these deeper questions can we build a solid
basis for the peace and security of the human family, for “wherever and whenever men
and women are enlightened by the splendor of truth, they naturally set out on the
path of peace” (Message for the 2006 World Day of Peace, 3). We are living
in an age when these questions are too often marginalized. Yet they can never be
erased from the human heart. Throughout history, men and women have striven to articulate
their restlessness with this passing world. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the
Psalms are full of such expressions: “My spirit is overwhelmed within me” (Ps 143:4;
cf. Ps 6:6; 31:10; 32:3; 38:8; 77:3); “why are you cast down, my soul, why
groan within me?” (Ps 42:5). The response is always one of faith: “Hope in
God, I will praise him still; my Savior and my God” (Ps 42:5, 11; cf. Ps
43:5; 62:5). Spiritual leaders have a special duty, and we might say competence,
to place the deeper questions at the forefront of human consciousness, to reawaken
mankind to the mystery of human existence, and to make space in a frenetic world for
reflection and prayer. Confronted with these deeper questions concerning the
origin and destiny of mankind, Christianity proposes Jesus of Nazareth. He, we believe,
is the eternal Logos who became flesh in order to reconcile man to God and
reveal the underlying reason of all things. It is he whom we bring to the forum of
interreligious dialogue. The ardent desire to follow in his footsteps spurs Christians
to open their minds and hearts in dialogue (cf. Lk 10:25-37; Jn 4:7-26).
Dear friends, in our attempt to discover points of commonality, perhaps we have
shied away from the responsibility to discuss our differences with calmness and clarity.
While always uniting our hearts and minds in the call for peace, we must also listen
attentively to the voice of truth. In this way, our dialogue will not stop at identifying
a common set of values, but go on to probe their ultimate foundation. We have no
reason to fear, for the truth unveils for us the essential relationship between the
world and God. We are able to perceive that peace is a “heavenly gift” that calls
us to conform human history to the divine order. Herein lies the “truth of peace”
(cf. Message for the 2006 World Day of Peace). As we have seen then, the
higher goal of interreligious dialogue requires a clear exposition of our respective
religious tenets. In this regard, colleges, universities and study centers are important
forums for a candid exchange of religious ideas. The Holy See, for its part, seeks
to carry forward this important work through the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue, the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, and various Pontifical
Universities. Dear friends, let our sincere dialogue and cooperation inspire all
people to ponder the deeper questions of their origin and destiny. May the followers
of all religions stand together in defending and promoting life and religious freedom
everywhere. By giving ourselves generously to this sacred task – through dialogue
and countless small acts of love, understanding and compassion – we can be instruments
of peace for the whole human family. Peace upon you all!