Fr Lombardi's weekly editorial: Religious freedom and peace

In his weekly editorial, Vatican Radio Director Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, reflects on Pope Benedict XVI's message for the upcoming World Day of Peace:

"Christians are now the religious group that suffers the greatest number of persecutions because of their faith." That is one of the most striking statements in the Pope's Message for the next World Day of Peace, because many continue to live in the false idea that Christians are generally in positions of power and those discriminated against are usually the followers of other religions, perhaps by the fault of Christians. The increasing documentation from reliable sources forces us to change this perspective. And it is right to repeat it.

But this is not the center of the message. It - like every year - turns to the good of all humanity, by appealing to the human dignity of every human person, and claiming a fundamental right. Therefore it is not a message only for the Christians. It is a message for all, that bears the mark of direct experience - even the suffering and death - of Christians, that they claim for all the right to seek God, to recognize Him and to honor Him in their lives, personally and with others. Without respect for this right, by all and for all, you can not build a peaceful community. The fanaticism, fundamentalism and aggressive secularism are enemies of true peace.