In a traditional message sent to mark the end of the Muslim period of Ramadan, the
head of the Vatican’s Council for Interreligious Dialogue says Christians and Muslims
must denounce all forms of fanaticism, intimidation and discrimination which believers
of both faiths sometimes suffer. The message, which is published in 15 languages,
focuses on the spiritual dimension of life and stresses the importance for both faiths
of teaching moral values to the younger generations. Read the full text of the
message:
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE MESSAGE FOR THE
END OF RAMADAN ‘Id al-Fitr 1432 H. / 2011 A.D. Christians and Muslims:Working
together for mankind’s spiritual dimension Dear Muslim friends, 1. The end of
the month of Ramadan offers the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
a welcome occasion for sending you our most cordial wishes, hoping that the efforts
you have so generously made during this month will bring all the desired spiritual
fruits. 2. This year, we have thought to give priority to the theme of the spiritual dimension
of the human person. This concerns a reality which Christians and Muslims consider
to be of prime importance, faced as we are with the challenges of materialism and
secularisation. The relationship that every human person has with the transcendent
is not a moment in history, but is part of human nature. We do not believe in fate;
we are convinced – moreover it is our experience – that God guides us on our path! 3.
Christians and Muslims, beyond their differences, recognise the dignity of the
human person endowed with both rights and duties. They think that intelligence
and freedom are indeed gifts which must impel believers to recognise these values
which are shared because they rest on the same human nature. 4. This is why
the transmission of such human and moral values to the younger generations constitutes
a common concern. It is our duty to help them discover that there is both good
and evil, that conscience is a sanctuary to be respected, and that cultivating
the spiritual dimension makes us more responsible, more supportive, more available
for the common good. 5. Christians and Muslims are too often witnesses to the violation
of the sacred, of the mistrust of which those who call themselves believers are
the target. We cannot but denounce all forms of fanaticism and intimidation, the prejudices
and the polemics, as well as the discrimination of which, at times, believers are
the object both in the social and political life as well as in the mass media. 6.
We are spiritually very close to you, dear Friends, asking God to give you renewed
spiritual energy and we send you our very best wishes for peace and happiness. Jean-Louis
Cardinal Tauran President Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata Secretary