Pope Invites Non-believers to Interfaith Meeting in Assisi
October 18, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI, for the first time, invited non-believers to an interfaith meeting scheduled for 27th October 2011 in Assisi. He has instructed the Pontifical Council for Culture to forward this invitation to some people, almost ideally to represent the world of unbelief, revealed in a press conference held on Tuesday.The Pope's choice is based on the belief that man, a believer or a non believer, it is always in search of God and the Absolute, he is, therefore, always looking a pilgrim on the way to fullness of truth.
The Interfaith Meet has the theme “Pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace”. The aim of the day - said Benedict XVI in Germany meeting with Muslim communities on September 23 last month - is to show, simply, that men of good will want to offer their own particular contribution to building a better world, while recognizing the need for effective action, to grow in dialogue and mutual respect, explained Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, at the press conference.
More than 50 countries will be represented in the Assisi Day. They include in addition to numerous European and American countries, Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Jordan, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and many others most of which suffer problems of religious freedom and dialogue between religions.
During the meet the delegates share a frugal meal intended to express the coming together in brotherhood and, at the same time, participation in the suffering of so many men and women who do not know peace. It will then be allowed a period of silence, reflection and prayer.
The Assisi Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world has had a significant echo in the Christian world. The response of the Churches and Ecclesial Communities to the Holy Father has been very positive. There will be 17 delegations from the churches of the East, 13 delegations from the Churches and Ecclesial Communities of the West, including that of the Anglican Communion. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel and other Jewish organizations of an international character will also participate in program.
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