Fr. Lombardi reiterates Pope's commitment to religious liberty for all

The Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi renewed the Holy See’s commitment to authentic religious liberty as the essential element in the search for true peace.

He was responding to remarks from the chief imam of Al-Azhar in Egypt, who on Sunday condemned the deadly New Year’s attack on Coptic Christians emerging from church in Alexandria, but criticised the appeal by Benedict XVI to Egypt's leaders to counter the persecution of Christians, as an "interference" in internal Egyptian affairs.

In his note, Fr. Lombardi notes both the Imam’s condemnation of the attack, and his personal visit to the Coptic Pope to offer his condolences, before going on to reiterate the position of the Holy Father and the Holy See.

In the note, Fr. Lombardi says that Pope Benedict XVI’s position is very clear, and always has been: a radical condemnation of violence, closeness to the community that has been so horribly stricken, and concern for the religious freedom of Christian minorities. As he said in his Peace Day Message, the Pope’s concern for the religious freedom of Christians has always been within the context of his concern for the religious freedom of all people, not only Christians.

Time and again, the Pope has condemned violence against all people - not only that, which is perpetrated against Christians. We recall his recent discourse to the new Ambassador to the Holy See from Iraq, in which the Holy Father spoke of the innocent victims of violence, both Muslim and Christian.

Right now, we need the commitment of all those responsible for the safety of peoples and the fight against terrorism; we also need all those from all faiths, from every persuasion, who work for peace, to commit themselves to opposing a foul plan that evidently aims to divide, to arouse tension, hatred and conflict. The Pope’s invitation to Assisi for this coming October demonstrates his desire to repeat the message that no war may be waged in God’s name, but only peace.
Between the 6^th and the 7^th of January, Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas. Let us unite ourselves to them in profound solidarity with their suffering and with prayers for the peace of all their communities.

Listen to Fr. Lombardi's note: