Vatican Urges Catholics, Muslims To Transmit Faith To Young People

(August 20, 2011) Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, urged Catholics and Muslims to strengthen their families and pass on moral values to their children, in a message for the upcoming end of Ramadan, published Friday. "Christians and Muslims, beyond their differences, recognize the dignity of the human person endowed with both rights and duties," the Cardinal said. "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. "Cardinal Tauran made his remarks in a letter to the Muslim community to mark the end of Ramadan, the traditional Islamic month of fasting which takes place this year from Aug. 1 - 29. "The end of the month of Ramadan offers the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue a welcome occasion for sending most cordial wishes, hoping that the efforts the community has so generously made during this month will bring all the desired spiritual fruits."Cardinal Tauran noted that the council wanted to emphasize "the theme of the spiritual dimension of the human person" in its annual Ramadan greeting." Cardinal Tauran concluded his letter by saying that the Catholic community is "spiritually very close to you, dear Friends," and "asking God to give you renewed spiritual energy" as "we send you our very best wishes for peace and happiness."