Muslims In Aid Of Christian Catacombs

June 21, 2012: In a unique event of great importance, on Friday, June 22nd a Memorandum will be signed at the Pontifical Council for Culture, by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, in his capacity as the President of the Pontifical Academy of sacred Archaeology and the First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Madame Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Foundation Heydar Alieyev, which is aimed at the restoration of the catacomb of sS. Marcellinus and Peter at Lauros Duas, in Casalina.

Card. Ravasi in a statement said “Thanks to the magnanimous action of the First Lady, It 's the first time that a Great Shia Islamic Country manifests the generous willingness to bear the costs of the restoration of one of the" places "closest to the historical memory and the Christian faith which is a catacomb, and in particular the extraordinary and hitherto unknown catacomb of ss. Marcellinus and Peter. This is a sure sign of a noble and valuable, leaning toward more intensive intercultural relations and a broader dialogue. " he said.