2015-03-03 15:20:00

Archb. of Tunis: inter-religious dialogue basis of peace


(Vatican Radio) During a moving audience this week with North African bishops who are in the Vatican for their Ad Limina visit, Pope Francis thanked them and their ecclesial communities for their courage and for their peaceful presence in a region that is receiving threats by the so-called Islamic State.

Amongst those present is the Archbishop of Tunis, Ilario Antoniazzi.

He told Vatican Radio of the fundamental importance of inter-religious dialogue in his part of the world.

Linda Bordoni reports:

Speaking shortly after being received by Pope Francis who encouraged those present to build on their tradition of inter-religious dialogue, Archbishop Ilario Antoniazzi said that especially dialogue with Islam is at the very basis of peaceful coexistence in North African communities:

Commenting on the Pope’s discourse in which he urged the prelates to provide ecumenical and inter religious training to all religious and consecrated people in their dioceses in order to “build where many destroy”, the Archbishop of Tunis explains that the Christians of his diocese live side by side and in peace with Muslim communities who are grateful for the work the Church carries out through Caritas, through schools and other social infrastructures…

Antoniazzi points out that he and his prelates are often involved both as guests and as promoters of Christian-Muslim events. “It is important – he says – to get to know and to make ourselves known. Most Muslims he says are wonderful people who want peace and want to collaborate with us. “The worst way to establish a relationship – he says – is with fear”.


    

 

 








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