The President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue His Eminence Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran has asked all those involved in the education of the youth and in the various educational spaces to teach the sacred character of life and the derived dignity of every person, regardless of his or her ethnicity, religion, culture, social position and political choice.
In his message to the Muslim community for the months of Ramadan and feast of Id al Fitr, issued in Vatican on 12 June 2015 which AMECEA Online News has a copy, Cardinal Tauran, as he sends best wishes for a peaceful and joyful celebration of Id aI-Fitr in the name of all the Catholics around the world, said that violence and terrorism are first conceived in the mind of the deviated persons, thereafter perpetrated on the ground.
He hopes and prays that the fruits of the good deeds; like that of fasting, prayer, almsgiving, help to the poor, exercised during the month of Ramadan may enrich their life.
“For some of you and also for others from other religious communities, the joy of the feast is shadowed by the memory of the dear ones who lost their life or goods, or suffered physically, mentally and even spiritually because of violence. Ethnic and religious communities in a number of countries of the world went through various and enormous unjust sufferings: killing of some of their members, destruction of their religious and cultural heritages, forced migration from their homes and cities, molestation and raping of their women, enslavement of some of their members, trafficking of persons, commerce of organs, and even selling of cadavers!” read the statement.
Cardinal Tauran said, “There is no life that is more precious than another one because it belongs to a specific race or religion. Therefore, no one can kill. No one can kill in the name of God; this would be a double crime: against God and the very person.”
“Christians and Muslims, according to their respective religious tradition, look at God and relate with Him as being the Truth. Our life and behaviour as believers should reflect such conviction,” read the statement.
Referring to the address of Saint John Paul II to Muslim Religious Leaders of Kaduna in Nigeria, 14 February 1982, which says ‘Christians and Muslims have the privilege of prayer’; Cardinal Tauran went on saying, “Our prayer is much needed: for justice, for peace and security in the world; for those who have deviated from the true path of life and commit violence in the name of religion, so as to return to God and change life; for the poor and the sick.”
Together with Pope Francis he wished them that the fruits of Ramadan and the joy of 'Id al-Fitr may bring about peace and prosperity, enhancing your human and spiritual growth.
By Fr Chrisantus Ndaga; AMECEA Online News