Religions of the world should unite to denounce terrorism,
since public opinion "could be tempted" to think that the acts of
violence have a religious origin, says John Paul II.
The Pope made that suggestion when he addressed the bishops of the Coptic
Church of the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy of Egypt, on their five-yearly
visit to the Holy See. He met the bishops on Saturday in the papal summer
residence at Castel Gandolfo.
The Holy Father spoke on the need for dialogue among the great religions, which
should reflect a commitment to combat the plague of terrorism.
"The dialogue with Islam is particularly important in your country,"
a majority Muslim land, the Pope said. "It assumes an exemplary character
for the dialogue between the great religions of the world," particularly
necessary "after the tragic events connected to terrorism which have
marked the beginning of the third millennium."
This matter is especially important because public opinion "could be
tempted to impute [the acts of terrorism] to causes of religious origin,"
the Pontiff warned.
He said that it is essential "that the religions of the world join forces
to denounce terrorism and to work together in the service of justice, peace and
fraternity among men."
"Together with you, I thank God for all the Christian communities in
Egypt, heirs of the first proclamation of the Gospel realized by St. Mark, and
I recall with joy and emotion my Jubilee pilgrimage to Cairo and St.
Catherine's monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai," John Paul II told the
bishops.
"There one understands better the special rootedness of the Christian
revelation in this region of the world and its intrinsic connection with the
Old Testament," he added.
In the new millennium, "the mission field is wide open" for the
Church, which "wishes to be the voice of the little ones and of the
poor," to "hear the call of those who aspire to peace," to
"welcome refugees without a country" and "to place itself at the
service of the real dignity of man," the Holy Father continued.
Exhorting Egyptian bishops of the various rites to "further the bonds of
authentic Catholic unity," John Paul II said that in an Islamic society
"the greatest testimony is daily life centered on the double commandment
of love of God and of neighbor."