Pope calls upon Iranian leader to promote 'dignity of the human person'

Pope Benedict XVI condemned violence carried out "in the name of God" and called for the respect of religious freedom on the part of Muslims worldwide. 

Speaking on November 11, the pontiff said that violence in the world is sometimes "presented in the guise of an inter-religious conflict," while adding that all religions should encourage ethical values and civil co-existence.  He called for continued dialogue between Christians and Muslims and said this should be accompanied by mutual recognition of "the freedom to practice one's religion in private and in public."

Touching upon recent persecution of Christians, the pope said "I express my gratitude to all the Christian Churches who do not capitulate before obstacles and persecutions because of the Gospel," he said. These were part of his written conclusions to a 2010 Synod of bishops in Rome, follow the recent targeting of Christians in attacks in Baghdad.

Forty-six Christians, including two Catholic priests, were murdered while assembled at a church in Baghdad for Sunday worship on October 31. Islamist terrorists had taken the worshippers hostage in the church, almost immediately killing one of the priests and his brother. When Iraqi security forces intervened, the terrorists detonated explosive suicide vests and grenades. Bombings this week have killed six people and wounded 33 more.

"All religions should encourage the correct use of reason and promote ethical values to build civil coexistence," Benedict said. "Religions can never justify intolerance and war." He also called upon world leaders to "guarantee to all the freedom of conscience and religion, and of being able to bear public witness to their own faith."


In related developments, on November 11 was published a letter from the pope to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that had been delivered by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue. Written in response to a letter sent to the Pope by the vice president of the Islamic Republic, the Pope expressed "profound conviction that respect for the transcendent dimension of the human person is an indispensable condition for the construction of a just social order and a stable peace. Indeed, the relationship with God is the ultimate foundation for the inalienable dignity and sacred character of every human life.

"When the promotion of the dignity of the human person is the primary inspiration of political and social activity that is committed to search for the common good, solid and enduring foundations are created for building peace and harmony between peoples", the Pope added.

"The Catholics present in Iran and those around the world make efforts to collaborate with their fellow citizens to contribute loyally and honestly to the common good of the respective societies in which they live, becoming builders of peace and reconciliation".