Mgr. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has taken part in the peace meeting the Pope is going to be attending tomorrow.
The Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Mgr. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, is among the participants of the peace meeting currently taking place in Assisi, which the Pope is due to join tomorrow. We need to act as believers and citizens, he said, to do our bit for peace and help build a more harmonious society. The international community needs to take on its own responsibilities. We must not give into the temptation of putting up barriers. “May respect for human dignity prevail always”.
The Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Mgr. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, is among the participants of the peace meeting currently taking place in Assisi, which the Pope is due to join tomorrow. We need to act as believers and citizens, he said, to do our bit for peace and help build a more harmonious society. The international community needs to take on its own responsibilities. We must not give into the temptation of putting up barriers. “May respect for human dignity prevail always”.
Mgr. Ayuso, 30 years after the first historic peace meeting in Assisi with John Paul II, many religious leaders have gathered in Francis’ city to promote dialogue between faiths. And yet we are going through a difficult season of attacks, conflicts and growing xenophobia. What role can religions play in this context?
“I think we are beginning to realise one thing: while on the one hand religion seems to be entering the political sphere a bit, politics too is feeling the need to enter into the world of faiths too. What can we do 30 years on from the ‘spirit of Assisi’, in the face of such a dark world where there is so much suffering? I think it is important for us to rediscover both dimensions of our identity as faithful and as citizens; thus, by working together in both of these dimensions of our life, in a harmonious and respectful way, we can build our future in a spirit of mutual respect, despite existing differences; we can ensure human dignity prevails as it is too often lacking and needs to be preserved.”
Today, there is a widespread fear that stands in the way of dialogue. What instruments can one use to deal with such a sentiment, a sentiment that can be irrational at times?
“Dialogue today needs to take fear into account because the difficulties we face will not be resolved by sticking our head in the sand. On the contrary, we must acknowledge them and be aware that this dimension of fear exists. But fear is the enemy of all dialogue, so we must not be disheartened because this would lead us towards all kinds of populism. We need to build the future of humanity together, in a spirit of fraternity, as Pope Francis constantly reminds us. So dialogue is taking place in these two contexts: fear on the one hand and the need for dialogue on the other. This is why we must not be discouraged but must remain hopeful. Moving forward is not to be seen as some kind of ‘do-goodery’ but should be seen as something serious, important and vital. It is not optional and requires a commitment towards peace.”
We are seeing developments in the dialogue with Islam too: it is not just a case of mutual respect between neighbours; it is really getting into the nitty-gritty of things. How can this exchange between Christianity and Islam, between “us” and the Muslim culture proceed?
“We must continue along the path of Islamic-Christian dialogue which has its difficulties but I think it is important to make a distinction here: blind violence and manipulation of the faith are not part of religion, it is not the Islamic religion per sé that is responsible for the world’s many evils. Therefore, our task in the process of interreligious dialogue is to resume and renew this path, be builders of peace in other words, even in the midst of these difficulties, overcoming them. Each of us, especially those who exercise authority – to be clear – should, with a profound and clear consciousness, condemn all forms of violence and lay the foundations of a future where education is a key factor. We need to work day in day out and it will take time to achieve peace. As always, education at all levels can help us achieve this goal. The international community needs to take on its own responsibilities, ensuring that existing international laws are implemented. The instruments are there, so what can we offer? I think Pope Francis is giving all of humanity a hint, let us hope his message is embraced by everyone.”
Here in Assisi, the Archbishop of Rouen, Mgr. Le Brun, said that Fr. Hamel’s martyrdom must not be used as a pretext for conflict. Is there a risk that episodes such as this will spark further conflict?
“Yes, it may happen when there are individuals who instead of pursuing the path of dialogue, succumb to fear and react to this by raising walls, putting up barriers and turning people against each other. Meanwhile, our task is to learn from a sad and painful event such as the one in Rouen – which the archbishop described so well that we all felt moved – pursuing the path of dialogue. This martyrdom – which also touched the hearts of Muslims – needs to be seen as an example that inspires us to let dialogue prevail, driving us away from the temptation to throw away everything we have achieved in the past 50 years – from a Catholic perspective that would be since the Second Vatican Council. That is where the difficulty lies. But we as religious leaders, cannot find these solutions alone; naturally, we need to educate people in the true faith, teaching respect for different religious traditions while at the same time being present in all dimensions of life. A number of problems stem from the many inequalities that exist in the social and financial spheres, difficulties that are capable of creating a great deal of poverty and misery and many conflicts and wars. This is why this is the only path, there is no alternative. We need to do our utmost to ensure that a new future generation can experience peace, live in peace and enjoy the gifts God offers us.”
