Mr. President,
At the outset, my delegation would
like to congratulate the Secretary General for his report highlighting the
activities carried out by key United Nations entities involved in the field of
interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The question of religion and the contribution of religions to peace and
development have resurfaced in the United Nations in recent years because they
have become urgent and inevitable in the opinion of the world. A century and a
half ago, at the beginning of the industrial revolution, religion was described
as the “opium of the people”, today, in the context of globalization, it is
increasingly regarded as the “vitamin of the poor”.
The unique contribution of religions and the dialogue and cooperation among them
lies in their raison d’ętre which is to serve the spiritual and transcendental
dimension of human nature. They tend as well to raise the human spirit, protect
life, empower the weak, translate ideals into action, purify institutions,
contribute to resolving economic and non-economic inequalities, inspire their
leaders to go beyond the normal call of duty, permit people to attain a fuller
realization of their natural potential, and traverse situations of conflict
through reconciliation, peace-building processes and the healing of memories
scarred by injustice.
It is well known that throughout history individuals and leaders have
manipulated religions. Likewise, ideological and nationalistic movements have
taken religious differences as an opportunity to garner support for their own
causes. Recently, the manipulation and misuse of religion for political purposes
have given rise to debates and deliberations at the United Nations on the theme,
placing it in the context of human rights.
Indeed, the debate within the UN on the role of religions has unfolded for quite
some time now and the need for a coherent vision of and appropriate approach to
this phenomenon is deeply felt. My delegation would like to offer some
considerations on the matter with a view to contributing to a suitable and
effective interaction of religion and religions with the United Nations’ goals
and activities.
Interreligious or interfaith dialogue aiming at investigating the theological
and spiritual foundations of different religions in view of mutual understanding
and cooperation is becoming more and more an imperative, a conviction and an
effective endeavor among many religions.
I am pleased to call to mind here the leadership taken by the Catholic Church,
some forty years ago, with the promulgation of the conciliar document Nostra
Aetate, in reaching out to other religious traditions. Today, many Christian
denominations and other religions are engaged in dialogue with programs of their
own and in this way have continued to make progress in greater understanding
among each other. In this regard, the Holy See has implemented a number of
initiatives to promote dialogue among Christian denominations, with Jewish
believers, Buddhists and Hindus. A Council on Interreligious Dialogue was set up
more than forty years ago and more recently a first-of-its-kind initiative with
the representatives of the 138 Muslim signatories of the document, A Common Word
Between Us and You. This engagement seeks to foster greater respect,
understanding and cooperation among believers of various denominations,
encourage the study of religions and promote the formation of persons dedicated
to dialogue.
This type of theological and spiritual dialogue requires that it be conducted by
and among believers and adopt a proper methodology. At the same time, it offers
the indispensable premise and basis for that much broader culture of dialogue
and cooperation that different academic, political, economic and international
institutions have launched in past decades.
Recent social and political events have renewed the engagement of the United
Nations to integrate its reflection and action on affirming a culture of respect
with a specific concern for interreligious understanding. The protagonists of
this dialogue are member States in their interaction with civil society. Their
approach and methodology stem from the very mission and purpose of the United
Nations.
However, having in mind the spirit and the word of the UN Charter as well as
core juridical instruments, it is safe to say that the United Nations’ specific
and primary responsibility vis-ŕ-vis religion is to debate, elucidate and help
States to fully ensure, at all levels, the implementation of the right to
religious freedom as affirmed in the relevant UN documents which include full
respect for and promotion not only of the fundamental freedom of conscience but
also of the expression and practice of everybody’s religion, without
restriction.
Indeed, the United Nations’ ultimate goal and achievement in pursuing
interreligious understanding and cooperation is to be able to engage States as
well as all segments of human society to recognize, respect and promote the
dignity and rights of every person and each community in the world.
Thank you Mr. President.
