VATICAN: “Teach the Youth the Sacred Character of Life’ – Cardinal Tauran

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.