Posted on 07/04/2006 10:54:08 PM PDT by NYer
MOSCOW, JULY 4, 2006 (Zenit.org).- A Russian Orthodox Church official called for a "global union" in the world that respects various traditions, especially religious ones.
Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, president of the Foreign Relations Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, made that comment at the historic meeting of some 200 leaders of the world's religions.
The leaders, from 40 countries, are meeting for three days in the Russian capital to discuss their positions on the problems that afflict contemporary society.
The objective of the meeting was to influence politicians' decisions favorably and to favor a general change in the role of religion in times of globalization.
Metropolitan Kirill said that in a globalized world where we all live under the "same roof," it is of utmost importance to work, not for a "unification" that puts an end to peoples' traditions and cultures, but for a "global union" that respects diverse traditions.
The World Summit of Religious Leaders, opened Monday with the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a hotel in the city center, was a multi-cultural event.
The halls and vestibules were filled with Buddhist monks, rabbis, Orthodox metropolitans, cardinals and muftis, elbow to elbow. Participants had gathered to try to find solutions to problems such as terrorism, extremism, xenophobia and intolerance.
Other topics discussed included: dialogue between civilizations; drug trafficking; the sale of weapons; the role of the media; the defense and promotion of the family and human life; ecological responsibility; and respect for religious sentiments.
"Illiteracy"
In his address President Putin said: "The ideologists of terror have built their speculations based not only on the most urgent social problems, but also on religious 'illiteracy' and on separatist and nationalist sentiments.
"Ignorance of the cultural basis of religions makes people, especially the youngest, vulnerable to extremist movements. The degradation of moral principles in societies is to a large extent responsible for xenophobia and racial hatred."
The Russian leader added: "Every religious community has its own experience in the dialogue between civilizations and it is of great importance that they use it to continue this dialogue for the good of our countries and nations."
Acknowledging the human quality and preparation of the leaders present, Putin surprised his audience with the promise to take the meeting's proposals to the G-8 summit of the most industrialized countries, which will be held July 15-17 in St. Petersburg.
Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow, the summit's main host, expressed the hope that the religious leaders will be able to formulate a common approach to address the problems discussed at the meeting.
According to the patriarch, the summit seeks to "avoid ethnic conflicts becoming religious and to halt the proliferation of pseudo-religious destructive movements."
Ayatollah Ali-Tashiri, representing Islam, asked that the summit's mission be oriented to "sincerity and respect of all religious leaders so that differences are resolved and action is taken in favor of the world, of man and of Allah."
He pointed out that religious leaders "are called to find common denominators and to cooperate in what unites them, rather than concentrating their attention on what separates them."
"Do not kill"
The ayatollah added that Islam calls people to work for the common good, so terrorism should be combated. "If we raise moral values, then we will be able to free ourselves from this sickness," said Ali-Tashiri.
For his part, Chief Rabbi Jonah Metzger called the religious leaders attending the meeting to establish an international organization, like the United Nations, for religious communities.
"Religions must dialogue among themselves, even and when there are no diplomatic relations between the countries," said Metzger.
Such an organization should meet constantly to help solve the most urgent problems and strengthen spirituality. The main objective should be to preach the commandment "Do not kill," said the rabbi.
"Killing in the name of God, in the name of religion, must never be allowed," he stressed.
Highlighting the role of religious leaders in addressing contemporary problems, the chief patriarch of Buddhists in Cambodia, Tep Vong, assured that Buddhist monks "are going to fight against terrorism and extremism, as well as favor dialogue."
"The solution of current problems must be sought in religious studies because religion implies solidarity and brotherhood," noted the Buddhist patriarch.
When ZENIT spoke with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, D.C., on what he thought was most outstanding about the meeting, he answered: "The most important is that the event took place, and that it was in Russia, in Moscow, where 15 years ago it would have been simply unthinkable."
The absent
Journalists asked Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad why Benedict XVI was not invited to the summit.
The Orthodox patriarchate's representative responded: "The meeting between the Pope and Patriarch Alexy II must be an event different from the summit. If the circumstances allow it, because of its characteristics and importance, it must be at another time and in another place, not at the summit. The Vatican understands this well. That is why they have sent a very high level delegation."
Also among the absent was the Dalai Lama. According to Metropolitan Kirill, it was due to a series of delicate negotiations with the Chinese government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) takes his seat between the chairman of Caucasian Moslems board Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh (R) and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexiy II (L) during the World Summit of Religious Leaders in Moscow, July 3, 2006. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA)
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