Source : VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
Subject: VISnews 091029
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:08:22 +0100
Organization: VIS - Sala Stampa della Santa Sede
NINETEENTH YEAR - N. 188 ENGLISH THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2009
IRAN: SERVE THE CAUSE OF PEACE, DEFEND UNIVERSAL RIGHTS
VATICAN CITY, 29 OCT 2009 (VIS)
This morning the Holy Father received the credential letters of the new ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran,Ali Akbar Naseri.
Speaking of Iran, the Pope affirmed that "it is a great nation that possesses eminent spiritual traditions and its people have a profound religious sensibility. This can be reason to hope for a greater openness and confident collaboration with the international community. For its part, the Holy See is always willing to work in harmony with those who serve the cause of peace and promote the dignity that the Creator endowed to all human beings".
"Today," he continued, "we must hope for and sustain a new phase of
international cooperation, more concretely rooted in humanitarian principles
and in the effective assistance of those who suffer, one less dependent on
the cold calculation of exchange and technological or economic benefits".
Benedict XVI emphasized that "faith in the one God should draw all
believers closer and urge them to work together to defend and promote the
fundamental human values". In this context he recalled that "among
universal rights, religious freedom and the freedom of conscience occupy a
fundamental place because they are the origin of all other freedoms. The
defence of other rights that arise from the dignity of persons and peoples,
particularly the protection of life, justice, and solidarity, should also be
the object of true collaboration".
"As I have already had repeated occasion to emphasize, the establishment
of cordial relations between believers of different religions is an urgent
need in our day, in order to build a world that is more human and that
conforms more to God's plan of creation".
The Pope stressed that "Catholics have been present in Iran from the first
centuries of Christianity and have always been an integral part of the
nation's life and culture".
"The Holy See", he added, "trusts the Iranian authorities to strengthen
and guarantee Christians the freedom of professing their faith and of
assuring the Catholic community conditions essential to its existence,
especially the possibility of counting on sufficient religious personnel and
their ability to move within the country to ensure religious service to the
faithful".
The Holy Father emphasized that "the Holy See, by its nature and its
mission, is directly interested in the life of the local churches and wishes
to make all the necessary efforts to help the Catholic community in Iran
keep alive the signs of Christian presence in a spirit of benevolent
understanding with all".
Finally, addressing the Catholics who live in Iran, the Pope assured them
that he is "near to them and prays that they persevere in maintaining their
own identity and remaining rooted to their land, generously working with all
their compatriots in the development of the nation".
CD/CREDENTIALS/IRAN:NASERI VIS 091029 (450)
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