Religious leaders help build dialogue in conflict, ambassador says

Last updated on: August 7, 2014 at 11:33 am by CNA Daily News

Religious leaders help build dialogue in conflict, ambassador says 2014-08-07T11:33:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Aug 7, 2014 / 05:33 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli ambassador to the Holy See lauded Pope Francis’ continued calls for peace, stating that religious leaders often help two sides of a conflict foster trust.

“Sometimes spiritual, religious leaders and interreligious dialogue can pave the way for a dialogue between two sides to a conflict,” Dr. Zion Evrony told CNA August 5.

“It can abolish misconceptions, it can create trust, it can promote dialogue and build bridges to peace. In this respect interreligious dialogue can be a foundation between two sides to a conflict.”

Referring to the “nota verbale” Pope Francis recently sent to all embassies accredited to the Holy See encouraging ambassadors to speak to their government leaders about greater peace efforts, Dr. Evrony observed that it contained “a collection of all of his previous calls for peace.”

This, he said, “shows his concern for the promotion and achievement of peace in the Middle East.”

“Pope Francis is a man of peace, committed to peace and it comes from his heart. He’s a great spiritual leader and there is great respect in Israel for Pope Francis.”

Bringing to mind the Invocation for Peace held at the Vatican in June that gathered together both Israeli president Shimon Peres and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, Dr. Evrony explained that “the invocation for peace was a religious, spiritual event, an important event here in Rome.”

“It showed that different religions can get together, pray together and have a dialogue,” he said, also recalling the Pope’s recent phone call to Israeli president Shimon Peres, stating that they appreciate Pope Francis’ “commitment to peace and his calls for people to pray for peace.”

Israel and Hamas have been embroiled in a month-long conflict after tensions soared following the murder of three Israeli teenagers and one Palestinian teenager, whose death has been widely seen as a retaliation killing by Israeli extremists.

More than 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the continuous rocket and missile fire, BBC News reports.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, 1,867 people have been killed, with the U.N. stating that more than 1,300 were civilians, and more than 400 were children.

Following four previous failed attempts at ceasefire agreements, Israel and Hamas agreed Aug. 4 on a 72 hour truce that began Aug. 5 in order to allow aid workers to bring assistance and supplies to those affected by the fighting in the Gaza Strip.

“So far it has been holding,” Dr. Evrony explained, expressing that this “time we hope that the ceasefire will hold and will pave the way for a more durable, stable ceasefire.”

Although aid workers and Gaza citizens are grateful that for the invaluable time to safely secure essential supplies, many remain skeptical that it will bring an end to the region’s ongoing violence.

According to the BBC, Israeli officials have offered to extend the 3-day truce, but have received no response from Hamas, who still controls Gaza.

“I think that we have to work together in achieving the elements of a durable ceasefire,” the ambassador explained.

Vatican

Previous Post

August 7, 2014

Don't ignore rural Catholics in America, advocate exhorts

Next Post

August 7, 2014 Pope issues urgent appeal for global help of Iraqi Christians

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Hebrews say is living and active?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prayer Faith The church The word of God