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Pope Emphasizes Unity Among Religious Leaders

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The New York Times

Published: July 19, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia - Pope Benedict XVI, in Australia for World Youth Day, called on religious leaders of all faiths Friday to find common ground and to unite against those who resort to violence to achieve their ends.

"In a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate forms of violence, the unified voice of religious people urges nations and communities to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and with full regard for human dignity," he said at a meeting with Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists.

"A harmonious relationship between religion and public life is all the more important at a time when some people have come to consider religion a cause of division rather than a force for unity," he said.

It was part of a broader message that has echoed throughout the pope's statements this week during the Roman Catholic Church's gathering of young people from around the world, stressing the similarities among religions, cultures and human experience rather than the differences.

"The universality of human experience, which transcends all geographical boundaries and cultural limitations, makes it possible for followers of religions to engage in dialogue so as to grapple with the mysteries of life's joys and sufferings," he said.

"At their core, human relations cannot be defined in terms of power, domination and self-interest. Rather, they reflect and perfect man's natural inclination to live in communion and accord with others."

The message of reconciliation came from a pope who angered many Muslims when, in a 2006 lecture in Regensburg, Germany, he used a quotation from a 14th century Byzantine emperor that appeared to vilify Muslims.

The pope subsequently said that he did not subscribe to the views expressed in the quotation and, although the furor subsided, some strained feelings have remained.

Sheikh Mohamadu Saleem, of the Australian National Imams Council, told the pope at the meeting that, while Muslims should become more understanding of other religions, "significant segments of the Christian and the other religious communities should overcome their misconceptions and prejudices of Islam and Muslims."

In a separate gathering Friday of leaders of different Christian denominations, the pope again stressed the need to overcome differences and work together.

"Dear friends in Christ, I think you would agree that the ecumenical movement has reached a critical juncture," he said.

"We must guard against any temptation to view doctrine as divisive and hence an impediment to the seemingly more pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live."

Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics have descended on Sydney for World Youth Day, which culminates Sunday when the pope will celebrate mass in front of a congregation organizers predict will number half a million.

On Friday afternoon, the pope blessed the opening scene of a live re-enactment of the stations of the cross - the Bible's depiction of Christ's last days - that was played out through Sydney, with some of the city's most recognizable landmarks in the backdrop.

Pilgrims lined the streets to watch the re-creation, which stretched over three hours and included often stark scenes of brutality toward Jesus, including his being nailed to a cross. As night fell on a clear but cold midwinter day, many watching clutched each other and wept openly.

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