The Vatican’s official response to Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi’s letter to Pope Francis

RNA – Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has written a letter in reply to a letter previously sent by Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi.

News ID: 1618

Date: 13 November 2014 - 22:06

RNA – According to Rasa News Agency, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has written a letter in reply to a letter previously sent by Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi.

The Vatican’s official response to His Eminence’s letter to Pope Francis is as follows:

Your Excellency,

You kindly addressed to his Holiness Pope Francis a letter on 18 August 2014 (N. 4356-150137), firmly condemning the atrocities committed by the so-called “Islamic State,” in particular Christians, Yazidis and other religious and ethnic groups.

Pope Francis thanks you for your letter and for your position, because a clear stand by religious leaders against violence, especially the one committed in the name of a religion, is a must and a necessity. In fact, believers need and wait for a sound guidance from their religious leaders, especially in troubled times.

On the other hand, I agree with you that the condemnation of the injustices and atrocities that have taken place or may take place in the future, should be clear and unanimous, so as to give a credible witness to the fact that religions should promote justice, peace and fraternity.

May I assure you that the Catholic Church will continue under the guidance of Pope Francis to promote and defend human dignity and the rights deriving from it.

I take this occasion to send best wishes to you for peace and good health.

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran

The head of the Vatican's Council for Interfaith Dialogue

21 October, 2014

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