Pope: Syria has "an urgent need for real reforms" and not violence
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "The urgent need for real reforms in political, economic and social life" of Syria Benedict XVI affirmed today as he received the new ambassador from Damascus to the Holy See, Hussan Hedin Aala. The Pope also reaffirmed his conviction that a comprehensive settlement for peace in the Middle East must be found through dialogue and without prejudicing the interests of any of the peoples concerned.
The Pope, who today received credentials of ambassadors from six countries, Moldova, Equatorial Guinea, Belize, Syria, Ghana and New Zealand, in his collective address to the six diplomats urged governments to use clean and environmentally friendly energy, avoiding the use of technology that is dangerous for humans.
"The events that have occurred in recent months in some countries around the Mediterranean, including Syria – read his message to the ambassador from Damascus - express a desire for a better future in the fields of economy, justice, freedom and participation in public life. " Hence the need for "real reform" and the hope that the situation does not evolve "in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, much less violence, but in terms of absolute respect for truth, coexistence, legitimate rights of the people and communities, as well as reconciliation. These principles must guide authorities, taking into account the aspirations of civil society, as well as the international pressures”.
In his speech, the pope recalled the tradition of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Syria, hoping it would help to further growth and praised the "generosity" with which the country has welcomed refugees, in particular refugees from Iraq.
Regarding the situation in the region, "to progress towards peace, a comprehensive agreement must be reached. This should not affect the interests of any of the parties nor be the result of a rushed and non-unilateral decision imposed by force. This would fail to bring any solution as would partial or unilateral solutions, which are insufficient. Aware of the suffering of all the populations involved, there is a need to proceed with a deliberately comprehensive approach that does not exclude anyone from seeking a negotiated solution that takes into account the legitimate interests and aspirations of the different peoples involved. "
The need for a different approach to technology and the duty of all governments to protect nature were at the centre of Benedict XVI address to all six diplomats.
The exploitation of technology, the pope noted, "goes hand in hand with social and ecological disasters." Too often we forget that progress should benefit the work of man and not technology, which is instead a "creation” of man. " Placing all hopes in it, or believing that it is the sole cause of progress, or happiness, makes a commodity of man, which turns against him when he realizes that his expectations have been poorly answered." "The Pope pointed to the 'damage' created by progress and the “dangers that humanity is running” by trusting in “an all powerful and ultimately uncontrolled technology”. "A technology that dominates man, deprives him of his humanity. The pride that it generates has brought our society to an uncompromising economism and a hedonism that selfishly and subjectively determines our behaviour. " For this reason we must "completely reassess our approach to nature", because without a real change in lifestyle, the very human family "might disappear." It is also "urgent" that researchers and the scientist know " combine technological progress with a strong ethical dimension" thus helping nature "to develop in line desired by the Creator." While, for their part, "Governments should promote a humanism that respects the spiritual and religious dimension of man":
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