Card. Gracias: film anti-Muhammad inexcusable, but also violence
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The blasphemous
film about Muhammad is an "unjustifiable" act, but "should not
be fought with violence," rather "through dialogue and peace", says Card.
Oswald
Gracias, President of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), to AsiaNews commenting on the widening
protests in several Muslim countries, which in some cases have culminated with
the death and injury of innocent civilians. A
few days ago, India
witnessed demonstrations by the Muslim community, which, however, remained
peaceful, thanks to the call for calm by local imams. The
wave of violence began after the 11 September attacks at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi (Libya).
In
the attack, Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his co-workers lost
their lives.
Speaking of the film, Card. Gracias
points out: "While the media has freedom and we must respect the
freedom of the press media and all freedoms must be used responsibly it is
wrong to use the media to make fun or to denigrate something which is sacred to
another person . it is imperative, that
we have to exercise the sensitivity ,
care and respect for the other
especially religious beliefs, There are some boundaries which can never be
crossed. "
At
the same time, the cardinal added, " we decry Fundamentalism, Cardinal Oswald explains, " in the past, we
have witnessed the havoc that can be wreaked by religious fundamentalisms Violence is totally against society and is harmful and
inherently destructive." In
this context, he explains, " Spiritual
Leaders have an urgent role to play in calling for peace , understanding and calm."
The
President of the CBCI then recalls " the Catholic Church's commitment to interreligious dialogue. We share good harmonious and cordial
relations with leaders of other faiths." He
concluded: "My hope is that dialogue understanding
tolerance harmony becomes the norm all over Christians, Muslims, and Hindus and among themselves for the peaceful coexistence of
peoples ".
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