Vatican City, Apr 12, 2022 / 04:45 am
Religions make a fundamental contribution to promoting peace. So much so, that if an ecumenical version of the interreligious Document on Human Fraternity were to be produced, one of its themes would be peace.
That is what Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in the fourth part of a recent exclusive interview with CNA. The Vatican Secretary of State also spoke about the role of religions in promoting reconciliation and the possibilities of ecumenical diplomacy. (In Part 1 of the hourlong interview, he addressed the Vatican’s efforts to end the Ukraine war, in Part 2, the reform of the Roman Curia, and in Part 3, relations with China.)
The Italian cardinal discussed the Church’s work both in negotiating peace agreements and in preparing for peace deals with grassroots cultural work.
“First of all,” he said, “it is crucial that peace agreements are concluded based on justice. We know that the peace agreements imposed are the origin of new ideas, new wars, and new conflicts. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that the legitimate interests of all the parties involved are taken into consideration, without anyone feeling overwhelmed by the other.”