He was a champion for equal rights and religious freedom. Like Bishop Padovese in Turkey, Bhatti tirelessly promoted communication between Islam and Christianity to achieve peaceful coexistence and solidarity between citizens.
Cardinal Tauran suggested that the threat of being misunderstood exists everywhere. Even in Europe, he told reporters, there is a threat of “Christianophobia.”
“We shouldn't be disillusioned,” he said. “Christianity has always been combated because Christ 'disturbs'.” He said that Christian values and evangelization are “in contradiction” to a prevailing secular mentality in many parts of the world.
Christians “must not accept these circumstances” of persecution, “because they are occasions for us to give witness,” said the cardinal.
Even in places where Christians are small percentage of the population, “we need to have the courage to say that even though we are often in the minority, we are a minority that counts.”
The cardinal offered his solidarity with Pakistani Christians, who, “feel completely unprotected” after Bhatti's murder. It is a situation where, “for the moment, the dark side dominates,” he said.
Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, expressed his gratitude to both Bhatti and Taseer in his weekly Vatican television editorial. “Both,” he said, “were killed for the same reason: because they opposed the blasphemy law, a law that is truly blasphemous in itself, because it is the cause of injustice and death in the name of God.”
Their assassinations "paradoxically also inspire a bit of hope because they associate a Muslim (Taseer) and a Christian (Bhatti) in blood spilled for the same cause," he said.
"It is no longer only dialogue of mutual knowledge or dialogue in common commitment for the good of people. From dialogue in life they pass on to a dialogue of their witness in death ... so that the name of God it is not twisted into an instrument of injustice," the cardinal reflected.
Cardinal Tauran noted that he is seeing “steps forward” in inter-religious dialogue worldwide. One area is a wider acceptance and appreciation for Catholic schools.
He recounted the example of a diplomat from a majority Muslim population who approached him recently to say thank you for the Catholic education he received. 'Everything I know, I know thanks to you ... and I must say that I was never the object of proselytism.'
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"I think it's the most beautiful comment that could be made," said Cardinal Tauran.
During his address earlier, the cardinal noted some obstacles to a true understanding of Christianity. For example, he underscored the ongoing problem that some history schoolbooks in the Muslim world refer to Christians as “unbelievers.” Such references, he said, are “not OK.”
Believers are called to promote an authentic solidarity, a peaceful coexistence and inter-cultural dialogue, said the cardinal.
By working together and promoting mutual understanding, all believers in one God can work together in a world that has “too many gods,” he said. The monotheistic religions have a responsibility to propose a united front, said the Vatican's head for inter-religious relations. “We believers, especially Jews, Christians and Muslims, have this mission to remember with the coherence of our lives that 'man doesn't live by bread alone'.”
The cardinal hoped that Pope Benedict XVI's Day of Prayer for Peace planned for Assisi next October will be an opportunity for another step forward. The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue plays an important role in organizing and preparing for the event.
“We hope that this is also inspirational,” said Cardinal Tauran.