ecumenism
As already affirmed on several occasions, the Conference of European Churches (KEK) has once again reiterated after the American and British attacks on Afghanistan that “political and peaceful solutions are always to be preferred to violent and military ones”, in the conviction that “violence must not automatically spawn further violence”. In a message written on the conclusion of a meeting held in Palermo from 4 to 7 October, Keith Clements and Metropolitan Jérémie, respectively secretary general and president of KEK, recalled the appeal launched by Christians and Moslems in Sarajevo on 14 September. “There is a risk KEK adds today that responses of disproportionate revenge and retaliation may lead to a vicious spiral of violence. Nonetheless acts like those of 11 September require a response, at least to do justice to the victims and their families”. The KEK emphasizes however that this response must follow a series of principles: it must be “well meditated, focused, measured and proportionate”. The tragic events unleashed on 11 September, moreover, must not make us forget the conflicts still open in Europe and in the world, and in particular the unresolved conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The KEK presidency also emphasized “the growing importance of interreligious dialogue” and observed that “terrorism has been and is a reality present in many parts of the world, and of Europe” and forms part of the general growth of violence that is being registered in many parts of the planet. It is therefore necessary to reflect write Clements and Jérémie on the reasons that impel people to have recourse to violence as a means of achieving political objectives” though it must be clear that “religion can never be used to justify acts of violence”.
