The ways of peace” “

Belgium: a joint declaration for peace. “Together we publicly proclaim that religious affiliation cannot be a motive for conflict, hatred or violence”. The affirmation is made by leaders and members of the various religious communities of Belgium in a joint declaration to be signed in Brussels on 24 January at the end of a meeting for peace promoted by the Belgian Catholic Church and to be held simultaneously with the interreligious meeting in Assisi . “We solemnly affirm our determination to promote in our communities, in fidelity to each of our traditions, the values that lead our world along the ways of justice and peace for everyone”, says the declaration. The meeting – which will be held in the Place de la Monnaie – will open with a performance of multicultural music. This will be followed by a moment of sharing and silence “in memory of all the victims of war and violence”. The meeting will conclude by giving the public present a chance to sign the declaration. This isn’t the first time that Belgium has mobilized for peace. At the end of last year, the representatives of the six religious confessions recognized in Belgium (Catholics, Moslems, Jews, Anglicans, Orthodox and Protestants) issued a joint message declaring, among other things: “We here re-affirm our firm opposition to any act of violence and in particular our condemnation of terrorism. The spirit of our faith asks each one of us to live in peace and to recognize the dignity of each human being”. France: “the courage of condemning every form of religious fanaticism”. “Fanaticism is a perversion of religion”. It is up to religious leaders to have “the courage” to root out “any ambiguity”, condemn any “perverse incitement” of fundamentalism and teach believers to show respect for others. This appeal to the responsibility of religious leaders is made by Msgr. Bernard Panafieu, president of the French episcopal Committee for interreligious dialogue, who, on the eve of the interreligious meeting in Assisi, has written a reflection on dialogue between religions for the news bulletin ( Snop) of the French Bishops’ Conference. “If the embracing of the truth may generate seeds of violence in the hearts of some believers – explains Msgr. Panafieu – it is essential that religious leaders have the courage to condemn and root out these unhealthy impulses and at the same time place themselves courageously at the head of the communities to help their own brothers to practice their faith by respecting others and open ways of dialogue and, if necessary, of reconciliation”. The bishop also makes an appeal to Europe: “Religions are not intended for the catacombs: they wish to be present in the debates that traverse the whole of democratic society. We believe in fact that if religions are faithful to their origins and avoid any ambiguity, they may help to promote the social body through the spiritual dimension of man that they propagate and the project of brotherhood that they propose”. Also in France, the bishops of Rouen, Evreux and Havre issued a communiqué, reminding their fellow-citizens of the interreligious meeting of 24 January: “In communion with the meeting in Assisi and on the occasion of the Prayer Week for Christian Unity, all our communities are called to make a gesture of hope, by inviting believers to meet together to pray for peace”. Switzerland: prayers, celebrations and marches for peace. In Switzerland too numerous events are being planned to accompany the interreligious prayer for peace at Assisi. Prayers for unity, interreligious celebrations, marches for peace: the Swiss Bishops’ Conference has reported at least 18 initiatives. An interreligious celebration for peace will be held in Geneva on 24 January, and a march for peace promoted by the Pax Christi movement in Fribourg. At Chur, Bishop Amédée Grab, who will participate in the Assisi meeting in his role as president of the European bishops, has invited parishes and religious communities to hold prayer vigils for peace on the evening of 23 January, joining together, where possible, with the representatives of the other confessions. Similar initiatives are planned in the dioceses of Basel, St. Gall and Lugano. Maria Chiara Biagioni