A humanism of peace” “

“Prayer for peace means that it is possible to continue to be a seed in a difficult moment in history, also characterized by fear of terrorism”, says Msgr. AMBROGIO SPREAFICO , representative of the St. Egidio Community, distinguished Bible scholar and former Rector of the Pontifical Urbanian University, in commenting on the 19th international meeting of prayer for peace promoted by the St. Egidio Community and due to be held in Lyon on 11-13 September. The theme of the meeting: “The courage of a humanism of peace”. “This year’s meeting – explain the organizers – is being held on the anniversary of the terror attacks of 11 September 2001 and in the current difficult phase for the international community, characterized by terrorist acts in London, Iraq and Turkey, and by war in many parts of the world“ . So, “ the challenge of dialogue and co-existence, in a world tempted by conflict and introspection, will be at the centre of debate”. The meeting will be attended, among others, by Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard of Bordeaux, president of the French Bishops’ Conference; pastor Jean-Arnold de Clermont, president of the Conference of the Churches of Europe (CEC); the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzcher; and the Rector of the University of Al Azar, Al Tayyb. The participation of Sister Emmanuelle, the Belgian nun who has lived for thirty years in the shantytowns of Egypt, is also expected. We discussed the event with Monsignor Spreafico. The international meeting “Man and Religions” will be hosted by France this year. Does the choice of a historically “secular” country assume any specific significance? “One of the most important issues that will be discussed will be just that of Europe, but there is no direct connection with France’s failure to ratify the European Constitution. For many reasons we are in a context different from that in which Lyon was chosen as the venue for the meeting, announced a year ago. However, ‘Prayer 2005’ assumes a particular significance by emphasizing how Christians have contributed and are contributing to the edification of Europe”. How has the presentation of the event in Lyon been welcomed in France? “The reception has been very positive also in the more secular world. The centenary of the promulgation of the law on the secularism of the French State (on the separation between Church and State) is being celebrated this year. The positive welcome and the great collaboration are a measure of the hopes aroused by the St. Egidio Community and the meeting in September, in the search for common values to make co-existence possible”. What are the steps in interfaith dialogue, and in particular Jewish-Christian dialogue, that can be attributed to these annual meetings? “Over these last 19 years many steps forward have been taken in the international meetings promoted by the Community, according to the indications in the documents of the Church, first those of Pope John Paul II, and now of Pope Benedict XVI. It was John Paul II who promoted the first meeting of the great religions at Assisi in 1986. In the following years the St. Egidio Community re-proposed the ‘spirit of Assisi’ in the major European cities and in Jerusalem. Interfaith dialogue, very gradual, has especially been conducted in dialogue between the Jews and Orthodox of Israel, and has permitted the initial difficulties to be overcome, as also has dialogue with the representatives of the Islamic world. This success also indicated the privileged relation of Christianity with Judaism, with our Jewish roots. I should also emphasise the role played by St. Egidio in dialogue with the secular world: over a decade ago, in 1993, the first ‘dialogue’ took place between Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini and Arrigo Levi”. The meeting is due to begin on 11 September: is the date a message? “The reasons that lead to the choice of a date are various: particular importance is attached to a date that does not coincide with the feast-days of any religion, to permit them all to participate. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima and of the liberation of Auschwitz. These anniversaries, together with that of 11 September, give a particular significance to the meeting”. Fact File The meeting of the great religions in Assisi in 1986 was followed by the meetings of the St. Egidio Community held in Rome in Rome in 1987 and in 1988. They were followed by Warsaw (1989), Bari (1990), Malta (1991), Brussels (1992), Milan (1993), Florence (1994), Rome (1995), Padua (1996) and Venice (1997). Bucharest was chosen as the venue for the meeting in 1998; Genoa for that in 1999. The following meetings were held in Lisbon (2000), Barcelona (2001), Palermo (2002), Aachen (2003), and Milan (2004). Fur further information: www.santegidio.org