A message to “express all the desire to continue to forge bonds of brotherhood and friendship everywhere, and particularly wherever living together is not easy due to the difficulties experienced by the young, violence and the rejection of those who are different in culture and religion” was sent today by the French bishops to the Muslims of the country to mark the beginning of the month of Ramadan yesterday. The message, signed by Monsignor Michel Santier, president of the Council for inter-religious relations of the French Bishops’ Conference, underlines that “the Catholic Church regards Muslims who worship the one God with esteem” and that “due to our faith in God, as men and women of good will we are invited to build bridges wherever barriers exist. We wish to continue along the paths of dialogue we have pursued for years”. The hope expressed by the French bishops is that “this month of Ramadan may be an occasion for the Catholic and Muslim communities to promote meeting and dialogue, get to know each other better and better serve the causes of peace and justice”.
