The cries of those who still suffer” “

“We who experienced and are still experiencing the tragedy of war, wish to say to the whole world, in particular to the powerful of the earth: don’t take the path of war, because it’s a path of no return. Peace is the only road to follow”: one of the passages in the joint declaration signed by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, by the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldees in Iraq, Raphael Bidawid, and by the bishop of Sarajevo, Card. Vinko Pulijc. The appeal for peace was diffused last Sunday on the occasion of Cardinal Pulijc’s visit to the diocese of Termoli-Larino (Italy), whose bishop, Msgr. Tommaso Valentinetti, is president of Pax Christi Italia which promoted the initiative. We interviewed Cardinal Vinko Puljic . Jerusalem, Baghdad, Sarajevo: three cities martyrs for peace… “It’s their cry for peace, which is united with that of the Pope. Jerusalem, Sarajevo, Iraq: all three contexts are characterized by different ethnic groups, cultures and religions. They want to testify to the need for dialogue and reciprocal understanding as the necessary conditions to form communities which are just for everyone, and in which everyone’s rights and dignity are respected. Peaceful co-existence between Christianity and Islam needs to be promoted. Ours are three cities that hope in peace in the consciousness that, to achieve it, ethnic, religious and cultural diversities need to be respected and dialogue with all persons fostered. A culture of dialogue becomes a culture of life”. In Bosnia you’ve had experience of this? “We certainly have. War gives rise to scars that are difficult to heal. Each war creates darkness not only outside but inside the heart of man. That is something to fear, because in that moment man is capable of anything. Religion may help us to choose strategies of life, in Bosnia as throughout the world”. Yet it’s a value that seems not to find acceptance in Europe… “Our culture is founded on Christian roots. They are the soul of Europe and without a soul what would become of Europe? It would be dead. We need to build bridges with everyone, with the various religions, but without a soul man is incomplete”. What do you think of the distinction between old and new Europe, between Western countries of long-standing democracy and the countries of Eastern Europe that have only recently become democratic? “Culturally we all form part of the old Europe: it’s impossible to divide it. Anyone who affirms to the contrary introduces a principle of division between those who have power and wealth and those who don’t. But such a division does not lead to progress, on the contrary it leads to regress. Ways need to be identified of achieving a common culture, mentality and spirituality. Without this spirit that unites Europe, there will never be a true Europe. I would prefer to say that the countries of Eastern Europe are a new source of strength for Europe; they bring a ferment especially in terms of the value of the family and the expression of a less rational faith than in the West. In the particular case of Sarajevo, the capacity for dialogue between different religions and cultures wants to be the contribution of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the construction of the new Europe”. Is there any hope of preventing a war with Iraq? “Such a war could cause new tensions between Christianity and Islam. That’s why it’s so important to promote dialogue. We in Bosnia know that so well, because we have to live side by side with Muslims. If the rights of each identity and each person are to be safeguarded, dialogue needs to be sought”.