The 4th World Parliament of Religions (7-14 July), held in the sanctuary of Monserrat (Barcelona), has ended. It was attended by over 400 religious leaders from all over the world. Spirituality, science, and the role of religions for peace are some of the issues discussed during the meeting. Discussion also focused on questions apparently less linked to interreligious dialogue, such as the plight of refugees, the foreign debt of third world countries and the lack of water. “Religions explains Jesuit Father Javier Melloni are conscious of being able to say something useful and significant, not only to their own believers, but to everyone, on questions and issues involving humanity. They can help us better share the resources of each tradition and culture, with a view to finding together viable responses to such complex problems, through an appeal to a profound and personal interior conversion”. Apart from debates in plenary assembly, several public initiatives were organized. The first of these was the realization, within the exhibition enclosure, of a place for silence, open 24 hours each day, throughout the seven days of the meeting. The second was the venue made available in the city where each individual religion present at the Parliament was able to offer the reading and explanation of its own Sacred Scriptures. The Archbishop of Barcelona Lluis Martinez Sistach, the theologian Hans Kung and the Jesuit expert in interreligious dialogue Tom Michel participated in the meeting. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1313 N.ro relativo : 53 Data pubblicazione : 15/07/2004
