Seeking new ways

As part of the “European Year of Intercultural Dialogue”, promoted by the European Union in 2008, the Pontifical Councils of Interreligious Dialogue and Culture held a Study Day in the Vatican on 4 December on “Cultures and Religions in Dialogue”. The integral text of the Message sent by Benedict XVI to mark the occasion is given below.For many years Europe has gained awareness of its substantial cultural unity, in spite of the constellation of national cultures that have modelled its character. It is as well to underline the fact that contemporary Europe, which is now entering the Third Millennium, is the result of two millennia of civilization. It has its roots both in the enormous ancient heritage of Athens and Rome and, more especially, in the fruitful terrain of Christianity, which has been revealed as able to create new cultural heritages while at the same time receiving the original contribution of each civilization. The new humanism, which arose from the spread of the Gospel message, fosters all the elements worthy of the human person and his transcendent vocation, cleansing them of the impurities that tarnish the authentic face of man created in the image and likeness of God. So, Europe appears to us today as a precious fabric, whose weave is formed by the principles and values that have sprung from the Gospel, while national cultures have embroidered a huge variety of perspectives that reveal the religious, intellectual, technical, scientific and artistic capacities of Homo europeus. In this sense we can affirm that Europe has had, and still has, a cultural influence on the sum of humankind, and cannot but feel particularly responsible for the future not only of Europe itself but of the whole of humanity.In the present-day context, in which our contemporaries ever more frequently pose the essential questions about the meaning of life and of its value, it is more than ever important to reflect on the ancient roots from which abundant sap has flowed in the course of the centuries. The theme of intercultural and interreligious dialogue has emerged, therefore, as a priority for the European Union. Cutting across various sectors, it concerns culture and communication, education and science, migration and minorities, and extends as far as the sectors of youth and of work.Once we have accepted diversity as a positive factor, we need to act in such a way that people not only accept the existence of the culture of others, but also desire to receive enrichment from it. My Predecessor, the Servant of God Paul VI, addressing himself to Catholics, enunciated his deep conviction of this in the following terms: “The Church must enter into dialogue with the world in which it lives. It has something to say, a message to give, a communication to make” (Encyclical Ecclesiam suam, no. 67). We live in what is commonly called a “pluralist world”, characterized by the rapidity of communications, the mobility of peoples and their economic, political and cultural interdependence. Especially at this time, sometimes dramatic, the Christian roots of Europe, even if many Europeans unfortunately seem to ignore them, are alive and ought to trace the way and foster the hope of millions of citizens that share the same values.May believers, therefore, be ever ready to promote initiatives of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, with the aim of stimulating collaboration on themes of mutual interest, such as the dignity of the human person, the search for the common good, the promotion of peace, and development. In this regard, the Holy See wished to give a particular emphasis to its own participation in high-level dialogue on mutual understanding between religions and cultures and on cooperation for peace, in the framework of the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations (4-5 October 2007). If it is to be genuine, such dialogue must avoid succumbing to the temptations of relativism and syncretism and be inspired by sincere respect for others and by a generous spirit of reconciliation and brotherhood.I wish to encourage all those who devote themselves to the promotion of a Europe that is welcoming, cooperative and ever more faithful to its roots, and in particular exhort believers to contribute not only to jealously guard the cultural and spiritual heritage that distinguishes them and that forms an integral part of their history, but to be even more committed to seeking new ways to tackle in appropriate ways the great challenges that distinguish the post-modern age. Among these challenges, I will limit myself to citing the defence of the life of man in all its phases, the protection of all the rights of the person and of the family, the building of a world of justice and solidarity, respect for the creation, and intercultural and interreligious dialogue. In this perspective, I wish for the successful outcome of this planned Study Day and invoke on all its participants the abundance of God’s blessings.