In commenting the value of reconciliation and sin, the cardinal recalled that "the insatiable aspiration of mankind to peace and reconciliation often results in nothingness, such as in Darfur, in Kosovo, in Iraq, as well as at home, at work, in sport, between neighbours. Aggressiveness persists, despite any appeal to reconciliation". "He who deliberately offers a helping hand to a brother or sister, a right way to live and one which helps forgiveness, certainly works for peace", but "the root of disagreement between men is disagreement with God. It is only when man lets himself be taken up by God that peace is born in the world. Only the man who has made his peace with God can make peace reign around himself". Hence the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: "my detachment, my aversion, my hatred must be acknowledged and confessed. Reconciliation with God highlighted the cardinal – is not fictitious, a simulation or a trivialisation of evil. It enables man to have an idea of the importance of God’s forgiveness".
