The Patriarch of Constantinople, in the same speech of this morning invites, first of all, the Christians to repent and "change their lifestyle": he invites them to "take responsibility for these times and join forces to help heal the wounds of the suffering mankind. Lacking dialogue and a close and necessary cooperation with all Orthodox and Christian believers, as well as with all the people in charge, all the centres of power, and the religious, economic, cultural and other authorities, our isolated actions are doomed to fail since the start". As a tangible sign of concern and "reparation" by the Churches for the state of Europe and the "destructive and arrogant attitude towards nature and the environment", a day of fasting has been proposed for Friday 7th September. The Patriarch Bartholomew also looks to the cooperation of the different monotheistic religions: "Their principles and basic values not only promise but also impose the mutual respect of human dignity and the peaceful cohabitation of all peoples and all faiths". No religion can justify intolerance and fanaticism.
