"We live in a closed space as in a cage in which we are free". This is how the concept of religious freedom enjoyed by the "millions of Catholics as well as the devotees of other religions who live in the countries of the Arab peninsula" is explained by mgr. Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar to Arabia, who is attending the Scientific Committee of the International Study and Research Centre Oasis which will be ending today in Amman, Jordan, all focussed on religious freedom. "It is urgent to create a space for an open, honest dialogue, not least to speak of the ethics of freedom", explained the vicar, who said he "suffers a lot when he sees millions of Catholics and devotees of other religions, the vast majority being foreigners working in the countries of the Arab peninsula, who enjoy no religious freedom. Before such figures, an 800-seat church is not enough to speak of freedom of religion and cult". (Daniele Rocchi-Amman)
