Message du Président du Conseil Pontifical
pour le Dialogue Inter-religieux,
adressé aux musulmans pour la fin du Ramadan :
'Id al-Fitr 1426 A.H/2005 D.C
"Continuer sur le chemin du dialogue"
Rome (Agence Fides) - A l’occasion de la fin du mois du mois du Ramadan,
le Président du Conseil Pontifical pour le Dialogue Inter-religieux,
Mgr Michael Fitzgerald a envoyé un message de vœux au musulmans,
intitulé « Continuer sur le chemin du dialogue ». Voici
le texte intégral :
Chers amis,
1. Le mois de Ramadan touche à sa fin et voici que revient ‘Id
al-Fitr. Où que vous soyez, je souhaite adresser à chacun de
vous mes vœux les plus sincères de joyeuse fête.
2. L’envoi d’un message à nos frères et sœurs
musulmans à l’occasion de la fin du Ramadan est devenu une tradition
du Conseil Pontifical pour le Dialogue interreligieux. Ce message est généralement
signé par le Président du Conseil Pontifical. En 1991, au moment
de la première Guerre du Golfe, ce message d’amitié portait
la signature de Sa Sainteté le Pape Jean-Paul II. Il parlait alors
«d’un dialogue sincère, profond et constant entre catholiques
et croyants musulmans, d’où pourra jaillir une plus grande connaissance
et confiance mutuelles». Aujourd’hui, ces mots sont encore et assurément
d’actualité.
3. Le 2 avril de cette année, la vie terrestre du Pape Jean-Paul II
est arrivée à son terme. De nombreux musulmans de par le monde
ont suivi de près, avec les catholiques et les autres chrétiens,
les informations concernant les derniers instants de sa maladie et son décès.
Des délégations officielles de musulmans, responsables politiques
et chefs religieux, venues de nombreux pays, étaient présentes
sur la place Saint-Pierre pour ses funérailles. Nombreux sont ceux
qui lui sont profondément reconnaissants de ses efforts au service
de la paix. Un journaliste musulman qui a eu l’occasion de rencontrer
personnellement le Pape Jean-Paul II a écrit : « Je n’exagère
pas en disant que la mort du Pape Jean-Paul II est une grande perte pour l’Eglise
catholique, pour les chrétiens en général, mais aussi,
en particulier, pour les relation! s entre chrétiens et musulmans.
Il ne sera possible de compenser cette perte qu’en marchant sur ses traces
et en continuant sur la voie qu’il a indiquée, avec foi et courage,
lors de la rencontre d’Assise en 1986 ; Assise où reposent les
reliques de saint François, le pionnier du dialogue islamo-chrétien
chez les catholiques ».
4. C’étaient la foi ancrée en Dieu et la confiance en
l’humanité qui avaient poussé feu le Pape Jean-Paul II
à s’engager dans le dialogue. Prenant pour fondement la Déclaration
Nostra ætate du Concile Vatican II, dont nous célébrons
cette année le quarantième anniversaire, il a constamment cherché
à s’adresser aux frères et sœurs de toutes les religions,
avec respect et désir de collaboration. Son engagement dans ce domaine
s’est véritablement enraciné dans l’Evangile, suivant
l’exemple du Seigneur Jésus qui a témoigné son amour
et son respect à chaque personne, y compris à ceux qui n’étaient
pas de son peuple.
5. Alors qu’il recevait les représentants des autres religions
présents à la célébration d’inauguration
de son pontificat, Sa Sainteté le Pape Benoît XVI, suivant l’enseignement
du Concile Vatican II et le chemin indiqué par Jean-Paul II, a déclaré:
« Je suis particulièrement reconnaissant de la présence
parmi nous de membres de la communauté musulmane, et j’exprime
ma satisfaction pour le développement du dialogue entre musulmans et
chrétiens, tant au niveau local qu’international. Je vous assure
que l’Eglise désire continuer à construire des ponts d’amitié
avec les fidèles de toutes les religions, dans le but de rechercher
le bien authentique de chaque personne et de la société dans
son ensemble ». Le Pape, rappelant ensuite les conflits, la violence
et les guerres de notre époque, a souligné le devoir, pour chacun
d’entre nous, particulièrement pour ceux qui appartiennent à
une tradition religieuse, de travailler pour la paix. Il a dit que «nos
efforts pour nous rencontrer et promouvoir le dialogue constituent une précieuse
contribution pour construire la paix sur des fondements solides ». Le
Pape Benoît XVI a conclu: « C’est pourquoi il est impératif
de s’engager dans un dialogue authentique et sincère, construit
sur le respect de la dignité de chaque personne humaine, créée,
comme nous chrétiens le croyons fermement, à l’image et
à la ressemblance de Dieu (cf. Gn 1, 26-27) » (L’Osservatore
Romano, 3 mai 2005).
6. Encouragés par les paroles du Pape, efforçons-nous de construire
de bons rapports avec les fidèles des différentes religions,
de promouvoir le dialogue culturel et d’œuvrer ensemble pour plus
de justice et pour une paix durable. Chrétiens et musulmans, montrons
qu’il est possible de vivre ensemble dans la fraternité véritable,
en nous efforçant toujours d’être les instruments de la
volonté de Dieu Miséricordieux, qui a créé l’humanité
pour qu’elle ne soit qu’une seule et même famille.
Une fois encore, je vous exprime mes chaleureuses salutations.
(Agence Fides, 14 octobre 2005, 59 lignes, 811 mots)
Monseigneur Michael L. Fitzgerald
Président
Vatican City (Fides Service ) - ‘Continuing Dialogue’ is the
title of the Holy See’s annual message to the Muslims of the world on
the occasion of the feast of ‘Id al Fitr, 1426 A.H. / 2005 A.D., at the
end of Ramadan month of prayer and fasting.
The message comes from Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, president of the
Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, who says: It has become a
tradition for the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to send
a message to our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of the end of
Ramadan.
The message has usually been signed by the president of the Pontifical Council.
In 1991, on account of the first Gulf War, the good-will message was signed
by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. He wrote about the nee! d for "a sincere,
profound and constant dialogue between believing Catholics and believing Muslims,
from which there can arise a strengthened mutual knowledge and trust".
These words are surely still relevant today.”.
Archbishop Fitzgerald recalls that many Muslims around the world followed
closely the last illness and death of Pope John Paul II and many Muslim leaders
were present at his funeral and that the late Pope was a tireless promoter
of inter-religious dialogue. “It was faith in God and confidence in humanity
that impelled the late Pope to engage in dialogue. He constantly reached out
to brothers and sisters of all religions with respect and a desire for collaboration,
as had been encouraged by the Second Vatican Council in its Declaration Nostra
aetate of which the fortieth anniversary occurs this year”.
Also Pope Benedict XVI, following the teaching of Vatican II and continuing
along the path taken by John Paul II, when he addressed representatives of
other religions who had attended the Mass for the beginning of his pontificate
expressed appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians,
both at the local and international levels. “Then, making reference to
the conflicts, violence and wars present in our world, the Pope emphasised
that it is the duty of every one, especially those who profess to belong to
a religious tradition, to work for peace, …and to engage in sincere and
authentic dialogue”.
The message ends with a call to “Encouraged by these words of the Pope,
it is for us to strengthen our engagement in building up good relations among
people of different religions, to promote cultural dialogue and to work together
for greater justice and enduring peace. Let us, as Christians and Muslims,
show that we can live together in true fraternity, striving always to do the
will of Merciful God who created humanity to be one family.” (S.L.) (Agenzia
Fides 14/10/2005; Righe 28 - Parole 405)
Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald
President
Dear Friends,
1. As ‘Id al-Fitr comes round again, at the close of the month of Ramadan,
I wish to offer to all of you, in whatever part of the world you may be, my
very best wishes for a Happy Feast.
2. It has become a tradition for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue to send a message to our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion
of the end of Ramadan. The message has usually been signed by the president
of the Pontifical Council. In 1991, on account of the first Gulf War, the
good-will message was signed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. He wrote about
the need for "a sincere, profound and constant dialogue between believing
Catholics and believing Muslims, from which there can arise a strengthened
mutual knowledge and trust". These words are surely still relevant today.
3. On 2 April of this year Pope John Paul II completed his earthly life.
Many Muslims around the world, with Catholics and other Christians, followed
closely the news of the Pope's last illness and his death, and official delegations
of Muslims, political and religious leaders from many countries, attended
his funeral in Saint Peter's Square. Many had appreciated deeply the Pope's
constant efforts on behalf of peace. A Muslim journalist who had had occasion
to meet personally with Pope John Paul II wrote: “I am not exaggerating
when I say that the death of Pope John Paul II has been a great loss for the
Catholic Church and for Christians in general, and also for Christian-Muslim
relations in particular. There can be no compensation for this loss other
than to follow in his footsteps and to continue in the way that he has traced
out with the faith and courage of Assisi in 1986, Assisi where lie the remains
of Saint Francis, pioneer among Catholics of Christian-Muslim dialogue”.
4. It was faith in God and confidence in humanity that impelled the late
Pope to engage in dialogue. He constantly reached out to brothers and sisters
of all religions with respect and a desire for collaboration, as had been
encouraged by the Second Vatican Council in its Declaration Nostra aetate
of which the fortieth anniversary occurs this year. His commitment in this
regard was actually rooted in the Gospel, following the example of the Lord
Jesus who showed his love and respect for each person, even for those who
did not belong to his own people.
5. Following the teaching of the Vatican Council II and continuing on the
path taken by Pope John Paul II, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, when receiving
the representatives of other religions who attended the celebration for the
beginning of his Pontificate, stated: “I am particularly grateful for
the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community, and I express
my appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians,
both at the local and international levels. I assure you that the Church wants
to continue building bridges of friendship with followers of all religions,
in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole”.
Then, making reference to the conflicts, violence and wars present in our
world, the Pope emphasized that it is the duty of every one, especially those
who profess to belong to a religious tradition, to work for peace, and that
“our efforts to come together and foster dialogue are a valuable contribution
to building peace on solid foundations”. Pope Benedict XVI concluded
by saying: “It is therefore imperative to engage in sincere and authentic
dialogue, built on respect for the dignity of every human person, created,
as we Christians firmly believe, in the image and likeness of God” (cf.
Gen. 1: 26-27) (L’Osservatore Romano, 26 April 2005).
6. Encouraged by these words of the Pope, it is for us to strengthen our
engagement in building up good relations among people of different religions,
to promote cultural dialogue and to work together for greater justice and
enduring peace. Let us, as Christians and Muslims, show that we can live together
in true fraternity, striving always to do the will of Merciful God who created
humanity to be one family.
Once more I express to you my warmest greetings.
H.E. Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald
President
