04/09/2004

Catholic World News
Peacemaking is the courageous approach, prelate writes

Milan, Sep. 03 (CWNews.com) - Milan's Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi has argued that in the light of worldwide terrorism today, it takes special courage to pursue the cause of peace.

In a column published by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera , Cardinal Tettamanzi acknowledges that "faced with the violence and terrorism that shake the world today, fears are understandable." However, he goes on to say that these fears "are evidence of a radical insecurity, which tempts us to see a potential threat to our existence in those who are different from us, in terms of their origin, culture, or religion."

Those who react to this fear by seeking to eliminate their "enemies" may seem courageous, the influential Italian prelate said; but actually they are surrendering to their own fears. A more truly courageous approach, he says, is "a patient but unflagging effort to break down barriers and work together."

Cardinal Tettamanzi made his plea as 100 political, religious, and academic leaders gathered in Milan, at the invitation of the St. Egidio community, for 3-day inter-religious conference devoted to cross-cultural dialogue.