In his
address at the mosque, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the work done by Christian
and Muslim leaders to re-establish “harmony and fraternity among all.”Bangui,
Central African Republic, Nov 30, 2015
Christians and Muslims must unite against acts which “disfigure the Face of
God” by promoting peace, Pope Francis told Islamic representatives on the final
day of his visit the war-torn Central African Republic (CAR).
“Those
who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace,” the Pope said
at the Nov. 30 encounter at the Mosque of Koudoukou in the CAR capital Bangui,
recalling the long history of peaceful coexistence among people of different
religions.
“Christians,
Muslims and members of the traditional religions have lived together in peace
for many years,” the pontiff said, adding: “We are well aware that the recent
events and acts of violence which have shaken your country were not grounded in
properly religious motives.”
Pope
Francis arrived Sunday in the CAR, the final stop of his tri-nation visit to
Africa. It also marks the pontiff’s first time in an active war zone.
“Christians
and Muslims are brothers and sisters. We must therefore consider ourselves and
conduct ourselves as such,” he said.
“They
ought, therefore, to remain united in working for an end to every act which,
from whatever side, disfigures the Face of God and whose ultimate aim is to
defend particular interests by any and all means, to the detriment of the
common good.”
“Together,
we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that
violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself. God
is peace, salam.”
The CAR
became embroiled in violence in December 2012 when several bands of mainly
Muslim rebel groups formed an alliance, taking the name Seleka. They left their
strongholds in the north of the country and made their way south, seizing power
from then-president Francois Bozize. Since then, some 6,000 people have died in
the conflict, with several thousands more displaced.
The
country will hold both presidential and parliamentary elections Dec. 27, after
they were postponed in October due to violence and instability. Interim
President Catherine Samba-Panza, who has so far struggled to keep peace, will
not be a candidate.
Pope
Francis went forward with the scheduled visit to the Koudoukou mosque despite
security concerns. These fears were exacerbated by reports Saturday of three
young people being killed in a nearby neighborhood, although it was later
announced that no one died, and that the youths had been found.
The
pontiff went on to acknowledge the acts of solidarity shown by Christians and
Muslims towards persons of other religions by “welcoming them and defending
them during this latest crisis in your country, as well as in other parts of
the world.”
“We
cannot fail to express hope that the forthcoming national consultations will
provide the country with leaders capable of bringing Central Africans together,
thus becoming symbols of national unity rather than merely representatives of
one or another faction.”
The Pope
called for the CAR, which is “situated in the heart of Africa,” to be a place
of welcome for everyone – regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or
religion – which in turn will encourage the rest of the continent to follow in
its footsteps.
“It will
prove a positive influence and help extinguish the smouldering tensions which
prevent Africans from benefitting from that development which they deserve and
to which they have a right.”
Pope
Francis concluded his address by inviting those present to “pray and work for
reconciliation, fraternity and solidarity among all people, without forgetting
those who have suffered the most as a result of recent events.”
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