Vatican appeals for respect for religious minorities.

Geneva -- On September 21, 2006, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See's permanent observer to the U.N. office at Geneva, appealed for the implementation of a U.N. document adopted by consensus 25 years ago--Declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief. (See note below.)

Today the implementation of this declaration remains in many ways still a distant goal, he said, a work in progress requiring concerted action to promote the standards of religious freedom recognized by the international community. In several countries intolerance and violent acts directed in particular at people and communities of different religions violate their rights in a variety of ways.

In some countries, the legal structures have not evolved sufficiently to protect religious minorities, even when they are citizens of the country concerned.

The rapid impact of the information and communication technologies gives new meaning to the global village beyond its economic networks. A plurality of ideas and cultures are brought closer and are mingled even in remote corners of the world, and the vast movements of migrants make them visible and concrete in daily life.

What emerges is either a potential for fears and conflicts, or a new phase of mutual enrichment and respect that affords the opportunity to convey the contributions of all to more justice and a stable peace. An attitude of openness and mutual acceptance is therefore more urgent than any law tending to impose them. Communications media and textbooks should contribute to this effort and not stir up emotions with ambiguous or false messages that foster intolerance.

Archbishop Tomasi used the opportunity to refer to the Pope Benedict controversy, pointing out that "for now it can suffice to note that where there is doubt, the best interpreter of the text is its author. The Holy Father Benedict XVI has explained what he meant. It is mere fairness to take him on his words."

Note: The dignity anal equality inherent in all human beings, a basic principle of the Charter of the United Nations, were seen as fundamentally violated when the right to freedom of thought, conscience anal religion a person held anal exercised "either individually or in community with others anal in public or in private to manifest his religion or belief in worship observance practice anal teaching" (Art. I, 1)is disregarded.