POPE’S MESSAGE, 44TH WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Benedict XVI, in his message dated December 8, 2010 greeted everyone with wishes of serenity and peace at the start of the new year. He decried however current persecution, discrimination, violence and religious intolerance (n. 1).
“The right to religious freedom is rooted in the very dignity of the human person…created by God” in his own image and likeness (cf. Gen. 1:27) (n. 2).
“Religious freedom is at the origin of moral freedom”. It is “the guarantee of full respect between persons” (n. 3).
“The family, the school of freedom and peace”. “It is the primary training ground for harmonious relations at every level of coexistence” (n. 4).
“Among the fundamental rights and freedoms rooted in the dignity of the person, religious freedom enjoys a special status”. “It is an achievement of a sound political and juridical culture. It is an essential good”. (n. 5).
Public dimension of religion. “The contribution of religious communities to society is undeniable, specially “its ethical contribution in the political sphere”. (n. 6).
Pope Benedict XVI encouraged dialogue between civil and religious institutions as well as interreligious dialogue (nn. 9-11).
“Religious freedom, the path to peace”, is explained by Pope Benedict XVI. “The world needs God. It needs universal, shared ethical and spiritual values, and religion can offer a precious contribution to their pursuit, for the building of a just and peaceful social order at the national and international levels” (n. 15).
