Address
by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Celebration
of the 1st Anniversary of Signing “The Human Fraternity Document” (Abu
Dhabi, February 4th, 2020)
Your Eminences,
Your Excellences,
Distinguished Audience,
It is with great joy that we participate in the celebration of the 1st
anniversary of signing the "Human Fraternity Document." We express our
wholehearted thanks to The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity for this
kind invitation and to all of you for your presence and participation.
In our time, we face a world changing in rapid space, full of
unprecedented developments and new challenges. When confronted with this
situation, what should be the required stance for religions? How could
they make good use of their precious spiritual heritage, the deep
anthropological knowledge and their philanthropic values?
Over the last decades, we have witnessed a re-evaluation of the role of
faith, which appears as a central dimension of human life, both at the
personal and the social level. Unfortunately, the ongoing outburst of
religious fundamentalism supports the characterization or even the
identification of religion with division and intolerance. So, the
essential dilemma of humanity, nowadays, is not between “religion or no
religion,” but “what kind of religion.” The revival of religions—if that
were a regeneration and expression of their genuine elements—was always
related to their contribution to reconciliation and solidarity. In our
times, the credibility of religions depends largely on their commitment
to peace through interreligious dialogue and common witness in view of
the great contemporary challenges. Genuine religion cannot betray earth
for the sake of heaven, the present for the sake of future. It does not
absolve humans from their responsibility in the world and for the world.
On the contrary, for true believers, faith is to be a presupposition to
approach rightly the earthly reality and its contradictions; to resist
injustice and all tendencies that undermine social cohesion; to exercise
critique on the declaration of economic indicators and profit as the
absolute criteria of economic activity; and to reject the subordination
of man to the tyranny of needs and the transformation even of children
into unsatisfiable consumerists.
Obviously, it is impossible for the current crisis to be exclusively
addressed on the basis of bureaucratic, technocratic and economically
centred principles. The solution must be based on the protection of
human dignity and social justice. Religions are able to promote the
respect of human dignity, by implementing and cultivating a spirit of
solidarity, and by supporting relevant initiatives in the political and
social sphere that have the safeguarding of the fundamental freedoms as
their goal. Faith inspires and strengthens the struggle for a just and
peaceful society and even provides support when it appears to be at an
impasse. Without a doubt, religions cannot replace politics and they do
not aim to do so. However, they can inspire civil and political
activity, raising awareness for the advancement of social cohesion, for
the protection of the creation, for sustainable development and for the
establishment of a culture of fraternity. They can persistently propose
solutions that reject war and violence, and instead strive for tolerance
and solidarity. Peace is always a duty; it requires vision, commitment,
struggle, and patience. Peace does not automatically result from
economic and cultural development, from high living standards and from
the progress of science and technology.
Never before have we possessed so much scientific knowledge and acted so
violently and destructively against nature and our fellow human beings.
The explosion of knowledge and information has fostered disinterest
towards other people, as well as a spirit of individualism and
deification of property. Another fact is that scientific and
technological progress do not provide answers to the deepest existential
problems of the human being, nor do they eliminate them. The
autonomization of science and technology from man’s vital needs in
conjunction with globalization, economism, scientism, extreme
experiments with human nature and disrespect to ecological parameters
constitute a great danger not only to a society of solidarity, but even
more so to the survival of life on earth.
Consequently, the place of religions facing the current crisis is not on
the sidelines. The world expects the common witness of people of faith.
It is our duty to promote interreligious dialogue. As it has been
properly said, “no peace in the world, without peace among religions; no
peace among religions, without interreligious dialogue.” Communication
liberates religions from introversion. If religions act as forces of
openness, they can function as a positive challenge for secular
institutions and humanistic movements to discover in faith a precious
ally for the sacred task of the promotion of “liberty, equality, and
fraternity.”
Dear participants,
In the concluding section of the precious “Document on Human Fraternity
for World Peace and Living Together,” we find the common compass that
guides our way to universal peace and to a culture of solidarity:
“reconciliation and fraternity among believers and non-believers, and
among all people of good will;” rejection of “violence and blind
extremism;” affinity and cooperation “between East and West, between
North and South;” “faith in God that unites divided hearts and elevates
the human soul.” Indeed, we have the destination; we know the way. What
we need is common action and determination to move forward. For us
believers, this effort is a true witness to the essence of our faith to
the merciful God.
Thank you for your kind attention.