PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
"RELIGIONS TOGETHER MUST COMBAT THE CULTURE OF FEAR" HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
Recently, when addressing a symposium on Christian-Muslim dialogue in the
Middle East and a conference on the Christian presence and witness in the
Middle East, Catholicos Aram I made the following remarks in relation to the
role of religion in combating the culture of fear. Below are some excerpts
>From his remarks.-
"A new culture is emerging in contemporary societies and penetrating all
spheres of our lives: it is the culture of fear. In his view, "This new
culture is rooted in our ignorance about the ‘other’. Fear creates prejudice
and breeds mistrust, which in turn generates intolerance and hatred.
Unfortunately, living with fear is becoming a way of life".
His Holiness went on to enumerate the many problems that are shaking the
life of societies; "rejection of integration, alienation from community,
particularism as opposed to inclusivism, perception of diversity as
threatening rather than enriching, making one’s values and beliefs the norm
rather than finding a common ground, identifying politico-religious
ideologies with divine truth". He warned that "These attitudes and behaviors
may have far-reaching consequences on our lives".
As a strong advocate of dialogue of religions and cultures, His Holiness
Aram I called upon religious leaders to join their forces to combat the
culture of fear, "whether it be propagated by a state to impose its military
and political will, arise from religious beliefs, or grow in the context of
majority-minority relationships". According to Catholicos Aram I "combating
fear is not only a spiritual and moral responsibility but also an imperative
in building a culture of peace through respect of difference".
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View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos200.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos201.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
