The courage of dialogue

Publish date 24-02-2023

by Domenico Agasso

In the heart of the Arabian peninsula, a sacred land for Islam, 30,000 people arrive on Saturday 5 November from all over the Persian Gulf and fill the Bahrain National Stadium, where Francis - the first Pope to visit this country - celebrates Mass "for peace and justice". At the heart of the homily are references to the war in Ukraine and to a reconciliation that at the moment appears distant.
The Pontiff asks to "defuse violence, demilitarizing the heart". And he launches an uncomfortable appeal: "To love one's enemies", overcoming the logic of revenge, of an "eye for an eye".

At the Awali ceremony, 30 kilometers from the capital Manama, on the penultimate day of the papal visit, there were faithful who had come from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and also from other Middle Eastern states. There are many immigrants, so the function was fixed on Saturday because many cannot leave work on Sunday. There are 111 nationalities.

Even in Bahrain, the Pontiff reiterated several times and in various ways the fundamental importance of a diplomatic network for peace, which involves the international community and citizens of every nation, to stop bombs, missiles and conflicts, starting with that in Eastern Europe which risks provoking a global military escalation.
During the days in Bahrain, the bishop of Rome continued his work of dialogue with Islam, also to promote together with Muslims messages of "fraternity" while risking the third world war. Among other things, the presence of the Pope favored a surprising openness of the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmad al-Tayyib, a Sunni leader, towards the Shiites. Bergoglio met him, complimenting the speech he gave at the Forum focused on the need for fruitful relations within Islam for reconciliation, which also involve the Shiites: "You were very courageous when you spoke of dialogue between Muslims".

To his "flock" the Pope quotes the Gospel and asks them to "love one's enemies". Something that "seems superhuman". But the "simple human reaction nails us to the 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'", and this means "doing justice with the same weapons of the evil received". Instead it is necessary "to break the spiral of revenge, by defusing, disarming violence, demilitarizing the heart".
And then, the young people of various faiths that he meets in the school of the Sacred Heart. He urges them to "react" to wars "with a new dream of social friendship".


Dominico Agasso
NP December 2022

This website uses cookies. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Click here for more info

Ok