Pope Hails Power Of Interfaith Dialogue For Peace In Mongolia
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published September 03, 2023 | 09:40 AM
Ulaanbaatar, Sept 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2023 ) :Pope Francis hailed religion's power to resolve conflict and promote peace Sunday, on his final full day in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar for a visit that has seen him seek to build bridges with neighbouring China.
The morning address, which brought together leaders of major religions in Mongolia, took place in the intimate Hun Theatre, nestled in the low mountains surrounding the city and designed in the round shape of the traditional nomadic "ger" dwelling.
Christian leaders as well as representatives of Buddhism and Shamanism, islam and Judaism, Hinduism, the Russian Orthodox Church, Mormonism, Baha'i and others attended.
"Religious traditions, for all their distinctiveness and diversity, have impressive potential for the benefit of society as a whole," the 86-year-old pontiff told them.
"If the leaders of nations were to choose the path of dialogue with others," he said, it could make a "decisive contribution to ending the conflicts continuing to afflict so many of the world's people".
The pope's visit to Mongolia -- a young democracy whose Constitution provides for religious freedom -- has seen him send a tacit message to the nation's neighbours, in particular officially-atheist China, that spirituality is healthy for societies and not a threat.
And by venturing to the isolated Central Asian country, the Argentine Jesuit has hoped not only to encourage the tiny Catholic community of missionaries and the faithful, but use his presence at China's backdoor to improve the Vatican's relations with Beijing.
During a gathering of Catholic missionaries at the city's Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on Saturday, Pope Francis said governments had "nothing to fear" from the Catholic Church.
"Governments and secular institutions have nothing to fear from the Church's work of evangelisation, for she has no political agenda to advance," said the pontiff, without specifically mentioning China.
Beijing's Communist Party, which exercises strict control over all recognised religious institutions, is wary of the Catholic Church on its territory.
The Holy See renewed a deal last year with Beijing allowing both sides a say in appointing bishops in China.
But critics have called the move a dangerous Vatican concession in exchange for a presence in the country.
- 'Pilgrim of friendship' - Calling himself a "pilgrim of friendship", Pope Francis has extolled Mongolia's virtues during his visit, including its nomadic people "respectful of the delicate balances of the ecosystem".
He said Mongolia's Shamanist and Buddhist traditions of living in harmony with nature could help in the "urgent and no longer deferrable efforts to protect and preserve planet Earth".
Religions, when not "corrupted" by sectarian deviations, help create sound societies, he said.
They "represent a safeguard against the insidious threat of corruption, which effectively represents a serious menace to the development of any human community".
Mongolia has been marred by corruption and environmental degradation in recent years, with its capital suffering from some of the world's worst air quality and an embezzlement scandal sparking street protests last year.
Vast swathes of the country are also at risk of desertification due to climate change, overgrazing and mining.
On Sunday, the pope retirated his call for greater protection of the environment.
"Concerned only with earthly interests, humanity ends up destroying the earth and mistaking progress for regression," the pontiff told religious leaders.
This was "attested by so many injustices, conflicts, persecutions, environmental disasters and great disregard for human life", he said.
There are about 1,400 Catholics in Mongolia out of a population of 3.3 million people. Only 25 are priests, and just two of those are Mongolian.
Most Mongolians of faith are Buddhist or practice Shamanism.
In the vast Sukhbaatar Plaza, named after a Mongol revolutionary hero, many had hoped to catch a glimpse of the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.
Pope Francis' trip drew pilgrims from the wider region, including Chinese Catholics, some of whom waved the country's red flag as they waited for the pontiff.
Some told AFP they were hopeful of a papal visit to China one day.
The pope will also preside over mass inside a newly built ice hockey arena on Sunday.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt reduces petrol price by Rs5.45 per litre
Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE meets Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
Statement of Engro Corporation - LNG Case Decision
Wasim Akram touches fans’ hearts by new look
Empowering women for employment is the need of hour, says Sadaffe Abid
Global study reveals Pakistan’s inadequate measures against Tobacco Industry
Co-Working Center launched in Okara under PITB’s e-Earn program
BHC judges recommend legal action over agencies interference into judicial matte ..
Third Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Mahira Khan delights at Arijit Singh’s concert in Dubai
Dubai Customs Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day, Honors Schools and Uni ..
Vivo Reveals Durefishan Saleem as Brand Ambassador for its Upcoming Y100 Smartph ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
2 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
3 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
3 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
3 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
5 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
5 days ago
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
7 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
9 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
9 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
9 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
10 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
10 days ago