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PAPAL ADDRESS TO SRI LANKAN ENVOY
"Acts of Terrorism Are Never Justifiable"
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 4, 2008 (Zenit.org).-
Given below is the text of Benedict XVI's English-language address given
on Thursday to His Excellency Mr. Tikiri Bandara Maduwegedera, the new
ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Holy See.
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"Your Excellency,
It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to the Vatican today and to
accept the Letters of Credence whereby His Excellency President Mahinda
Rajapaksa has appointed you Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Holy See. I
thank you for the greetings you have extended on his behalf, and I ask
you to assure His Excellency of my prayers for the peace and well-being
of the entire nation. Our meeting today is a propitious occasion for
me to affirm my deep respect for the people of Sri Lanka and its rich
heritage, as well as my desire to strengthen further the diplomatic
ties between your country and the Holy See.
Mr Ambassador, I am grateful for the appreciation you have expressed
on behalf of your fellow citizens for the Catholic Church's ongoing
charitable activity in your nation. In particular, you have highlighted
the Church's contribution to the relief efforts after the devastating
tsunami struck your nation in 2004. Such action is a concrete example
of the Church's willing and prompt response to the mission she has received
to serve those most in need (cf. Lk 10:25-37; Deus Caritas Est, 29).
I wish to assure your Government that the Church will continue in her
efforts to reach out with compassion to all, and I commend any future
measures which will help guarantee that Catholic hospitals, schools
and charitable agencies can continue to care for the sick, the young
and the vulnerable regardless of ethnic or religious background (cf.
ibid., 30).
Catholics in Sri Lanka, together with other Christians, are united
with many Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims in the ardent longing for lasting
peace in the country and a definitive end to long-standing grievances.
Sadly, violence continues to take its toll on the populace, causing
grave concern to the Holy See and the international community. Frank
and sincere negotiations, regardless of the investment of time and resources
they require, are the only sure means to achieving reconciliation and
addressing problems that have long hindered peaceful coexistence in
Sri Lanka. In particular, acts of terrorism are never justifiable and
always constitute an affront to humanity (cf. Message for the 2002 World
Day of Peace, 4). Indeed, arbitrary attacks fail to give effective voice
to the interests of the various groups on whose behalf they are purportedly
carried out. They can regrettably provoke indiscriminate reactions that
similarly place the innocent in harm's way. Such cycles of violence
obfuscate the truth, perpetuate a volley of accusations and counter-accusations,
and leave people disillusioned and despondent. For this reason, the
struggle against terrorism must always be carried out with respect for
human rights and the rule of law (cf. Message for the 2004 World Day
of Peace, 8). I exhort all parties to spare no effort in creating a
climate of trust, forgiveness and openness by listening to one another
and showing reasonable respect for each other's legitimate aspirations.
Your Excellency has also drawn attention to the disturbing trend of
recruiting children to engage in combat or in terrorist activities.
Such practices must be condemned at the outset, for they inevitably
stunt the moral development of children, leaving scars that last a lifetime
(cf. Message for the 1996 World Day of Peace, 3) and tearing the moral
fibre of society itself. Jesus admonished men and women to avoid causing
scandal towards these "little ones" (cf. Lk 17:2), even instructing
adults to imitate their virtue and purity (cf. Mt 18:2). I implore leaders
in your country and throughout the world to remain vigilant so that
no compromise will be made in this regard. Children and adolescents
must receive a solid formation in moral values today which will strengthen
the social fabric of your country tomorrow. Indeed, an appreciation
of these values and an attitude of respect for others are just as important
as any technical skills young people may acquire in view of their professional
vocation.
Initiatives aimed at achieving peace need to be rooted in a proper
understanding of the human person and the inviolability of his or her
innate rights. As I recently remarked, the "universality, indivisibility
and interdependence of human rights all serve as guarantees safeguarding
human dignity" (Address to the General Assembly of the United Nations
Organization, 18 April 2008). Your Excellency has pointed to new mechanisms
which have been set in motion to monitor human rights and redress humanitarian
issues in Sri Lanka. In this regard, it is encouraging to note your
Government's decision to set up a special Commission of Inquiry for
the purpose of investigating cases where there seems to have been a
disregard for justice and human rights. It is hoped that every effort
will be made to ensure that the Commission completes its work expeditiously
so that the truth about all of these cases may come to light. I think
in particular of Father Jimbrown and his assistant, whose whereabouts
are still unknown, almost two years after their disappearance. The Government's
interest in these cases reflects the responsibility of political authorities
to guarantee an ordered and upright community life based on the principles
of justice and directed towards the attainment of the common good (cf.
Gaudium et Spes, 74).
Mr Ambassador, as you assume your new responsibilities, I offer you
my good wishes for the successful fulfilment of your mission, confident
that the bonds of friendship which exist between the Holy See and Sri
Lanka will be further strengthened in the years to come. I assure you
that the various offices and departments of the Holy See are ready to
offer their resources in a spirit of collaboration. Upon Your Excellency,
your family and the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri
Lanka I invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty God."
Web Link: http://www.zenit.org/article-22805?l=english
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