(From our correspondents in Assisi) – That “religion actually drives violence is something that, as religious people, must deeply concern us”, pointed out Benedict XVI as he spoke in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli to the delegations of different religions that have been convened to Assisi. The Pope spoke of terrorism, often “religiously motivated”, thus bringing religion not “to serve peace, but is used as justification for violence”. “The religious delegates who were assembled in Assisi in 1986 – the Pope recalled – wanted to say, and we now repeat it emphatically and firmly: this is not the true nature of religion. It is the antithesis of religion and contributes to its destruction”. “In the course of history – he mentioned –, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith. We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature. The God in whom we Christians believe is the Creator and Father of all, and from him all people are brothers and sisters and form one single family”.

© www.agensir.it - october 27th 2011