POPE URGES U.N. TO BACK RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
MANILA, APRIL 21, 2008 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago -, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI recently urged the United Nations General Assembly to support inter-religious dialogue, a Philippine initiative in the world body, to help in the attainment of peace, development and human rights.The Philippines lauded the Pope’s reference to inter-religious dialogue during his address before the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly, saying this underscores the relevance and urgency of the Philippine initiative that was launched four years ago.
“The subject of interfaith dialogue is very dear to the Philippines because it is the leading proponent of this initiative in the United Nations,” said Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr. shortly after hearing the Holy Father’s address before diplomats and UN officials.
“The Pope’s message goes to show that the Philippines is proceeding on the right track,” he said.
For almost 60 years, Davide said the UN had avoided the consideration of the role of religions in the attainment of the goals of the UN, until the General Assembly adopted in 2004 the resolution introduced by the Philippines on interfaith dialogue as another option in realizing durable peace.
In what is only the third time that the leader of the Roman Catholic Church addressed the General Assembly, the Pope said the UN should support inter-religious dialogue “just as it supports dialogue in other areas of human activity.”
“Dialogue should be recognized as the means by which the various components of society can articulate their points of view and build consensus around the truth concerning particular values or goals,” the Pope said.
Benedict praises American church in final US Mass Monday, April 21, 2008 05:09 AM
NEW YORK (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his final Mass in the United States before a full house in storied Yankee Stadium yesterday, blessing his enormous US flock and telling Americans to use their freedoms wisely.
Benedict beamed at a joyous crowd of 57,000, hours after making a solemn stop to pray at the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
He called the Mass "a summons to move forward with firm resolve to use wisely the blessings of freedom, in order to build a future of hope for coming generations."
Benedict seemed to enjoy his long procession to the altar in the popemobile, waving to people in the stands. From the altar, he stood to acknowledge the crowd's roar when New York Cardinal Edward Egan welcomed him.
He also praised the US church, which has 65 million members, in his homily, saying that "in this land of freedom and opportunity, the church has united a widely diverse flock" and contributed greatly to American society.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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