No 5624 CORPUS CHRISTI CELEBRATIONS IN GLASGOW, CROY SEE PAGE 2 Friday June 12 2015 | £1 Pope calls for an end to atmosphere of war
By Ian Dunn
POPE Francis has warned an ‘atmos- phere of war’ is haunting the world and urged the people of war-torn Sarajevo to provide an example of how those of different religions can live together peacefully. On a one-day visit to the Bosnian city last weekend the Holy Father was greeted by a 65,000-strong crowd at the city’s Olympic stadium and tens of thou- sands more took to the streets to greet him. Many conflicts across the planet amount to ‘a kind of third world war being fought piecemeal and, in the context of global communications, we sense an atmosphere of war,’ the Pope said in a Mass at the stadium. ‘Some wish to incite and foment this atmosphere deliberately,’ he added on those who want to foster division for political ends or profit from war through arms dealing. “But war means children, women and the elderly in refugee camps, it means forced dis- placement, destroyed houses, streets and factories: above all countless shat- Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with “Dialogue is a school of humanity and tered lives. You know this well having priests, men and women religious and a builder of unity, which helps to build a experienced it here.” seminarians in Sacred Heart Cathedral in society founded on tolerance and mutual Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina respect,” the Pope continued. “For dia- Leaders logue to be authentic and effective, it pre- The Pope also met with leaders of the supposes a solid identity: without an prominent religions represented in common humanity, building together a established identity, dialogue is of no use Bosnia and Herzegovina during the trip, future of peace and brotherhood,” the or even harmful. I say this with the HOLY FATHER LIFTS 2015 telling them that if fraternal dialogue is Pope said. young in mind, but it applies to every- fostered, the country—once torn by war Speaking during the encounter in one.” and ethnic divisions—could become a Sarajevo with local leaders of Catholi- CARITAS AWARD STUDENTS sign of peace for the world. cism, Orthodoxy, Judaism, and Islam Guardians “In a world unfortunately rent by con- Pope Francis stressed that their work in The Pope said religious leaders are the More than 1110 of Scotland’s young people were honoured at the annual Caritas Award flicts, this land can become a message: the region is immensely important, par- ‘first guardians’ of Bosnia and Herze- ceremony held last week in Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium. attesting that it is possible to live together ticularly because Sarajevo ‘stands as the govina, and assured them of the The pupils are in their last year of school and achieved the award—and recognition side by side, in diversity but rooted in a crossroads of peoples and cultures.’ Church’s continued support and will- from Pope Francis—by spending their time on a journey of faith, helping out in their “Interreligious dialogue, before being ingness to help. communities and parishes. a discussion of the main themes of faith, “Though a lot of progress has been Amongst those picking up the award were six pupils—three Catholics, one Church of is a conversation about human exis- made in the 20 years since the conclu- Scotland pupil, a Muslim and a Sikh—from Rutherglen High, a school for those with tence,” he said, explaining that through sion of the country’s war, we are all additional support needs. Pictured above is Krishan Par, who has cerebral palsy, and dialogue a spirit of fraternity is devel- aware that there is a long way yet to whose Caritas journey included helping out in St Anthony’s Church, Rutherglen, and vis- iting Lourdes. More on Rutherglen High, page 4. Special Caritas Award report, pages 5-7 oped, which unites peoples and promotes go,” he observed. PIC: PAUL McSHERRY moral values, as well as justice, peace, and freedom. I Continued on page 8
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