The cry of the victims of war, of those living under the threat of bombs and are forced to “leave their homes into the unknown, stripped of everything”, echoed across Assisi; those crushed by a devastated life, who “far too often encounter the deafening silence of indifference, the selfishness of those annoyed at being pestered, the coldness of those who silence their cry for help with the same ease with which television channels are changed.”
Pope Francis and representatives of world religions returned to Assisi to reiterate in clear terms that the “name of God cannot be used to justify terrorism and violence”, and to use instead “the meek strength of prayer against the force of weapons, to stir the consciences of those who, in the name of a new, sad “paganism of indifference” turn a blind eye to the suffering of humanity.
The Spirit of Assisi lives strong. It resonates strongly. For, even though times have changed in the past 30 years, the world is now facing a new piecemeal third world war that worms its way throughout the whole world like a cancer, spreading violence and terror, far too often perpetrated using he name of God. “Thirst for peace” is the title of this year’s peace meeting of religious leaders, organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio, the diocese of Assisi and the Franciscan Families. Over 500 religious leaders, along with dignitaries representing the cultural and political realms, gathered for two days to address consequential issues such as world poverty, migration and armed conflicts.
Pope Francis joined them, gathering in prayer in Assisi, the town of the Poor Man. He was received with a warm embrace by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch Efrem II. He greeted them one by one, shaking their hands and stopping to speak with them. Among the religious leaders figure also imams and ulemas, rabbis and representatives of eastern religious traditions. Also a group of refugees arrived to welcome the Pope, in the Spirit of Saint Francis. They crossed the Balkan route and the Mediterranean Sea.
In the lower church of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Christian faithful gathered in prayer for all the Countries hit by terrorism and wars; for peace in the Middle East, for the end of tensions in the Caucasus regions, for peace in Latin America, for harmony among Asian populations, for reconciliation between North and South Korea. Rabbis, imams, ulemas, representatives of Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrians, gathered in various places of worship, addressing to God the same invocation for peace according to their religious tradition.
“We never tire of repeating that the name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!”
The crowd gathered in the square facing St. Francis’ Basilica applauded enthusiastically at the Pope’s words.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew equally called upon all religious leaders present to reflect on “where we may have been wrong, or where we have not been careful enough; why fundamentalisms have risen, threatening not only dialogue with others, but even dialogue within our own selves, our very coexistence. We have to be able to isolate them, to purify them, in the light of our faiths, to transform them into richness for all.”
All those present in the square in Assisi stood up for a minute of silence in memory of all the victims of wars. Then, the appeal for Peace was read out loud, denouncing in strong, clear terms: “The one who calls upon God’s name to justify terrorism, violence and war does not follow God’s path. War in the name of religion becomes a war against religion itself. With firm resolve, therefore, we reiterate that violence and terrorism are opposed to an authentic religious spirit”, declared the religious leaders.
War will not end. As of tomorrow the death toll will continue, along with the construction of new walls. But Assisi has shown to the world a different page, namely, the true face of religions that says NO to terror. It’s the true face of a humanity that doesn’t turn a blind eye, that is capable of listening to the cries of those in need.
