RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO WILL ATTEND DAY OF PRAYER IN ASSISI
Significant Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish Presence

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 23, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Hundreds of representatives of the world´s religions will convene in Assisi, Italy, on Thursday, united for a common purpose: to pray for God´s gift of peace and to condemn violence as a profanation of his name.

The religious leaders who go to St. Francis´ city will have the same objective, but they will not pray together. Each religious group will pray in a particular place -- including the Zoroastrians, who will light their liturgical fire in an open-air cloister.

A seven-car "peace train" will take the participants from the Vatican to Assisi.

As was the case for the Assisi prayer meeting convoked by the Pope in 1986, the response of Christian leaders on this occasion has been overwhelming.

There will be representatives of the Anglican Communion; World Lutheran Federation; Alliance of Reformed Churches; Pentecostals; World Baptist Alliance; Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers); Salvation Army; and the World Council of Churches, an ecumenical organization.

The most significant response came from the Orthodox Churches, beginning with Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, "first among equals" among Christians of the so-called Eastern schism.

He will be joined by 16 other Eastern Churches. The most striking presence will be that of Archbishop Pitrim, metropolitan of Volokolamsk; and Juriev, patriarchal vicar of Moscow, who is representing Alexy II, the Orthodox patriarch of Moscow. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Orthodox Church has shunned contact with the Roman Pontiff.

Muslim cooperation

The most numerous leaders in Assisi after the Christians will be the Muslims. The meeting itself is in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, and John Paul II is interested on promoting Muslim participation.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Jerusalem, Morocco, Sudan, the Philippines, Libya, and several European countries, black African countries, and the United States will send Muslim representatives.

Rashid Benhagi, Algerian film director, explained to Vatican Radio how Muslims have regarded this convocation.

"Prayer is a time of recollection," Benhagi said. "If we stopped to pray before we did anything, to see what is within us, to bring to the fore this inner, human dimension, then, I think, we would be able to control irrational actions, actions that don´t make any sense."

"At this time, when the word has been given to arms, an event of this kind leads us above all to reflect," he said. "When such an event takes place at a time of chaos, it is more forceful.

"Thank goodness there is someone who says: ´Stop for a while, and let´s look at those differences that impel us to kill one another.´ Then we begin to analyze and we realize that in reality religion has nothing to do with it, because there are other factors at play, whether political, economic, etc."

Dialogue with Judaism

Judaism will be represented in Assisi by leaders from Israel, the United States, France, England, Belgium, Brazil and Italy. Among them are:

--Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (United States)

--Professor Leon Feldman, secretary of the International Committee for Interreligious Consultations (United States)

--Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of the International Coordinating Council in Israel (Jerusalem)

--Rabbi Alan Placey, responsible for interreligious questions, Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth of Nations (London)

--Chief Rabbi David Rosen, president of the International Council of Christians and Jews (Jerusalem)

--Rabbi Israel Singer, president of the governing board, World Jewish Congress (United States)

Chief Rabbi Giuseppe Laras of Milan, president of the Assembly of Rabbis of Italy, explained over Vatican Radio the presence of these representatives at the Day of Prayer: "It is a response to a terrible situation. In dramatic situations one is more concentrated, as is correct, on values of the spirit, on the power of prayer."

He continued: "I am thinking of that passage of Exodus in which Moses, while Amalek´s attack is taking place, raises his hands to heaven and Israel prevails over the adverse and violent elements that sought its destruction. What does it mean to raise one´s arms to heaven? It means to invite everyone to change their perspective, directing it toward spiritual values, because this relation with God and with the heavens, with the transcendent, gives us the strength to overcome contingent violence, which often tries to impose itself."

Buddhist presence

Buddhists will be present too. Geshe Tashi Tsering will represent the Dalai Lama at Assisi. Along with him are representatives of the principal Buddhist schools and denominations, especially Zen, as well as Rissho Kosei-kai, a lay association.

Father Massimiliano Mizzi, director and founder of the International Franciscan Center for Dialogue, explained to ZENIT that for Buddhism, "peace is, above all, a human virtue, which stems from the harmony in one´s heart. And inner peace is attained through prayer."

The Buddhists will meet for prayer in a Romanesque hall overlooking the plains. One of them began to intone the litanies that are repeated by all, in order to obtain harmony within as well as with creation.

Representation of all religions

Five important leaders of Hinduism from India will also be in Assisi. With them will be believers in Tenrikyo, Shintoism (the president of the Korean National Center for Confucianism), as well as leaders of Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and traditional African religions.

* * *

[Following is the Italian-language list published Tuesday of religious leaders who have confirmed their intention to be in Assisi.]

PARTECIPANTI

CHIESE ORTODOSSE

Patriarcato Ecumenico

- Sua Santità Bartholomaios I, Patriarca Ecumenico

- Sua Eminenza Gennadios, Arcivescovo-Metropolita dei Greci Ortodossi in Italia, Esarca dell´Europa Meridionale

- S.E. Emmanuel, Vescovo di Reghion, Direttore dell´Ufficio della Chiesa Ortodossa presso la Comunità Europea

- Diacono Stefanos, Diacono patriarcale

- Sig. Nikolas Manghinas

- Sig. Basilios Karaghiorghis

Patriarcato Greco ortodosso d´Alessandria e di tutta l´Africa

- S.E. George [Vladimirou], Vescovo di Nilopolis, Vicario Patriarcale in Alessandria

Patriarcato Greco ortodosso d´Antiochia e di tutto l´Oriente

- Sua Beatitudine Ignace IV Hazim, Patriarca greco ortodosso d´Antiochia e di tutto l´Oriente

- S.E. Lukas El Khoury, Vescovo Ausiliare del Patriarca

- S.E. Gabriel Saliby, Metropolita dell´Europa Occidentale e Centrale

- Sig. Dimitri Yamanoglu, Segretario, al seguito del Metropolita Saliby

Patriarcato Greco ortodosso di Gerusalemme

- Rev.mo Archimandrita Nikolaos Nikodimos Farmakis

- Rev.mo P. Rafaele Apostolos Anagnostakis

Patriarcato ortodosso di Mosca

- S.E. Pitirim, Metropolita di Volokolamsk e Juriev, Vicario Patriarcale di Mosca

- S.E. Innokentij, Vescovo di Korsoun

- S.E. Hilarion, Vescovo di Kerchen

Patriarcato ortodosso di Serbia

- S.E. Jovan, Metropolita di Zagabria e Ljubljana

Patriarcato ortodosso di Romania

- S.E. Ioan Salagean, Vescovo di Harghita e Covasna

Patriarcato ortodosso di Bulgaria

- Rev.mo Arciprete Ivan Petkin, Vicario Episcopale per l´Europa Centrale e Occidentale

Chiesa ortodossa di Cipro

- S.E. Vasilios, Vescovo di Trimithus, Vicario dell´Arcivescovo greco ortodosso di Nea Justiniana e tutta Cipro

- Prof. Christos Economou

Chiesa ortodossa di Polonia

- Rev.mo Archimandrita Jerzy [Pankowski]

Chiesa ortodossa d´Albania

- Sua Beatitudine Anastas, Arcivescovo di Tirana, Durres e di tutta l´Albania

- Rev. P. Jani Trebicka, Segretario Generale del Santo Sinodo

ANTICHE CHIESE DELL´ORIENTE

Patriarcato Siro ortodosso d´Antiochia

- S.E. Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, Metropolita di Aleppo

Chiesa Apostolica Armena

- S.E. Khajak Barsamian, Primate della Diocesi Orientale degli Stati Uniti d´America

Catholicossato Armeno di Cilicia

- S.E. Oshagan Choloyan, Arcivescovo Prelato della Costa Orientale degli Stati Uniti d´America e Canada

Chiesa ortodossa d´Etiopia

- Rev.mo P. Abba G. Egziabher G. Selassie, Rettore della Comunità Etiopica di Roma

- Dr. Tarekegne Taka, Presidente dell´Associazione della Comunità Etiopica in Italia

Chiesa Ortodossa Sira del Malankar (India)

- S.E. Thomas Mar Athanasius, Vescovo di Chengannur

- Rev. Dr. Mathew Baby, Orthodox Syrian Seminary, Kottayam

Chiesa Assira dell´Oriente

- Sua Santità Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarca della Chiesa Assira dell´Oriente

- S.E. Mar Bawai Ashur Soro, Vescovo Assiro di Seattle, Segretario Generale

della Commissione interecclesiale per le relazioni ecumeniche

CHIESE, COMUNITÀ ECCLESIALI, FEDERAZIONI, ALLEANZE E ORGANIZZAZIONI CRISTIANE D´OCCIDENTE

Comunione Anglicana

- S.E. Richard Garrard, Vescovo Assistente per la Diocesi d´Europa della Chiesa d´Inghilterra, Direttore del Centro Anglicano in Roma

Federazione Luterana Mondiale

- Rev. Dr. Ismael Noko, Segretario Generale della Federazione Luterana Mondiale

- S.E. Munib A. Younan, Vescovo Luterano di Gerusalemme

Alleanza Mondiale delle Chiese Riformate

- Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, Segretario Generale dell´Alleanza Mondiale delle Chiese Riformate

Chiesa Presbiteriana di Scozia

- Rev.mo John D. Miller, Moderatore

Consiglio Metodista Mondiale

- Rev.mo Sunday Mbang, Presidente del Consiglio Metodista Mondiale

- Rev. Dr. George Freeman, Segretario Generale del Consiglio Metodista Mondiale

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

- Rev. Alvin O. Jackson, Moderatore, Pastore della National City Christian Church a Washington

- Dr. David M. Thompson, Moderatore del Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council e primo Vice Presidente della World Convention of Churches of Christ

Pentecostali

- Rev. Dr. Cecil M. Robeck, Co-Presidente della Commissione internazionale di dialogo cattolica-pentecostale

Alleanza Battista Mondiale

- Rev. Denton Lotz, Segretario Generale dell´Alleanza Battista Mondiale

Federazione Battista Europea

- Rev. Pastore Italo Benedetti, Unione Battista Italiana

Conferenza Mennonita Mondiale

- Dr. Mesach Krisetya, Presidente della Conferenza Mennonita Mondiale

The Salvation Army

- Capitano Pascal Lemasle, Quartiere Generale per l´Italia dell´Esercito della Salvezza

- Capitano Frederick Wong, Quartiere Generale per l´Italia dell´Esercito della Salvezza

Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quaccheri)

- Ms. Hamsa Eichler, del Vienna Quaker Group

Moravian Church (Chiesa Morava)

- Rev. Angetile Yesaya Musomba, Direttore della Unity Board della Chiesa Morava - Unitas Fratrum

World Council of Churches (Consiglio Ecumenico delle Chiese)

- Rev. Konrad Raiser, Segretario Generale del Consiglio Ecumenico delle Chiese

EBRAISMO

- Rabbino Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, Direttore del Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (Stati Uniti d´America)

- Prof. Dr. Leon Feldman, Segretario dell´International Committee for Interreligious Consultations (Stati Uniti d´America)

- Rabbino Ron Kronish, Direttore dell´International Coordinating Council in Israel (Gerusalemme)

- Rabbino Alan Placey, Responsabile per le questioni interreligiose, Ufficio del Rabbino Capo della United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth of Nations (Londra)

- Rabbino Capo David Rosen, Presidente, International Council of Christians and Jews (Gerusalemme)

- Rabbino Israel Singer, Presidente del Governing Board, World Jewish Congress (Stati Uniti d´America)

- Gran Rabbino Samuel-René Sirat, del Concistoro Centrale (Francia)

- Rabbino Arthur Schneier, Presidente, Appeal of Conscience Foundation (Stati Uniti d´America)

- Rabbino Henry I. Sobel, Senior Rabbi, Congregação Israelita Paulista (São Paulo)

- Dott. Maram Stern, Segretario Generale aggiunto, World Jewish Congress, Bruxelles

- Rabbino Prof. Elio Toaff, Rabbino Capo emerito di Roma (Italia)

ISLAMISMO

- Prof. Hamid Ahmad Al-Rifaie, Arabia Saudita

- Dr. Mohammad Sammak, Libano

- S.E. Dr. Mahid Mutilan, Presidente Ulama League, Filippine

- Msr. Mutilan, Filippine

- S.E. Dr. Kamil Al-Sharif, Giordania

- Dr. Ali Wahby El Samman, Egitto

- S.E. Imam Wallace Deen Mohammed, Stati Uniti d´America

- Imam Abdul Karim Hasan, Stati Uniti d´America

- S.A.R. Principe El Hassan bin Talal, Giordania

- Hojjatoleslam Ghomi, Iran

- Hojjatoleslam ´Alami, Iran

- S.E. Gran Muftì Mustafa Ceric, Bosnia

- Dr. Ifet Mustafic, Bosnia

- S.E. Gran Muftì Selim Myumyum Mehmed, Bulgaria

- Dr. Nikolay Pankov, Bulgaria

- Shaikh Abdel Salam E.H. Abushukhaidem, Gerusalemme

- Shaikh Saad A.M. Darwish, Gerusalemme

- Dr. Main Badawi Ibrahim Dweik, Gerusalemme

- Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Sharif, Libia

- Dr. Mansour Tantush, Libia

- S.E. Gran Muftì Kafiz Sabri Kochi, Albania

- Mr. Bujar Mullahi, Albania

- S.E. Reshat Bardhi, Albania

- Mr. Edmond Brahimaj, Albania

- S.E. Imam Mahmoud Hammad Ibrahim Sheweitah, Italia

- Shaikh Ahmed Khalifa Niasse, Senegal

- Prof. Ahmed Abd al Rahman Mohammed, Sudan

- Dr. Ridvan Caarkir, Turchia

- Mr. Abdul Chapor Mohammed Taha Al-Qaysi, Iraq

- Mr. Yassin Hikmat Taha Ibrahim, Iraq

- Dr. Mohammed Yassef, Marocco

BUDDISMO

- Geshe Tashi Tsering, Rappresentante del Dalai Lama, Gran Bretagna

- Most Ven. Yi I, Rappresentante Fo Kuang Shan - Taiwan, Capo Delegazione

- Ven. Chueh Yann

- Ven. Chueh Ru

- Most Ven. Gensho Hozumi, Rinzai Zen, Giappone

Federazione Buddista Giapponese (Giappone)

- Monst Ven. Chiko Iwagami, Capo Delegazione

- Mr. Yuki Kashiwagi

- Dr. Kenneth Kenichi Tanaka

- Dr. Satoru Eguchi

Tendai (Giappone)

- Most Ven. Kojun Handa, Capo Delegazione

- Most Ven. Ryoko Nishioka

- Ms. Hatsuko Handa

- Ven. Ejun Ota

- Ven. Tetsuen Saito

- Ven. Yuigyo Okubo

- Ms. Yumiko Nishioka

- Mr. Uchiyama

- Mr. Yoshihiro Kitagawa

Rissho Kosei-kai (Giappone)

- Rev. President Nichiko Niwano, Capo Dlegazione

- Rev. Hideyuki Kobayashi

- Dr. Koichi Kawamoto

- Mr. Yasutomo Sawahata

- Ms. Megumi Hirota

- Mr. Junichi Kazawa

Myochikai (Giappone)

- Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, Capo Delegazione

- Mr. Fumitoshi Hongo

- Ms. Yasuko Waki

- Mr. Shoro Fujita

TENRIKYO

- Rev. Zensuke Nakata, Capo Delegazione

- Rev. Noriaki Nagao

- Rev. Hideo Yamaguchi

- Dr. Ikuo Higashibaba

SHINTOISMO

Oomoto

- On. Yasumi Hirose, Capo Delegazione

- Mr. Mitsuo Yamazaki

- Mr. Masamichi Tanaka

- Mr. Katsuya Kimura

- Mr. Kimio Matsumoto

- Mr. Akira Naruo

CONFUCIANESIMO

- Ven. Chang Gyon Choi, Presidente del Centro Nazionale per il Confucianesimo, Corea

GIAINISMO

- Mr. Harshad Nandlal Sanghrajka, Gran Bretagna

SIKHISMO

- Mr. Harbans Singh, Singapore

- Bhai Sahijb Mohinder Singh, Capo Delegazione, Gran Bretagna

- Mr. Sewa Singh Mandla, Gran Bretagna

- Mr. Gurcharan Singh Chandan, Gran Bretagna

- Jethadar Joginder Vedanti, India

- Baba Amar Singh, India

- Sardar Prithipal Singh, India

- Manjinder Singh, India

- Jasdev Singh Rai, India

- Kamaljit Singh, India

INDUISMO

- Shri Krishnarajav Vanavarayar, India

- Mrs. Karuna Vanavarayar, India

- Mrs. Dhanashree Srinivas Talwalkar, India

- Prof. Raj Krishan Srivastava, India

- Swamiji Agnivesh, India

ZOROASTRIANESIMO

- Ervad Rustom Bhedwar, Gran Bretagna

RELIGIONI TRADIZIONALI AFRICANE

- Komfo Afua Serwah Mensah, Ghana

- Mr. Gasseto Ainadou, Benin

- Mr. Alexander André Paqui, Benin

CARDINALI, ARCIVESCOVI E VESCOVI

- Card. Angelo Sodano, Segretario di Stato di Sua Santità

- Card. Roger Etchegaray, Presidente emerito del Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace

- Card. Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, Patriarca di Antiochia dei Maroniti

- Card. Ignace Moussa I Daoud, Prefetto della Congregazione per le Chiese Orientali

- Card. Carlo Maria Martini, Arcivescovo di Milano

- Card. Francis Arinze, Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Inter-Religioso

- Card. Jozef Tomko, Prefetto emerito della Congregazione per l´Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

- Card. Silvano Piovanelli, Arcivescovo emerito di Firenze

- Card. Eduardo Martínez Somalo, Prefetto della Congregazione per gli Istituti di vita consacrata e le Società di vita apostolica

- Card. Achille Silvestrini, Prefetto emerito della Congregazione per le Chiese Orientali

- Card. Michele Giordano, Arcivescovo di Napoli

- Card. Camillo Ruini, Vicario Generale di Sua Santità per la Diocesi di Roma

- Card. Vinko Puljic, Arcivescovo di Vrhbosna (Bosnia ed Erzegovina)

- Card. Salvatore De Giorgi, Arcivescovo di Palermo

- Card. Polycarp Pengo, Arcivescovo di Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania)

- Card. Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, Vescovo di Kaohsiung (Taiwan)

- Card. Giovanni Battista Re, Prefetto della Congregazione per i Vescovi

- Card. Severino Poletto, Arcivescovo di Torino

- Card. Cormac Murphy-O´Connor, Arcivescovo di Westminster (Gran Bretagna)

- Card. Edward Michael Egan, Arcivescovo di New York (Stati Uniti d´America)

- Card. Lubomyr Husar, Arcivescovo Maggiore di Lviv degli Ucraini (Ucraina)

- Card. Edward Idris Cassidy, Presidente emerito del Pontificio Consiglio per la Promozione dell´Unità dei Cristiani

- Card. Luigi Poggi, Archivista emerito di Santa Romana Chiesa

- Card. Lorenzo Antonetti, Delegato Pontificio per la Patriarcale Basilica di S. Francesco in Assisi

- Card. François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân, Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace

- Card. Sergio Sebastiani, Presidente della Prefettura degli Affari Economici della Santa Sede

- Card. José Saraiva Martins, Prefetto della Congregazione delle Cause dei Santi

- Card. Crescenzio Sepe, Prefetto della Congregazione per l´Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

- Card. Walter Kasper, Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio per la Promozione dell´Unità dei Cristiani

- Sua Beatitudine Raphaël I Bidawid, Patriarca di Babilonia dei Caldei

- S.E. Leonardo Sandri, Sostituto per gli Affari Generali della Segreteria di Stato

- S.E. Jean-Louis Tauran, Segretario per i Rapporti con gli Stati della Segreteria di Stato

- S.E. Marc Ouellet, Segretario del Pontificio Consiglio per la Promozione dell´Unità dei Cristiani

- S.E. Giampaolo Crepaldi, Segretario del Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace

- S.E. Michael Louis Fitzgerald, Segretario del Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Inter-Religioso

- S.E. Paolo Romeo, Nunzio Apostolico in Italia

- S.E. Paolo Sardi, Nunzio Apostolico con Incarichi speciali

- S.E. Josip Bozanic, Arcivescovo di Zagreb (Croazia)

- S.E. Amédée Grab, Vescovo di Chur, Presidente del Consiglio delle Conferenze Episcopali d´Europa

- S.E. Simon Ntamwana, Arcivescovo di Gitega (Burundi)

- S.E. Víctor Manuel López Forero, Arcivescovo di Bucaramanga (Colombia)

- S.E. Fernando R. Capalla, Arcivescovo di Davao (Filippine)

- S.E. Johannes Sudiarna Hadiwikarta, Vescovo di Surabaya (Indonesia)

- S.E. Joseph Bagobiri, Vescovo di Kafanchan (Nigeria)

- S.E. Andrew Francis, Vescovo di Multan (Pakistan)

- S.E. Augustin Misago, Vescovo di Gikongoro (Rwanda)

- S.E. Juan María Uriarte Goiricelaya, Vescovo di San Sebastián (Spagna)

- S.E. Oswald Thomas Colman Gomis, Vescovo di Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka)

- S.E. Fouad Twal, Vescovo di Tunis (Tunisia)

Sono presenti, inoltre:

- Vescovi Membri del Consiglio Permanente della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana

- Membri della Commissione della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana per l´Ecumenismo e il Dialogo

- Arcivescovi e Vescovi dell´Umbria, di diverse Diocesi dell´Italia, di Taiwan, del Viêt Nam e di altri Paesi.

AUTORITÀ CIVILI

- S.E. il Signor Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Presidente della Repubblica Italiana, e Seguito

- S.E. il Signor Silvio Berlusconi, Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri, e Seguito

- On. Pier Ferdinando Casini, Presidente della Camera dei Deputati

- On. Pietro Lunardi, Ministro per le Infrastrutture e i Trasporti, e Seguito

- On. Giuliano Urbani, Ministro per i Beni e le Attività Culturali

- On. Gianni Letta, Sottosegretario alla Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri

- On. Paolo Bonaiuti, Sottosegretario alla Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri

INVITATI

- Chiara Lubich, Opera di Maria (Focolarini)

- Andrea Riccardi, Comunità di Sant´Egidio

- Jesús Carrascosa, Comunione e Liberazione

- Kiko Argüello, Cammino Neocatecumenale

- Paola Bignardi, Azione Cattolica Italiana

- Frère Denis, Comunità di Taizé

- Suor Nirmala, Superiora Generale Missionarie della Carità

- Suor Raymonde-Andrée, Superiora Generale Piccole Sorelle di Gesù

- Padre Angelo Panigatti, Barnabiti

- Padre Giuseppe Moretti, Barnabiti

- Dr. William F. Vendley, Conferenza Mondiale delle Religioni per la Pace

- Dr. Peter P. Stewart, Thanksgiving Square, USA

- S.E. Sami Elia Gargis, Direttore per gli Affari cristiani, Ministero Awqaf, Iraq

- Prof. Mario Agnes, Direttore de "L´Osservatore Romano"

- Dott. Joaquín Navarro-Valls, Direttore della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede

- Padre Pasquale Borgomeo, Direttore della Radio Vaticana

- Padre Federico Lombardi, Direttore Generale ad interim del Centro Televisivo Vaticano

ZE02012325

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 23, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Bishop Piero Marini, master of the liturgical celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, explains in this declaration the meaning and details of the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World, to be held Thursday in Assisi, Italy.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAY

1. A world made more fragile by violence and terrorism

The appalling events which shook the world in September of last year, at the very beginning of the third millennium, sowed seeds of violence and hatred, and broke the spell of a society which saw itself as advanced and free, but yet in an instant found itself fragile, divided and threatened.

The terrorist acts, which struck and damaged places seen as symbols of economic and military power, touched the hearts of everyone and revealed the weakness of the world situation. There was a danger that these events would be seen as a conflict between economic and social systems or, worse still, as a clash between the Muslim world and other religions, especially Christianity.

2. The cry for peace in the hearts of believers

Beyond the predictable and almost unanimous condemnation of terrorism understood as a threat to the harmony and rights of individuals and nations throughout the world, the tragic events of September 2001 stirred a number of helpful reactions in more attentive observers, and especially among the followers of the different religions:

--First, a condemnation of terrorism and every type of armed aggression which always bring hatred and violence and everywhere sow seeds of death and sorrow.

--Second, the desire to testify together that religions are committed to fostering in the world a climate of peace, justice and understanding, avoiding at all costs opposition between the various religions and the use of the different creeds to justify war and violence.

--Third, believers of the different religions, their hearts enlightened by the religious spirit which everywhere promotes fraternity among the world´s peoples, were deeply aware of the still open and weeping wounds of injustice, ethnic and social conflict, the violence of war, and disregard for the rights of individuals and peoples, which cause suffering and endemic poverty, the lack of work and dignity, the great migrations and the menacing conflicts still taking place.

3. A shared commitment of religions before the world

Faced with this world scene, the representatives of the various religions have almost spontaneously in recent months come to a common mind on three great commitments, to which they have often given expression.

--First, a heightened sense of the value of peace as a gift from God, to be prayed for with ever greater trust, according to the practice and tradition of each religion.

--Second, the desire to demonstrate solidarity joining together in shared supplication for peace.

--Third, the urgent need to witness together to a commitment to peace and justice, both in daily life and in the great decisions of political and social life -- a witness which the secularized world, though far removed from religion, often demands and of which it feels itself in need.

4. The summons of Pope John Paul II

Ever since the fearful events of last September, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has condemned terrorism and has, with his universally recognized moral authority, urged everyone to choose peace, justice and forgiveness. He has interpreted the wishes of many in summoning Catholics to a Day of Fasting and Prayer for the sake of peace -- undertaken with great seriousness on 14 December last, during Advent -- and in inviting the Representatives of the world religions to make a pilgrimage of prayer to the City of Assisi. ´I wish to announce that I intend to invite Representatives of the religions of the world to come to Assisi on 24 January 2002 to pray for the end of conflict and the promotion of true peace, and to come together, especially Christians and Muslims, to declare before the world that religion must never become a cause of conflict, hatred and violence´ (Angelus, 18 November 2001).

In a renewed ´spirit of Assisi´, gratefully recalling the Day of Prayer for Peace on 27 October 1986, which offered the world a moving witness and was the prelude to historic change in the countries of Eastern Europe, the Holy Father has issued an invitation to come to Assisi on 24 January 2002, and this has been widely and generously accepted by Representatives of the Churches, Ecclesial Communities and the great religions of the world.

5. Testimony, prayer, commitment

The Day of Prayer for Peace is being held in Assisi, in the shadow of Saint Francis, the Poverello di Dio who witnessed to non-violence, to peace with all people, and to harmony with all of creation.

The programme will have four parts.

In the first part, after arriving in Assisi, the Holy Father welcomes and greets the Representatives of the world religions in Piazza San Francesco.

Some of the Representatives then read testimonies in favour of peace.

The second part is given to prayer. The Representatives and their delegations, respecting their own religious convictions, go to pray in different places. Christians of the various Churches and Ecclesial Communities pray together in an ecumenical celebration in the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis.

As a sign of communion and hospitality, the programme also includes a fraternal meal for the Representatives and their delegations in the Sacro Convento.

In the afternoon, the fourth part of the day will take place, again in Piazza San Francesco. It will comprise a reading by some of the Representatives of a common text of commitment to peace, the sign of the lamp, the fraternal embrace and the Holy Father´s farewell, urging renewed common witness to peace in today´s world at the beginning of the third millennium.

ORDER OF THE DAY

The programme of the day, as previously noted, is as follows:

I. Welcome and Testimonies for Peace

II. Prayer in different locations

III. Fraternal Meal

IV. Commitment to peace and conclusion

I. Welcome and Testimonies for Peace

1. Welcome

--His Holiness Pope John Paul II arrives by car at 11:00 a.m. in front of the entrance to the lower Basilica and enters Piazza San Francesco by foot. In front of the dais he welcomes the representatives who enter the Square from Via Fra Elia, together with their respective delegations, to the sound of music and the ringing of the bells of Assisi.

--Once all the representatives have taken their places on the dais, the Holy Father greets them. The choir then sings Non levabit gens contra gentem gladium.

--At the conclusion of the song, Cardinal François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, reads from the lectern a word of introduction.

2. Testimonies for Peace

Some Representatives of different Churches and Ecclesial Communities and of other Religions read from the lectern, in their own languages, a testimony in favour of peace:

--the Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartolomeus I (Greek)

--the Archbishop of Canterbury (to be read by Bishop Richard Garrard) (English)

--Dr. Ishmael Noko (World Lutheran Federation)

--Dr. Setri Nyomi (World Alliance of Reformed Churches) (English)

Musical interlude

--Geshe Tashi Tsering (Buddhism) (English)

--Chief Ainadou Gesseto (African Traditional Religion) (Fon-French)

--Didi Talwalkar (Hinduism) (English)

Musical Interlude

--Sheik Al-Azhar Mohammed Tantawi (to be read by Dr. Ali Elsamman) (Islam) (French)

--Rabbi Israel Singer (Judaism) (English)

--Chiara Lubich

--Andrea Riccardi (Catholic Church) (Italian)

3. Address by the Pope

--The Holy Father addresses the assembly.

--A moment of silence and a musical interlude follow.

4. Invitation to prayer

--The Holy Father invites all present to proceed to their respective places for prayer.

--To the sound of music, the papal choir, the representatives with their respective delegations, and the Holy Father leave the square towards the lower Basilica and make their way to the places set aside for prayer.

II. Prayer in different places

1. Access to the different places of prayer

--The papal choir and the Christian delegations enter the lower Basilica directly and take their places immediately, after which the Holy Father and the representatives of the Churches and Ecclesial Communities enter in procession.

--The representatives of the other religions, together with their delegations, upon leaving the piazza, are accompanied by the staff of the corresponding Pontifical Council and the Friars of the Convent to the places set aside for them.

2. Places set aside for prayer

--Lower Basilica: Christians

--Sacred Convent:

Room A, Islam

Room B, Buddhism

Room C, Sikhism

Room D, African Traditional Religions

Room E, Hinduism

Room F, Tenrikyo

Room G, Shintoism

Room H, Judaism

Room I, Zoroastrianism, Janinism and Confucianism

III. Fraternal Agape

At 1:30 p.m., the Holy Father and the representatives make their way to the refectory and the Delegations to other places set aside in the Convent to partake of a fraternal meal.

IV. Commitment to peace and Conclusion

1. Entrance and introduction

--At 3:30 p.m., once the Delegations have been accompanied to their places in Piazza San Francesco, the various representatives and the Holy Father make their entrance.

Music will be performed during the entrance.

--Once all are at their places, the opening hymn is sung: O quam pulchri pedes annunciantis pacem.

--At the conclusion of the hymn, Cardinal Francis Arinze, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, reads an introduction from the lectern.

2. Commitment to peace

--The Franciscan Friars bring a lighted lamp to the Holy Father and the representatives.

--Some of the representatives take their places around the lectern and read the text of the common commitment to peace in different languages:

--the Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartolomeus I (French)

--the Rev. Dr. Konrad Raiser (Ecumenical Council of Churches) (German)

--Bhai Sabhibji Mohinder Singh (Sikh) (Punjab)

--Metropolitan Pitirim (Orthodox) (Russian)

--Metropolitan Jovan (Orthodox) (Serbian)

--Sheikh Abdel Salam Abushukhadaem (Muslim) (Arabic)

--Bishop Vasilios (Orthodox) (Greek)

--Mr Chang-Gyou Choi (Confucian) (Korean)

--Hojjatoleslam Ghomi (Muslim) (Parsi)

--The Rev. Nichiko Niwano (Buddhist) (Japanese)

--Rabbi Samuel-René Sirat (Jewish) (Hebrew)

--Dr. Mesach Krisetya (World Mennonite Conference) (English)

--The Holy Father confirms and concludes the shared commitment to peace in these words:

Violence never again!

War never again!

Terrorism never again!

In God´s name,

may all religions bring upon earth

justice and peace,

forgiveness, life and love!

--The Holy Father, followed by the representatives, makes his way to the pedestal in the centre before the platform and places the lamp there. The representatives do the same after him.

Meanwhile, the Canticle of the Creatures of Saint Francis is sung.

3. Sign of Peace

--Once the song is finished, Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, reads from the lectern an invitation to exchange a sign of peace.

--The Holy Father exchanges a sign of peace with all the representatives.

Those in the Piazza also exchange a sign of peace to the sound of music.

4. Dismissal

--The Holy Father dismisses the gathering with a brief exhortation.

The assembly disperses to the sound of music.

* * *

"[In coming to Assisi], we will show that genuine religious belief is an inexhaustible wellspring of mutual respect and harmony among peoples; indeed it is the chief antidote to violence and conflict" (From the Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, No. 14).

Vatican City, 19 January 2002

+ PIERO MARINI

Titular Bishop of Martirano

Master of the Liturgical Celebrations

of the Supreme Pontiff

[text released by Vatican Press Office]

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