Fwd: Antidote to the Radioactivity of Hatred
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Date: Sun, 27 Jun 1999 14:50:47 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Fwd: Antidote to the Radioactivity of Hatred
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Orthodox Christian Mission Center <[email protected]>
Fwd: Antidote to the Radioactivity of Hatred
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MISSION CENTER
NEWS LISTSERVER
http://www.ocmc.org
Antidote to the Radioactivity of Hatred
With sincerity and pain, by word and action, the Orthodox
Autocephalous Church of Albania has repeatedly expressed her full
assistance to our Kosovo refugee brothers and sisters. At the same
time, she has persistently proclaimed that the oil of religion must
never be used to increase conflicts, but instead be used to heal
wounds and calm hearts. Now, after the cessation of armed conflict,
all religions are called to work together for peace and
reconciliation. Particular respect should be shown to every religious
symbol and monument (be it a mosque, church, teke, or monastery). A
basic presupposition for peace and justice, that all of us are seeking
in our region, is first of all respect for whatever is consecrated to
the God of peace and justice. When monuments of worship are
destroyed, then whatever has been most precious and hopeful throughout
the centuries is hurt.
After the return of democracy in Albania, all religious communities
have tried to cultivate not only tolerance and respect for one
another, but even something greater - a harmonious cooperation for the
good of the entire society, both for those who believe in God as well
as those who do not believe in Him. In all the Balkans, and especially
now in Kosovo, the different religious communities must draw from the
deepest and most genuine layers of our teachings and tradition and
become inspired workers of reconciliation and peace. We should take
the initiative in building a free and just society which will respect
the religious freedom and particularity of the other - one who does
not cease to be God's creation and our brother and sister, no matter
what he or she believes.
Blessed are those in this historic time who boldly and
self-sacrificially offer sincere love, which is the only antidote
against the spontaneous hatred that has been sown in our region and
threatens it immediately, and in the long term, as dangerous
radioactivity.
+Anastasios
Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania
24 June 1999
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