Pope Francis’ vision of global solidarity and interreligious fraternity has found a foothold in Kazakhstan, a predominantly Muslim Central Asian nation. Source: National Catholic Register.
Over the course of his 11-year pontificate, Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasised the themes of global solidarity, peace, fraternity and dialogue between religions.
The worsening conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere suggest his words have fallen on deaf ears. But Francis’ vision has gained a foothold in an unlikely place: the Republic of Kazakhstan.
A meeting of interreligious leaders in the nation’s capital of Astana on October 6 provided a concrete manifestation of the country’s affinity for the peaceful dialogue the Holy Father so ardently promotes.
The event was held inside the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a futuristic, pyramid-shaped centre built in 2006 precisely for these types of gatherings.
There, dozens of men and women representing Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Lutheranism and Judaism were seated around an enormous round table, symbolising equality and the shared human dignity before God.
The Vatican’s involvement at the event – the 22nd session of the Secretariat of the Congress of World Leaders and Traditional Religions – was notable, given that just 1 per cent of Kazakhstan’s population (about 200,000 people) are Catholic.
The interreligious congress draws direct inspiration from the Catholic tradition, particularly from St John Paul II’s interreligious gatherings in Assisi and his visit to Kazakhstan in 2001. The first congress was convened two years later, in 2003.
Kazakhstan is home to 120 ethnic groups and nearly 4000 religious organisations, representing 18 religious bodies. This diverse religious landscape plays a key role in the country’s social fabric.
“Kazakhstan shares the global vision of the Catholic Church, which is rooted in the ideals of goodness, justice, solidarity and compassion,” Kairat Sarzhanov, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Holy See, said.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan, Archbishop George Panamthundil, said the interreligious meeting was an opportunity for participants “to deepen their understanding of their own faith,” because, he said, “to engage in dialogue, one must first know their own beliefs well.”
FULL STORY
Is Anyone Listening to Pope Francis’ Call for Interreligious Dialogue? Kazakhstan Is (By Alexey Gotovskiy, National Catholic Register)
