‘Tolerance’ should not be alibi for denying religious freedom, says Vatican foreign minister

December 04, 2015

As the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe met in Belgrade to discuss religious liberty, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States said that tolerance “cannot be an alibi for denying or not guaranteeing religious freedom.”

“The Holy See has a particular duty to insist on the centrality of the freedom of religion or belief, not because it ignores other freedoms, but because the freedom of religion or belief is the litmus test for the respect of all other human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Archbishop Paul Gallagher. “The Holy See is convinced that ‘belief’ contributes, for both individuals and communities, to respect for freedom of thought, the search for truth, personal and social justice and the rule of law, all of which are necessary if there is to be a just relationship between citizens, institutions and States.”

In his December 3 remarks, the prelate also touched upon other issues, including migration, terrorism, security, the environment, and the “true and authentic equality between woman and man.”

Quoting the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Archbishop Gallagher said that “my Delegation firmly believes that male and ‘female’ differentiate two individuals of equal dignity, which does not however reflect a static equality, because the specificity of the female is different from the specificity of the male, and this difference in equality is enriching and indispensable for the harmony of life in society.”

 

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Further information:

• Intervento della Santa Sede al Consiglio ministeriale dell’Osce (Belgrado, 3-4 dicembre 2015), 03.12.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
• OSCE: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe