Pope concerned that religious freedom is being limited to freedom of worship

September 07, 2012

Following a papal audience, Lithuania’s new ambassador to the Holy See told Vatican Radio that Pope Benedict is concerned about “the narrowing of the freedom of faith to mere freedom of worship.”

“The conversation with the Holy Father was, I would say, intellectually very intense,” said Irena Vaishvilaité. “The Holy Father was well informed about Lithuania and the political situation.”

The Pope also “tackled a few issues such as the development of post-Communist societies and the transition in these decades, the generations that reached their maturity under oppression, under a totalitarian state, and generations that already were formed under freedom,” she added. “And that brings very different attitudes towards freedom, liberties, rights and religion, the role of religion in society. What worries the Holy Father is the narrowing of the freedom of faith to mere freedom of worship.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope discusses religious liberty with Lithuanian Ambassador (Vatican Radio)