Couples It With Self-Defense as Response to Terrorism
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Forgiveness and self-defense are the two elements that make up the response to terrorism, says the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto said that on Monday during the introduction of the International Seminar for Catholic Civil Aviation Chaplains and Chaplaincy Members, being sponsored by his dicastery this week.
"We hold that it is our duty as the faithful to respond to terrorism with forgiveness, permitting justice to follow its course," the archbishop said.
"At the same time," he added, "we are aware of the duty to defend ourselves and all innocent people around us, especially in airports where we carry out our mission, without forgetting that human rights must be rigorously respected."
According to Archbishop Marchetto, the "measures taken that are repressive or punitive are not sufficient in themselves to stop terrorism. It is necessary to work together to be effective."
The prelate concluded by saying the world's great religions should "work together to respond to terrorism, in particular by emphasizing the dignity of the human person and by working toward a clearer understanding of the uniqueness of the family of peoples."
Code: ZE07042402
Date: 2007-04-24