Archbishop Charles Scicluna said this evening that it was a pity how terrorist groups like ISIS were justifying their atrocities by a cruel interpretation of the Koran and how religion was being used as an excuse for a military campaign of war and aggression.
Delivering his homily during a mass to commemorate Victory Day in Mellieha, Mgr. Scicluna said the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta should help us reflect upon some of the pertinent issues which we are presently facing.
“The first reflection which I wish to share with you is that any form of aggressive attack of one country over another for the purpose of advantageous conquest is unjust, no matter who the aggressor happens to be. The fifth commandment – thou shalt not kill - forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action so that the divine.”
Quoting from the Cathecism of the Catholic Church, Mgr. Scicluna said “every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation.”
“Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace and avoiding war: Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until Christ comes again; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished and these words will be fulfilled: ‘they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
“How truly wonderful it is when people of different and diverse cultures live together in harmony. The true Christian strives for peace among nations, and also defends his liberty. Above all, he executes the law of love,” the Archbishop said.
Quoting Pope Francis, Mgr. Scicluna said “our relationship with the followers of Islam has taken on great importance, since they are now significantly present in many traditionally Christian countries, where they can freely worship and become fully a part of society. We must never forget that they profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, who will judge humanity on the last day.
In order to sustain dialogue with Islam, suitable training is essential for all involved, not only so that they can be solidly and joyfully grounded in their own identity, but so that they can also acknowledge the values of others, appreciate the concerns underlying their demands and shed light on shared beliefs. We Christians should embrace with affection and respect Muslim immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope and ask to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition.
I ask and I humbly entreat those countries to grant Christians freedom to worship and to practice their faith, in light of the freedom which followers of Islam enjoy in Western countries! Faced with disconcerting episodes of violent fundamentalism, our respect for true followers of Islam should lead us to avoid hateful generalisations, for authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence.”
Mgr Scicluna said: “On several occasions, the Maltese people were on the edge of danger and we were liberated through the intercession of the sweet Mother of Jesus and of St Paul, our father in faith. Today, as we respectfully commemorate the past, let us renew ourselves with a spirit of reconciliation and solidarity among nations, among religions, with creation and between peoples.”