Kazakhstan. Congress of religions 'holds positive message'
The congress, the third in a series, was held on July 1-2. It was attended by representatives of many world religions, Israeli President Shimon Peres, and top officials of the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The congress is the brainchild of Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Archbishop Peta, responding to a question by a French Catholic Television reporter on whether the congress merely aimed at giving Kazakhstan publicity, said that it offered a positive message.
He noted that in a situation of much pessimism in the world, Kazakhstan has decided to "hold a congress of the heads of world religions."
President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran, when asked by media people, said, "I think it is better to talk with each other rather than ignore each other." The cardinal headed an eight-member Catholic delegation.
He added that through dialogue, delegates could work to seek the truth.
Apart from Roman Catholics, representatives of the Greek Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Lutheran Churches attended the meeting together with Israel's Chief Rabbi, the General Secretary of the World Islamic League and leaders of Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism and other religions.
Participants discussed the role of religious leaders in building international tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation.
The congress agreed that it was necessary to address the topic of spiritual values, particularly during the current difficult financial times.
The conferences are held every three years and modeled on interreligious dialogue initiatives held by the late Pope John Paul II in Assisi, Italy.
The next world religions congress is scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan in 2012.
The Catholic Church in Kazakhstan consists of one archdiocese, two dioceses and an apostolic administration.
Kazakhstan's population of 15 million is 60 percent Muslim and about 30 percent Russian Orthodox. There are around 250,000 Catholics in the country, Kazinform refers to News Bullettin No24 of the Kazakhstan Embassy in the USA.