Cardinal Parolin highlights a culture of encounter at Balkan peace forum

By Vatican News staff reporter

Speaking at the one-day Forum for Dialogue and Peace in the Balkans taking place on Saturday 17 June in Capodistria, Slovenia, Cardinal Pietro Parolin thanked those present, including the nation's President, Prime Minister, and representatives of Christians churches and other religious denominations for hosting this event. The Vatican Secretary of State noted that Slovenia is a crossroads of peoples, a bridge between different worlds and cultures bordering the Balkan area.

Peace and dialogue crucial

Cardinal Parolin remarked that dialogue and efforts for peace are crucial today, as we are witnessing with the war in Ukraine and tensions on other regions. These efforts are particularly important in the Balkan region which has witnessed tragic wars, but also and not to overlook, "extraordinary examples of peaceful coexistence among people of different ethnicities, cultures, and religions throughout the centuries." He underscored how the history of the Balkan area has shown that cultural and religious differences are "a source of richness," as reflected in the region's many churches, mosques and synagogues dotting the architectural landscape. 

Called to be peacemakers

Quoting Matthew's Gospel when Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God," Cardinal Parolin called attention to this universal call "to engage in the vast realm of peace." He explained how the Holy See as a sovereign and independent international actor, free from any material interests, has endeavoured to offer its contribution where possible to mediate conflicts between and within States or assist in the reconciliation of conflicting parties. 

He recalled how in the 1990s with the break-up of Yugoslavia prudent efforts were made to enourage the tireless pursuit of dialogue between the parties, to reject the use of force to resolve disputes, and to reestablish the peaceful coexistence among the peoples of Yugoslavia, based on mutual respect and justice. He recalled how Pope John Paul II repeatedly appealed to believers and religious leaders "to intensify dialogue and common action in seeking an atmosphere of peace and a culture of encounter among diverse populations, destined to live together in the emerging new Europe."

Investing in a culture of encounter

Promoting a culture of encounter over one of confrontation is crucial, Cardinal Parolin stressed, and interreligious dialogue is an essential condition for peace, recalling Pope Francis' words in his encyclical letter Fratelli tutti: "approaching, expressing oneself, listening, looking at one another, getting to know one another, trying to understand each other, and seeking points of contact." This dialogue between Latin, Byzantine, and Islamic cultures is especially important for the peaceful future of the Balkans, Cardinal Parolin noted.

Building bridges

Interreligious dialogue offers a pathway to foster fraternity and peace in the world, Cardinal Parolin added, and this can help remedy the problem of extremism that appears even within religions. He noted how "building bridges, rather than erecting walls is the more challenging architecture for constructing the future," but the way to bring peace, as "a bridge unites, creates communion, opens the doors to dialogue and knowledge."

Path of Fraternity

Recalling efforts for peace and dialogue, Cardinal Parolin noted how the European path offers a favorable opportunity to promote reforms in political, economic, and social spheres that can help in this processs and strengthening stability. He said the Holy See looks favorably upon this aspiration and strongly supports it. He said that Pope Francis envisions Europe as a "path of fraternity" that inspired the founding fathers of modern Europe who worked to lay the foundations an enduring peace.