Diplomats of Muslim countries in the Mediterranean and the Middle East are taking a course on the Catholic Church and the Holy See's international politics.
The three-week course was inaugurated Monday at the Pontifical Gregorian University by Cardinals Tarcisio Bertone and Renato Martino -- Vatican secretary of state and president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, respectively.
The course, entitled "The Catholic Church and the International Politics of the Holy See," features morning lectures and afternoon visits to key Church offices.
The course will continue through May 20 in Rome and May 21-27 in Turin, Italy.
Participants will learn about "the organization and functioning of diverse organizations of the Holy See, the diplomatic activities of nunciatures and the humanitarian activities of the Church that promote peace," Cardinal Bertone told Vatican Radio.
Vital necessity
The Vatican secretary of state said the theme is "interreligious dialogue as a path for peace," understood as "an educational instrument for peace used to build a peace that is true and lasting."
He added: "It is an affirmation that responds to a deep need, because interreligious dialogue is not optional.
"Dialogue is a vital necessity. We cannot pass up the opportunity to engage in it. No. We must all take part. It is a commitment to build peace and promote human rights."
Cardinal Bertone continued: "We must defend the right to life and religious freedom against every form of violence, above all if violence is invoked in God's name and in the name of religion."
The 72-year-old cardinal said the Vatican is concerned about "the situation of countries in the Middle East and this conflict that cannot seem to be solved in the land of Jesus."
"The Holy See is active in this regard," Cardinal Bertone continued, "using all of its strength and in many ways, above all through prayer and interreligious dialogue, diplomatic meetings and meetings with heads of state in the Middle East and with all those who are active in the promotion of peace in that region and eliminating the causes of this conflict."
Among those sponsoring the program are the Gregorian Foundation and the Jacques Maritain International Institute.
It is being promoted in collaboration with Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; LUMSA University in Rome; the University of St. Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon; and the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local offices of the Latium and Piedmont regions in Italy; and by the Italian offices of the European Union.
