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Washington – The US Ambbadador to the Holy See told a Washington audience on July 24 that "promoting and guaranteeing religious freedom as a human right is a priority shared "of the Vatican and the United States. Gingrich joined Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, and other speakers at an event to discuss the Vatican's perspective and religious freedom in the whole world
Religious freedom has put on the event. It was one of many side events held in Washington during an invitation to religious freedom organized by the US State Department.
Miguel Diaz, former United States Ambbadador to the Holy See and titular John Courtney "We are meeting today at a critical moment," said Thomas Farr, president of the Institute of religious freedom. He then referred to a Pew report stating that 83% of people in the world live in countries with high or very high restrictions on religious freedom.
Gingrich, a keynote speaker, mentioned the latest annual report Religious Freedom, which she said indicated that religious freedom had declined last year.
"Punishment is a daily reality and no religious group is immune from persecution," she said. "It is dangerous to be a person of faith, we must do more."
She lists several examples of persecution around the world, including that of Catholics in Nicaragua, Uyghurs in western China, and Rohingyas in Myanmar.
Gingrich also linked religious freedom to women's rights.
"History has shown that societies and governments that defend religious freedom are safer, freer, and safer. During the Q & A session, an badistance man described how to help villages in East Africa build wells so that women do not have to to walk a long time. distances to fetch water. He explained that not only did the well release women's time for other types of work or recreation, but it also allowed them to devote more time to religious services.
Gallagher explained that as the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, "
" Most of us who find ourselves in this kind of jobs do not have to do anything about it. do not have much choice in what we do. But freedom of religion is an issue that has always existed, "he said.
He was inspired by the story of his own life to explain that the issue of religious freedom has a particular resonance for him.He said that he was a native of Liverpool, England, and that the centuries-long struggle for Catholics in England to be free to practice their religion is still in his mind, though, says he, the struggle is not complete.
"As a Catholic, you know that you are not part of the dominant political society," he said.
He also mentioned that his father's sensitivity to religious and political discrimination helped to develop the necessary vision.
Gallagher said that while "the Holy See is in contact with all parts of the world," the pope a particular concern for Latin America.
"The p Pope Francis is aware because he comes from Latin America and saw struggles with both right-wing military leaders, and, more recently, other forms of government. "
The Archbishop also stated that religious freedom is necessary for the fulfillment of the human.
" We all want the freedom of our religious affiliation, and all the people They need to breathe the air of freedom if they really want to blossom. "
Gallagher also discussed how the Vatican does its job.
" We do not go into grandiose diplomacy. What we do, is to engage, show interest and work through our local networks.
Díaz said that the protection of religious freedom must go hand in hand with growing religious literacy
. the Holy See, from 2009 to 2012, "all my efforts in favor of religious freedom included education on religion."
The purpose of this work, he said, was that lack of knowledge about the religions involved
Despite his work in other countries, Gallagher expressed his concern about the direction that take the United States and other First World countries.
"We have to consider freedom of conscience, especially West, we are starting to see Catholic positions condemned by more secular societies," he said.
Farr feared that this trend would hinder efforts to promote freedom of religion in other countries
"It is difficult to sell a product." I do not believe or I do not understand not ", he said.
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