AFRICA/TUNISIA - “Everyone here was shocked by the news, Christians and Muslims alike”

Tunis (Agenzia Fides) - From Tunis Fr. Eugenio Elías, a missionary of the Community of the Incarnate Word, writes: “Tunisia is a mainly Muslim country. Its position in northern Africa and its closeness to Europe make this land a privileged area for encounter between distant religions and cultures. Without ignoring the tensions proper to this diversity - which reveal praiseworthy efforts on the part of all sides -, there is agreement with regard what is called ‘dialogue of life'. Numerous talks, seminars and conferences are organised, very often by government bodies - to promote better reciprocal understanding and greater collaboration.
Here the Catholic Church, Catholics institutions and personnel, enjoy respect and generally esteem on the part of Tunisians. An important milestone in the recent history of the local Church was the visit of John Paul II in 1996. The Pope came to confirm Christians in the faith, to celebrate Mass in the Cathedral, to pray at the place where many martyrs were killed - including Perpetua and Felicity - and to bring a message of peace to all men and women. This was possible thanks also to the open spirit of the national authorities with whom the Pope conversed in personal meetings.
In a similar context, the grave incident at La Sapienza University in Rome is inconceivable. While many people in this country strive, not without difficulty, to make difficulties proper to diversity become opportunities for reciprocal growth, this Roman University shows signs of foolishness and intolerance. “Everyone here was shocked by the news, Christians and Muslims alike,. The faithful gathered in the cathedral were informed of what had happened and asked to pray for the Holy Father and for a Europe which shows itself ever more disorientated, and to continue to work tirelessly to promote peace among all men. The event was analysed by many local media. Our hope is that, as with the Pope's address in Ratisbona, this will eventually awaken many drowsing spirits. That, as then, suffering due to misunderstanding, will give way to deeper and clear recognition of the urgent need for ‘courage to open to the breadth of reason' as our beloved Pope continues to remind us”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 18/1/2008; righe 27, parole 407)