Add Category
Pope Francis walks with by Central African Republic interim president Catherine Samba-Panza. Picture: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP
FUNDAMENTALISM is a “disease of all religions†including the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has declared in a series of rousing speechs about terrorism.
On the final leg of his first tour to Africa, the figurehead of the Roman Catholic Church dismissed the perception that violent extremists are restricted to the Islamic faith.
“We Catholics, we have a few, even many fundamentalists. They believe they know absolute truth and corrupt others,†he said.
“I can say this because this is my Church.â€
He called on his Christian and Muslim “brothers and sisters†to end religious unrest.
Call for peace ... Pope Francis spread the message of religious tolerance across the African contingent. Picture: AFP/Gianluigi GuerciaSource:AFP
While visiting a mosque in the Muslim neighbourhood of Bangui in Central African Republic, Pope Francis was met with a thunderous welcome from thousands of locals.
“Together we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself,†Pope Francis said to the crowd.
On the Papal plane, Pope Francis told journalists that “fundamentalism is always a tragedyâ€.
“It is not religious, it lacks God, it is idolatrous,†he said.
Pope Francis’ message of reconciliation was warmly received in the Central African Republic, but Reverant Justin Narv said it is a process that “requires hearts to changeâ€.
“It is not automatic but we will take the steps. And it will take time,†Rev Narv said.
Fighting between Muslims and Christian militia fighters have gripped the country since 2013 when Muslim rebels overthrew the Christian president and committed atrocities.