LETTER FROM POPE TO THE HEADS OF STATE TO PRESENT THE "Decalogue of Assisi"
Vatican, February 24, 2002.
To Their Excellencies the Heads of State or Government
exactly one month ago took place in Assisi Day of Prayer for peace in the world. Today my thoughts turn immediately to those responsible for social and political life of the countries that were represented by the religious leaders of many nations.
inspired interventions of these men and women, representing different faiths and their sincere desire to work for harmony, the common pursuit of true progress and peace within the whole human family, found high and specific expression both in a "decalogue" proclaimed the end of this exceptional day.
I have the honor to submit the text of this shared commitment to His Excellency, convinced that these ten suggestions will inspire the political and social action of their government. I noted that participants in the meeting in Assisi were more encouraged than ever by a common conviction that humanity must choose between love and hate. And feel all members of one human family, were able to translate this aspiration through this decalogue, believing that hatred destroys the love instead builds.
hope that the spirit and commitment of Assisi bring all people of good will to the search for truth, justice, freedom, love for every human person can enjoy their inalienable rights and every people of peace. For its part, the Catholic Church, who puts his trust and hope in "the God of love and peace" (2 Corinthians 13, 11), will continue to commit to fair dialogue, reciprocal forgiveness and mutual agreement trace the route of the men in this third millennium. Thanking
His Excellency the interest paid to my message, take the opportunity given to me to assure you of my profound esteem.
Joannes Paulus II
.
Assisi Decalogue for Peace
1. We commit ourselves to proclaiming our firm conviction that violence and terrorism are incompatible with the authentic spirit of religion and condemn every recourse to violence and war in the name of God or religion, we commit to do everything that we can to root out the causes of terrorism.
2. We are committed to educate people on respect and mutual esteem to promote a peaceful and fraternal coexistence between people of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions.
3. We are committed to promoting a culture of dialogue so that an increase of understanding and mutual trust between individuals and peoples, and these are the premises of authentic peace.
4. We are committed to defending the right of everyone to live a decent life in accordance to their own cultural identity and to form freely a family.
5. We commit ourselves to frank and patient dialogue, regardless of what distinguishes us as an insurmountable barrier, but recognizing instead that to encounter the diversity of others can become an opportunity to improve mutual understanding.
6. We commit ourselves to forgiving one another for mistakes and prejudices of the past and present, and rely on the common effort to overcome selfishness and arrogance, hatred and violence, and to learn from the past that peace without justice is not true peace.
7. We commit ourselves to the part of those who suffer from poverty and neglect, to speaking out for the voiceless and working effectively to change these situations, with the conviction that nobody can be happy alone.
8. We are committed to taking up the cry of those who are not resigned to violence and evil and want to contribute with all our strength to bring the humanity of our time real hope for justice and peace.
9. We commit ourselves to encouraging all efforts to promote friendship among peoples, convinced that technological progress, in the absence of solidarity and understanding among peoples, exposes the world to a growing risk of destruction and death.
10. We commit ourselves to ask leaders of nations to make every effort to create and consolidate national and international level, a world of solidarity and peace based on justice.
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