Acta Francisci Pp. 171

V

Iter Apostolicum in Srilankam et Philippinas: - Ad participes conventus inter religiones apud sedem congressionum vulgo Bandaranaike Memorial Interna- tional Conference Hall , Columbi.*

Dear Friends,

I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this meeting which

brings together, among others, the four largest religious communities inte-

gral to the life of Sri Lanka: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.

I thank you for your presence and for your warm welcome. I also thank

those who have offered prayers and blessings, and in a particular way I

express my gratitude to Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera and to the Ven-

erable Vigithasiri Niyangoda Thero for their kind words.

I have come to Sri Lanka in the footsteps of my predecessors Popes Paul

VI and John Paul II to demonstrate the great love and concern which the

Catholic Church has for Sri Lanka. It is a particular grace for me to visit

the Catholic community here, to confirm them in their Christian faith, to

pray with them and to share their joys and sufferings. It is equally a grace

to be with all of you, men and women of these great religious traditions,

who share with us a desire for wisdom, truth and holiness.

At the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church declared her deep

and abiding respect for other religions. She stated that she « rejects nothing

of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for their

manner of life and conduct, their precepts and doctrines ».1 For my part, I wish

to reaffirm the Church's sincere respect for you, your traditions and beliefs.

It is in this spirit of respect that the Catholic Church desires to coop-

erate with you, and with all people of good will, in seeking the welfare of

all Sri Lankans. I hope that my visit will help to encourage and deepen

the various forms of interreligious and ecumenical cooperation which have

been undertaken in recent years.

These praiseworthy initiatives have provided opportunities for dialogue,

which is essential if we are to know, understand and respect one anoth-

* Die 13 Ianuarii 2015. 1 Nostra Aetate, 2.