Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale98

the countries they have helped to build because of persistent tensions and

policies which frequently relegate them to being second-class spectators of

national life. In other parts of the world, we see policies aimed at

marginalizing the role of religion in the life of society, as if it were a cause

of intolerance rather than a valued contribution to education in respect for

human dignity, justice and peace. In the past year religiously motivated

terrorism has also reaped numerous victims, especially in Asia and in

Africa; for this reason, as I stated in Assisi, religious leaders need to repeat

firmly and forcefully that ''this is not the true nature of religion. It is the

antithesis of religion and contributes to its destruction''.5 Religion cannot

be employed as a pretext for setting aside the rules of justice and of law

for the sake of the intended ''good''. In this context I am proud to recall,

as I did in my native country, that the Christian vision of man was the true

inspiration for the framers of Germany's Basic Law, as indeed it was for

the founders of a united Europe. I would also like to bring up several

encouraging signs in the area of religious freedom. I am referring to the

legislative amendment whereby the public juridical personality of religious

minorities was recognized in Georgia; I think too of the sentence of the

European Court of Human Rights upholding the presence of the crucifix in

Italian schoolrooms. It is also appropriate for me to make particular mention

of Italy at the conclusion of the 150th anniversary of her political unification.

Relations between the Holy See and Italy experienced moments of difficulty

following the unification. In the course of time, however, concord and the

mutual desire for cooperation, each within its proper domain, prevailed for

the promotion of the common good. I hope that Italy will continue to foster a

stable relationship between Church and State, and thus serve as an example

to which other nations can look with respect and interest.

On the continent of Africa, to which I returned during my recent visit

to Benin, it is essential that cooperation between Christian communities

and Governments favour progress along the path of justice, peace and

reconciliation, where respect is shown for members of all ethnic groups and

all religions. It is painful to realize that in different countries of the continent

this goal remains distant. I think in particular of the renewed outbreak of

violence in Nigeria, as we saw from the attacks against several churches

during the Christmas period, the aftermath of the civil war in Côte

5 Address for the Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace in the World, Assisi

(27 October 2011).