Mattarella: “Religious freedom is the root of civil liberties” – BBC

LETTER TO THE CHURCH VALDESE

Milan , 23 August 2015 – 11:49

     
     
 

A message to the Waldensian Church. “Freedom is the root and extension of every religion and religious freedom is at the root of civil liberties,” said the president, addressing the Synod of the Waldensian and Methodist churches that opens in Torre Pellice, in the province of Turin. The message was announced by the synod and addressed to the moderator of the Tavola Valdese, Pastor Eugene Bernardini.

The acceptance of immigrants

“The path that led to the affirmation of this principle has been long and difficult. Now it is enshrined in the Republican Constitution and it is up to the Italian community as a whole to implement it, make it ever living and active “, explains more fully the head of state in the letter.” The Waldensian church – the president of the Republic – moves from time to Italian companies adhering to the character of a democratic culture based on

the ideas of freedom and equality and promoting social works of great value, in welcoming immigrants, support for older people and those in need, in contrast to early school leaving, in action at training ‘inner prison, helping the disabled and their integration processes, commitment to the rule of law and the common good. ” Mattarella also recalls the recent visit of Pope Francis to the Waldensian church in Turin. And even the Holy Father has sent his “cordial and fraternal greetings, as a sign of his spiritual closeness” to the participants in the Synod of the Waldensian and Methodist churches. During the meeting, addressing those present, the Pope asked, by the Catholic Church, “forgiveness for attitudes and behavior not Christians, not even human in history, we have had against you.”

August 23 2015 (modified August 23, 2015 | 11:53)

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