VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 160
DATE 21-09-2014

Summary:
- The Pope arrives in Albania, example of fruitful co-existence between people
of different beliefs
- The living Church in the Land of the Eagles: thank you for your fidelity
- To the young: yes to acceptance and solidarity

___________________________________________________________

 The Pope arrives in Albania, example of fruitful co-existence between people
of different beliefs
 Vatican City, 21 September 2014 (VIS) - This morning Pope Francis began his
visit to Tirana, Albania - his fourth apostolic trip and the second by a
pontiff to the "Land of the Eagles". The first was by John Paul II in 1993,
two years after the fall of the dictatorship and following the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Albania. On
that occasion, the Pope celebrated Mass in the Cathedral of Scutari, which had
been transformed into a sports centre under the communist regime, and he
blessed the first stone for the reconstruction of the Shrine to Our Lady of
Good Counsel, built in 1895 and demolished in 1967. In Tirana in recent years
both the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of the Jesuit Fathers and the
Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ have been rebuilt.
 The Holy Father, who departed from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 7.30 a.m.,
arrived in Tirana at 9 a.m. and was received at the aerodrome dedicated to
Mother Teresa by representatives of the religious and civil authorities,
including the apostolic nuncio in Albania, Archbishop Ramiro Moliner Ingles,
and the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama. He proceeded by car to the
presidential palace of Tirana, where the welcome ceremony took place, and he
was greeted by the Albanian president, Bujar Nishani. Following a brief
discussion, the president accompanied the Pope to the Salon Scanderberg for a
meeting with the authorities, the diplomatic corps, and some of the country's
religious leaders.
 In his address to those present, the full text of which is published below,
the Holy Father spoke about Albania's path to recovering civil liberties and
religious freedom, warning of the exploitation of differences between
religions and praising the peaceful co-existence and collaboration between
those of different religious beliefs in Albania.
 "I am very happy to be here with you, in this noble land of Albania, a land
of heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the nation, and a
land of martyrs, who witnessed to their faith in difficult times of
persecution. I am grateful for the invitation to visit your country, called
'the Land of the Eagles', and for your warm welcome.
 "Almost a quarter of a century has passed since Albania re-embarked upon the
arduous but rewarding path of freedom. This experience has allowed Albanian
society to take up the process of material and spiritual reconstruction, to
foster an increase of enthusiasm and initiatives, and to create a spirit of
cooperation and exchange with countries of the Balkans, the Mediterranean,
Europe and indeed with the rest of the world. This rediscovered freedom has
helped you look to the future with trust and hope, establishing new projects
and renewing friendly relations with countries both near and far.
 "Respect for human rights, among which religious freedom and freedom of
expression stand out, is the preliminary condition for a country's social and
economic development. When the dignity of the human person is respected and
his or her rights recognised and guaranteed, creativity and interdependence
thrive, and the potential of the human personality is unleashed through
actions that further the common good.
 "There is a rather beautiful characteristic of Albania, one which is given
great care and attention, and which gives me great joy: I am referring to the
peaceful coexistence and collaboration that exists among followers of
different religions. The climate of respect and mutual trust between
Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims is a precious gift to the country. This is
especially the case in these times where an authentic religious spirit is
being perverted and where religious differences are being distorted and
exploited. This creates dangerous circumstances which lead to conflict and
violence, rather than being an occasion for open and respectful dialogue, and
for a collective reflection on what it means to believe in God and to follow
his laws.
 "Let no one use God as a 'shield' while planning and carrying out acts of
violence and oppression! May no one use religion as a pretext for actions
against human dignity and against the fundamental rights of every man and
woman, above all, the right to life and the right of everyone to religious
freedom!
 "What the experience in Albania shows, rather, is that a peaceful and
fruitful coexistence between persons and communities of believers of different
religions is not only desirable, but possible and realistic. The peaceful
coexistence of different religious communities is, in fact, an inestimable
benefit to peace and to harmonious human advancement. This is something of
value which needs to be protected and nurtured each day, by providing an
education which respects differences and particular identities, so that
dialogue and cooperation for the good of all may be promoted and strengthened
by mutual understanding and esteem. It is a gift which we need to implore from
God in prayer. May Albania always continue to walk this path, offering an
inspiring example to other countries.
 "Mr President, after a winter of isolation and persecution, the springtime of
freedom has finally come. By means of free elections and new institutional
structures, a democratic pluralism has been consolidated which is now
favouring economic activity. Many people, especially at the beginning, chose
to emigrate in search of work and a better standard of living, and in their
own way contributed to the advancement of Albanian society. Many others
rediscovered reasons for staying in their homeland, wanting to build it up
from within. The efforts and sacrifices of all have improved the life of the
nation in general.
 "The Catholic Church, for her part, has resumed a normal existence,
re-establishing her hierarchy and rejoining the threads of a long tradition.
Places of worship have been built or rebuilt. Among these, the Sanctuary of
Our Lady of Good Counsel at Scutari holds a special place. Similarly, schools
and centres of education and healthcare have been established for use by all
citizens. The presence of the Church and her activities are therefore rightly
seen as a service, not only to the Catholic community, but rather to the whole
nation.
 "Blessed Mother Teresa, together with the martyrs who witnessed to their
faith - to whom we pray and offer our appreciation - most certainly are
rejoicing in heaven because of the work of men and women of good will who
contribute to the flourishing of civil society and the Church in Albania.
 "Today, however, new challenges arise which must be faced. In a world that
tends toward economic and cultural globalization, every effort must be made to
ensure that growth and development are put at the service of all and not just
limited parts of the population. Furthermore, such development will only be
authentic if it is sustainable and just, that is, if it has the rights of the
poor and respect for the environment close to heart. Alongside the
globalisation of the markets there must also be a corresponding globalisation
of solidarity; together with economic growth there must be a greater respect
for creation; alongside the rights of individuals, there must be the
guaranteed rights of those who are a bridge between the individual and the
state, the family being the first and foremost of such institutions. Today
Albania is able to face these challenges in an atmosphere of freedom and
stability, two realities which must be strengthened and which form the basis
of hope for the future".

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