PRESS RELEASE
The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
Vienna, Austria – the 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace Began
Global Religious Leaders “WELCOME THE OTHER”
Religions for Peace is the largest religious organization in the world, with participation from all the major religious communities and whose goals are promoting and achieving peace. From November 20 to 22, in Vienna, Austria the 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace is taking place.
In this Assembly 600 religious leaders, representing all historic faith traditions from every region of the world, are participating to address rising hostility toward the “other” worldwide.
The Assembly delegates come from the Religions for Peace network of ninety national inter-religious councils and groups, five regional councils, one world council and a global network of religious women and youth.
The Assembly delegates include Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Shinto, Baha’i, Jain, Zoroastrian, etc. religious leaders.
In his statement Dr. William Vendley, the General Secretary of Religion for Peace, stressed that: “Each of our different religions urge believers to “welcome the other”. This Assembly is an opportunity for diverse religious communities to work together to confront rising social hostility toward the “others”, which takes the form of intolerance and too often violence”.
Since 1970, Religions for Peace World Assemblies have addressed common threats to Peace and advanced multi-religious cooperation. This Assembly is identifying ways that religious communities can “welcome the other” by advancing human dignity, shared well-being, and a more robust notion of citizenship.
The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania is a member of Religion for Peace and since the last Assembly, Archbishop Anastasios is its Honorary President. The expression of cooperation in the framework of this organization is echoed also in the establishment and functioning of the Inter-Religious Council of Albania.
20/11/2013
The Press Office of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
