Speaking to journalists at the launch of Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom Report, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin decries the violence in the Middle East, attacks on Christians, and the intimidation of the free press.
By Vatican News
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has expressed the Holy See’s concern over the renewed violence in Gaza, but said the Vatican remains “full of hope” that the proposed peace plan can still work.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the official presentation of the latest edition of the Report on Religious Freedom in the World, compiled by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Speaking to journalists outside the Pontifical Augustinian Institute, Cardinal Parolin was asked about the mistreatment of Christians in the West Bank—particularly in the village of Taybeh—by Israeli settlers.
“This is certainly a very complex issue,” he said, “but we fail to understand why these Christians, who are simply living their normal lives, should be subjected to such hostility.”
“To speak of persecution is slightly problematic,” he added, “but certainly these are situations we cannot accept.”
Violence against Christians in Nigeria
Turning to Africa and the surge of hatred and violence affecting Christians in parts of Nigeria, Cardinal Parolin—citing local sources—stressed that the situation there is “not a religious conflict, but rather more a social one, for example, disputes between herders and farmers.
“We should also recognize that many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance,” he noted. “These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent.”
Intimidation of the Free Press
Reflecting more broadly on religious freedom, Cardinal Parolin also expressed deep concern about recent acts of intimidation against the free press.
He was referring to last Thursday’s attack on the journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, host of the Italian investigative program Report, when an explosive device was detonated outside his home.
Offering his solidarity to Mr. Ranucci, Cardinal Parolin warned: “We are increasingly at risk of living in a climate of intolerance, where freedom of expression is no longer respected.”
“We want everyone to be able to express their views with respect and objectivity,” he said, “but we also want people to be free to express themselves without being subjected to these types of threats.”
