Appell miċ-CCEE għad-difisa tal-Kristjani u gruppi reliġjuzi ta’ minoranza fid-dinja

The Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishop’s Conferences – CCEE, (Bratislava, Slovakia, 3-6 October 2013) together with the Appeal of Conscience Foundation adopted a joint declaration brought in these days to the attention of the leaders of the United Nations.

Taking into account the constant increase in forms of violence, the persecution of Christians and other religious groups in various parts of the world, the signatories of the declaration call on the United Nations to promote with urgency a political and social commitment in defence of these peoples and in support of religious freedom, adopting in particular a Resolution for the protection of religious minorities.   

The declaration itself has been sent to the leaders of numerous nations to ask for concrete measures and actions to be taken in defence of religious minorities, places of worship and sacred texts.

“Today we are making this declaration public in the hope that it can quickly find a positive outcome”, said Cardinal Erdő. He continued: “The number of people who are suffering because of their faith is a scandal in our modern world”.

Founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier in 1965, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation is an inter-religious partnership of spiritual and business leaders of every faith who come together to promote “peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution”.

For further information see: http://www.appealofconscience.org/

Common Declaration

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), concerned about the persistent violence, persecutions of Christian minorities and other religious groups, calls upon the United Nations to adopt a Resolution for the Protection of Religious Minorities. 

We condemn all acts or threats of violence, destruction, damage or endangerment, directed against religious minorities, including the destruction of places of worship and sacred religious texts of any kind. 

We call upon all states to prevent acts or threats of violence, and invite relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute to those efforts by developing appropriate initiatives to advance mutual respect and recognition of religious minorities.

The Council of European Bishops’ Conferences and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation encourage all states, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the media to promote through education a culture of mutual respect and tolerance for the diversity of religions, which represent an important aspect of the collective heritage of mankind.