In message, pope praises Senegal's promotion of dialogue

Published: 2005-03-10

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world where some people try to manipulate religion for political gains, countries like Senegal that have promoted interreligious dialogue are heralds of hope, Pope John Paul II said. In a message signed at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the pope told Senegal's new ambassador to the Vatican that dialogue was necessary not only to ensure peace but also to promote development in the West African nation. Felix Oudiane, the new ambassador, presented his letters of credential March 10 to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state. In a letter to the pope, Oudiane praised him for being an "untiring pilgrim, a man of peace and an ardent apostle of nonviolence." He told the pope that Senegal was working to promote tolerance and full respect for human rights.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .