Vatican official says security hinges on respect of all religions

Published: 2007-12-04

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Tolerance and security hinge on the respect and protection of all religions, a Vatican official told the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, known as OSCE. "If the OSCE is to promote human dignity in an integral way, it must also effectively combat intolerance and discrimination against Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions," said Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican's foreign affairs official. Archbishop Mamberti spoke during OSCE's 15th ministerial council meeting Nov. 29-30 in Madrid, Spain. The council is the main decision-making and governing body of OSCE, the world's largest regional security organization. The Vatican released a copy of the archbishop's text Dec. 4. The problem of religious discrimination has become "an important political and security" issue, he said.

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