279. We Christians ask that, in those countries where we are a minority, we be guaranteed freedom, even as we ourselves promote that freedom for non-Christians in places where they are a minority.
It makes sense that Christians should always advocate for the minority. Otherwise our own complaints in places where we number among the few look to be self-serving and not rooted in human dignity and justice. Only in our own dignity and desire for fair treatment.
One fundamental human right must not be forgotten in the journey towards fraternity and peace. It is religious freedom for believers of all religions. That freedom proclaims that we can “build harmony and understanding between different cultures and religions. It also testifies to the fact that, since the important things we share are so many, it is possible to find a means of serene, ordered and peaceful coexistence, accepting our differences and rejoicing that, as children of the one God, we are all brothers and sisters”. [Address to the Civil Authorities, Bethlehem, Palestine(25 May 2014): InsegnamentiII, 1 (2014), 597]
All citations of Fratelli Tutti (which can be found on this link) are © Copyright – Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Catholic Sensibility 