The Archbishop of Dublin called for dialogue and respect following the terrorist events in Paris last week.
He was speaking in Dublin’s Pro Cathedral at a Mass held in solidarity with the people of France. It was attended by President Michael Higgins, the French ambassador Jean-Pierre Thébault, former president Mary McAleese as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the government and Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said they were gathered in solidarity with the people of France following the three-day spree of killings by Islamic fundamentalists which started with the murdering of 12 people at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
In his homily Archbishop Martin said: We need to build up a culture of dialogue and respect. We must do it honestly and with the courage to tackle what is wrong in our own hearts, in our own cultures, in our own religious traditions.”
He said violence is no less serious or of less concern when it happens in distant places such as the Middle East. He also cited the “horrendous violence” in northern Nigeria.
Referring to an article by Pope Francis’ friend, Argentine Rabbi Abraham Skorka, he said every act of violence and barbarity represents the bankruptcy of the culture which inspires it.
“When religion becomes a constitutive component of such barbarity it reflects the complete failure of the purpose of religion,” the archbishop added.
Meanwhile the Baghdad-based head of the Chaldean Catholic Church wrote to the archbishop of Paris to express his condolences and solidarity. In his letter he also said Muslim leaders needed to “dismantle” any extremist ideology present in their congregations. 
Patriarch Louis Sako, many of whose flock have fled their homes because of death threats from Islamic State jihadists, wrote to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois: “We call on our Muslim brothers to take the initiative from the inside to dismantle this terrorist extremist ideology, and build an open and enlightened Islamic opinion that doesn't accept the political exploitation of religion.
“There is a future for us as human beings only by living together in peace, harmony and cooperation.”
Top: Archbishop Martin greets Dr Mudafar Al-Tawash of the Islamic Foundation of Ireland. Photos: John Mc Elroy
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