Gallagher backs dialogue as way forward in Middle East

The persecution of Christians in the Middle East is making it increasingly urgent for nations to work together to protect them and reaffirm religious freedom, the Vatican’s foreign minister said in Rome last weekend, writes James Roberts.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher said the continual destabilisation of the Middle East has aggravated the violence against religious minorities, including Christians, “forcing them every day to abandon their homes to flee the horrors of war and persecution”.

Dialogue, he went on, is the way forward: “The Holy See makes every effort to promote dialogue with all available parties, inviting States and other entities to seek to resolve conflicts via political and diplomatic solutions.”

The archbishop was addressing a meeting of the Centre for Missionary Cooperation between the churches of the Diocese of Rome, on the theme “Our Church is a Church of martyrs”. “Aside from [its] diplomatic activities,” he added, “the Holy See is committed to promoting interreligious dialogue through its corresponding Pontifical Council.”