64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
United Nations Headquarters, New York – 5 October 1995
The world has yet to learn to live with diversity, as recent events in the Balkans and Central Africa have painfully reminded us.
The idea of “difference” and encountering “the other” can feel overwhelming. Past harms and manipulative actions can cause us to fear others’ humanity, fueling cycles of violence affecting everyone, including children.
Let’s cultivate understanding and compassion to break this cycle.
Our difficult experiences teach us that fear of “difference,” especially when it manifests as exclusive nationalism denying rights to “the other,” can lead to violence and terror. However, by examining these issues openly, we see that despite differences, we share a common human spirit that connects us.
Different cultures explore what personal existence truly means, earning our respect as sincere efforts to reflect on the wonder of the world and the human being. They express the transcendent aspects of our lives, with each culture’s core being its unique approach to the greatest mystery: the mystery of God.
We value other cultures as they explore human life; protecting freedom of religion and conscience is vital, as they are core to human rights and free societies.
No one can suppress rights by using coercive power to impose a single answer to humanity’s mystery.
Excerpted from the words of His Holiness, Saint Pope John Paul II
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