Pope Francis’ Asia visit put humanity first
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, last week visited two Asian nations with small Catholic populations: Myanmar and Bangladesh. He made a special point of visiting Rohingya Muslim refugees and expressing sorrow for their treatment.
I believe the pontiff’s activities were aimed at healing the centuries-old conflict between Christians and Muslims. Religious minorities are persecuted in many countries, often for political gain, a malignant strategy that should be condemned.
These practices were used in Northern Ireland, in Egypt and other Middle Eastern nations. Conflicts in Indonesia and Myanmar are often labelled as religious, but they are not. People living together for years know and respect each other and their beliefs. It is usually outsiders, such as politicians, who stir up suspicions and recall old quarrels to divide people.
But we must also be realistic. There have been serious violations of justice in the past by religious believers. Catholic nations such as Spain and Portugal profited hugely from the slave trade. Anglican England engaged in imperial conquest. Southern US Protestants exploited African slaves before the Civil War. Muslim nations have also engaged in conquest and religious suppression. Israel has treated Islamic citizens and neighbours with unremitting harshness. Injustice is the root of hatred.
It’s high time that religious leaders admitted these historic evils and moved to rectify them. Religion has to put love and forgiveness first. Believers must not use religion to determine citizenship, nor must politicians try to establish religious practices.