'Fight Christiano-phobia'

2008-08-30 09:11

Rome - The Vatican's Foreign Minister warned on Friday against anti-Christian hatred, saying it should be fought with the same determination used to try to eradicate anti-Semitism and anti-Islamic sentiments.

The comments by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti came after clashes in eastern India between Christians and Hindus left about a dozen people dead. Pope Benedict XVI condemned the violence earlier this week.

"One must fight effectively against 'Christiano-phobia' as against 'Islamo-phobia' and anti-Semitism," Mamberti said during a speech on religious freedom.

He noted that, "sadly", these prejudices were still a burning concern.

The comments, made during a religious meeting in Rimini, central Italy, were provided by the event's organisers.

Mamberti gave a three-part definition of "Christiano-phobia:" misinformation about Christians, intolerance and discrimination, and violence and persecution.

He said 21 Catholic missionaries had been killed in 2007.

The Vatican diplomat made a reference to the clashes in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, where Hindu mobs attacked churches and homes after the killing of a Hindu leader.

He also singled out Iraq as one of the countries where Christians are subject to attacks. While noting that motivations for the attacks are various, including economic, he said that some are "specifically religious".

Benedict has frequently expressed concern about the plight of Christians caught in sectarian violence in Iraq. Last month, during a meeting with Iraq's prime minister, he called for better protection for Christians inside Iraq.

Mamberti called for reciprocity, saying that "respect for religious freedom must be mutual".

"Therefore, in Europe it must guaranteed to non-Christian minorities, and outside of Europe it should be to Christian minorities," he said.

- AP