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                                  VIS-Press releases   
      
   ROMANIA: CONTINUING THE PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 21 OCT 2010 (VIS) - Bogadan Tataru-Cazaban, the new ambassador of   
   Romania to the Holy See, this morning presented his Letters of Credence to   
   Benedict XVI who, in his address to the diplomat, recalled how "twenty years   
   ago Romania decided to write a new chapter in its history".   
      
   However, the Pope went on, "so many years passed under the yoke of a   
   totalitarian ideology leave deep scars in people's mentality, and in their   
   political and economic life. Following the euphoria of freedom, your nation is   
   solidly committed to a process of reconstruction. Its entry in to the European   
   Union also marked an important stage in the search for true democratisation".   
      
   "In order to continue this profound renewal", he went on, "new challenges must   
   be faced so as to ensue that your society does not focus exclusively on the   
   search for wellbeing and the thirst for profit, understandable consequences of   
   a period of more than forty years of privation. However it is important to   
   ensure that integrity, honesty and sincerity prevail. These virtues must   
   inspire and guide all members of society".   
      
   "Romania is made up of a mosaic of peoples", the Pope remarked. "This variety   
   could be seen as an obstacle to national unity, but also as a factor that   
   characterises and enriches national identity. ... Administering the legacy of   
   communism is difficult due to the fact that it favoured the disintegration of   
   society and of individuals. Indeed, authentic values were obscured in favour of   
   false ideologies, in the name of the national interest. For this reason you now   
   have to start the difficult task of ordering human affairs correctly, making   
   good use of your freedom".   
      
   "The family occupies a primary place in this process of rebuilding social   
   cohesion,. ... Family and education are the starting point for combating   
   poverty and so contributing to respect for all people: respect for minorities,   
   respect for the family and for life itself. Family and education are the soil   
   in which basic ethical values sink their roots and where religious life grows".   
      
   The Pope then went on to speak of the nation's "long and rich religious   
   tradition" which, he said, "was also injured during the dark decades. Some of   
   these wounds are still open and must be cured, using means acceptable to each   
   community. It is, indeed, appropriate that injustices inherited from the past   
   should be repaired without being afraid of doing justice. To this end the   
   situation should be tackled at two levels: at the State level by promoting   
   genuine dialogue between the State and the various religious leaders and, in   
   the second place, by fomenting harmonious relations between the different   
   religious communities". In this context the Holy Father also referred to the   
   new Law of Worship and the Mixed Commission, established in 1998, the work of   
   which "must be reactivated", he said.   
      
   The Catholic Church sees ecumenical dialogue "as the best way to know her   
   brothers in the faith, and to build the Kingdom of God with them, while   
   respecting the specific identify of each. Witness of fraternity between   
   Catholics and Orthodox, in a spirit of charity and justice, must prevail over   
   difficulties and open hearts to reconciliation. In this context, many were the   
   fruits of John Paul II's historic visit a decade ago, his first to a nation   
   with an Orthodox majority. Commitment to dialogue in charity and truth must be   
   strengthened, and joint initiatives promoted. This dialogue will not cease to   
   be a ferment for unity and harmony, not only in your country but also in   
   Europe", Benedict XVI concluded.   
   CD/VIS 20101021 (600)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)