MEETING BETWEEN HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI AND THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

17 July 2008

It was an honour to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the people of Australia to His Holiness this morning at Admiralty House in Sydney. We discussed the enviable level of social harmony achieved by Australia – a harmony based on all of us observing the proper balance between rights and responsibilities and rising above the things that so cruelly divide many other countries – by focussing on the shared values and aspirations that unite us as Australians.

I raised with His Holiness the need to recognise the importance - indeed the essentiality - of a continuum of interfaith dialogue, in setting a Christian example of reaching out to others who may have different approaches, perhaps even different views. I suggested that perhaps we should be concentrating on the values and ideas that link us rather than divide us.

As I have indicated publically, a good start point for consensus would surely be in the words of Saint Paul when he said: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

There is also a wider dimension in the value of the inter-faith dialogue, in addressing the root causes of religious extremism, leading to terrorism.

I relayed to His Holiness the powerful impact on me of a recent visit to the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq and to see first hand the spiritual birthplace of the great Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths. To recognise these faiths have common source and to publicly encourage regular and friendly high level inter faith dialogue could be a potentially powerful catalyst in working towards a more peaceful region and globe.

I suggested to His Holiness that a symbolic first step for this journey might be for the leaders of these faiths to visit together Abraham’s House to address the misunderstanding and ignorance which can encourage religious fanaticism in our societies. Obviously the timing of any such visit would be subject to a range of considerations.

It is wonderful to see the visit by His Holiness has encouraged a broader discussion about values in our society particularly amongst the young. My wife Marlena and I wish all those attending World Youth Day celebrations a joyous celebration of their faith and friendship.

17 July 2008
Admiralty House