ENI – The World Summit of Religious Leaders, the largest interfaith gathering to meet in Russia since the time of the Cold War, closed its July meeting by passing a resolution condemning terrorism, economic inequality, environmental abuses and the denigration of moral values in the modern world.
“We condemn terrorism and extremism in any form, as well as attempts to justify them by religion,” read the statement, passed without a formal vote, but with no one objection to the text. “We deplore the activities of pseudo-religious groups destroying freedom and health of people as well as the ethical climate in societies.”
The statement was addressed to the leaders of the Group of Eight countries, who met in St. Petersburg later in July. Russia holds the G8 presidency this year and in his address to the religion summit’s participants, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to bring the final document to the attention of the leaders of the world’s leading industrial nations. “Too often, the impact of religious extremism on human affairs has hit the headlines in a very negative way,” said Archdeacon Colin Williams of the Conference of European Churches. “Rather, more attention needs to be given to the assiduous way in which churches and other faith groups have worked to promote within national, regional and international decision making the values of justice and freedom and equality.”
