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UOC–KP Orthodox Head Visits Libya

31.07.2005, [07:57] // UOC-KP //

Kyiv – Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko), head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC – KP), visited the Libyan Jamahiriya on 24–26 July 2005, following an invitation from the Association of Global Islam Call. During his visit to this Islamic country, the hierarch met with a number of state, religious and civic figures. His goal was not only to strengthen Libyan-Ukrainian interstate relations, but to enliven interchurch and interreligious communication and understanding.

Patriarch Filaret had an official meeting with the secretary general of the Association of Global Islam Call and the secretary for information and culture of the Chief People’s Committee for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation. Important meetings also took place in Catholic and Coptic Orthodox churches of Tripoli and other cultural and religious centers of Libya.

In meeting with professors of history and religion and journalists, the patriarch expressed his approval of the association’s activities. The Association of Global Islam Call consistently broadens perspectives of religious and cultural communication. “Dialogue," Patriarch Filaret stressed, "is the way we should follow to solve the problems of today. Terrorism and violence have no religion and no homeland, so it is unjust to connect them to any religion or culture. It is a global phenomenon, and all should look for its causes, clearly define its essence, and cooperate in fighting it,” he noted.

In turn, the association highly praised the role of the UOC-KP in establishing tolerant relations with all religious and cultural components of Ukrainian society, especially Muslims, who, together with Christian Ukrainians, are actively building Ukraine.

Source:

• http://www.cerkva.org.ua/site/modules.php?name=News&file=view&news_id=651