astana 8

Alexey Gotovskiy, EWTN

"Thank you Holy Father for visiting our country. I would like to ask: for Catholics living in Kazakhstan, where the context is predominantly Muslim, how can evangelization be carried out in this context? And is there something that inspired you by seeing Catholics in Kazakhstan?"

Inspired, I don't know... 

but I was happy today in the cathedral... 

to see Catholics so enthusiastic, happy, joyful. 

This is the impression of Kazakh Catholics.

Then, coexistence with Muslims: 

this is something that is being worked on quite a bit, and we are going forward, not only in Kazakhstan. Let's think about some North African countries, there is a good coexistence... in Morocco for example. In Morocco, there is quite a good dialogue.

Indeed, let me pause to consider the religious meeting [the Congress]. Someone was criticizing and they said to me: ‘This is fomenting [aanhitsen,aanstoken], this is causing relativism to grow.’ There’s nothing of relativism! Everyone had their say, everyone respected each other's position, but we dialogue as brothers. 

Because if there is no dialogue, there is either ignorance or war. Better to live as brothers. We have one thing in common, we are all human. Let's live as humans, with good manners. What do you think? What do I think? Let's agree, let's talk, let's get to know each other.

So many times, these misunderstood "religious" wars come because of a lack of knowledge. And this is not relativism, I don't give up my faith if I speak to another's faith. On the contrary. I honor my faith, because another listens to it, and I listen to theirs. 

I was so impressed that such a young country, with so many problems – the climate for example – has been able to have seven editions of such a meeting: a world meeting, with Jews, Christians, Muslims, Eastern religions... At the table, you could see that everyone was talking and listening to each other with respect.

This is one of the good things your country has done. 

That such a country – that is a little bit, let’s say in the “corner” of the world – does such a convocation. This is the impression it gave me. Then the city is of first-class architectural beauty. 

And also the concerns of the government, I was so impressed with the concerns of the president of the Senate [Maulen Asimbaev]: he was carrying on this meeting, but then he found time to introduce me to a young singer, whom you must know... this young man who is open to culture. 

I didn’t expect this, and I was happy to meet you.

[bron]