Bishop Martinelli: ‘The Synod shows the way for peaceful coexistence’

By Antonella Palermo and Lisa Zengarini

“To end the current spiral of violence, it is urgent to revise diplomatic protocols, but we also need the testimony of believers who show that we can walk together, that religions can contribute to the humanization of the world,” he declares. Mgr Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., Apostolic Vicar of South Arabia.

Breaking the vicious cycle of revenge

The Italian Capuchin friar, who has led the Church in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen for more than two years, is in Rome for the Synod on synodality. He spoke with Vatican News, on the sidelines of the assembly, about the repercussions of the ongoing war in the Holy Land and Lebanon on the Arabian Peninsula, and in particular on war-torn Yemen and directly affected by the Israeli-Israeli conflict. Hamas, with the Houthis. rebels exchange fire with Israel and attack ships in the Red Sea.

Bishop Martinelli insisted on the urgency of breaking this vicious circle of revenge by resuming diplomacy: “We must find paths of reconciliation and peace for the good of all,” he declared.

Peaceful coexistence is possible

He added that religious communities can and must contribute to dialogue and peace for a better world, by “not allowing themselves to be used for nationalist purposes”.

He cited the example of the United Arab Emirates and Oman, where a Catholic church, a mosque and a synagogue coexist, demonstrating that peaceful coexistence is possible: “It is obvious that sharing one’s spiritual traditions is beneficial for all. “, he said.

The Synod shows the way forward

According to Bishop Martinelli, the experience of the Synod on synodality in progress is a concrete testimony to the contribution of the Church to the dissemination of this culture of peace. “Beyond the technical results that this can bring, the fact that we listen to each other is significant,” he said. “Recognizing the richness of differences and learning to discern God’s will together is an example for the Church and the world, which can inspire paths of goodness for society.

Accept differences

Commenting on Pope Francis’ recent apostolic trip to Asia and Oceania, the Apostolic Vicar of South Arabia noted several similarities with his two historic visits to the United Arab Emirates in 2019 and Bahrain in 2023, including the signing of the declaration interfaith group of religious harmony, in Indonesia. which, he says, shows that “the path towards fraternity continues”.

“I find the appreciation of differences extremely exciting,” he said. “The ideal of life is not to overcome differences where everyone is the same, but to savor the encounter with others because they are different.”