杏MAP导航

By Lydia O'Kane

In 1897, Thailand鈥檚 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited Rome and met 杏MAP导航 Leo XIII, the first time that a non-Christian Head of State was received in the Vatican. 

King Chulalongkorn鈥檚 vision, according to the University鈥檚 incumbent President, was to 鈥減rovide higher education for students from all walks of life regardless of their gender, social status, ethnic or economic background, or religious faith鈥�, and on that premise the university that bears his name was founded in 1917.

Addressing Christian Leaders and Leaders of Other Religions at Chulalongkorn University on Friday, 杏MAP导航 Francis said that this significant encounter between the monarch and 杏MAP导航 Leo challenges us, in our own time, 鈥渢o pursue the path of dialogue and mutual understanding.鈥� 

We need to do it, he added, 鈥渋n a spirit of fraternal solidarity that can help end the many present-day forms of slavery, especially the scourge of human trafficking.鈥�

Encounter and mutual dialogue

杏MAP导航 Francis said, in a world today that faces complex challenges 鈥渟uch as economic and financial globalization and the tragic persistence of civil conflicts resulting in movements of migration, refugees, famine and war鈥�, there is all the more need for mutual respect, esteem and cooperation between religions.

These challenges, the 杏MAP导航 pointed out, 鈥渞emind us that no region or sector of the human family can look to itself or its future in isolation from or immune to others.鈥�   He continued by saying that, 鈥渘ow is the time to be bold and envision the logic of encounter and mutual dialogue as the path, common cooperation as the code of conduct, and reciprocal knowledge as a method and standard.鈥�

Heeding the cry of the poor

Speaking to those present, the Pontiff said, 鈥渁ll of us are called not only to heed the voice of the poor in our midst: the disenfranchised, the downtrodden, the indigenous peoples and religious minorities, but also to be unafraid to create opportunities鈥�, while respecting the rights of conscience and religious freedom. 

Imparting wisdom to new generations

During his address, the 杏MAP导航 noted in particular the 鈥渆steem and concern given to the elderly in Thailand.  He said that, 鈥渢his ensures that you preserve the roots necessary so that your people do not lose their bearings by following certain slogans that end up emptying and mortgaging the soul of new generations.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis expressed the hope that young people would continue to be assisted in discovering the cultural heritage of the society in which they live and the richness of its past.

This entire approach, the 杏MAP导航 underlined, 鈥渄emands the involvement of educational institutions like this university.鈥� Research and knowledge, he said, 鈥渃an help to open new paths for reducing human inequality, strengthening social justice, upholding human dignity, seeking means for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and preserving the life-giving resources of our earth.鈥�