BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Baku hosted
Saturday a reception on the occasion of the blessing of the grounds
and laying of the foundation stone of the new church dedicated to
Saint John Paul II, Trend reports.
Addressing the event, Fariz Rzayev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs, noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and
the Holy See are based on friendship and close cooperation, and are
developing in positive spirit.
According to him, the visits of President Heydar Aliyev in 1997
and President Ilham Aliyev to the Vatican since 2005, as well as
the visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to
Azerbaijan, have elevated our relations to their present level.
“We attach particular importance to our active and effective
cooperation in preserving the values of intercultural and
interreligious dialogue. In Azerbaijan people of various religions
and beliefs have lived together in harmony and mutual respect for
centuries. The Catholic community has always enjoyed continuous
care and support,” Fariz Rzayev said.
The Azerbaijani Deputy FM emphasized that the involvement of the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the restoration of Vatican’s historical
sites advances bilateral cooperation and contributes to the
preservation of global cultural heritage and development of
intercultural dialogue.
In his remarks, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for the
Holy See’s Relations with States and International Organizations,
expressed his sincere gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, for his generous contribution of land for the construction
of the Catholic Church in Baku.
“I also wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, as well as to the authorities of Baku, and to Ilgar
Mukhtarov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Holy See. I am also
grateful to the many individuals of goodwill, whose efforts have
made the construction of this church in the heart of Baku possible.
Dedicated to Saint Pope John Paul II, who in 2002 became the first
Successor of Saint Peter to visit this beautiful country, this
church will serve as a lasting symbol of the enduring friendship
between the Holy See and the Republic of Azerbaijan,” Paul R.
Gallagher noted.
“While diplomatic ties were formalized in 1992, the friendly
relations between the Holy See and Azerbaijan have deep historical
roots that predate that moment. The Holy See is committed to
further strengthening contacts and cooperation with Azerbaijan,
particularly in the promotion of the moral values of justice and
peace,” the archbishop added.
Paul R. Gallagher said that today’s event also highlighted
Azerbaijan’s rich religious and cultural diversity. Describing
Azerbaijan as a country with a profound tradition of
multiculturalism, he added that Azerbaijan remains open to dialogue
with all religions, including the Catholic Church.
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