Armenian Genocide 2015 Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addressing the Armenian Genocide

Members of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders (EBWRL) Sign Statement on the Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

In light of the observance of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders recalls five lessons learned during its most recent meeting on the theme of “Memory and Hope”:

1. Truthfulness must guide us in dealing with all painful memories of the past, especially as these relate to conflicts and tensions between nations and religious communities. We cannot ignore our painful memories; we must make room for them to be brought to light, healed and transformed.

2. We must always keep open the horizons of hope and seek ways for transformation of memory and of human relationships.

3. If we seek to forgive and open new pages in our history, we must also prepare the ground for such forgiveness of others through repentance and asking for forgiveness.

4. The present era is one of dialogue. We believe that through the power of dialogue, bonds of friendship and recognition of the full humanity of the other can be established, so that even in times of war and crisis we do not lose perspective on the humanity and rights of the other.

5. Education is our primary tool for reaching our faith communities and education must include equipping our communities to move beyond pain to healing and to transforming painful memories. This will allow us to move towards a world in which the value of human life and the values of dignity, justice, reconciliation and the unity of humanity are upheld.

Signatories:

65 Members of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders (click to view list of names)

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