🕊️ First: Education and Literacy

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirms that education is the issue of the future, and that eradicating illiteracy is the main challenge facing all of society. He explains that the role of religious leaders — both Christian and Muslim — is to encourage the illiterate to learn, and to provide suitable conditions through places, teachers, and curricula in cooperation with the state. He stresses that the illiterate person must be convinced of the value of education, and that the educated must feel responsible to teach others.

📚 The Church’s Role in Education

The Pope points out that the Church historically led the mission of education, being the first school in the world, and that monks were the first teachers. Even today, the academic gown of university professors originates from the robes of monks, a sign of this long heritage.

✝️ Knowledge in the Christian Faith

His Holiness teaches that Christianity never opposes science, but rather sees it as a way for humans to grow in mind and spirit. Without education, a person cannot read the Holy Bible or pray deeply. Thus, faith and knowledge walk together — knowledge strengthens faith, and faith purifies knowledge through the Spirit.

🌍 Peace Based on Justice

In conclusion, His Holiness emphasizes the need for true peace built on fairness and justice, not favoring one side over another. Peace, he says, must include everyone — Palestinians, Lebanon, and Syria — and be founded on equity and mutual goodwill, not on pressure or political interest.

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