Press conference on the sidelines of a conference on literacy – Dar Al-Ahram Foundation

This lecture by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses the vital issue of education and literacy as a key to the future. It highlights the essential role of religious leaders in promoting learning as both a divine and humanitarian mission.

1. The Importance of Education:
His Holiness emphasizes that education is the path to progress and that ignorance hinders spiritual, intellectual, and social growth. In this age of technology, humanity cannot afford to lag behind in knowledge.

2. The Role of Religious Leaders:
He explains that religious figures have a duty to encourage the illiterate to learn, provide places and teachers, and cooperate with educational authorities. Teachers must also be well-prepared to convey knowledge effectively.

3. The Spiritual Dimension of Learning:
Pope Shenouda clarifies that Christianity strongly encourages education, as an uneducated person cannot read the Bible or fully engage in prayer. Knowledge is not opposed to faith but is a sacred means of spiritual and intellectual elevation.

4. The Church and Education:
He reminds that historically, the Church was the primary source of education, and many modern academic traditions originated from it, reflecting the deep link between faith and knowledge.

5. Final Message:
His Holiness concludes that the purpose of religion is the elevation of the human person in mind and spirit, and that learning is a holy path toward achieving this purpose in service of humanity and society.

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