Archbishop John of Albania: True interfaith dialogue does not require renouncing one’s faith

His Beatitude Archbishop John of Albania addressed the participants of the European Regional Forum of Religions for Peace, emphasizing that the search for the sacred is a fundamental human need and a bridge to building peace. According to Vema.com.au, the religious leader called on religious communities to set an example of coexistence, noting that faith should never become a tool of violence or division.

In his speech, the archbishop recalled the spiritual legacy of his predecessor, the late Archbishop Anastasius, and his works dedicated to “the search for the Transcendent.” According to the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, the existing theological differences between denominations are an objective reality; however, true dialogue does not entail renouncing one’s own convictions or creating artificial uniformity. On the contrary, he calls for respect and responsibility for the common future of humanity.

The publication places particular emphasis on the responsibility of religious leaders. Archbishop John emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but rather the daily work of upholding justice and mutual trust. Drawing on the historical experience of Albania, where harmonious coexistence was restored after decades of struggle against religion, he called on representatives of all faiths to serve humanity, asserting that “suffering has no religion, and human needs know no borders.”