Today, the Western world —particularly Europe— should perhaps deserve the same grief and sorrow Christ showed toward the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida… We have societies that, having known the works of Jesus Christ, do not recognize Him anymore and have even lost the sense and respect of the sacred.

For the coexistence of cultures respect for that which another group holds sacred is essential, (which one can reasonably expect to find even among those who are not willing to believe in God). When this respect is violated in a society, something essential is lost. In the European society today, anyone who dishonors the faith of Israel or its great figures must pay a fine. The same holds true for anyone who dishonors the Koran and the convictions of Islam. But when it comes to Jesus Christ and that which is sacred to Christians, freedom of speech becomes the supreme good.

—O Lord, Author of peace, grant our society the right to live a freedom (of expression) always respectful with the honor and dignity of the others.