Vatican Secretary of State: "Azerbaijan is a Model of Religious Coexistence"

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who had returned from the visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia, called Azerbaijan a model of religious tolerance for the whole world, APA reports quoting Italian websites.

Cardinal said great Muslim community, little catholic and orthodox communities acted together.

“The Muslim community highly respects the church and Pope. The traces of the ancient Gospel have been preserved in Azerbaijan,” he said.

The Secretary of State said that there are about 400 Catholics and two churches in Azerbaijan – Russian Orthodox church and Catholic church.

“The Catholic church, which had been destroyed by the communists, was reconstructed by President Ilham Aliyev’s order and Sheikhulislam’s recommendation. It means that there is peaceful living and freedom of religion in the country. It is also reflected in the political sphere,” he said.

According to Tarcisio Bertone, there will always be peace in the country, where every small religion is free.

/APA/