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"We very much welcome what churches in Europe are saying about this avoidable crisis: diversity of religion enriches Europe," said Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia today.
The World Council of Churches general secretary was commenting on statements made by European churches, and by the Conference of European Churches (CEC), about media carrying cartoons with sensitive religious content.
"Discrimination on the basis of religion or ethnicity must be rejected. The Conference of European Churches is saying this, and so are national churches standing together with Islamic leaders," Kobia affirmed.
"The Church of Norway and the Islamic Council in Norway met, for example, and issued a joint statement noting the great responsibility that goes with the right to express oneself. They also said that expressions of opinion must not be met with violence," Kobia reported.
In the WCC's general secretary's opinion, "Media with freedom have power. If that media power is used to confront abuses of power in society and government, it is wisely used. But to use it to criticise the values and dignity of people who feel powerless, as in this case, is dangerous."