2006年VOA标准英语-Pope, in Turkey, Appeals for Religious Toleranc

By Sabina Castelfranco
Istanbul
28 November 2006

Pope Benedict XVI ended the first day of his visit to Turkey urging all religious leaders to "utterly¹ refuse" to support any form of violence in the name of faith. He also spoke² of his concern for increasing conflict and acts of terrorism in the Middle East. Sabina Castelfranco reports for VOA from Istanbul.

---

diplomats3 gathered at the Vatican Embassy in Ankara, 28 Nov. 2006" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070510/0952270.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

Pope Benedict XVI adresses diplomats gathered at the Vatican Embassy in Ankara, 28 Nov. 2006

Pope Benedict's last public meeting on his first day in Turkey was an address to diplomats at the apostolic mission in Ankara.

The pope expressed concern that conflict and acts of terrorism are growing in the Middle East.

"I am particularly thinking of the conflict in the Middle East," the pope said, "which continues in a disturbing way to weigh heavily on the whole of international life."

The pope spoke of his concern about the risk of peripheral⁴ conflicts multiplying and terrorist actions spreading.

Benedict said recent developments in terrorism and in "certain regional conflicts" highlight the need for strong and effective international efforts, including peacekeeping forces in violence-wracked places, such as Lebanon.

The pope, who is making his first papal trip to a predominantly Moslem⁵ nation also urged religious leaders from all faiths to reject attempts to wield⁶ political power.

He called on them to, in his words, "utterly refuse to sanction recourse to violence as a legitimate⁷ expression of religion."

The pope said Turkey has always served as a bridge between East and West, between Asia and Europe, and as a crossroads of cultures and religions.

He said dialogue is needed so that different religions come to know each other better and respect one another.

"We are in great need of authentic⁸ dialogue between religions and between cultures, capable of assisting us, in a spirit of fruitful cooperation, to overcome all the tensions together."

Speaking in a country that has a tiny Christian⁹ minority, Pope Benedict also stressed the need for all citizens to be guaranteed the right to freedom of worship and freedom of conscience.

1 utterly   

adv.完全地，绝对地

参考例句：

• Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民，把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
• I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 peripheral   

adj.周边的，外围的

参考例句：

• We dealt with the peripheral aspects of a cost reduction program.我们谈到了降低成本计划的一些外围问题。
• The hotel provides the clerk the service and the peripheral traveling consultation.旅舍提供票务服务和周边旅游咨询。

5 Moslem   

n.回教徒，穆罕默德信徒；adj.回教徒的，回教的

参考例句：

• Moslem women used to veil their faces before going into public.信回教的妇女出门之前往往用面纱把脸遮起来。
• If possible every Moslem must make the pilgrimage to Mecca once in his life.如有可能，每个回教徒一生中必须去麦加朝觐一次。

6 wield   

vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等)

参考例句：

• They wield enormous political power.他们行使巨大的政治权力。
• People may wield the power in a democracy.在民主国家里，人民可以行使权力。

7 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

8 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

9 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。