Catholic bishop: Seeing devastation in Aghdam was deeply painful

Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, has said he found it painful to witness the destruction in Aghdam during his recent visit to the city.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the international conference titled “Islamophobia: Unmasking Prejudice and Challenging Stigma” held in Baku on May 26, Bishop Fekete reflected on the emotional impact of what he saw, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“When a person, driven by hatred or in a state of frenzy, destroys what is dear to others, it speaks either to a lack of upbringing or a loss of humanity,” he remarked.

In response to a question about the reconstruction of the liberated territories, the bishop praised Azerbaijan’s efforts, particularly in Shusha.

“Now, all the sceptics — those who had doubts — have the opportunity to travel to the city of Shusha, to see these places that were under occupation for 30 years, and compare how they were then and what they have become today,” he said.

Turning to the topic of the conference, Bishop Fekete highlighted the importance of interfaith dialogue in combating Islamophobia and other forms of prejudice.

“This is already the third international conference dedicated to combating Islamophobia. It brings together scholars, religious leaders, politicians, and economists. In my view, the most important aspect is to highlight the need for dialogue,” he said. “If everyone isolates themselves — ‘I’m a Muslim and don’t want anything to do with Christians or Jews,’ or vice versa — that leads nowhere. Such a closed mindset helps no one.”

He noted that the conference was attended not only by Muslims but also by Christians and Jews, creating a valuable space for discussion and the sharing of experiences.

“This is an important example that simply having information is not enough — dialogue is essential,” he stated. “In this regard, Azerbaijan sets a good example: there is continuous interaction here between religious representatives and ordinary people.”

According to Bishop Fekete, mutual respect and a genuine willingness to understand one another are essential for progress. “If fear and distrust exist between different groups instead of respect and a desire to understand one another, there will be no progress,” he said.

“While the conference focuses on Islamophobia, it’s clear that anti-Semitism and prejudice against Christianity also exist in the world. Therefore, if we — Muslims, Christians, and Jews — can come together here to discuss the consequences of these forms of intolerance, perhaps we can find a way forward. If people learn to respect one another and value each other’s achievements, that is the path to the future.”

In conclusion, Bishop Fekete expressed confidence that relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican will continue to grow stronger.

By Khagan Isayev