It has recently been communicated that there will be the complete elimination of articles 163 and 164 of the Criminal Code. This would amount to decriminalising the vilification of the Roman Catholic Apostolic religion and other religions.

In his statement to the 62nd UN General Assembly on the promotion and protection of human rights, delivered on October 29, 2007, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, then permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN, had said:

“My delegation is aware of the laudable initiatives to foster debate on the delicate balance between freedom of speech and expression and respect for religion and religious symbols.

“Finding a common ground would greatly boost mutual understanding. However, while we are still engaged in an honest search and dialogue, everyone must exercise both responsibility and respect.

“My delegation remains convinced that to encourage peace and understanding between peoples, it is necessary that religions and their symbols be respected and that believers not be the object of provocations that vilify their religious convictions”.

Would such vilification of religion tarnish that much-needed peace and understanding that should continue to exist, mature and flourish between different peoples and their respective faiths in our country?

If a person’s faith is intrinsically linked to his/her human dignity, is it possible that vilifying one’s religion by words, gestures, written matter - whether printed or not - pictures or by some other visible means would also amount to another kind of assault on a person’s human dignity?