Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue today “is not an option but a necessity of our times” and to pursue it, Jews, Christians and Muslims are called to put “reason to work”, to examine the mystery of God and offer the results to the people of our times, said Benedict XVI.
On receiving delegates to the ‘Foundation for Inter-religious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue’, of which he is a founder, the Pope again spoke about the need for people from monotheistic religions to confront the mystery of God through reason.
To the members of the delegation led by Prince Hassan of Jordan, the Pope underlined the fact that the first project completed by the Foundation was the publication in the original language and in chronological order of the three holy books of the three monotheistic religions as way “to offer a specific and positive contribution to the dialogue between cultures and religions.”
Benedict XVI noted that the purpose of the Foundation is “to find the most essential and authentic message to address to the world in the 21st century,” give a strong “boost to inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue by searching together, focusing and spreading what in one’s respective spiritual heritage contributes to strengthen fraternal ties between communities of believers.”
“We are invited to put reason to work, for which I vow my support, in order to examine the mystery of God in light our religious traditions and our respective wisdom, and to recognise the values that can enlighten men and women of all peoples irrespective of their culture and religion.”
The Pope also stressed that “dialogue is necessary now more than ever, a real dialogue, one that respects differences, that is courageous, patient and persevering, one that finds its strength in prayer and is fuelled by the hope that is in all who believe and have trust in God.”
