Seoul (AsiaNews) – From 2 to 6 August, Sogang University in Seoul will host the first international Colloquium on dialogue between Christianity and Confucianism, sponsored by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK), the Sungkyunkwan (성균관), the Confucian Academy of Korea, and Sogang University.
The meeting marks a new stage in the dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Confucian world and will also be the occasion for the official presentation of the guidelines to Christian-Confucian dialogue, developed by an international group of experts after years of study and discussion.
The theme of the Colloquium, New Heaven, New Earth and Datong (Great Harmony, Great Unity): Christian–Confucian Dialogue for Building an Ideal Society, is centred on two great ideals that, even though they belong to different traditions, share the quest for a society founded on human dignity, justice, and the common good.
The reflection will draw on the Christian vision of the "New Heaven and the New Earth”, described in the Book of Revelation as the fulfilment of God's plan of salvation. This perspective heralds humanity's full reconciliation with God, with one another, and with creation, which, already in the present, inspires Christians' commitment to building a more fraternal and supportive society.
This vision is complemented by the Confucian ideal of Datong (Great Harmony), outlined in the Book of Rites. It describes a community in which the common good prevails over individual interests, rulers exercise their duties with wisdom and integrity, and social peace arises from the moral preparation of individuals and the practice of the virtues of benevolence, justice, and mutual respect.
Although they draw from different perspectives – eschatological for Christians, ethical-political for Confucians – both traditions recognise the value of personal education, responsibility towards the community, and the pursuit of a social order founded on justice and peace.
The colloquium will bring together theologians, philosophers, religious scholars, and specialists in Confucian studies from various countries, along with bishops, Church representatives, and practitioners of interreligious dialogue.
The discussions will address highly topical issues, such as universal brotherhood, leadership inspired by virtue, governance oriented towards the common good, environmental accountability, and the moral preparation of future generations.
In a time marked by conflict, social fragmentation, and environmental crisis, the initiative demonstrates the Holy See's commitment to promoting forms of dialogue that go beyond mutual understanding, but seek to identify, in the spiritual heritage and wisdom of different religious traditions, shared resources for building a culture of encounter, peace, and care for our common home.
Speakers include Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue; and his secretary, Mgr Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage; along with men and women religious, monks, and scholars of theology, philosophy, religious studies, and Confucianism from 12 countries, including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the United States, as well as experts and practitioners committed to interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
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