02/01/2007, 00.00
VATICAN
Send to a friend

Dialogue between Jews, Christians and Muslims is a “vital necessity” of our times, says Pope

Benedict XVI stresses the need for people from monotheistic religions to confront the mystery of God through reason. What is needed is a “real dialogue, one that respects differences, that is courageous, patient and persevering, one that finds its strength in prayer ”.

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.”

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29
For Fr Tom, abducted in Yemen, Holy Thursday prayer and adoration for the martyrs
21/03/2016 14:57
Pope talks about the Middle East, the Holy Land and the food crisis with Bush
13/06/2008
"We are optimistic," says Paul Bhatti as Rimsha Masih's bail hearing postponed to Friday
03/09/2012
Church leads the way in helping Vietnam cope with its educational emergency
11/03/2016 17:00


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”