Steps in Catholic-Muslim Dialogue

The path of Catholic-Muslim dialogue continues, as demonstrated after the first Catholic-Muslim forum "Love of God and Love of Neighbor" held in November in Rome.The dialogue took place in a cordial atmosphere, focusing on spiritual and theological issues and on human dignity and mutual respect. The Pontifical Gregorian University hosted the final address of this first Catholic-Muslim forum, bringing together participants representing both religions, who had previously been received by Pope Benedict XVI. Ingrid Mattson shares her experience: "To me, the most mp4ing part of this experience was the ability to be truly open without our fears. And that means we really trusted each other. We may have begun our first day a little bit by getting to know each other, but by the second day we were right at the heart of the issues." Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, summarizes the spirit of this meeting. "When one makes the effort to listen to others, to know, understand them, it is possible to go beyond consensus, and to reach dialogue. Traveling on part of the road together, it is possible to talk, to recognize one another, to love one another." "During these days, there has been much progress made without confusion, and with great trust."The second gathering of this magnitude will take place two years from now, in a predominantly Muslim country which has not yet been announced.

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News & Politics

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• catholics
• muslim
• interreligious
• dialogue