Inter-religious dialogue as a Necessity in our Migrant inistry

Resolution

Inter-religious Dialogue as a Necessity in our Migrant Ministry

JPIC Conference of European SSpS / SVD in Nitra, Slovakia 31 March to 04 April, 2008

I Introduction
We, the members of JPIC Coordinators of SSpS and SVD, recognize the dialogue between Christians and Muslims as an important contribution in the process of creating peace in our world. We want to apply this dialogue especially in our migrant ministry.

Both congregations have a long tradition in encountering various cultures and religions. This has been enriching for us and for the universal church as well. Referring to Prophetical Dialogue as a priority of our common mission we commit ourselves to continue this good tradition.

II Catholic Position
We refer to the teaching of the Catholic Church in regard to Christian-Muslim relationship in the actual situation
a) Nostra Aetate and Lumen Gentium
b) Letter from 138 representatives of all Muslims denominations
c) Writings on socio-political issues in Europe

III Conditions for Inter-religious Dialogue with Muslims

Dialogue is not easy. It is important to recognize the necessary conditions which are implied for it to be fruitful. Here are some:
Mutual Respect
The differences must be respected. Mutual respect is one of the most important attitudes in dialogue.

Prudence and Love (Veritas et caritas)
This is the attitude exhorted by Nostra Aetate. It means to examine the tenet of other faiths in the light of one’s own faith, to discern the good from the bad. On the other hand, dialogue requires true love.

A balanced attitude
One should be neither ingenuous nor hypercritical, or suspicious. It is absolutely necessary to have an open mind and a welcoming spirit. There must be impartiality, and a real desire to find a just solution, one which will be acceptable to all parties.

Solid convictions
Openness is not opposed to being rooted in one’s own convictions. On the contrary, this rootedness allows one to be open without fearing loss of identity. It can facilitate an understanding of others’ convictions and values.

Openness to truth
Truth is generally not just on one side. Dialogue will help overcome prejudices which prevent truth from being recognized.

Dialogue with Muslims on an ecumenical level
It should not only be the Catholics who seek the dialogue with Muslims.
Dialogue has been presented as the most appropriate method for resolving conflicts. Conflicts, however, especially when they are violent, make dialogue, understanding and acceptance extremely difficult. Perhaps dialogue is to be seen less as a cure and more in the order of prevention.

Our witness to our belief and our love is our part of inter-religious dialogue. It is the witness of our faith that God is Love and in the Spirit of Love we find our neighbour (men, women, and children). Our hospitality will be a sign of our love for God and for our neighbour. We believe that the poorest human beings in the globalised world are the neighbours for us Christians.

IV Conclusion
We, the members of this conference, are committed to this dialogue between Muslims and Christians, because we are aware that in taking on this responsibility we are supporting the process of peace in our present European society. The migrant ministry challenges our ability for dialogue every day. In searching for the common roots from “Abraham to Jesus” we Christians are united with Jews and Muslims. We believe in one God who reveals Himself to human beings both as creator and personal partner (“I - Thou”, Martin Buber).
The basic principle of the Catholic Church is not to say: “All religions are equal.” We are saying, “All the seekers of God have the same dignity.” This inter-religious dialogue is not at all syncretism. That is to say, “All people who are in search of God have the same dignity; therefore, they should share the same freedom, the same respect.”

The participants of the meeting of JPIC coordinators SVD and SSpS
in Nitra, Slovakia, 31March – 04 April, 2008