|
Vatican diplomat: Catholics, Muslims must learn more about religions |
|
|
|
|
Written by Cindy Wooden
|
|
Tuesday, 26 February 2008 |
VATICAN CITY, (Catholic News Service): Catholics and Muslims must learn more
about each other's religions if they want to get along better, said the Vatican
ambassador in Egypt and former president of the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue.
"Rather than just knowing persons, we must know their religion more deeply in
order to understand the people," Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald told Vatican
Radio.
The archbishop was interviewed Feb. 24, the evening before the annual
Catholic-Muslim dialogue meeting of Vatican representatives with representatives
of Cairo's al-Azhar University.
"We know that among Muslims and Christians there are common points, although
certainly not a common faith in Christ," Archbishop Fitzgerald said. "We must
respect the differences while trying to find spheres in which it would be
possible to collaborate and help one another."
The dialogue with the Cairo-based university, a point of reference for many
Muslims around the world, was marking its 10th annual session.
Archbishop Fitzgerald said the theme chosen for the meeting was "Faith in God
and Love for One's Neighbor as a Foundation for Interreligious Dialogue."
"I hope that this can give a new impulse to relations between Christians and
Muslims in the world," he said.
Pointing to the October letter of 138 Muslim scholars to Pope Benedict XVI and
other Christian leaders, the archbishop said there are signs that Muslims are
increasingly interested in dialogue with Christians.
"It makes me very happy to see their initiative," he said. And the fact that the
scholars' letter focused on love of God and love of neighbor, two key points for
Christians, "gives new hope for reaching a deeper dialogue."
Source: Catholic News Website
Comments posted are the sole opinion of the author and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of AIM. |
