In a Nutshell
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Dialogue between Catholics and Muslims is not an "optional extra," Pope Benedict XVI said in September 2006 when he spoke several times on the necessity of Catholic-Muslim dialogue. His remarks came after protests broke out against him in a number of Muslim regions over a quotation he used in a speech in Germany. Many Muslims said the quotation insulted the prophet Mohammed and demonstrated a misunderstanding of Islam. But the pope insisted he hadn't intended to make the quotation his own and that it didn't at all reflect his thinking. The pope spoke to ambassadors to the Vatican representing Muslim nations. He said, "I sincerely pray that the relations of trust that have developed between Christians and Muslims over several years will not only continue, but will develop further in a spirit of sincere and respectful dialogue." This dialogue, he explained, should happily recognize "the religious values we have in common" and respect "the differences." Pope Benedict accented "the esteem and the profound respect" he has for Muslim believers. And "it is imperative," he told the ambassadors, "that Christians and Muslims engage with one another to address the many challenges that present themselves to humanity." |
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Dialogue and proclamation
By Edward P. HahnenbergCatholic News Service
"When I was young, I was taught that three things never were to be brought up in polite conversation: sex, politics and religion."
I wish I could remember who said that. It speaks a certain truth about the way we avoid important issues. Sure, maybe our society already talks enough about sex and politics (in conversations that are polite or impolite). But I know it's not the case with religion. Why?
The option of dialogue in your own daily life
By Christopher Carstens, M.D.Catholic News Service
Our 6-year-old granddaughter, Flora, attended a birthday party for a Jewish friend. When Flora came home, her goodie bag contained a dreidel, a little top many Jewish children play with at holiday time. Everybody had gotten one.
Another day she came home from a party for an evangelical Christian friend. Mostly, the same girls attended this party as had attended the earlier party. This time the goodie bag included a little bracelet that read "Jesus saves."
Learning to hear well
By Daniel S. MulhallCatholic News Service
I'm often amazed how my personal biases and sense of self-importance keep me from seeing what is staring me in the face or from being open to hearing what someone else has to say.
A few years ago I attended a national conference of a Catholic group. After I'd finished the part of the meeting I needed to attend, I was eager to get to the airport for my flight home. Fortunately, the hotel provided an airport shuttle service.
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Faith in the Marketplace | |
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 This Week's Discussion Point: Would the people you work with, exercise with, spend time with know that the Christian community matters very much to you? Why? |
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Selected Response From Readers: |
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