KEYS FOR CHRISTIAN & MOSLEM DIALOGUE

Pope Presents Keys for Christian-Muslim Dialogue
At Meeting With Bishops From Chad

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, OCT. 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says that Muslims and Christians need a greater mutual understanding of one another in order for collaboration between the two groups to grow.

Such collaboration would be based on solidarity and the recognition of the dignity of every person, the Pope said, when he addressed the bishops of Chad at the end of their five-yearly visit to Rome.

"I am happy to know that in your country relations between Christians and Muslims are generally good, thanks in particular to the pursuit of better mutual knowledge," the Holy Father said in his Sept. 23 address delivered in French.

He continued: "I encourage you therefore to continue collaborating in a spirit of sincere dialogue and mutual respect, to help every one lead a life in keeping with the dignity received from God, with concern for authentic solidarity and the harmonious development of society.

"The consolidation of fraternity among the different communities that make up the nation is an objective that calls for the commitment of all so that the country will be protected from confrontations that could bring about new violence."

Of the 9.9 million inhabitants of this African country, 51% are Muslims and 35% Christians, including 10% Catholics. Chad has difficult relations with neighboring Sudan because of the war in Darfur.

Benedict XVI told the bishops: "Recognition of the dignity of everyone, of the identity of every human and religious group, and of their freedom to practice their religion forms part of the common values of peace and justice that must be promoted for all and in which leaders of civil society have an important role to play."

Call to charity.

In a country that lives primarily on subsistence agriculture, the Pope encouraged Catholics to promote "charitable action" as a "manifestation of love of neighbor, rooted in the love of God."

"Love," he added, "is the service offered by the Church to respond constantly to the sufferings and needs, including material, of people."

...

On one hand, the country recognizes itself as a secular state; on the other, there is a "progression of Islam in administration, trade, politics and in the number of mosques being built, even in villages were there are no Muslims," the Pope observed.

"Pressures are exerted for conversion to Islam, especially on village and canton chiefs, and on some youths by some tutors," he explained. "In such a situation, relations between Christians and Muslims are limited to good neighbor or professional relations, or to going to the same schools and cultural centers, to exchanges, without authentic dialogue, when there are conferences and groups of reflection."


Pertinent Links:

1) Pope Presents Keys for Christian-Muslim Dialogue