It is a truism now in inter-religious relations that there can be no peace in the world unless there is peace between the World Religions.  Unless we religious people have harmonious relationships, and I would argue unless we have real friendship between us and not just tolerance and respect, other forces, political and economic, will be able to use us to further their own causes which bring division and pain to our world.

His speech makes an interesting read … thanks to The Ecumenical and Interfaith Newsblog for the reference.

Dave

Related posts:

1. Beyond Tolerance: Transform our own religions from within
2. Kuala Lumpur and avoiding the "clash" of religions and civilisations
3. Parliament of World Religions

The Commission is preparing for its 20th conference in November this year in Hungary, which will focus on Catholic-Jewish relations in Eastern Europe.  The offical topic of the conference is “Civil and Religious Society, Catholic and Jewish Perspectives.”  This parallels other interfaith activities underway between different groups, and it’s good that we’re all “singing from the same page in the hymnbook”.

Hoffmann quotes John Paul II: “Anti-Semitism is a sin against God and against humanity. And so the Jews can be sure they have found an ally in the fight against anti-Semitism.”

That’s nice.  But I really look forward to the day when our religious leaders, Jewish Christian and Muslim, feel comfortable broadening their focus in saying that we must respect each others’ religious beliefs, and not be hateful to those of other religions.   May it be God’s will that one day we will be able to say that Jews, Christians, and Muslims stand together against anti-Jewish, anti-Christian, and anti-Muslim activities.

Dave

Related posts:

1. Abraham Conference on reconciliation at Australian Catholic University
2. The necessity of Jewish Muslim dialogue
3. Catholic Church to Muslims: Let's work together for the dignity of the family